In Age of Wonders 4, Tomes represent the technology or knowledge tree of an empire. They contain a range of elements that can be researched to improve your empire, including spells, hero skills, units, and special province improvements. Additionally, each Tome provides a passive ability.
Related: Victory Conditions in AOW4
In all, there are 54 tomes of magic spread across 6 affinities. Further all tomes are also organized into five tiers. The availability of these tiers is sequential and conditional:
- Tier I: These Tomes are always available for research from the start of the game.
- Tier II: These Tomes become available when the empire has researched at least two Tier I Tomes.
- Tier III: These Tomes become available when the empire has researched at least two Tier II Tomes.
- Tier IV and V: These Tomes become available when the empire has researched at least two Tomes from the immediate previous tier. However, these two Tomes must also share the same magical affinity. This means that if you want to unlock a Tier IV or V Tome, the two Tier III Tomes you’ve researched must belong to the same category of magic.
In addition to the knowledge and improvements they provide, Tomes also grant Casting Points which are used to cast spells. The number of Casting Points provided increases with each tier:
- Tier I and II tomes grant +5 Casting Points.
- Tier III and IV tomes grant +10 Casting Points.
- Tier V tomes grant +15 Casting Points.
Casting Points represent the magical energy or power of an empire, influencing how many and how powerful spells they can cast.
Related: List of all Society Traits in AOW4
List of all Tomes
- ASTRAL TOMES
- CHAOS TOMES
- MATERIUM TOMES
- NATURE TOMES
- ORDER TOMES
- SHADOW TOMES
ASTRAL TOMES
Grants +2 boost to your Astral Affinity.
Evocation (Tier I Tome):
Province Improvement: Channeling Tower
Hero Skill: Lightning Weapons
Spells: Fulmination, Lightning Focus, Evoker, Lightning Blades, Summon Lesser Storm Spirit, Lightning Torrent
Warding (Tier I Tome):
Province Improvement: Not specified
Hero Skill: Bolstering Support
Spells: Staves of Warding, Summon Phantasm Warrior, Mark of Invulnerability, Magical Wards, Static Shield
Amplification (Tier II Tome):
Province Improvement: Resonance Fields
Hero Skill: Spell Amplification
Spells: Amplified Arrows, Conjure Amplification Pylon, Frenzy Focus, Amplify Minds, Astral Blood, Chain Lightning
Scrying (Tier II Tome):
Province Improvement: Not specified
Hero Skill: Precognition
Spells: Mental Mark, Scry Enemy, Summon Watcher, Guided Projectiles, Tower of True Sight
Teleportation (Tier III Tome):
Province Improvement: Chrono Gate, Seed of Astral
Hero Skill: Quick Phase
Spells: Astral Trade Relay, Phasing Enchantment, Emergency Teleportation, Mass Recall, Summon Phase Beast
Summoning (Tier III Tome):
Province Improvement: Summoning Well, Seed of Astral
Hero Skill: Wisp Familiar
Spells: Conjure Crystal Keeper, Summon Astral Serpent, Arcane Bond, Arcane Restoration, Arcane Supercharge
Astral Convergence (Tier IV Tome):
Province Improvement: Root of Astral
Hero Skill: Arcane Surge
Spells: Arcane Maelstrom, Astral Shattering, Explosive Manifestation, Astral Attunement, Cascading Power
The Astral Mirror (Tier IV Tome):
Province Improvement: Root of Astral
Hero Skill: Magic Deflection
Spells: Astral Revelation, Summon Astral Reflections, Summon Mirror Mimic, Mirror Veil, Throne of Mirrors
The Arch Mage (Tier V Tome):
Province Improvement: Heart of Astral
Hero Skill: Maximized Magic
Spells: Astral Travel, Cosmic Overdrive, Time Stop, Disruption Wave
CHAOS TOMES
Grants +2 boost to your Chaos Affinity.
Pyromancy (Tier I Tome):
Province Improvement: Ritual Pyre
Hero Skill: Searing Weapons
Spells: Summon Lesser Magma Spirit, Ignite, Searing Blades, Pyromancer, Fiery Arrows, Immolate
The Horde (Tier I Tome):
Province Improvement: Mob Camp
Hero Skill: Battle Seeker Training
Spells: Fury of the Horde, Houndmaster Spawnkin, Blaze of the Horde, Summon Irregulars
Mayhem (Tier II Tome):
Province Improvement:
Hero Skill: Mark of Misfortune
Spells: Curse of Misfortune, Mark of Misfortune, Summon Gremlin, Infectious Insanity, Sow Confusion
Revelry (Tier II Tome):
Province Improvement: Carnival of Flesh
Hero Skill: Reveler’s Triumph
Spells: Bloodfury Weapons, Revels of Carnage, Skald, Revels of Blood, Reveler’s Heart
Devastation (Tier III Tome):
Province Improvement: Seed of Chaos
Hero Skill: Flameburst Weapons
Spells: Flameburst Weapons, Focus of Devastation, Unleash the War Hounds, Warbreed, Construct Devastator Spheres
Pandemonium (Tier III Tome):
Province Improvement: Seed of Chaos
Hero Skill: Havoc Magic
Spells: Incite Revolution, Vessels of Chaos, Havoc Magic, Mass Hysteria, Summon Chaos Eater
Chaos Channeling (Tier IV Tome):
Province Improvement: Root of Chaos
Hero Skill: Chaotic Rebuke
Spells: Fan the Inferno, Golden Horde, Scion of Flame, Daemonic Focus, Gremlin Ambushers
The Daemon Gate (Tier IV Tome):
Province Improvement: Daemon Gate, Root of Chaos
Hero Skill: Demonic Anthem
Spells: Daemonic Summoning, Fight for Power, Abyssal Flames, Sacrificial Slaughter, Demonkin
The Chaos Lord (Tier V Tome):
Province Improvement: Heart of Chaos
Hero Skill: Daemonic Slaughter
Spells: Summon Balor, Daemonic Onslaught, Incite Rebellion, Call Forth Avatar of Chaos
MATERIUM TOMES
Grants +2 boost to your Materium Affinity.
