- The Age of Empires saga allows you to activate numerous Tricks from the chat or with key combinations to alter resources, units and maps.
- In Age of Empires and its Definitive Edition, codes such as pepperoni pizza, bigdaddy, E=MC2 TROOPER, medusa, nofog or reveal map stand out.
- Age of Empires 4 maintains the tradition of cheats, although it requires enabling them in the menu and limits their use to non-competitive modes.
- The cheats grant access to impossible units and vehicles such as cars with missiles, robotscolossi or flying creatures, adding a humorous tone to the saga.

If you're one of those who enjoyed building empires pixel by pixel, you've surely used more than one of cheat codes in the Age of Empires saga to completely change the course of the game. From instantly acquiring resources to filling the map with missile-equipped cars or futuristic robots, AoE games have always had a mischievous side that breaks with their historical accuracy.
In this guide you will find All the most important cheat codes for the Age of Empires sagaExplained in an organized and detailed way: how to activate them, what each one does, which games use them, and some crazy curiosities. We'll review the classics from the first Age of Empires, the codes for Age of Empires Definitive Edition, the cheats for Age of Empires 4, and the rarest units that have appeared throughout the entire franchise (including Age of Empires II, III, and Age of Mythology).
How to activate cheats in Age of Empires and Age of Empires: Definitive Edition
In classic titles of the saga, such as the first AoE or its Age of Empires: Definitive EditionThe system for entering cheats is practically the same: it is done directly during the game without having to go to the menu.
To use them, you will normally have to Press the Enter key to open the chat or consoleType the exact cheat code (respecting spaces and letters) and press Enter again to confirm. If you've entered it correctly, the game will apply the effect immediately, although often the text you type won't be displayed on the screen, so it's worth checking to see if it's actually activated.
In addition to the written codes, some games in the series include keyboard shortcuts discounts for very specific actions. For example, there are combinations to edit colors, build faster, or open hidden resource menus, which are a kind of "quick trick" designed for debugging or solo play.
In modes like Skirmish, in certain editions, you may have to activate the cheats or tricks option beforehand in the game settings. If you don't check that box, the codes you enter will have no effect, even if you're entering them correctly.
Quick combinations and special shortcuts in Age of Empires
Within the first Age of Empires and its variants, there are some key combinations that work as instant cheats without needing to type words in the chat. They are less well-known than classic codes, but are very useful for experimenting.
One of the most curious is the sequence Q + W + E + R + T + YThis feature allows you to edit the colors of buildings and the population. It doesn't affect game balance, but it's perfect for tinkering with the visual appearance of your civilization and giving the game a different feel.
Another nice detail is that, while you play, you can Press Enter, type a number from 1 to 30, and press Enter again. to hear different voices or sounds from the game associated with those numbers. It's a kind of hidden feature, a nod from the developers.
Additionally, there are shortcuts linked to the building system and certain internal menus. For example, the combination Ctrl + Q allows you to activate a quick build., thanks to which buildings are erected at a much faster speed than normal.
Similarly, the key Ctrl + T is used to toggle a resources menu special, while Ctrl + P is associated with the construction of immutable buildingswho are not usually harmed. Finally, the combination Ctrl + C can be used to directly view the final sequence of the game, without needing to complete all the campaigns.
Top cheats and codes for Age of Empires: Definitive Edition
The remastered edition of the original AoE, Age of Empires: Definitive Edition for PCIt retains virtually all the classic code and makes it fully functional in both the original 1997 version and the 2018 remaster. This allows you to enjoy the game as it was played back in the day, but with updated graphics and technical improvements such as support for 4K resolutions. This package also includes the classic cheats and tricks, which are entered via chat just like in the original game.
For the codes to work, you must be already in a game and press Enter To open the chat window, type the name of the cheat (for example, "pepperoni pizza", "bigdaddy", etc.) and press Enter again. Even if you don't see the text on the screen, if you typed it correctly, you'll notice the effect immediately, whether it's a shower of resources or the appearance of a special unit.
All these codes can be used in almost any game mode: campaigns, skirmishes, and other solo modesIn Skirmish mode, however, it's advisable to check that the cheats option is enabled before starting the game, especially in some configurations where cheats can be disabled.
It is important to emphasize that these tricks are intended for games for fun or testsThey're not so much for balanced competitive play. Once you activate them, the challenge almost completely disappears, so they're best used in games where you just want to experiment.
Resource tricks: food, gold, stone, and wood
One of the most practical code categories in Age of Empires and its Definitive Edition are the tricks to get resources instantlyThey allow you to completely skip the gathering phase and focus on building and combat.
If you want food instantly, you can use the code pepperoni pizza, which grants you 1.000 units of food instantly. It's ideal for chaining together mass productions of villagers or soldiers without having to rely on farms or animals.
For gold, the main trick is coinage, with which you also receive 1.000 gold unitsWith this, you can research expensive technologies, hire elite armies, or keep temples and units that consume this resource running.
