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KoW - Vikings PDF
KoW - Vikings PDF
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Kings of War and all associated logos are property of Mantic Games and are used
without permission. No challenge to Mantic’s intellectual property is intended.
This set of rules was made possible thanks to Mantic Games and their excellent Kings of
War rule set. To use this supplement, you must have a copy of the Kings of War rule set,
which is available from the Mantic Games website.
http://www.manticgames.com/Hobby/Gaming.html
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................... 3
THE ARMIES ............................................................................................................................................. 3
UNIT SIZES ................................................................................................................................................ 3
SPECIAL RULES ........................................................................................................................................ 3
TERRIFYING RAIDERS ............................................................................................................................................... 4
SHIELDWALL ............................................................................................................................................................... 4
BARBARIAN! ............................................................................................................................................................... 4
HIDDEN ........................................................................................................................................................................ 4
EXPERT RIDERS .......................................................................................................................................................... 4
FANATICAL INSPIRATION ......................................................................................................................................... 4
BERSERKER ENTOURAGE ......................................................................................................................................... 5
PIKEMEN ..................................................................................................................................................................... 5
SKIRMISH AND FEIGNED FLIGHT ............................................................................................................................ 5
ARMY COMPOSITION ............................................................................................................................ 5
VIKING ARMY COMPOSITION ................................................................................................................................... 5
ANGLO‐SAXON ARMY COMPOSITION ..................................................................................................................... 6
ANGLO‐DANISH COMPOSITION ............................................................................................................................... 7
CALEDONIAN ARMY COMPOSITION ................................................................................................................. 7
IRISH ARMY COMPOSITION ...................................................................................................................................... 7
NORSE‐IRISH ARMY COMPOSITION ........................................................................................................................ 8
WELSH ARMY COMPOSITION .................................................................................................................................. 8
FRANKISH ARMY COMPOSITION ............................................................................................................................. 9
BRETON ARMY COMPOSITION ................................................................................................................................. 9
SPANISH ARMY COMPOSITION ................................................................................................................................ 9
ANDALUSIA, NORTH AFRICA, AND SICILY ARMY COMPOSITION .................................................................... 10
ITALIAN LOMBARD COMPOSITION ....................................................................................................................... 10
RUS ARMY COMPOSITION ..................................................................................................................................... 11
EARLY RUSSIAN ARMY COMPOSITION ................................................................................................................ 11
EARLY SLAV & BULGAR COMPOSITION .............................................................................................................. 12
PECHENEG ARMY COMPOSITION ......................................................................................................................... 12
MAGYAR ARMY COMPOSITION ............................................................................................................................. 13
THEMATIC BYZANTIUM COMPOSITION .............................................................................................................. 13
NIKOPHORIAN BYZANTIUM COMPOSITION ........................................................................................................ 14
ARABIAN ARMY COMPOSITION ............................................................................................................................ 14
ARMY LIST PROFILES OF THE VIKING AGE ‐ INFANTRY ......................................................... 16
ARMY LIST PROFILES OF THE VIKING AGE – CAVALRY & HEROES ..................................... 17
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defined there. However there are some However, if the enemy unit has an
special rules that are specific to the inspiring hero within 6”, the unit makes
historical lists and will be defined here. a Nerve Test as normal, except using the
following outcomes: if the result is
Terrifying Raiders
below the second number of the nerve
The Vikings ravaged the coasts of value, the unit will waver, if it is more
Europe, leaving death and destruction in than the second number, it will route.
their wake; nothing was sacred! The
peoples of Europe learned to watch the Hidden
seas for signs of coming long ships. Against the Vikings some warriors
A unit fighting in melee against one or would lie in wait and attack when it was
more units with the Terrifying Raiders their greatest advantage. In Ireland, the
special rule suffers a -1 penalty to their Vikings are said to have stayed inside
Nerve value when making a nerve test. their city walls rather than face the
hidden ambushes of the Irish.
