I read through the thread quickly, so forgive me if I missed him, but I was surprised not to see Ragnar (Vikings - Financial and Aggressive, Hunting and Fishing, Berserker, Trading Post) listed anywhere. For my part, I have found him to be a very effective warmonger. I am currently on a 7 game winning streak with him (Monarch, Fractal, Standard size and speed), and all of my wins have thus far been through domination.
First of all, I am a proponent of the Financial trait, which confers an advantage in that it allows me to maintain high levels of research while making war against my many enemies. I admit that the Aggressive trait leaves a little to be desired, but the additional Combat I promotion for melee and gunpowder units does provide a nice boost for new units.
Even better than that, though, is the UU. The Berserker (8/1/1) replaces the Maceman (8/1/1), and has an additional +10% city attack and amphibious bonus plus the normal +50% vs. melee troops that the Maceman receives. Alone, these advantages do not immediately confer military dominance; however, I have found the timing of the UU and its abilities to fit perfectly with my gameplay.
Specifically, I have become fond of establishing a base of three "main" cities, with the second one usually being founded right around the time I traditionally discover Bronze Working. Unfortunately, I have found that in many of my games I am not particularly close to a source of copper, which rules out an Axeman assault.
Fortunately, the Berserker only requires Machinery, Iron or Copper and Civil Service. These can usually be picked up at around the same time the AI is discovering Feudalism. You will already have catapults, and AI doesn't really prioritize Civil Service most of the time. Wars, even small ones, during this period, can help you gain the promotions necessary to create a true military machine, and also help to ****** AI research.
Shortly thereafter Rifles come in to play, and a mass upgrade of highly promoted Berserkers to Riflemen creates a nearly unstoppable force, especially when the AI is lacking in technology.
Specifically, I should mention that with West Point and two drill instructors, a city can produce Berserkers that have City Raider III, Combat I, and Amphibious Assault. As a base Berserker unit, these can only be stopped by Macemen and Crossbowmen. Once these are upgraded to Riflemen, no contemporary unit can effectively counter them (esp. after they get the additional Pinch promotion). Once they are upgraded to Infantry, the difference becomes even more stark.
After that, your production base of 3-4 cities should allow you to cruise to victory while you continue to churn out units and spread your influence to every distant reach of the earth.
So, in the end, maybe the aggressive trait isn't the best in the world. And Ragnar's starting techs leave a lot to be desired. Nevertheless, the financial trait, when combined with the abilities and timing of the UU, make Ragnar Lodbrok, of the Vikings, my favorite Warmonger.
MM
