Guide [Issue 41] The Definitive Guide to: Viking

[greyat 2,972]

 

Viking is one of the most, if not the most, popular hulls on the battlefield today. And being such a favored hull, it has every merit of being analysed.

 

Viking was released on April 23, 2010. With better stats than the dominant medium hull at the time, Dictator, many players switched to using Viking instead of the two other medium hulls. This proved detrimental to game balance, and along with lopsided popularity of other turrets and hulls, led to the rebalance of December 17, 2012. A year later, Viking’s speed, along with that of other hulls, was boosted with the introduction of the new physics. Since then, due to an alleged lack of popularity, Viking’s speed and armour have been boosted slightly, by up to 15 HP at M3/M3+.

 

Strengths

 

Viking is a quintessential hull; in the category of medium hulls, it falls exactly in the middle. Practically any weapon can be paired with it, and it can be used in a plethora of situations. (Not recommended: Island CP drug wars, those are dominated by M4 heavy hulls)

 

This is an opinion, but I feel that Viking is one of the smoothest handling hulls out there. The speed is a perfect complement to its agility, and its turning speed pairs well with the turret rotation rate of many common turrets.

 

Thanks to its low profile, Viking is one of the most stable hulls, perhaps even surpassing Dictator in terms of stability - use this to your advantage.

 

Due to its stability, Viking can accommodate those turrets which require sensitive aim - Shaft and Railgun. Using it, you’re less likely to be knocked off aim than with other, less stable hulls when facing high impact force turrets, such as Hammer or Ricochet, allowing you to get that vital shot off.

 

 

As with most hulls, Viking is semi-rear mounted. Hence, driving backwards to practice hit-and-run may be advantageous, as less of the hull is exposed when shooting from the back as opposed to the front.

 

vs

 

Thanks to its low profile, Viking is capable of evading shots at close range from specific targets. For example, if a Twins-Viking closes with Dictator-Railgun, and harasses the Dictator with fire while strafing back and forth near the rear end of the Dictator, the combination of the impact force of Twins, Dictator’s height , and Viking’s lack of height may cause the Railgun to miss the Viking.

 

Viking can capture flags with ease, thanks to its moderate speed and good armour. Mount an Isida on it, and you’re practically invincible when using supplies on small maps. The speed also helps in CPs - you can reach the point relatively quickly from anywhere on the map in a single CP, and travel between points on multi-point CPs is facilitated. In TDMs and DMs, as a medium hull, Viking can take out most light hulls with ease, and is able to escape from heavy hulls tanks to its speed.

 

 

Weaknesses

 

Viking’s lack of height can also prove to be a disadvantage. The strategy of tipping proves to be less effective with Viking, as the combination of Viking’s refusal to rock and its low stature makes for a difficult time when trying to tip. This is not to say you shouldn’t do it, as employing the strategy still has a noticeable effect on your range of fire.

 

 

Another deficiency of Viking also stems from its short stature. While usually Viking is very hard to flip, once you surpass a certain angle to the ground, you’re definitely going to be flipped. Landing on your side is well nigh impossible with Viking. You’re either right-side up or upside down. Hence, it is advisable, when leaping off high edges, to employ the recoil of your weapon, or spinning your hull mid-air, to avoid flipping.

 

 

As a defender, do not attempt to bear the brunt of an enemy push; you lack the health to absorb it, unlike heavy hulls. Instead, either help heal the heavy hull, or fire at the enemies from the side, preferably with Freeze or Firebird, which are not blocked by teammates.

 

 

I'd mention that Viking's (lack of) height can sometimes prove detrimental when trying to catch a gold box, but Vikings still get their fair share of gold box catches.

 

In conclusion

 

Viking is an excellent hull, with many characteristics that merit it to the buyer. Don’t simply purchase it because it’s so popular, buy it because it’s a hull with excellent handling and a plethora of endearing qualities.

 

Special thanks to @Yisroel.Rabin for being a noob.