Shieldwall
The unit is not placed on the field during
Vikings and many of their enemies lined initial deployment. Instead, at any point
up in battle with overlapped shields during one of your Move phases, you
making a shieldwall. The shieldwall was can place it anywhere on the battlefield,
a way of fighting, and could be used on more than one inch away from any
the attack or defense. enemy or blocking terrain. It can move
A unit with the Shieldwall special rule no further during that phase.
counts as being behind and obstacle; a Expert Riders
charging unit receives a -1 to their Melee
roll. Warriors of the Steppe had existed for
millennia before the Viking age, and
Barbarian! centuries after. They were expert riders
Barbarians were both fearless and and could make terrible war from the
ferocious when they charged. They could backs of their mounts.
often shatter their enemies by weight of Units with the Expert Riders trait do not
force; Unfortunately, they were often suffer the -1 penalty when shooting after
difficult to control as well, and after movement.
their initial ferocious charge, they
tended to lose momentum in the face of Fanatical Inspiration
more disciplined troops. Many men were driven with religious
The unit must charge if it can, and it will fervor, and the religious leaders that
always charge the closest unit. The unit drove them into battle were often
will always move D6 inches straight attributed with miraculous abilities to
ahead when carrying out its Regroup! heal and protect…
move when an opponent is routed after a A Religious Fanatic hero with the
melee. Finally, if an enemy unit that is Fanatical Inspiration trait can use the
the same size or smaller has more Heal(2) spell during the shooting phase;
casualty markers than the Barbarian! this represents the Fanatic’s ability to
unit when it would take a nerve test, the inspire warriors even when they’ve
enemy unit will automatically route; taken grievous casualties.
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warriors, and later armies should include the early part of the Viking age;
more units of levy freemen. generally this list should be used before
50-100% of the units in your army, not Vikings conquered and began settling
including heroes, must be Elite Warrior throughout England.
units. These units must purchase the The Anglo-Saxon armies were much like
Terrifying Raiders trait (+5pts for Troop many armies of the period and were
units, +10pts Regiments, and +15pts for made up primarily of a people’s levy. In
Hordes). These units must also purchase England this levy was known as the Fyrd.
the Shieldwall trait (+5pts Troop units, Along with the peasants were the full-
+10pts Regiments, +20pts Hordes). time warriors known as the Thegns, who
These units may also choose the Phalanx would have had access to better weapons
option (+15pts for Regiment units, and armour.
+25pts for Hordes) as well as the 0-40% of the units in your army, not
Berserker Entourage trait (+40pts). including heroes, can be made up of
0-50% of the units in your army, not Levy Freemen playing the role of
including heroes, can be made up of Thegns. Their common method of
Levy Freemen. These units must also fighting involved the spear, and so they
purchase the Shieldwall trait (+5pts may choose the Phalanx option (+15pts
Troop units, +10pts Regiments, +20pts for Regiment units, +25pts for Hordes).
Hordes). These units may choose the These units must also purchase the
Phalanx option (+15pts for Regiment Shieldwall trait (+5pts Troop units,
units, +25pts for Hordes). +10pts Regiments, +20pts Hordes)
0-20% of the units in your army, not 0-60% of the units in your army, not
including heroes, can be made up of including heroes, can be made up of
Dane-Axe Warriors. Levy Peasants representing the Fyrd.
0-20% of the units in your army, not Their common method of fighting
including heroes, can be made up of involved the spear, and so they may
Berzerkers. choose the Phalanx option (+15pts for
Regiment units, +25pts for Hordes).
0-20% of the units in your army, not These units must also purchase the
including heroes, can be made up of Shieldwall trait (+5pts Troop units,
Skirmishers and Levy Peasants. Levy +10pts Regiments, +20pts Hordes)
Peasants may swap their shields
(lowering their defense to 2+) for bows 0-20% of the units in your army, not
(+5pts for Troop units, +10pts for including heroes, can be made up of
Regiments, and +20pts for Hordes). Skirmishers representing the poorest of
Levy Peasants may also choose the peasants.
Phalanx option (+15pts for Regiment You may have as many heroes as you
units, +25pts for Hordes). have regiment-sized or larger units.
You may have as many heroes as you Religious Fanatic heroes in Anglo-Saxon
have regiment-sized or larger units. armies may purchase the Fanatical
Inspiration trait (+15pts).
Anglo-Saxon Army Composition
This section will provide guidelines for
Anglo-Saxon armies, which fought in
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and had given up much of their horse units, +25pts for Hordes). Elite Warrior
traditions. units must also purchase the Shieldwall
0-20% of the units in your army, not trait (+5pts Troop units, +10pts
including heroes, can be made up of Regiments, +20pts Hordes).