Enchantment (Tier I Tome):
Province Improvement: Runecarver’s Camp
Hero Skill: Sundering Strikes
Spells: Spell-Tempered Shields, Summon Copper Golem, Awakened Tools, Seeker Arrows, Sundering Blades
Rock (Tier I Tome):
Province Improvement: Central Quarry
Hero Skill: Obsidian Weaponry
Spells: Gargoyle, Rock Blast, Earthskin, Stone Skin, Summon Lesser Stone Spirit
Artificing (Tier II Tome):
Province Improvement: Golem Mine
Hero Skill: Golem Assistant
Spells: Artisan Armament, Construct Bolt Repeaters, Iron Golem, Artisan Fortifications, Siege Magic
Winds (Tier II Tome):
Province Improvement:
Hero Skill: Avenging Winds
Spells: Abducting Cyclone, Dust Storm, Favorable Winds, Windborne Scouts, Summon Wind Rager, Zephyr Archer
Terramancy (Tier III Tome):
Province Improvement: Seed of Materium
Hero Skill: Leaden Blows
Spells: Crushing Earth, Earth Shatter, Seismic Shock, Summon Stone Spirit, Tremor Ritual
Transmutation (Tier III Tome):
Province Improvement: Seed of Materium
Hero Skill: Adaptive Armor
Spells: Melt Armor, Transmute Resources, Transmuter, Adaptive Armor, Steel Skin
The Crucible (Tier IV Tome):
Province Improvement: Great Foundry, Root of Materium
Hero Skill: Meteor Strikes
Spells: Fortified Crucible, Lava Burst, Pyroclastic Eruption, Meteor Arrows, Meteor Shower
The Golden Realm (Tier IV Tome):
Province Improvement: Bazaar of Wonders, Root of Materium
Hero Skill: Gilded Magic
Spells: Luxury Markets, Gliding Blast, Gold Golem, Goldtouched, Reagent Refinery
The Creator (Tier V Tome):
Province Improvement: Heart of Materium
Hero Skill: Ancient of Earth
Spells: Call the Titan of the Earth, Tectonic Shatter, Create Earthshatter Engines, Eternal Earth
NATURE TOMES
Grants +2 boost to your Nature Affinity.
Beasts (Tier I Tome):
Province Improvement: Wildlife Sanctuary
Hero Skill: Pack Leader
Spells: Mark as Prey, Animal Kinship, Summon Wild Animal, Call of the Wild, Wildspeaker
Roots (Tier I Tome):
Province Improvement: Herbalist
Hero Skill: Poison Weapons
Spells: Healing Roots, Poison Blades, Summon Entwined Thrall Vine Prison, Poison Arrows
Fertility (Tier II Tome):
Province Improvement: Bountiful Fields
Hero Skill: Revitalize
Spells: Animate Flora, Restore the Land, Temple of Fertility, Blossom of Life, Summon Nymph
Glades (Tier II Tome):
Province Improvement: Sacred Meadow
Hero Skill: Forest Warden
Spells: Create Forest, Glade Runner, Leafskin, Aspect of the Root, Summon Entwined Protector
Cycles (Tier III Tome):
Province Improvement: Seed of Nature
Hero Skill: Withering Decay
Spells: Diffuse Health, Parting Gifts, Cycle of Seasons, Druid of the Cycle, Projectiles of Decay
Vigor (Tier III Tome):
Province Improvement: Seed of Nature
Hero Skill: Animal Handler
Spells: Summon Greater Animal, Totem of the Wild, Empowered Beasts, Supergrowth, Unleash Beast
Nature’s Wrath (Tier IV Tome):
Province Improvement: Root of Nature
Hero Skill: Nature’s Avenger
Spells: Awaken Instincts, Destructive Regrowth, Devolve, Awaken the Forest, Summon Horned God
Paradise (Tier IV Tome):
Province Improvement: Garden of Bliss, Root of Nature
Hero Skill: Inspiring Icon
Spells: Enchanted Bloom, Exhilarating Pollen, Nature’s Beauty, Blessing of Paradise, Fortress of Vines, Gaia’s Chosen
The Goddess of Nature (Tier V Tome):
Province Improvement: Heart of Nature
Hero Skill: Avatar of Nature
Spells: Force of Nature, Forest Awareness, Mass Rejuvenation
ORDER TOMES
Grants +2 boost to your Order Affinity.
