Not sure how accurate the “war reindeer” depicted there are. But at least in Siberia, reindeer archery actually was a thing, according to the article “Some Aspects of Warfare of the Reindeer Lamut in the 17th Century”:
Native settlements in Siberia in AoE3DE, where one can train Reindeer Archers, that would be dope. For AoE2DE, an editor unit would be cool, but it needs a reindeer model in the first place.
That would ironically be very historically accurate.
You mean a civ that partly or fully replaces horses with reindeer would actually be suitable for AoE2DE?
Yes. Simply by giving the Genitour a leather armor and a wooden shield (or the same shied shape but without the scimitars), perhaps with an iron helmet.
Is there a source for it other than Carta Marina (which I don’t think we can consider reliable given that it’s about 50% sea monsters)?
For things like war chariots and such, no, but the Sami do use reindeers and sleighs for transportation, so it’s not difficult to believe that they would use them for war too.
Game already has one all they need to do is change the red nose and render.Similar thing was done with the pineapple bush event mod reskinned to be realistic.
This is the kind of reasoning used by pseudohistory YouTubers, not a serious or sensible way of approaching history.
That said, based on what @Grandy02 has posted, maybe I shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss Olaus Magnus as unreliable.
Yes, you already have Sami Noaidi and Reindeer in AoE 3 and Jin Dynasty Reindeer Trader in AoE 4… now you just need Reindeer Archer…
No Finn/Sapmi stuff, no shieldmaidens, no unique sails and Merchant models for Scandinavian civs 
The club-wielding one could be a scout line replacement for Finns/Sami perhaps
Maybe shieldmaidens are a last-minute addition as a cheat unit, not found in the build the content creators received… probably not.
Sails with crosses, while the Monks are pagan, an odd combination…
Regarding the Sámi, they didn’t really engage in combat against the powers that sought to control their lands, from what I’ve read. The illustration might be related to a legend. The text begins with a mention of Danish historian Saxo Grammaticus (c. 1150-1220), whose history of Denmark and other parts of Scandinavia in the early Middle Ages incorporated many mythical and (semi-)legendary events.
I would have also thought it was cool to have individual elements (like a scenario unit) that incorporated the Sámi. In my scenario, I plan to represent them by using wooden huts and renaming them *lavvus* (traditional Sámi tents). The Thracian Chieftain becomes a Sámi Chieftain, the Hill Tribesman becomes a Sámi Warrior, and the Bactrian Archer becomes a Sámi Archer. I think this allows for a reasonably convincing representation using the existing assets.
As for the shieldmaidens I’ve already said everything there is to say about that in the other thread. Having them as a scenario unit would have been great.
But, unfortunately, you can’t have everything. Still, I’m more than happy with the DLC’s content. The new elements alone allow for an incredible amount of detailed map work. The map’s atmosphere is going to be awesome that much is certain.
Sámi warriors, including renamed Iroquois Warriors, appear in the V&V scenarios Finehair and Ragnar. Should they ever intend to create sprites specifically for V&V, that would be an opportunity for Sámi assets.
Why did they not add a sprite unique for King Harold Godwinsson and Empress Zoe?? We need more King and Queen/female sprites.
Sad indian voices…
Sad Finn/Sapmi noises…