Edited July 29, 2017 by Hexed

[Yisroel.Rabin 16,224]

Special thanks to @Yisroel.Rabin for being a noob.

My pleasure ^_^

[Zenyth 6,494]

Well written! :)

[momy950666 960]

nice ;)

[rothro3 50]

Dictator is still my favorite.   :wub:

[lukey0 27,543]

Lovely guide, I think you almost wrote all the article this issue, well done! ;)

[AN_602 280]

Best hull in my opinion!  B) So fun to snipe enemies using Railgun with it!

[DarkShadow916 304]

#Viking4lyfe :wub: B) :D

[AnduinFX 8]

Thanks for writing this guide. Viking's my favourite hull and now I know more about it.

[Nordic_Thunder 1]

Good job! Also very helpful. (#ILikViking  :wub: B)) Perfect for shaft. (Oh and I forgot: good with rail, smokey and the other like 27 turrets)

[Nordic_Thunder 1]

Dictator is still my favorite.   :wub:

HOW DARE YOU  :angry: (Don't take it seriously)

[Indra_Otsutsuki 329]

Excellent Article!

 

Dictator is still my favorite.   :wub:

Your dictator feels so weird.

[Shellfire_tanki 1,820]

I caught a gold box with viking-isida once, in a poly CP when I was only a 2nd Lieuteneant. :)

Edited October 4, 2015 by Shellfire_tanki

[MJROCKS05 428]

Amazing Article

I use viking for battles as it is extremely good on short maps + on short maps its harder to find a leveled ( higher ) region, so viking's height is not much of a  problem.....

 

 

But when the gold box falls.....

 

ITS DICTATOR TIME !!!  :P

 

( srry viking lovers out there, but viking sucks during goldbox rushes)

 

Edited October 4, 2015 by MJROCKS05

[pixy012 3]

viking s = amater s  :P  :D  :D 

[zaki_refes 0]

:mellow:  :mellow:  :mellow:  :mellow:

[suhas_best 334]

Viking is an excellent hull IMO. I bought my m3 vik when i was major general in the medic kit and the kit proved excellent for me (until i became an XP fan and bought hornet and railgun m3s :P). Well yet, I would say that viking is not good at the M0/M1 stages. I have seen enough of it and i prefer hunter m1 in my alt (@suhas_cool). But in the higher ranks, (in favour of the new direct modification update), buying viking m3 is the best option in lower starred ranks. But yet, (although i dont have it), titan m3 is the best m3 hull (IMO) :) hope this helps

Edited October 4, 2015 by suhas_best

[DarkShadow916 304]

I have gotten at least 30 golds with my m3 and m2 Viking ya know :D

[wow349 4]

nice article :) i use viking and dictator but i think viking is better since i use close range weapons an also viking is great when i use ricochet and thunder i only use dictator when i play in short maps cuz i don't have to worry about the height of the tank.

[TTK_229 1,080]

I like to use the viking with an excellent weapon, the Thunder. Many people agree that it is a phenomenal combination.

 

Edit from the future: I sound like I is stoopid in da head in this comment, but I wasn't farmiliar with the forum, so...plz no judge

Edited June 18, 2016 by TTK_229

[The_Smoky_Project 25]

Viking is the best medium M2, hands down. Lacking with M1 and M3, though. Becomes decent at M4.

 

By the way, whats the name of that paint? Stylish!

[greyat 2,972]

^It's the Reporter paint. (and given to Wiki editors...)

[Amateur 829]

Excellent article.

I still prefer viking even though I have dictator. Most people claim that dictator has more armour and it is the best for golds, but I don't enjoy playing with it. On the other side, viking doesn't flip as much as dictator which helps you to play conveniently.

[DESTROYERcool1 67]

Viking is the best according to the med hulls .viking rail just rocks and it also does good with every turret it u have skills

[clemsonboy303 0]

i love reading the newspaper!!!! :D  :lol:  B)  :rolleyes:  :ph34r: