It feels like the default Viking AI isn't nearly aggressive enough. For a barbarian like civilization, I really think they're not enough of a threat to europe, the most I see them do is occaisonally declare war, sink a couple of ships, then pack up and leave. Considering that they're more willing to trade for open borders than the rest of europe, they even usually end up getting along with most of the other civs.

I know they were traders and maintained solid diplomacy to the people they weren't killing, but they also terrorized a lot of Europe and to keep that feeling up I think Ragnar's AI should be like Shaka or Montezuma in BTS. I just think they're too nice, I want to be scared shitless of them when I'm playing as England and fending off frequent raids.

You make some very valid and good points.

It might be difficult to stop Vikings from just attacking Russia though, rather than encouraging seafaring raids.

One problem is balancing the Barbarous pillaging characterization of early Viking civilization with later (still fairly militaristic, I'm thinking Kingdom of Sweden vs. Peter the Great) "civilized" but diplomatic and mercantile success.

Still, having them attack Russia and Germany more wouldn't be that bad. But I doubt we'll see them develop into European pirates and raiders which we all think of when we think of Viking history.

It's simple, the AI isn't very good at attacking. However, the AI's naval invasion ability improved with BTS so if you make Ragnar crazy enough it could work.

It's simple, the AI isn't very good at attacking. However, the AI's naval invasion ability improved with BTS so if you make Ragnar crazy enough it could work.

Whenever I want a war (like when I'm spawning as Americans and France has some of my cities), I just insult them 10-15 times by demanding stuff they're never going to give such as techs. This ensures you'll have a life/death-long (even after they resurrect) enemy.

Heh, I did this once to Saladin just to see how negative our relations could get. I think I got to -36 from memory, but I could be exaggerating - it was quite some time ago.

BTW, the Vikings are the european power very prone to collapse in late game.

they start with too weak units. They should start with Berserkers and Civil Service.

I tend to agree. Giving Civl Service at the start would be too strong, but I don't see why their initial axemen couldn't start being upgraded to Berserkers, a bit like the Greeks start with Phalanxes but no copper or iron to produce more.

Berserkers would still have a reasonably tough time of the independent cities with crossbowmen in France, but would be fairer against the Longbows that Germany and Russia start with.

I tend to agree. Giving Civl Service at the start would be too strong, but I don't see why their initial axemen couldn't start being upgraded to Berserkers, a bit like the Greeks start with Phalanxes but no copper or iron to produce more.

Berserkers would still have a reasonably tough time of the independent cities with crossbowmen in France, but would be fairer against the Longbows that Germany and Russia start with.

They should be able to raid the heck out of britan. perhaps northern germany and the dutch.