Medium Cavalry or Levy Freemen, 0-20% of the units in your army, not
playing the role of the wealthier Fianna including heroes, can be made up of
warrior class in Ireland. Medium Medium Cavalry or Levy Freemen,
Cavalry and Levy Freemen in Irish playing the role of the wealthier Fianna
armies have the Hidden trait. warrior class in Ireland. Medium
40-60% of the units in your army, not Cavalry and Levy Freemen in Irish
including heroes, should be made up of armies have the Hidden trait.
Levy Peasants. Levy Peasants in Irish 40-60% of the units in your army, not
armies have the Barbarian! trait. including heroes, should be made up of
Levy Peasants. Levy Peasants in Norse-
0-20% of the units in your army, not
including heroes, can be made up of Irish armies have the Barbarian! trait.
Skirmishers representing the poorest of 0-20% of the units in your army, not
peasants. including heroes, can be made up of
You may have as many heroes as you Skirmishers.
have regiment-sized or larger units. You may have as many heroes as you
Religious Fanatic heroes in Irish armies have regiment-sized or larger units.
may purchase the Fanatical Inspiration
Welsh Army Composition
trait (+15pts).
This section will provide guidelines for
Norse-Irish Army Composition Welsh armies that fought the Vikings
This section provides guidelines for Irish throughout the age.
armies that fought the Vikings in the The armies of Wales fought in loose
later part of the age; generally this list formations compared to their English
should be used after the Vikings founded neighbors to the east. Infantry fought in
cities and began settling along the coasts large warbands, and did not use the
of Ireland. shieldwall.
The armies of the Irish during this period The Welsh did not retain their pre-
adopted the Viking form of fighting at Roman horse traditions and tended to
least in part. However large parts of their fight primarily on foot.
armies still fought in loose, fast-moving
formations as they had before the 0-50% of the units in your army, not
Vikings arrived. including heroes, can be made up of
Levy Freemen. Levy Freemen in Welsh
0-25% of the units in your army, not armies have the Barbarian! trait.
including heroes, can be made up of
Elite Warriors or Dane-Axe Warriors, 20-50% of the units in your army, not
playing the role of the Scandinavian- including heroes, should be made up of
influenced warrior class. Warriors Levy Peasants. Levy Peasants in Welsh
without the Dane axe commonly used armies have the Barbarian! trait.
the spear, so they may choose the
Phalanx option (+15pts for Regiment
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20-40% of the units in your army, not You may have as many heroes as you
including heroes, can be made up of have regiment-sized or larger units.
Skirmishers. Religious Fanatic heroes in Frankish
You may have as many heroes as you armies may purchase the Fanatical
have regiment-sized or larger units. Inspiration trait (+15pts).
This section will provide guidelines for This section will provide guidelines for
Frankish armies during the Viking age. Breton armies of the Viking age. The
This list can be used to compose Bretons were equipped very similarily to
Carolingian, West Frank, Norman, East their Frankish and Norman neighbors,
Frank, and early Holy Roman Empire but their style of fighting was quite
armies. different.
The armies of the Franks were made up The Bretons made great use of medium
of a relatively large number of milites and light cavalry tactics, unlike their
that fought from horseback as knights Frankish and Spanish neighbors who
and on foot. Milites were wealthy, well- relied heavily on knights. As such, they
armed and trained warriors. employed large numbers of horsemen in
their armies.
Levies also made up an important part of
Frankish armies in the form of spearmen Breton armies also employed foot troops,
and skirmishers. Aside from these, the however they would be made up of
Franks also made use of subject peoples primarily peasants without the means to
in their armies, such as the Bretons. own mounts.
0-80% of the units in your army, not 50-70% of the units in your army, not
including heroes, can be made up of including heroes, should be made up of
Knights or Elite Warriors; both of which Medium Cavalry.
play the role of wealthy milites either on 0-30% of the units in your army, not
foot or mounted. including heroes, should be made up of
0-33% of the units in your army, not Light Cavalry.
including heroes, should be made up of 0-30% of the units in your army, not
Levy Freemen. Their common method including heroes, should be made up of
of fighting involved the spear, and so Levy Peasants or Skirmishers.
they may choose the Phalanx option You may have as many heroes as you
(+15pts for Regiment units, +25pts for have regiment-sized or larger units.
