The Vikings
The Vikings are a new civilization available with Raiders of the North Expansion for Age of Empires IV.
This civilization represents the Viking Age, a period that started with a 793 raid on Lindisfarne monastery in northeastern England and continued with people of modern Scandinavia venturing out to trade, raid, and establish colonies across Europe and beyond. The riches from raiding and trading forged the splintered jarldoms into the Kingdoms of Norway, Sweden and Denmark.
In Age of Empires IV, the Vikings civilization lives by the sword, with the Bondi Spearmen forming the shield wall for a Berserker vanguard to break the enemy line. The Longhouse bolsters Villager recruitment and provides flexible economic upgrades, allowing the early recruitment of Vikings infantry to raid an unsuspecting enemy.
Playing the Vikings
The Viking Villagers are not recruited normally, instead they are automatically recruited at no cost until the Villager capacity is reached. Longhouses increase the Villager capacity and can also be upgraded with economic attachments.
Sagas are quests that can be completed at any time to earn powerful economic or military bonuses. Seven Sagas can be completed by raiding enemy buildings, hunting wild animals, trading, and more. Plus, completed Sagas are commemorated by carved pillars near the Capital Town Center.
The Völur is a unique religious unit that can boost the production of Longhouses or can be sacrificed to establish Sacred Groves on Relics. Sacred Groves will periodically produce Berserkers, a fierce dual axe wielding infantry that will enrage at low health, healing and doing more damage for a time. Melee infantry is a particular focus of the Vikings with Bondi spearmen, Berserkers and Hirdman forming the core of the army.
The Vikings at a Glance
Berserker
This unique dual axe wielding melee infantry unit is a fast-moving shock troop that enrages when at low health doing bonus damage and healing.
Völur
The Völur is a support unit representing the old Norse religion that can be sacrificed to establish Sacred Groves on Relics. Sacred Groves will recruit Berserkers to your side.
Longship
The Longship is a unique archer ship that can also transport units. The transported troops will help defend the ship, with each increasing the Longship’s health and firing an additional arrow.
Shield Maiden
Shield Maidens are unique heavy throwing spear units that can be recruited from the Konungr Hall landmark. They have bonuses when nearby allied buildings, and provide protection to Villagers.
Ulfberht Swords
The Ulfberht Swords technology, found in the Barracks, equips Hirdman with a renowned sword forged by master smiths that increases their damage.
Longhouse
The Longhouse is a versatile unique house that can have one of four attachments. The Farmstead provides improved farms, Bee Skeps generate Gold, and Pasture & Loom/Smithy automatically researches armor and damage technologies at no cost.
Berserker
This unique dual axe wielding melee infantry unit is a fast-moving shock troop that enrages when at low health doing bonus damage and healing.
Völur
The Völur is a support unit representing the old Norse religion that can be sacrificed to establish Sacred Groves on Relics. Sacred Groves will recruit Berserkers to your side.
Longship
The Longship is a unique archer ship that can also transport units. The transported troops will help defend the ship, with each increasing the Longship’s health and firing an additional arrow.
Shield Maiden
Shield Maidens are unique heavy throwing spear units that can be recruited from the Konungr Hall landmark. They have bonuses when nearby allied buildings, and provide protection to Villagers.
Ulfberht Swords
The Ulfberht Swords technology, found in the Barracks, equips Hirdman with a renowned sword forged by master smiths that increases their damage.
Longhouse
The Longhouse is a versatile unique house that can have one of four attachments. The Farmstead provides improved farms, Bee Skeps generate Gold, and Pasture & Loom/Smithy automatically researches armor and damage technologies at no cost.
The Sagas
Björn's Forage Saga
The bear represents strength and courage to the Vikings. Completing this saga gives infantry increased health and improves their charge.
Falkr's Village Saga
The falcon is closely connected to the fertility goddess Freya. Completing this saga increases speed Villagers are recruited and reduces the cost of Longhouse attachments.
Hrafn's Raid Saga
The ravens of Odin, Huginn and Muninn represent the gathering of knowledge. Completing this saga decreases the cost of technology and increases the speed of the Pasture & Loom and Smithy.
Jörmungandr's Trade Saga
The World Serpent is the chaotic force of the sea, governing the fortunes of traders. Completing this saga reduces the cost of Ships and Siege Weapons.
Jofurr's Hunt Saga
The boar of the god Freyr, Gullinbursti represents the food abundance and the vital energy of the Earth. Completing this saga improves Villager gather speed and carry capacity.
Ulfr's Forester Saga
The wolf has a dual nature, representing both loyalty and protection as well as destruction and chaos. Completing this saga increases torch damage and attack range.
Dreki's Temple Saga
The dragon represents the untamed cyclical forces of nature and old Norse magic. Completing this saga increases recruitment speed of Berserkers at Sacred Groves.
Björn's Forage Saga
The bear represents strength and courage to the Vikings. Completing this saga gives infantry increased health and improves their charge.
Falkr's Village Saga
The falcon is closely connected to the fertility goddess Freya. Completing this saga increases speed Villagers are recruited and reduces the cost of Longhouse attachments.
Hrafn's Raid Saga
The ravens of Odin, Huginn and Muninn represent the gathering of knowledge. Completing this saga decreases the cost of technology and increases the speed of the Pasture & Loom and Smithy.
Jörmungandr's Trade Saga
The World Serpent is the chaotic force of the sea, governing the fortunes of traders. Completing this saga reduces the cost of Ships and Siege Weapons.
Jofurr's Hunt Saga
The boar of the god Freyr, Gullinbursti represents the food abundance and the vital energy of the Earth. Completing this saga improves Villager gather speed and carry capacity.
Ulfr's Forester Saga
The wolf has a dual nature, representing both loyalty and protection as well as destruction and chaos. Completing this saga increases torch damage and attack range.
Dreki's Temple Saga
The dragon represents the untamed cyclical forces of nature and old Norse magic. Completing this saga increases recruitment speed of Berserkers at Sacred Groves.
The Vikings Through the Ages
