# Varangians the civ, & Varangian Guard the regional unit **URL:** \ **Category:** II - Discussion\ **Created:** [August 2, 2026, 9:50am UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/varangians-the-civ-varangian-guard-the-regional-unit/288419 "2026-08-02T09:50:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![GoldenArmorX](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/goldenarmorx/32/30565_2.png) [@GoldenArmorX](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/GoldenArmorX)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2026, 4:04pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/varangians-the-civ-varangian-guard-the-regional-unit/288419/42 "2026-08-30T16:04:59Z")
As far as I understand, because Age of Empires 2 prioritizes the names of “ethnicities” or demonyms instead of the names of the empires they want to represent, we’re dealing with civilizations that represent two, three, or even four kingdoms at once. When they released Vikings in 1999, they wanted to represent all Vikings, including Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. Now, with this new 2026 split, there are at least three types of Vikings: - Vikings, to represent “Norwegian Vikings.” - Danes, to represent “Danish Vikings.” - Varangians, to represent “Swedish Vikings.” Saxons, I suppose, are to represent the English kingdoms before the Norman Conquest, like “Anglo-Saxons,” or I suppose for the Saxons of northern Germany. ---
**Author:** ![AdmiralShoe961](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/admiralshoe961/32/78228_2.png) [@AdmiralShoe961](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/AdmiralShoe961)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2026, 4:12pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/varangians-the-civ-varangian-guard-the-regional-unit/288419/43 "2026-08-30T16:12:31Z")
> [@smiki5five](#): > > They only made an East Asian skin for the Grenadier. If we are to be pedantic East Asian civs are using European skins for most of their basic units. > [@smiki5five](#): > > Also, if we want to be pedantic, Byzantines and Saracens did use grenades, but composed of Greek Fire and naphtha, so they’d probably have to use a different sound effect when exploding. Would be cool. Byzantine flame throwers can also be an amazing unit. ---
**Author:** ![KHANATTILA](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/khanattila/32/30722_2.png) [@KHANATTILA](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/KHANATTILA)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2026, 4:22pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/varangians-the-civ-varangian-guard-the-regional-unit/288419/44 "2026-08-30T16:22:13Z")
> [@AdmiralShoe961](#): > > Depends on what you mean by lose to champions. Lose cost effectively, or lose 1 to 1. A paladin can defeat 1 halberdier, but not two. A group of 60 paladins will wreck 60 halbs, but you still don’t want to take that fight because paladins are expensive. I see what you mean, but it’s not justifiable. 45G/50G of gold for an infantry unit is the absolute limit, any more than that is unmanageable. To do what you’re suggesting, they’d have to cost a lot more gold, but at that point they’d be rubbish. ---
**Author:** ![AdmiralShoe961](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/admiralshoe961/32/78228_2.png) [@AdmiralShoe961](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/AdmiralShoe961)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2026, 6:10pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/varangians-the-civ-varangian-guard-the-regional-unit/288419/45 "2026-08-30T18:10:15Z")
> [@KHANATTILA](#): > > I see what you mean, but it’s not justifiable. 45G/50G of gold for an infantry unit is the absolute limit, any more than that is unmanageable. To do what you’re suggesting, they’d have to cost a lot more gold, but at that point they’d be rubbish. Teutonic Knight costs 85F 30G, and it’s the closest match. Lets add perspective. Elite Teutonic Knight: Cost: 85F 30G Build Time: 12s HP: 110 Armor: 10 Pierce Armor: 2 Attack: 17 Reload Time: 2 Speed: 0.8 ~ Boyar: Cost: 60F 70G Build Time: 15s HP: 130 Armor: 8 Pierce Armor: 3 Attack: 14 Reload Time: 1.9 Speed: 1.3 Hypothetical Elite Varangian Guard: Cost: 80F 45G Build Time: 28s HP: 100 Armor: 3 Pierce Armor: 4 Attack: 18 Reload Time: 1.9 Speed: 1.1 ~ Paladin: Cost: 60F 75G Build Time: 30s HP: 160 Armor: 2 Pierce Armor: 3 Attack: 14 Reload Time: 1.9 Speed: 1.35 Here we have a unit that fulfills its role as heavy shock infantry, and lose to Champion in cost. A Champion will deal 19 damage towards it, killing it in 6 hits. It will deal 17 damage to a Champion, killing it in 5 hits at a 0.1 faster speed. On average a Champion will get off 4 hits before dying, and so you need 1.5 Champions to kill one Varangian Guard. 1.5 Champions cost 75F 30G, and 1 Varangian Guard cost 80F 45G, giving the Champion a net win. ---
**Author:** ![Prokman7582](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/prokman7582/32/144555_2.png) [@Prokman7582](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/Prokman7582)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 7:58pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/varangians-the-civ-varangian-guard-the-regional-unit/288419/46 "2026-09-14T19:58:35Z")
> [@Prokman7582](#): > > **Someone from the community said:** > > > It would be cool if Varangian Guard benefited from Logistica. It would help with its weakness vs Champion line. It would be nice to have a second power unit option that doesnt require Castle like Cataphracts. > > I say that I very much like the Logistica idea So, they actually did it (again): ![image](https://forums.ageofempires.com/uploads/default/original/3X/2/9/29d0daa62a7a715d9983e0bfea95a4292c1892f6.jpeg) _Screenshot from the latest **Spirit of the Law** YouTube video._ 🎉 ---
