CK3 DLC Guide — All Under Heaven, Every Expansion & What to Buy
CK3's DLC explained: All Under Heaven (the East Asia expansion, release date and content), every expansion in order, the Chapter bundles, and what to buy first in 2026.
CK3 DLC Guide — All Under Heaven, Every Expansion & What to Buy
The short version: The biggest recent CK3 expansion is All Under Heaven — the East Asia expansion (China, Japan, Korea) that massively expands the map, with a 2025/2026 release (announced via Chapter 4's roadmap). Beyond it, CK3 has a long DLC history (Royal Court, Tours & Tournaments, Legacy of Persia, etc.) sold in Chapters.
This guide covers every expansion and what to buy.
All Under Heaven (The East Asia Expansion)
- What it is: The biggest map expansion in CK3 history — adds China, Japan, Korea, and Central/East Asia to the game.
- Content: New regions/cultures/religions, the Chinese imperial system mechanics, and the eastern map's political structure.
- Release date: Announced for the Chapter 4/5-era cycle (2025-2026) — the exact date ships with Paradox's dev-diary announcements. The "all under heaven ck 3 release date" searches track this.
- Why it matters: It's the DLC that finally answers the "CK3 map is too Europe-centric" criticism — a huge new playground.
All Under Heaven's release window is the 2025-2026 Chapter cycle; Paradox announces the exact date via dev diaries. If a specific date isn't in the latest dev diary, treat it as unconfirmed.
Every CK3 Expansion (in Order)
| Expansion | Theme | Release |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Lords (flavor pack) | Vikings | 2021 |
| Royal Court | Courts & artifacts | 2022 |
| Fate of Iberia (flavor) | Iberia (Reconquista) | 2022 |
| Friends & Foes (events) | Events | 2022 |
| Tours & Tournaments | Activities & travel | 2023 |
| Legacy of Persia (flavor) | Persia | 2023 |
| Wards & Wardens (events) | Children & guardianship | 2024 |
| Roads to Power | Byzantium / admin empires | 2024 |
| All Under Heaven | East Asia (map expansion) | 2025-2026 |
Plus the Chapter bundles (which package expansions + flavor + events) — Chapter 4 and Chapter 5 are the current/next cycles.
What to Buy First (2026)
- If buying one expansion: Tours & Tournaments — universally praised, adds the game's best systems (travel, activities).
- If you want the map: All Under Heaven (when it ships) — the biggest content change.
- Best flavor/value: Royal Court (courts/artifacts) or Roads to Power (Byzantium).
- Cheapest path: The Chapter bundles give the best per-DLC value if you plan to buy several.
CK3 goes on sale frequently (Steam/Paradox sales 25-50%). If you're not in a hurry, wait for a sale and grab a Chapter bundle — the standard advice for Paradox buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does All Under Heaven come out for CK3?
The 2025-2026 Chapter cycle — exact date via Paradox dev diaries. Treat any specific date outside the latest dev diary as unconfirmed.
What is All Under Heaven in CK3?
The East Asia expansion — adds China, Japan, Korea, and Central Asia to the map, with new cultures, religions, and imperial mechanics.
How many DLCs does CK3 have?
10+ expansions/flavor packs/event packs (and counting), plus the Chapter bundles that package them.
What CK3 DLC should I buy first?
Tours & Tournaments (best systems), Royal Court (courts/artifacts), or Roads to Power (Byzantium). Chapter bundles give the best value.
Does CK3 have a map expansion DLC?
Yes — All Under Heaven (East Asia) is the map-expansion DLC, the biggest map change in the game's history.
Do I need DLC to enjoy CK3?
No — the base game is complete and deep; DLC adds flavor and systems. Play base first, then buy what interests you.