f. Vikings [AOK6F]

Discover the Viking civilization in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition! Learn about their history, unique bonuses, and technology tree to dominate the battlefield.

Hey there! So you're looking to dive into the Viking civilization in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition? Awesome choice! These guys, the "northmen" from Scandinavia, were some of the most feared raiders and explorers in history. They sailed their iconic dragon boats all over Europe, striking fast and often leaving a trail of destruction, but they were also skilled craftsmen, traders, and settlers. From the shores of England to the heart of Russia, and even across the Atlantic, their influence was massive. They weren't afraid to hit churchmen or loot holy sites, which made them terrifying, but they were also incredible sailors and explorers who settled places like Iceland and Greenland. Some even think they reached North America way before Columbus!

The Vikings really started making waves in the 6th and 7th centuries along the Baltic Sea. By the 8th century, they were raiding deep into Russia, and in the 9th century, they were even ruling Kiev. They famously attacked Constantinople in 907 with a massive fleet, but ended up getting sweet trade deals instead of a fight. In the West, their raids on places like Lindisfarne in the late 8th century kicked off a trend of increasing invasions. They established settlements that became bases for more raids, even giving their name to Normandy in France. A huge Danish army invaded England in 865 and pretty much controlled it for two centuries! They even besieged Paris for two years in 871 before being paid off. Later, in 911, the French king made a deal with a Viking chief, giving him land in Normandy if he converted to Christianity and stopped raiding. This led to some seriously famous warriors emerging from Normandy, like William the Conqueror.

By the end of the 10th century, Viking raids started to wind down. Their homelands had become kingdoms, and their kings were busy running their own lands. Christianity also played a role in softening those old warrior values, and the Norse people gradually blended into the cultures they had settled in. The conquerors of England became English, the Normans became French, and the Rus became Russians.

Team Bonus and Civilization Attributes

Alright, let's talk about what makes the Vikings awesome in the game. Think of them as Hagar the Horrible's civilization – tough and ready for anything! Their team bonus is huge for naval maps: all Viking Docks cost 33% less. Plus, all their War Ships get a 20% cost reduction, meaning you can build way more ships and totally own the seas. But it's not just about the water; their infantry gets a serious HP boost that increases as you advance through the ages. In Feudal Age, they get 10% more HP, Castle Age gets 15%, and Imperial Age gets a massive 20% more! This means your Champions can hit a whopping 84 HP – pretty sweet, right? Oh, and one more thing: Wheelbarrow and Hand Cart are free for the Vikings, so your villagers can gather resources faster from the get-go. Talk about a head start!

Viking Technology Tree

Now, let's look at their tech. For archers, they've got the full line: Archers, Crossbowmen, and Arbalests. They also have both Skirmishers and Elite Skirmishers. The only slight downside is that they don't get Heavy Cavalry Archers, just regular Cavalry Archers. And don't expect Hand Cannoneers; Vikings weren't really into gunpowder. However, they get all the Blacksmith upgrades for archers, from Fletching all the way up to Bracer, and all the armor upgrades too.

When it comes to infantry, the Vikings are beasts. They have everything you need from the Barracks: Spearmen, Pikemen, Militia, all the way up to Champions. They even get Squires for a speed boost. Combine that with their increasing HP bonuses, and your infantry becomes incredibly powerful as the game progresses. They also get all the infantry upgrades in the Blacksmith, from Forging to Blast Furnace, and all the armor upgrades like Scale Mail, Chain Mail, and Plate Mail.