Cheats & Secrets - Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

Cheats & Secrets for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

Introduction

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition (AoE2:DE) retains nearly all the classic cheat codes from the original 1999 game, plus a few new ones and hidden features. Cheats can be entered via the chat window during gameplay. While cheats are primarily for fun or testing strategies, they are not available in ranked multiplayer matches. Many Easter eggs, secret units, and developer-intended hidden content also exist. This guide covers everything from instant-win codes to obscure references.

How to Enter Cheat Codes

1. During a game (single-player or unranked multiplayer), press Enter (or Tilde `~` on some keyboards) to open the chat window.
2. Type the cheat code exactly as listed (case-insensitive) and press Enter again.
3. A confirmation message will appear, and the effect will take place immediately.
4. Note: Cheats disable achievements for that session. To re-enable, you must restart the game without using cheats.

List of Cheat Codes

All codes are entered into the chat window. Effects are immediate.

Cheat Code	Effect	Notes
`ROBIN HOOD`	Gives 1,000 gold	No delay; can be repeated.
`CHEESE STEAK JIMMY'S`	Gives 1,000 food	Also known as the classic food cheat.
`LUMBERJACK`	Gives 1,000 wood	Saves time on resource gathering.
`ROCK ON`	Gives 1,000 stone	Useful for building walls and castles.
`MARCO`	Reveals the entire map (fog of war removed)	Lasts until re-fogged or game ends.
`POLO`	Removes the fog of war (same as MARCO)	Both work identically.
`AEGIS`	Units and buildings complete instantly	Construction, research, and unit training finish in 0 seconds. Extremely powerful.
`I LOVE THE MONKEY HEAD`	Gives a fully upgraded Jaguar Warrior (with unique techs)	Spawns one super unit at your Town Center.
`HOW DO YOU TURN THIS ON`	Spawns a Cobra Car (fast sports car that fires rockets)	A classic Easter egg unit.
`TORPEDO`	Kills enemy units in a random location? (Actually triggers a torpedo explosion on the map center)	Obscure – mostly a visual effect.
`TO SMITHEREENS`	Gives a Saboteur (exploding monk)	Spawns one unit; you can have multiple by repeating.
`BLACK DEATH`	Kills all enemies on screen? (Actually kills all enemy units on the map in single-player)	Not recommended for campaigns as it may break triggers.
`IR WIN`	Instantly wins the scenario (only in single-player)	Works in custom scenarios and campaigns (may skip objectives).
`RESIGN`	Immediately resigns the game	Useful for testing or ending a scenario.
`WIMPYWIMPYWIMPY`	Prevents your units from dying (immortality for the current game)	Your units still take damage but cannot die (HP stops at 1).
`NATURAL WONDERS`	Controls natural wonders on the map (like animals)	Not well documented; may cause odd behavior.
`EXTRA LIVES`	Gives 10 extra lives? (Actually used in some custom scenarios)	Not standard; avoid in normal games.

#### Notes on “New” Cheats in Definitive Edition

The code `E=MC2` (from the original expansion games) does not work in DE.

The code `MADNESS` (from the original) does not work in DE.

The code `NATURAL WONDERS` may work inconsistently across DE versions.

Some codes like `COINAGE` (gives resources) from AoE1 are not present.

Hidden Features & Easter Eggs

How to get: Enter the cheat code `HOW DO YOU TURN THIS ON`.

What it is: A fast, black sports car that fires powerful rockets. It can kill most units in one hit. It’s a joke unit referencing the classic “Cobra” from the original game’s credits. In DE, it retains its ridiculous stats.

What it is: A hidden unit that looks like a man pooping. It appears if you type `TO SMITHEREENS`? Actually, `TO SMITHEREENS` gives a Saboteur (monk with a bomb). The Plopper is separate: In some versions, typing `FURIOUS THE MONKEY BOY` (or `I LOVE THE MONKEY HEAD`) gives a Jaguar Warrior, not a Plopper. The Plopper is actually from the original game’s scenario editor – it’s a primitive unit that can be placed by map makers. Not a cheat code. To see it in DE, use the scenario editor or play the custom map “Plopper” scenario. No standard cheat summons it.

