Varangian Guards in the IGN video

**kataphraktoi** · 09-07-2006, 17:16

ANyone see the IGN video with the Berdich Axemen, if u did, u also saw the Byzantine Varangian Guards too as they were dressed in purple and held axes. I'm sad :( They're not as nasty as I'd like them to look weepies weepies

**The Blind King of Bohemia** · 09-07-2006, 17:23

Originally Posted by kataphraktoi

ANyone see the IGN video with the Berdich Axemen, if u did, u also saw the Byzantine Varangian Guards too as they were dressed in purple and held axes. I'm sad :( They're not as nasty as I'd like them to look weepies weepies

I don't think that is them mate. The ones that were getting their arse handed to them? They just look like an armoured infantryman. I can see the shield on their back but i really can't see them being the Varangian Guards

**TB666** · 09-07-2006, 17:27

Originally Posted by The Blind King of Bohemia

I don't think that is them mate. The ones that were getting their arse handed to them? They just look like an armoured infantryman. I can see the shield on their back but i really can't see them being the Varangian Guards

I agree.
Just because they got axes and wears purple doesn't make them Varangians.
They looked far too much like regular troops to be them.

**Guillaume le Batard** · 09-07-2006, 17:43

Originally Posted by kataphraktoi

ANyone see the IGN video with the Berdich Axemen, if u did, u also saw the Byzantine Varangian Guards too as they were dressed in purple and held axes. I'm sad :( They're not as nasty as I'd like them to look weepies weepies

I immediately suspected the same thing, kataphraktoi.

In MTW, I believe that the Varangians were changed via a patch to be available only in the early medieval era. If this is the case in MTW2, it might explain their somewhat "simple" look in the video, i.e., they're an early troop type without heavy armor or an elaborate uniform.

I have to admit, however, that CA seems (IMO) to generally prefer very... erm, accentuated unforms for elite units in MTW2... so it would be a bit out of character to represent the Varangians with a plain purple tunic, shield (on back), and somewhat generic helmet.

Guillaume

**The Blind King of Bohemia** · 09-07-2006, 17:56

Looking at it again maybe it could be a dismounted Kataphract or a dismounted Byzantine Heavy Cavalry men. I am sure it is not a Varangian

On the com this unit is in the Byzantine faction section:

It looks quite alot like the unit save the shield. It could even be a simple Byzantine infantryman

**lancelot** · 09-07-2006, 19:06

Originally Posted by Guillaume le Batard

In MTW, I believe that the Varangians were changed via a patch to be available only in the early medieval era. If this is the case in MTW2, it might explain their somewhat "simple" look in the video, i.e., they're an early troop type without heavy armor or an elaborate uniform.

That is true, however in the early drafts of MTW (which were still accesible with modding) there were early varangians (that looked like glorified vikings) which only took 1 turn to build as opposed to 2...this was dropped in favour of the 2 turn 'ceremonial' unit that made it into the final game.

EDIT: Just watched the video...I hope we get some blood, that close up of the russian axing the guy on the ground looked really weird seeing as they went to the trouble of a close up- whcih lacked a sense of realism.

**kataphraktoi** · 09-08-2006, 02:42

Well there is no other unit in the Byzantine unit list that use long doubled handed axes like that is there? (as seen in the video)

Thye must be Varangian Guards or at least beta-proto-type Varangian Guards.

Not even CA at their wildest would give Skutatoi double handed axes and neither did any other infantrymen have shields on their backs unless they had axes like the Varangian Guard.

Thye can't be dismoutned Kataphraktoi because the picture you posted looks nothing like the ones in the video and the Kataphraktoi in your loaded pic has a lance while the ones in the video used a double-handed axe.

Frankly, I'm not worried about their look as it can be modded later

**paullus** · 09-08-2006, 06:02

they may be generic Rus, which would be very accurate. Not every Scandinavian or Kievan mercenary was a heavily armed, well-equipped member of the Varangians.

**Guillaume le Batard** · 09-08-2006, 14:02

Originally Posted by paullus

they may be generic Rus, which would be very accurate. Not every Scandinavian or Kievan mercenary was a heavily armed, well-equipped member of the Varangians.

Or for that matter, a different interpretation on CA's part of Byzantine Infantry, or some variant thereof.

Perhaps IGN will post a Byzantine faction review and we'll learn more then. Otherwise, at this stage in the game's development, it's really anyone's guess.

Guillaume