Faith (Tier I Tome):
Province Improvement: Abbey
Hero Skill: Mending Touch
Spells: Faithful Whispers, Chaplain, Wrath of the Faithful, Staves of Mending, Army Heal, Convent
Zeal (Tier I Tome):
Province Improvement: Circle of Zealotry
Hero Skill: Condemn
Spells: Condemnation, Summon Zealot, Fanatical Workforce, Legion of Zeal, Inspiring Chant
The Beacon (Tier II Tome):
Province Improvement: Not specified
Hero Skill: Champion of the Faithful
Spells: Conjure Divine Beacon, Blessed Reinforcements, Covenant of the Faith, Mighty Meek, Summon Lightbringer
The Inquisition (Tier II Tome):
Province Improvement: Tithe Collector
Hero Skill: Zeal
Spells: Burden of Guilt, Inquisitor, Mass Condemnation, Tribunal, Inquisitor’s Zeal
Sanctuary (Tier III Tome):
Province Improvement: Sanctuary, Seed of Order
Hero Skill: Sanctify
Spells: Anointed People, Consecrated Domain, Healing Spires, Keeper’s Mark, Salvation
Subjugation (Tier III Tome):
Province Improvement: Seed of Order
Hero Skill: Terrifying Aura
Spells: Final Ultimatum, Subjugation Raid, Tyrant Knight, Baron’s Palace, Intimidating Aura
Exaltation (Tier IV Tome):
Province Improvement: Ruler’s Statue, Root of Order
Hero Skill: Exalted Brilliance
Spells: Angelize, Ascended Warriors, Resurrect Unit, Shrine of Smiting, Temple of the Exalted
Supremacy (Tier IV Tome):
Province Improvement: Root of Order
Hero Skill: Supreme Magic
Spells: Condemn Army, Eagle Rider, Monument of Supremacy, Anthem of Victory, Supreme Magic
The God Emperor (Tier V Tome):
Province Improvement: Heart of Order
Hero Skill: Conjure Dome of Protection
Spells: Divine Protection, Exalted Champion, Wrath of the Emperor, Mass Revive
SHADOW TOMES
Shadow tomes grant a bonus of +2 shadow affinity. Additionally, some Shadow tomes will unlock or improve the powerful Soul Harvest ability, which allows the Empire to gain Souls from defeated enemies. These Souls can be used to animate City Ruins, Skeleton units, and Heroes in the Crypt, granting significant advantages in battle
Cryomancy (Tier I Tome):
Province Improvement: School of Cryomancy
Hero Skill: Frost Weapons
Spells: Ice Coffin, Frost Arrows, Frost Blades, Summon Lesser Snow Spirit, White Witch, Blizzard
Souls (Tier I Tome):
Province Improvement: Not specified
Hero Skill: Soul Collector
Spells: Bone Golem, Soulbind Army, Soul Fire, Soul Overflow, Soulbinders
Necromancy (Tier II Tome):
Province Improvement: Soulwell
Hero Skill: Unholy Leader
Spells: Necrotic Magic, Raise Zombies, Restore Undead, Rotting Explosion, Necromancer
The Doomherald (Tier II Tome):
Province Improvement: Doomdepth Trench
Hero Skill: Cruel Weaponry
Spells: Cause Despair, Prelude of Doom, Summon Banshee, Cruel Weaponry, Joy Siphoners
The Cold Dark (Tier III Tome):
Province Improvement: Frostspire, Seed of Shadow
Hero Skill: Blinding Magic
Spells: Flash Freeze, Summon Snow Spirit, Veil of Darkness, Frostling Transformation, Marching Winter
The Great Transformation (Tier III Tome):
Province Improvement: Seed of Shadow
Hero Skill: Weakening Aura
Spells: Desecrate Structure, Domain of Death, Necrotic Spires, Fetid Legion, Wightborn
Oblivion (Tier IV Tome):
Province Improvement: Root of Shadow
Hero Skill: Mind Crush
Spells: Devouring Void, Ritual of Somnia, Sleep of Oblivion, Summon Living Fog, Fog of Insanity
The Reaper (Tier IV Tome):
Province Improvement: Root of Shadow
Hero Skill: Greater Corpse
Spells: Construct Soul Siphons, Greater Reanimation, Harvest Population, Mark for Death, Summon Reaper
The Eternal Lord (Tier V Tome):
Province Improvement: Heart of Shadow
Hero Skill: Eternal One
Spells: Raise Undead Army, True Death Magic, Withering Mist, Battlefield Reanimation