Enter `TO SMITHEREENS` to get a Saboteur – a monk holding a bomb. If you right-click on an enemy, the monk runs up and self-destructs in a massive explosion, killing everything nearby (including allies). Use with caution.

Enter `I LOVE THE MONKEY HEAD` to spawn a fully upgraded Jaguar Warrior (the Aztec unique unit) that has both elite upgrades and unique technologies (like Garland Wars). It is extremely powerful.

With `AEGIS` active, you can see buildings and units complete instantly. This is not just a cheat but a fun way to watch entire armies spawn instantly. Great for testing or just messing around.

Enter both `MARCO` and `POLO` – they are separate codes that do the same thing (reveal map). No special combo effect, but the game recognizes both.

Secret Achievements (Hidden/Developer-Intended)

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition has several hidden achievements tied to specific actions, often referencing the original game or historical trivia. These are legitimate, cheat-free achievements.

Achievement Name	How to Unlock	Notes
Wololo	Convert an enemy unit with a monk in a multiplayer game.	A classic reference.
Spies	Build a Spy (from the Castle in the original game? Actually in DE, Spies are a technology in the Castle Age) – but the achievement “Spies” is unlocked by researching Spies in the Imperial Age.	Hidden in the achievement list.
The Great Siege	Destroy 1,000 buildings with Trebuchets across all games.	Cumulative, not per game.
Conqueror	Win on all 1v1 ranked maps? Not exactly secret, but some achievements are hidden until unlocked.	Check your profile.
It’s a Secret to Everybody (PC)	Play one game of Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition on a certain date (likely April Fools’ Day).	Not confirmed; may be a joke.

Note: Many achievements are not “hidden” per se but are not listed in the standard UI until you earn them.

Exploit-Safe Secrets (Not Cheats, but Legitimate Game Mechanics)

#### 1. Scenario Editor Secrets

You can place hidden units like the “Plopper” and “Cobra” (without cheats) by selecting them from the unit list in the Scenario Editor. These units are not available in normal gameplay but are fully functional in custom scenarios.

The “Saboteur” (exploding monk) can also be placed in custom maps.

In some campaigns, the AI may have hidden triggers that spawn units in unexpected places. This is not a secret per se, but it’s worth noting that the AI can use cheat-like behavior (e.g., instantly training units) to provide a challenge.

A known behavior: Galleons with the “Fast Fire” upgrade (research in the Dock) fire much faster than expected. This is a documented game mechanic, not a bug.

Developer-Intended Hidden Content

In the Scenario Editor, some units from Age of Empires I (like the Phalanx) can be found under “Special” units. This is a developer inclusion for fans.

In older versions of DE, the Cataphract (Byzantine unique unit) had an unused animation where it would slide sideways – this was a developer leftover. It has been patched.

If you select a group of female villagers and repeatedly press the “Stop” button, they sometimes perform a brief dance animation. This is a remnant of the original game’s idle animations.

In the Scenario Editor, you can place a “Sheep (Exploding)” unit that explodes when killed. This unit is not available in normal play but is a fun addition for map makers.

Important Notes

Cheats disable achievements: If you want to unlock hidden achievements, avoid using any cheat codes in that session.

Not all cheats work in all modes: Cheats are disabled in ranked multiplayer and often in lobby games with the “Cheats Disabled” option. They work in single-player skirmishes and campaigns.

Use cheats responsibly: Overusing `AEGIS` or `BLACK DEATH` can break campaign triggers. Save your game before cheating.

The “Extremely Secret” Code: There is no known secret code that unlocks a hidden civilization or all techs. The codes above are the complete list for DE.

Conclusion

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition preserves the beloved cheat codes of its predecessor while adding a few new ones and plenty of Easter eggs. Whether you want to spawn a rocket car, get infinite resources, or reveal the map, these codes provide a fun way to experiment. For legitimate secrets, explore the Scenario Editor and hidden achievements. Remember that cheats are for single-player fun only – ranked players must rely on strategy alone.