Why take away gambesons? Maybe Varangians with exrtra HP and extra damage against cavalry might help.
All you have is mostly infantry in the late game. Yes, your infantry have more HP, but you’re still going to suffer a lot more. Archers missing Thumb Ring. Mediocre cavalry. Siege is nothing special. I guess you’ll still be fine on water maps.
The Armenians have a similar issue but at least they have a quirky archer unit.
If they had Gambesones their Varangian Guards would probably be too strong.
I have no idea. I don’t think their Varangian guards would be too strong with gambesons, given that Varangian VGs are likely going to be even stronger. Though maybe the Viking eco with VGs would be too strong in castle age (but Dane eco should be pretty good as well and I expect their VGs to be better)
Could just be a general nerf because Vikings are a strong civ and getting another new option with VGs that will simply buff their strength.
I think overall it’s actually a buff for Vikings.
VG seem sorta generic since other than Arson or UTs they don’t normally have any damage bonuses
Their logic is pretty consistent: balance a new unit by removing a technology the civilization relies on; promote a DLC, and hey, just stick a link on the main menu.
There’s always room for something new.