Age of Wonders 4: Dragon Dawn Review (Dark3nedDragon)
We should lay out clear expectations for what is and isn't in the DLC:
For $9.99 you get a new Ruler Type, several new Units, 2 New Tomes, and a New Form (the traits added are irrelevant)
New Form:
Lizards
Bunch of variations with regards to head and style, sadly there are no leg armor options
New Tomes:
Tome of Evolution T1 - Nature & Chaos
-Minor Transformation giving more Health
-Enchantment for Units that can Evolve to increase XP Gained, and grants Resurgence (if battle wins they come back) to T1 and T2 units that can evolve (strongest for Nature Builds)
Tome of Dragons - Nature & Chaos
-Major Transformation, decent for Materium, Astral, and Chaos, not so useful for Shadow, Order, and Nature
-Young Dragons, you can get your own T5 Dragons by keeping Young T3 Dragons alive for a long time
New Units:
Not worth breaking down, they're okay but tbh not really a selling point imo, the ability to get T5 Dragons is nice, and the Evolve Mechanic is present on all new units, which is thematic
New Ruler Type - Dragon Lord:
Basically the reason you're buying the expansion. It adds a literal dragon from the start of the game, costs 30g Upkeep, and cannot use most items. Instead you build a hoard over the course of the game, any unused equipment provides Gold per Turn based on Tier, with a new Society Trait it will also provide Mana.
The transformations are cool, there are 6 of them (one per Affinity), and the Dragon Lord has a TON of new abilities unique to them that you can develop over the game. Is it perfect? No. Does it add enough to be worthwhile? Definitely.
Is it overpowered? Not really. Wizard King is probably stronger, the sheer casting points, mana, and double casting you get over the course of a game is likely much better.
The Dragon is a single unit, and despite having very high HP, and good defensives, it will still die very easily (just like anything will that is focused). It has some REALLY strong power moments, especially once you get to level 12 and get your Major Transformation. Breath Attacks upgrade into one of three different styles, and at 12 upgrade again to increased radius and power.
Go watch a few videos if you're curious, I would consider just grabbing the Season Pass if you are interested in this, the discount will probably be worthwhile. Or wait and grab this on discount.
$168 value using the Diablo 4 Matrix (6 'skins')