

Viking Archers
Accuracy and manoeuvrability combined make the Viking bowmen a dreaded foe.For many, the word ‘Viking’ conjures up scenes of pillaging marauders from across the sea, rampaging around the coastlines of Britain in the last centuries leading up to the Norman conquest. However, the Vikings should not simply be thought of as mindless, bloodthirsty looters, and instead should be seen for what they really were – initially, sea-based raiders from Scandinavia who would avoid a fight if it meant a quick profit, and later on, migrants in search of newer pastures to settle in, from which they could subsist and even trade. Indeed, the earliest Viking forays into Britain were quick raids of lightly defended, but highly bountiful targets such as churches and monasteries, while in later years they concentrated their actions on conquering lands to establish themselves as permanent kings.
The Vikings were rightly known for their skill at war, utilising the traditional barbarian charge alongside carefully drilled shield wall tactics. Although archery wasn't considered the most ‘warrior-like’ of practices, it was still a specialisation chosen by some for the purposes of war. The prevalence of hunting and the past presence of stationed Roman archers around Britain meant that it was by no means an unknown discipline, with archer regiment tactics varying between the warring groups of the day. Battles often saw periods of missile volley exchanges before the initial melee engagements, so the skill of the bowmen could really turn the tide of battle, as seen with the success of English longbow regiments of later centuries during the Hundred Years War.
![]() |
Unit Name Viking Archers |
Main Unit Key vik_archers |
Land Unit Key vik_archers |
Naval Unit Key vik_skeid_mis |
Soldiers 80 |
Category Missile Infantry |
Class Missile Infantry |
Custom Battle Cost 200 |
Recruitment Cost 200 |
Upkeep Cost 50 |
Missile Damage 28 |
├ Missile Weapon vik_bow_levy |
├ Projectile vik_bow_levy_normal |
├ Missile Damage 24 |
├ Missile Ap Damage 4 |
└ Base Reload Time 30 |
Accuracy 15 |
Range 150 |
Reload 35 |
Rate of Fire 3 |
Ammunition 14 |
Melee Skill 7 |
Melee Damage 9 |
├ Melee Weapon vik_dagger |
├ Melee Base Damage 7 |
├ Armour-piercing Damage 2 |
├ Armour Piercing No |
├ Attack Against Cavalry 0 |
├ Attack Against Elephants 0 |
└ Attack Against Infantry 0 |
Charge Bonus 2 |
Melee Defence 7 |
├ Base Defence 7 |
├ Shield vik_none |
└ Shield 0 |
Armour 7 |
├ Armour vik_cloth_helmet |
├ Armour Defence 7 |
└ Shield Armour 0 |
Health 100 |
├ Man Entity vik_inf_mis_very_light |
├ Man Health 100 |
└ Bonus Hit Points 0 |
Morale 26 |
Abilities
No Ability
Attributes
- [[col:yellow]]Resistant to Fatigue[[/col]]
Fatigue has less of an effect on this unit. - [[col:yellow]]Hide (forest)[[/col]]
This unit can hide in forests until enemy units get too close. - [[col:yellow]]Snipe[[/col]]
This unit remains hidden while firing.
Strengths & Weaknesses
No Strengths and Weaknesses
Faction Availability | |
---|---|
Thrones of Britannia |
Faction Pool
Pool | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | Pool | Faction | Initial Unit Count | Chance To Replenish | Max Replenish Per Turn | Max Count |
1 | viking | 2 | 0.15 | 1 | 2 |