**Author:** ![Gaturro7777](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/gaturro7777/32/61694_2.png) [@Gaturro7777](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/Gaturro7777)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 8:16pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/varangians-the-civ-varangian-guard-the-regional-unit/288419/47 "2026-09-14T20:16:25Z")
> [@Prokman7582](#): > > It says that _"The Varangian Guard_ **(of the Byzantines)** _was known for being primarily composed of recruits from Northern Europe, including mainly Norsemen from Scandinavia but also Anglo-Saxons from England"._ > > Not that Norsemen or Anglo-Saxons formed any guard with that name for themselves. So what? it is not like norsemen didn’t use 2 handed axes as shock infantry… Or would you rather all have a different name but very similar stats? In my opinion, it is not a perfect name but it is ok.. there are worse unit representation that we did accept.. like mamlukes throwing scimitars or throwing axemen without shields, condotieros as a foot unit only.. a halberd that does less damage than a small sword and has no extra range, heavy cavs without charge mechanics… if we are going to start naming all the little inconsistencies in the game we will never end, is not supposed to be perfect, it is supossed to be fun ---
**Author:** ![KHANATTILA](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/khanattila/32/30722_2.png) [@KHANATTILA](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/KHANATTILA)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2026, 8:30pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/varangians-the-civ-varangian-guard-the-regional-unit/288419/48 "2026-09-14T20:30:36Z")
> [@Prokman7582](#): > > So, they actually did it (again): Well, it was pretty obvious. They were the only two remaining UTs (along with the one for the Franks) that applied only to the UU. ---
**Author:** ![DynasticPlanet5](https://forums.ageofempires.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/e495f1/32.png) [@DynasticPlanet5](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/DynasticPlanet5)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2026, 2:48pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/varangians-the-civ-varangian-guard-the-regional-unit/288419/49 "2026-09-15T14:48:21Z")
> [@KHANATTILA](#): > > They were the only two remaining UTs Anarchy and Renegades don’t count? Corvid army? ---
**Author:** ![KHANATTILA](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/khanattila/32/30722_2.png) [@KHANATTILA](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/KHANATTILA)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2026, 7:31am UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/varangians-the-civ-varangian-guard-the-regional-unit/288419/50 "2026-09-16T07:31:08Z")
> [@DynasticPlanet5](#): > > Anarchy and Renegades don’t count? Corvid army? Fair points. The Corvid Army solves a problem, so integrating it into the unit would be a nerf. Anarchy and Marauders (i guess) are a tricky case. I’m not a big fan, but including them in the civilisation bonus would probably be excessive. ---
**Author:** ![nicod81](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/nicod81/32/217464_2.png) [@nicod81](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/nicod81)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2026, 7:53am UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/varangians-the-civ-varangian-guard-the-regional-unit/288419/51 "2026-09-16T07:53:53Z")
Am I the only one who thinks the Varangians should also be available to the Slavs? Historically speaking, most members of the Varangian Guard were of Slavic origin. Not to mention that Varangians (i.e., Swedish Vikings) and Slavs are inextricably linked. ---
**Author:** ![Mahazona](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/mahazona/32/213405_2.png) [@Mahazona](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/Mahazona)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2026, 9:52am UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/varangians-the-civ-varangian-guard-the-regional-unit/288419/52 "2026-09-16T09:52:39Z")
> [@nicod81](#): > > Am I the only one who thinks the Varangians should also be available to the Slavs? You are not alone,I too was hoping they would be given to them. ---
**Author:** ![nicod81](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/nicod81/32/217464_2.png) [@nicod81](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/nicod81)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2026, 10:28am UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/varangians-the-civ-varangian-guard-the-regional-unit/288419/53 "2026-09-16T10:28:40Z")
I mean, it doesn’t really bother me personally. Since I only play my own custom scenarios anyway, I simply enable them in my Slav scenario. But in principle, it would have made perfect sense. Given the historical context, the Slavs are definitely one of the civilizations that should have received them. ---