If you're short on stone, the command you need is quarrywhich adds 1.000 units of stone to your reserve. It's perfect for planting unlimited defensive walls and towers, or for quickly building wonders.
Finally, for wood there is the classic woodstock, which adds up 1.000 units of woodThis way, you can expand with buildings, ships, and siege engines without worrying about cutting down forests.
Special units and vehicles in Age of Empires
Beyond the resources, one of the most fun parts of the AoE saga is the codes that unlock units and vehicles that are completely out of dateSports cars with missiles, killer robots, motorized babies… the list is as absurd as it is fun.
In the first Age of Empires, one of the most legendary tricks is big daddy, which makes a black sports car with rocket launcherAlso known as Winset's Z, this is an extremely fast unit that deals around 300 damage, with good defense and considerable range. It is devastating against almost everything.
His light-skinned “brother” is big momma (sometimes written as bigmoman in some sources), which generates a white sports car with rocketsIt has less damage than the black car, but it's still ridiculously powerful by Stone Age standards.
Another classic trick is photon man, which invokes a futuristic soldier armed with a laser capable of taking down enormous units, like elephants, with one or very few shots. It's a direct reference to science fiction and completely breaks the historical setting.
If you want something even more extreme, there's the command E=MC2 TROOPERwhich unlocks a type of advanced soldier with nuclear weapon, also known as the Ravager Rider. It boasts a brutal range, massive siege damage, and destructive power far superior to the Photon Man.
This futuristic line also appears stormbilly, associated with the robot train 209It's a hunter-killer robot with good mobility and acceptable damage; on its own it's not as overpowered as other units, but if you fill the map with them you turn the game into a laser festival.
One of the most curious codes is pow, which creates a very powerful unit on a tricycleOften referred to as BabyPrez, this motorized baby boasts high speed, decent damage, and a respectable range. Aesthetically, it's one of the most surreal units you could put on the map.
Special units, improvements and transformations
Beyond cars and robots, many Age of Empires tricks focus on transform existing units or radically improve their statscompletely changing their role in the battle.
The code Big Bertha It transforms heavy catapults into a much more powerful version, with extended range and much higher damageIt is ideal for destroying enemy structures and troop formations from a safe distance.
With Black Rider You can transform archer riders into Black KnightsThese are cavalry units with greater resistance and melee damage. Furthermore, these knights have the unique ability to transform into a heavy catapult upon death, adding a second offensive capability.
The trick jellyfish It affects your villagers, who become a kind of chain unitWhen a villager dies, they become a Black Knight, and when the Black Knight falls, they transform into a heavy catapult. It's a way to recycle your workers into extreme war troops.
The command dark rain transforms an archer into a archer disguised as a treeIt is capable of blending into its surroundings and surprising your enemies. It is a stealthy and quite unique unit, ideal for ambushes and for exploring with less risk.
Another striking code is king arthur, with which certain birds pass to become dragonsAlthough it's not a textbook unit within classic AoE, it's part of that spirit of mixing fantasy with history that the saga has exploited on multiple occasions.
If you want your priests to become true beasts, the command hoyohoyo (also written as hohohoyo in some sources, although the usual form is hoyohoyo or hoyohoho/hohoho) increases its speed and conversion power, in addition to granting them a large increase in damage pointsSuddenly, they cease to be mere healers and become fearsome weapons.
In the case of siege units, the code Jack Be Nimble causes your catapults or siege equipment launch villagers, cows, or fire projectilesAccording to the version, it's more of a visual trick than a practical one, but it's a lot of fun to watch in action.
There is also the command upsidflintmobile, which empowers archers on chariots or quadrigas, making them Increase your movement and firing speedThis can turn them into an extremely difficult-to-counter missile cavalry.
Tricks to build and upgrade instantly
If you're interested in accelerating the development of your civilization, there are codes designed for that. almost completely eliminate waiting times Under construction and improvements. They are especially useful for those who want to tinker with the entire tech tree.
The most representative is steroids (sometimes misspelled as “streoids” in some lists), which makes All units, buildings, and improvements are created instantly.Furthermore, it greatly accelerates the acquisition of resources through normal gathering.
Combined with resource tricks, this code allows you to have, in a matter of seconds, all the technologies researched and a top-level armywithout having to wait years of gameplay. It's ideal for testing army configurations or researching unit behavior without the time constraint.
If you mix it with codes like big bertha, bigdaddy, or E=MC2 TROOPER, the result is completely out-of-control games where the real limit is your imagination (and the resistance of your PC).
Tricks to win, lose, or eliminate players
There are times when you want to end a game quickly, whether because you're ahead, because you see it as impossible, or because you want to experiment with specific situations. That's what the... tricks for instant victory and defeat.
With the Holafly coupon code diediedie you cause that all units die instantlyThis usually translates into a victory for you if your enemies are the ones who fall. It's a radical way to sweep the map without fighting battle by battle.
If you want to intentionally lose or reset a game, you can use hari kari (sometimes written as “hari kari”), which makes May all your units die and you end up losing the game immediately. It's the extreme version of the surrender button.
