Age of Wonders 4: The Silver Seas is now available, introducing maritime empire-building, pirate encounters, new playable forms and additional magical abilities to Triumph Studios’ fantasy strategy game. The expansion launched on November 3, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, expanding the game’s ocean exploration and settlement mechanics.
Triumph Studios confirmed the release through an Xbox Wire article published by Age of Wonders 4 game director Tom Bird. The expansion introduces the Mercantile culture, which allows players to establish cities on both land and sea, alongside two subcultures focused on different approaches to trade, warfare and economic expansion.
The Mercantile culture is the central addition to The Silver Seas. Players can establish settlements on ocean provinces and develop floating cities, opening new possibilities for controlling territory and resources across maritime regions.
The culture offers two subcultures with distinct strategic mechanics. The Cartel specializes in smuggling, secrecy and information manipulation, using concealed trade routes and stolen advantages to strengthen its position. The Barony instead focuses on wealthy merchant rulers who command armies, place bounties on enemies and use their economic influence to acquire resources.
These additions give players alternative approaches to building an empire, combining territorial expansion with economic management and military strategy.
The Silver Seas also introduces two playable forms: Aqualon and Sharkkin. Aqualon are mysterious, near-human aquatic beings, while Sharkkin are aggressive, shark-like warriors designed around a more intimidating appearance. The Children of the Waves society trait also allows players to transform their people into Merfolk.
Bird explained that both forms were influenced by community feedback. The Aqualon originated from concept artwork shared during development of the Eldritch Realms expansion, while Sharkkin emerged from repeated player requests for shark-inspired civilizations.
Four new Tomes of Magic expand the available abilities and tactical combinations. The Tome of Hydromancy provides water-based abilities that manipulate enemy positioning and increase vulnerability to lightning and frost. The Tome of the Damned introduces Ghostfire effects and the ability to summon Accursed Wisps.
The Tome of Piracy adds mobile skirmishers, explosive Ember Dust and abilities focused on raiding enemies. Meanwhile, the Tome of Eternal Ice gives players access to powerful frost magic, including the ability to freeze sections of the ocean.
Beyond the new cultures and magic systems, the expansion introduces the Bond of the Free Captains, a pirate dwelling featuring three possible captains with different personalities and objectives. Players can develop relationships with these factions, exploit rivalries or fight them, with progression toward a Life Bond unlocking additional shops, units and technologies.
Ocean exploration also receives new events, landmarks, Ancient Wonders and infestations. Notable locations include the Tempestuous Vortex, Armada’s Fall, Uncharted Harbor and Pearltide Dome. A new magical resource, Pale Tidebloom, provides another material for developing an empire.
New aquatic enemies include Frenzied Fish Swarms, Hoarfrost Mantas, Seamares and electrically charged Lightning and Storm Rune Crabs. These creatures add further encounters to ocean-based exploration and combat.
Additional expansion content includes new music composed by Michiel van den Bos, an interface skin, a Seamare mount, new realm options and customization traits.
The Silver Seas launches alongside the free Manta Update, which brings broader maritime improvements to all Age of Wonders 4 players, regardless of whether they purchase the expansion.
The Manta Update introduces trade routes connecting cities with outposts, free cities and other empires where diplomatic agreements permit. These routes generate economic benefits and can become targets for enemy raids during wars.
The free update also improves naval combat, adds ship customization, adjusts movement and settlement mechanics on water provinces, and updates ocean visuals. Players can establish outposts on suitable water provinces, although converting them into full cities remains an exclusive feature of the paid Mercantile culture.
The Silver Seas is included in Age of Wonders 4 Expansion Pass 4, which launched on October 1, 2026, with the Singer of Storms content pack available immediately. The pass has a suggested retail price of $49.99 in the United States and also includes two upcoming expansions.
Court of the Archfey is scheduled for the first quarter of 2027, followed by Forge of the Firstborn in the second quarter of 2027.
With The Silver Seas now released, Age of Wonders 4 players can expand their civilizations into ocean territories using the new Mercantile culture, while the accompanying free update introduces trade and maritime gameplay changes across the base game.