**Author:** ![DynasticPlanet5](https://forums.ageofempires.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/e495f1/32.png) [@DynasticPlanet5](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/DynasticPlanet5)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2026, 11:42am UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/varangians-the-civ-varangian-guard-the-regional-unit/288419/54 "2026-09-16T11:42:28Z")
That would be two flavors of trample VG ---
**Author:** ![DynasticPlanet5](https://forums.ageofempires.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/e495f1/32.png) [@DynasticPlanet5](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/DynasticPlanet5)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2026, 12:22pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/varangians-the-civ-varangian-guard-the-regional-unit/288419/55 "2026-09-16T12:22:53Z")
> [@KHANATTILA](#): > > The Corvid Army solves a problem, so integrating it into the unit would be a nerf. But it’s a problem that if it just existed as the unit itself was wouldn’t be a problem. I dunno. Let it also reduce cost of something else because it feels like if the unit had a more reasonable food/gold ratio it probably wouldn’t be that in need of a gold/food swap especially when most Cav are way more expensive ---
**Author:** ![Gaturro7777](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/gaturro7777/32/61694_2.png) [@Gaturro7777](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/Gaturro7777)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2026, 12:49pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/varangians-the-civ-varangian-guard-the-regional-unit/288419/56 "2026-09-16T12:49:36Z")
I think celts should get it too as some gallowglass reference, vikings had a lot of influence in the british isles… that includes ireland and scothland too… one could argue that with that logic britons should get varangians too.. but I rather if both britons and sicilians shared a unique norman knights line that replace the normal knights from both civs ---
**Author:** ![DynasticPlanet5](https://forums.ageofempires.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/e495f1/32.png) [@DynasticPlanet5](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/DynasticPlanet5)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2026, 12:54pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/varangians-the-civ-varangian-guard-the-regional-unit/288419/57 "2026-09-16T12:54:41Z")
Nuh uh! That’s gonna cost them their Gambesons too ---
**Author:** ![Gaturro7777](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/gaturro7777/32/61694_2.png) [@Gaturro7777](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/Gaturro7777)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2026, 1:28pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/varangians-the-civ-varangian-guard-the-regional-unit/288419/58 "2026-09-16T13:28:34Z")
I don’t think so… vikings have extra hp and a UT that gives them extra dmg to cavalry… if they had gameson would had been almost unstopable… celts would be as fast as the danes varangians but without the extra damage from the danes UT ---
**Author:** ![Mahazona](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/mahazona/32/213405_2.png) [@Mahazona](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/Mahazona)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2026, 2:25pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/varangians-the-civ-varangian-guard-the-regional-unit/288419/59 "2026-09-16T14:25:56Z")
> [@Gaturro7777](#): > > I think celts should get it too as some gallowglass reference That is a separate unit.It should either be its own unit or not referenced by something else. ---
**Author:** ![Gaturro7777](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/gaturro7777/32/61694_2.png) [@Gaturro7777](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/Gaturro7777)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2026, 3:40pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/varangians-the-civ-varangian-guard-the-regional-unit/288419/60 "2026-09-16T15:40:57Z")
nah, that’s alright… I don’t think necessary to have another similar unit with a very small difference, also gallowglasses are descendent of norse invaders in the british isles… If we are going to be more strict about not allowing referenciation for units we have to remove Paladins from any civ but Franks and Burgundians… Paladins were frankish elite officers that did administrative and martial duties. Spanish, Lithuanians or Huns should not have them… Teuton should have their own ---
**Author:** ![Mahazona](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/mahazona/32/213405_2.png) [@Mahazona](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/Mahazona)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2026, 3:59pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/varangians-the-civ-varangian-guard-the-regional-unit/288419/61 "2026-09-16T15:59:12Z")
> [@Gaturro7777](#): > > we have to remove Paladins from any civ but Franks and Burgundians Who knows at this rate it might even happen. > [@Gaturro7777](#): > > Teuton should have their own They were a part of the carolingian empire so teutons having them is ok in my view.French knights did serve in spain I think so they too are passable.Other two without a doubt should not get them same with magyars and cumans. Huns Cumans Magyars should/could get a regional paladin as all three overlap the same area. [Previous page](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/varangians-the-civ-varangian-guard-the-regional-unit/288419.md?page=2) [Next page](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/varangians-the-civ-varangian-guard-the-regional-unit/288419.md?page=4)