The command home run It serves for win the game instantly without needing to meet the normal victory conditions. It's perfect if, for example, you just want to see the final cinematic or check out what happens in a mission's epilogue.
You also have the classic resignwhich works like an instant surrender, allowing you leave the game directly. It's similar to pressing the surrender button, but via code.
If you want to focus on a specific enemy, the trick killx (where X is the corresponding player number) allows completely eliminate player XIt's a very useful tool for map testing or for getting rid of a... IA bothers and leave the rest untouched.
Map tricks: full visibility and no fog
Another group of very popular codes are those that alter the Map view and fog of warThey are perfect for exploring scenarios, studying map design, or simply playing without surprises.
With the Holafly coupon code reveal map you make The entire surface of the map is displayed at onceYou no longer have unexplored black zones, so you instantly know the topography, resources, rivers, and starting position of enemy bases.
If what bothers you is the fog of war closing in again on areas you've already seen, the code you need is nofogWhen using it, The fog of war disappears And you will always see the map as it is at that moment, without areas hidden due to lack of vision.
The combination of reveal map and nofog turns your game into a kind of spectator mode, ideal for analyzing how AI behaves, how trade routes move, or for designing strategies while always seeing everything that happens.
Age of Empires 4 Tips and Features
Although the fever for the saga may not be at the same level as in the Age of Empires II era, Age of Empires 4 has established itself as a very solid successoralso available in Xbox Game Pass both on PC and consoles Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S Anniversary Edition.
This title also features a system of cheats and codesHowever, there are some specific conditions. To begin with, they can only be used if You previously activated the cheats option In the main menu, under the "Game" section, and in the "Cheats" section, check the "Cheats Enabled" box. If you don't do this, the codes won't work.
It's also important to know that cheats are only allowed in three specific game modes: Campaign, Custom Game, and SkirmishesIn other modes, especially competitive ones, the cheating option is disabled for obvious balance reasons.
Once enabled, the procedure is similar to that of classic AoE: You open the chat window during the game and you write the corresponding code. The effects are very varied: instantly obtaining resources, altering unit speed, changing map behavior, or even summoning special units like an astronaut.
The philosophy behind these tricks follows the traditional line of the saga: mix useful tools for testing mechanics with humorous touches that break the historical sobriety of the campaigns.
Rare units and iconic codes in the Age of Empires saga
Much of the charm of the tricks in the AoE saga lies in their strangest and most exaggerated unitsMany of them are hidden behind memorable codes. Some come from the first game, others from AoE II, AoE III, or even Age of Mythology, but they all share that recognizable lighthearted tone.
Age of Empires III stands out George Crushington, a kind of colossus inspired by the figure of George Washington that It comes to life and sets about crushing everything that moves.It has an absurd amount of hit points (around 999.999), very high siege damage, and beastly melee attack power.
Within the first AoE, we have already mentioned Z for Winset (bigdaddy)The black sports car with rocket launchers, and its white equivalent big mommaThere is also a less powerful variant that would eventually become known as the Cobra Car in Age of Empires II, inheriting the idea of a modern car in the Middle Ages.
Another icon is the Devastating Rider, associated with the code E=MC2 TROOPER, who behaves like a kind of futuristic soldier with nuclear bomb and insane attack rangeIts faster but less destructive laser-firing version corresponds to the Photon Man, also very fondly remembered.
Returning to Zug 209, the robot that appears thanks to the trick stormbilly, its description makes a clear reference to science fiction: a killer hunter robot sent to eliminate rebel soldiersIts stats aren't as exaggerated as those of other units, but visually it's very striking.
Surreal creatures like the... also appear in Age of Mythology and Age of Empires III Laser Bear, an animal with a cape and Canadian flag that attacks with an energy beam and in AoE III can have tens of thousands of hit points and exorbitant damage, both in siege and melee.
Other curious tricks of the franchise include giant units such as Forkboy, a huge farmer with a pitchfork who, despite his friendly appearance, is quite slow and not particularly lethal, or VDML, an apparently naked and frail villager but extremely fast and capable of building any structure.
In Age of Empires II we also have characters like the Son of the ferocious monkey (linked to the code furious the monkey boy), a tiny unit with very little life but Extremely high damage and defense, especially against buildingsAnd if we expand to Age of Mythology, we find extravagant flying mounts like the flying purple hippopotamus and tapir, capable of moving freely around the map and with very high stats.
Even in AoE III there's room for extreme vehicles like Tommy the DestroyerA monster truck that, with the right trick (like tuck tuck tuck), achieves such high resistance and damage figures that It literally drags any part of the stage. without ruffling.
With all these clues and codes, the Age of Empires saga demonstrates that, behind its facade of historical strategy, there has always been a mischievous side full of Tricks for infinite resources, impossible units, and radical game changesUsing them turns every map into a playground where you can experiment without limits, whether it's in the original AoE, its Definitive Edition, AoE II, III, Mythology, or the more modern Age of Empires 4.
Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.