Conquest of Paradise focuses on the New World. It adds an expansion to the mechanics of tribal nations, most prominently Native American ones. It also adds a random new world generator which randomizes the landscape of North and South America. The accompanying 1.4 patch also added colonial regions, protectorates and new starting nations as well as many other small additions and fixes.

Wealth of Nations, named after the book by Adam Smith, includes new mechanics for trade and merchant republics. The most prominent additions also include trade companies, privateering, and construction of the Suez, Panama, and Kiel canals. The accompanying 1.6 patch included a new rival system, policies, and extra ship designs.

Res Publica, translated as 'public affair' in Latin, is the root of the word republic. It focuses on governance and trade. New mechanics pertaining to elections are introduced, along with election events for the Dutch republics and a national focus. The Republican Dictatorship form of government is also included. The accompanying 1.7 patch included extra idea groups and Merchant Republic factions.

Art of War, named after the book by Sun Tzu, focuses on military mechanics. It expands on the Thirty Years' War and the Napoleonic era, improves diplomacy (especially surrounding conflict and peace treaties), expands vassal mechanics and adds new options for waging war. The accompanying 1.8 patch amongst other things overhauled rebel mechanics, the trade node setup, and AI and gameplay improvements. Over 900 provinces were added, primarily in regions which previously lacked detail, such as Asia and Africa.

El Dorado, named after the mythical El Dorado, improves largely on the nations of Central and South America. This includes Nahuatl, Inti and Mayan religions, a "doom counter" for the Central American tribes, improved mechanics and added events. Exploration and colonisation of these areas is also expanded upon - for example, the Treaty of Tordesillas is added and conquistadors can explore into terra incognita to search for the Seven Cities of Gold. A custom nation designer is included. The accompanying 1.11 patch included new events for South and Central America, improved terrain and general improvements to gameplay.

Common Sense, named after the famous pamphlet written by Thomas Paine, focuses on diplomacy, religion and internal development. New religious gameplay is added, focusing on Protestants, Buddhists, and Theocracies. Parliaments are added, with a special parliamentary government granted to England. The accompanying 1.12 patch included 5 new Asian religions, improvements to the peace system, and a reworking of the fort and looting systems. The number of building slots were also decreased, but the existing ones made more powerful.

The Cossacks, named after the Cossacks of Eastern Europe and the Eurasian Steppe, adds the new "Estate" system, mechanics for the Tengri faith, and new horde government mechanics. Other additions include new diplomatic actions such as threaten war and study technology, as well as the victory card system. The accompanying 1.14 patch added many UI improvements and another reworking of the mercenary system.

Mare Nostrum, translated as "Our Sea" in Latin, was the Roman name for the Mediterranean Sea. As its name suggests, this expansion introduces new content connected to naval warfare, trade and espionage. Now one can put ships on a naval blockade mission or on a hunting naval mission. One can also create trade leagues, offer Condottieri to other countries to fight and a new timeline feature where one can at any point through the campaign click it and watch how the world has evolved throughout the game. The accompanying 1.16 patch included a major reworking of espionage, several new map modes, new systems for states and territories, and corruption, as well as various new provinces in Ireland and Africa.

Rights of Man comes from the 1791 book by Thomas Paine of the same name. It includes a new Great Powers system where the eight most highly developed nations are listed as "Great Powers" and have access to new diplomatic abilities. Also includes new governments for Prussia and the Ottoman Empire, new mechanics for revolutionary republics, ruler personalities and leader traits. The accompanying 1.18 patch introduces "Institutions" and an accompanying reworking of technology.

Mandate of Heaven, named after the Ancient Chinese political concept, focuses on improving the East Asian region with the "Empire of China" mechanic, new meritocracy mechanics, the ability of Manchu tribes to raise banners, and a new Japanese Shogunate system. Also included are the "Ages" mechanic that focus gameplay on distinct historical periods The accompanying 1.20 patch includes the "Ages" but with none of the in game mechanics, the new absolutism system, and province devastation.

Third Rome refers to idea that Muscovy (and later Russia) are the successors to the Byzantine Empire, thus making them the Third Roman Empire. This immersion pack adds new mechanics for the Tsardom government, the Orthodox religion, and a new Siberian frontier idea. The accompanying 1.22 patch added flavor and new government types for Russian countries.

Cradle of Civilization takes its name from the idea that the Nile River Valley is home to one of the ancient Cradles of Civilization. The expansion includes Trading Policies, Army Professionalism and drilling, Muslim Schools, and the Mamluk government. The accompanying 1.23 patch adds 80 provinces in the Near East region and five new trade goods.

Rule Britannia is named after Thomas Arne's book Rule, Britannia!. This immersion pack adds the Anglican religion, missions for British countries, and naval doctrines. The accompanying 1.25 patch includes map changes to the British Isles and France, and a brand new mission system.

Dharma is named after the concept present in many Indian religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. It introduces government reform mechanics, a reworked policy system, and many new missions and flavor for Indian countries. The accompanying 1.26 patch adds estates to the base game, an overhauled South Asian map, and a new policies system.

Golden Century takes its name from the Golden Century of Spain. This immersion pack focuses on mission trees and flavor for countries in Iberia and Maghreb regions, as well as added colonization mechanics and Pirate governments. The accompanying 1.28 patch adds national ideas and events for many Iberian and North African countries.

Emperor featured many large-scale reworks to the Holy Roman Empire (new reforms and imperial incidents), Revolutions (centers of revolutions), and Catholicism (the Council of Trent and new papal abilities). The accompanying 1.30 patch includes extensive map changes across Europe, the new industrialization institution, reworked estates and mercenaries systems, and extensive flavor events and mission trees for many different countries.