Vikings
Civilization in Age of Empires 2
Ranked 1v1 on Arabia, current patch (since 23 September 2026), mirrors excluded. Source: aoe2companion. Updated weekly.
Overview
Infantry and naval civ: Wheelbarrow and Hand Cart are free. Infantry +20% HP from Feudal Age. Warships cost 10/15/20% less in Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age. Berserk (unique unit from the Castle): infantry that regenerates HP. Plus Longships, Varangian Guards, Mounted Crossbowmen (no upgrade) and Catapult Galleons. Chieftains: infantry +5 attack vs. cavalry, +4 vs. camel units. Bogsveigar: Archer line and Longships +1 attack. Team: Docks 15% cheaper. New since patch 185872: Varangian Guards, Mounted Crossbowmen and Catapult Galleons; gone are Cavalry Archers, Cannon Galleons and Gambesons, and Chieftains no longer gives gold for killed Villagers, trade units and Monks.
Typical army
Man-at-Arms
Spearman
Archer
Skirmisher
Crossbowman
Long Swordsman
Berserk
Varangian Guard
Arbalester
Champion
Elite Berserk
Siege RamWhat to expect from the Vikings
On open maps almost always Barracks first with a Drush, less often Archers; on closed maps Fast Castle. Hera recommends them for Drush Fast Castle, Feudal Drush, 1-Range Archers and the 3 Fishing Ship build. Free Wheelbarrow and Hand Cart give an early economy lead, so they can pressure and still boom. In Castle Age Crossbowmen and Long Swordsmen with the HP bonus, plus Berserks or Varangian Guards; Chieftains makes their infantry strong against cavalry. Late game Arbalesters with Bogsveigar, Champions and Berserks. On water cheap warships and Longships are dangerous.
How to beat the Vikings
Don't let them boom freely; their economy lead kicks in early and lasts. Their cavalry is weak: no Hussar, no Paladin, no Bloodlines or Husbandry. Against the infantry use Archers (no more Gambesons), Hand Cannoneers and Onagers; stay at range against Berserks. Against their Archers use Skirmishers, Mangonels or fast cavalry. They also lack Halberdier, Thumb Ring and any land gunpowder. On water use the Galley line against Longships; they have no Fast Fire Ship and no Demolition Ships at all.
Counter army
Archer
Scout CavalryCrossbowman
Mangonel
Elite Skirmisher
Knight
Hand Cannoneer
OnagerArbalester
CavalierBuild orders for the Vikings
- Fast LongboatsWater · Feudal 11:45 · Castle 15:15 · Intermediate · by Druzhina AoE
- Tower Rush BoomArcher Rush · Feudal 9:15 · Advanced · by morley games
- Viking Archer FCFast Castle · Feudal 9:40 · Castle 15:15 · Beginner · by T
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