Vikings

[max_killer_payne]

After hearing off MTW: Viking Invasion I decided to check out some Vikings on MTW as the Danes. They fight well, especially in wedge formation then quickly switched into close formation the moment they engage http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

I usually use them, to decimate the enemy or create as much havoc as possible and then withdraw, them before the enemy get stronger enemys in, then I get my elites in and get the Vikings around the side.

How do you lot use Vikings?

[Emp. Conralius]

Well, thats really the only advantage the Danes have in the early period. Vikings (compared to other units in the early period) are very good heavy infantry; having the ability tocarve their way through the ranks of the weaker Western European infantry, plus, all ya need is a fort Though the Germans and Novograds get them (though the Germans can't build them), they are good in the beginning of the game.

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

Although the Vikings are extremely good shock-troops during the early period of the game, tey quickly get outclassed by more heavily armoured elite units. Although having Vikings becomes less of a boon later on, they can still be decisive if used to deliver a hard-hitting flank or rear charge. But while you are in early, stock up, as they give the Danes a major advantage. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[deejayvee]

Quote[/b] (max_killer_payne @ Feb. 02 2003,14:52)]How do you lot use Vikings?
For target practice

[mav3434]

It was fun trying to fight off the mongols as the danes with mostly viking armies. Hide the vikes in the tree draw the mongol heavies in with some steppe cavs to act as rabbits, and then boom, charge them in the woods. It was fun for a few years, then got kind of tedious as the silly mongol ai just couldn't get its act together. So then I whacked the great khan and that was the end of that.

[MiniKiller]

I would assume in the "Viking Invasion" that you will most likely get stronger vikings.

[Alrowan]

i doubt the kiking unit needs to be stronger, but i cant wait to use house carles

[powdermonkey]

Vikings Rock http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif
They form the backbone of my army as the Danes, and (post patch) will kick the a%$e of most early units. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Kraxis]

Vikings are indeed very strong in SP Early. You get them from the get go and they are powerful in melee with their AP and strong attack. They don't fall too quickly as some other units (Ghazi ahem) because of their large shields. In fact they are easily trained and teched to FMAA with AP and 2 lower defense and 2 higher Morale.

[Leet Eriksson]

They are much like ghazi,and are still devastating in late(if used in combo with other units,ie spear units to hold and vikings to flank)

[Bob the Insane]

I like vikings...

I always get them a mecenaries if they are available..

Then really can hold their own most of the time, especially in early...

[LRossaLordJimi]

Like in pool i say:GahI never use it
Never try to use Danish,like only Danish beer http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif
Ave

[Tyrac]

In my current Campaign as The people of novgorod the Vikings are still the backbone of my armies. The Nov have serious lack of units so most of my armies are Vikings and regular spearmen. Thank goodness for arbys or the Horde would have ended my game. ( a bolt from an arbalaster killed the great Khan on a bridge last night) http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif

[Vlad The Impaler]

i dont see any problem in using vikings in frontal assaults; in fact is my favourite way to use them

[Monk]

I dont use Vikings much, as i usualy play as an Islamic faction or somebody like the Spanish or Polish who dont get Vikings, Although i have used a few as mercenaries. they are very good shock troops, but can be outclassed later on. (wich is when i usualy encounter them)however all in all i believe they are a good Unit for an Empire just Starting out.

[Rowan11088]

Vikings are good early units, but I think maybe Almohad Militia are better very early units. I just encountered some of them as Mercenaries, and they are really devestating, considering all you need is a town watch to get them. With high attack, defense, and even armour, they could kill units of vikings...

[Monk]

yeah you are right the Almohad Urban Militia is a devestating Unit to Command. maybe if i had a few of those i could have fended off the Mongolians http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Emp. Conralius]

I really would ike to see some Vikings with some swords on the VI Contrary to popular belief, most Vikings had swords, but also had an axe equipped as well. I hope CA pottry the Vikings as brainless mobs of axe-wielding barbarians (which they were, for the most part, just without everyone of 'em having axes).

[Kraxis]

Indeed the Vikings had much the same relationship to their swords as the Samurai had. The named them and believed the swords of powerful men could only be wielded effectively by other powerful men. There is even a story about a kings son who was forced to fight two german noblemen, he had always seemed to be a docile and weak man, but when he grabbed the sword of his father he became death-on-foot killing both Germans rapidly. He was infused with the power of the sword, but no ordinary man could have used the sword as it was meant for kings only. That is how they believed the sword was.

[Hobart]

I have had a great time with vikings playing the Danes in early. I took the british isles, and all of the eastern half of europe (but not the poles or hungarians) with vikings as the backbone of my army. Most early units just cant stand against them.

But I came to substantial grief when confronted by byz infanty with equal or higher valour. My vikings fought for a while, and then broke and ran. Which meant no-one else was standing either. Bit of a rude shock really, though I expected the fight to be tough when I had a 0 star general vs a 5 star. Luckily (or just good planning, heh) I has FMAA and fuedal sargeants on the way in significant numbers from my (formerly) French holdings (and a number of other places) so I was able to keep the byzantines on the back foot and nearly conquer them. I say nearly beacsue they have absolutely huge armies with 5 or 6 kataphraktoi untis in rhodes and cyprus after I took them, and then had a break in my shipping which caused rebellions. I will need very substantial invasion forces to deal with those, and I already know that vikings dont do well against kats. In fact, they just break when charged.

Sorry for the long ramble. Exec summary: vikings excellent in early, but they need backup from more substantial troops .

[Hakonarson]

Standard Viking weapons were spear, sword and bow - there are regulations known for the national levy that require 1 bow per thwart (oar) - ie 1 per 2-3 men, while every man was required to supply himself with a spear and shield and the "middle classes" were also erquired to supply themselves with swords that the poorer couldn't afford - but then there weren't many poor free folk so there weren't many without swords.

Only the very rich used the long axes - ie the Huscarles.

It was an intimidating weapon, but only they could afford the heavy armour required to survive while using it http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif