Age of Empires II Reveals Varangians Civilization Deep Dive for The Viking Sagas DLC

The Age DE Team has detailed the Varangians civilization for Age of Empires II: The Viking Sagas DLC, outlining a factionfaction. An in-game group or nation players can align with or fight against, with its own goals and reputation system. built around cavalry, naval dominance, and gold generation through unconventional economic sources.

Civilization Focus & Bonuses

The Varangians are described as adventurers who expanded eastward across the Baltic Sea and Russian river systems toward the Black and Caspian Seas. Their civilization centers on cavalry and navy, with a commercial emphasis that produces gold from multiple economic activities. Shepherding, fishing, and hunting all generate gold alongside their standard resource yields. Bloodlines and Caravancaravan. A player-driven trade convoy that moves goods between settlements — valuable, and vulnerable to attack. effects are increased, reinforcing both mounted unit durability and trade efficiency.

On the military side, Longships and Catapult Galleons attack faster, strengthening their naval presence. Varangian Guards also attack faster and generate gold while fighting. The team bonus grants the Knight-line increased damage against infantry.

Unique Units & Regional Assets

The Jarl is the Varangians’ unique unit — an axe-hurling cavalryman particularly effective against infantry. While hardy and swift, the Jarl is designed for combined-arms use rather than standalone deployment.

The Varangian Guard, trained at the Barracks, is a shock infantry unit that generates gold during combat and excels at raiding and melee engagements. Varangian Guards attack faster, produce more gold, and periodically hurl axes.

The Longship, constructed at the Dock, fires a volley of projectiles and threatens warships, soldiers, and buildings. Varangian Longships fire faster than the standard variant.

The Mounted Crossbowman, available to most European civilizations at the Archery Range, replaces Cavalry Archers. It fires slower than nomadic bow counterparts but deals higher damage.

Unique Technologies

Vendel Legacy grants the Knight-line trample damage, reflecting the cavalry traditions of Migration Period Sweden. Gothikon enables Varangian Guards to periodically throw axes, inspired by a Byzantine-documented war ritual.

Availability

The Viking Sagas is available for pre-order on Steam, Microsoft Store, and Xbox with a 15% discount. The DLC will also be available for purchase on the PlayStation 5 store at launch.