Step by step

How it works

From a blank civ to a skirmish against it — usually in less time than a Feudal rush.

1 · Launch the app

Double-click AOE2EmpireForge.exe. A console window opens, then your browser opens Empire Forge (usually at http://127.0.0.1:8080). It's a page served by the app on your own computer — your civs and game files are never uploaded. Keep the console window open while you work; closing it quits the app.

2 · Design a civ

Click Build Civ and step through the wizard. Every step saves as you go. Already have a KrakenMeister civ? Use Convert KM Civ and keep editing it here.

  1. IdentityName, tagline, architecture, castle, wonder, monk, scout and voice.
  2. BonusesCiv bonuses from the catalog or your custom library.
  3. Team BonusThe bonus your civ gives its allies.
  4. Tech TreeEvery unit, building and tech, plus regional units.
  5. Unique UnitBase unit, name, cost and stat overrides.
  6. Castle UTA unique tech from the roster, or composed from effects.
  7. Imperial UTThe second unique tech.
  8. HeroesOptional hero units.
  9. ReviewCheck the summary and save your .civbuilder.json.

3 · Build the mod

Go to Build Mod.

a

Upload

Drop in one or more .civbuilder.json files. Empire Forge finds your game's data file (empires2_x2_p1.dat) automatically; if your game is somewhere unusual, paste the path.

b

Configure

Order your civs and choose which original civ each one replaces. The original is replaced in the mod only — your game files are never touched, and turning the mod off brings it back.

c

Build & download

Click Build Mod and watch the log. A few seconds later you get a .zip. If anything about your civ needs attention, the log tells you.

4 · Install and play

The download holds two mods, and both must be active together.

a

Unzip the download

Inside are yourmod-data.zip (the civs themselves) and yourmod-ui.zip (names, icons and text on the civ selection screen).

b

Unzip both into your local mods folder

Each into its own subfolder of:

C:\Users\you\Games\Age of Empires 2 DE\your-profile-id\mods\local\

The folder is the same for Steam and PC Game Pass.

c

Enable and play

In the game's mod manager, make sure the UI mod is enabled. When you create a skirmish, choose your mod as the data mod. Your civs appear in the slots they replaced.

Civs play right but show the old names? Raise the UI mod's priority in the game's mod menu — even when it's the only mod you have enabled. More fixes are in the FAQ.

Download Empire Forge