Hordes). Also, units of Levy Freemen
can swap their shields (lowering their De Spanish Army Composition
to 3+) for bows (+10pts for Troops, This section will provide guidelines for
+15pts for Regiments, and +30pts for Spanish kingdoms of the Viking age. As
Hordes). such, this list can be used to create
0-20% of the units in your army, not armies for the kingdoms of Aragon,
including heroes, can be made up of Leon, and Castile.
Skirmishers, Light Cavalry, or Medium Like their neighbors to the north, the
Cavalry. Spanish kingdoms employed a large
number of knights. However, they were
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also influenced by their Andalusian 20-50% of the units in your army, not
neighbors to the south, and so employed including heroes, can be made up of
skirmishing foot and horsemen to a great Medium Cavalry.
degree. 0-33% of the units in your army, not
20-50% of the units in your army, not including heroes, should be made up of
including heroes, should be made up of Levy Freemen. Their common method
Knights. of fighting involved the spear, and so
0-33% of the units in your army, not they may choose the Phalanx option
including heroes, should be made up of (+15pts for Regiment units, +25pts for
Levy Freemen. Their common method Hordes).
of fighting involved the spear, and so 20-50% of the units in your army, not
they may choose the Phalanx option including heroes, can be made up of
(+15pts for Regiment units, +25pts for Skirmishers or Light Cavalry. Light
Hordes). cavalry units may swap their javelins for
20-50% of the units in your army, not bows (+20pts for Troop units, +40pts for
including heroes, should be made up of Regiments). Light cavalry units must
Skirmishers or Light Cavalry. purchase the Expert Riders trait (+5 pts
for Troop units, and +10 for Regiments).
You may have as many heroes as you
have regiment-sized or larger units. You may have as many heroes as you
Fanatic heroes in Spanish armies may have regiment-sized or larger units.
purchase the Fanatical Inspiration trait Religious Fanatic heroes may purchase
(+15pts). the Fanatical Inspiration trait (+15pts).
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20-50% of the units in your army, not must also purchase the Shieldwall trait
including heroes, can be made up of (+5pts Troop units, +10pts Regiments,
Skirmishers and Levy Peasants. The +20pts Hordes).
Levy Peasants may swap their shields 0-20% of the units in your army, not
(lowering their defense to 2+) for bows including heroes, can be made up of
(+5pts for Troop units, +10pts for Skirmishers, Light Cavalry or Medium
Regiments, and +20pts for Hordes). Cavalry. Light cavalry units may swap
You may have as many heroes as you their javelins for bows (+20pts for Troop
have regiment-sized or larger units. units, +40pts for Regiments). Light
cavalry units must purchase the Expert
Rus Army Composition
Riders trait (+5 pts for Troop units, and
This section will provide guidelines for +10 for Regiments).
Rus armies that fought during the Viking
age. You may have as many heroes as you
have regiment-sized or larger units.
The Rus warriors were a mix of
traditional warfare of the region and the Early Russian Army Composition
new form of warfare brought by the This section will provide guidelines for
Vikings. The army was primarily made Early Russian armies that fought during
up of shield-wielding, spear-armed the later part of the Viking age.
warriors. However it could be lead by The Russians grew out of the Rus but
warriors that fought in the Viking style were heavily influenced by the cavalry-
and often included Viking mercenaries. heavy style of combat commonly
Also, thanks to the region’s proximity to practiced by the Byzantines and the
the Steppe, the Rus employed a small Steppe nomads. As such, they adopted
number of cavalry units, which were the heavy use of medium cavalry, made
typically from Steppe nomadic tribes. up of wealthy warriors. Along with this,
20-33% of the units in your army, not early Russian armies made greater use of
including heroes, can be made up of light cavalry recruited from Steppe
Elite Warriors. Their common method of nomad tribes.
fighting involved the spear, and so they Along with their mounted warriors, the
may choose the Phalanx option (+15pts early Russians made use of levies from
for Regiment units, +25pts for Hordes). the populations of cities, as well as more
Elite Warrior units must also purchase poorly equipped rural and forest-
the Shieldwall trait (+5pts Troop units, dwelling peasants that made up lighter
+10pts Regiments, +20pts Hordes). Elite infantry units.
Warrior units may purchase the 50-75% of the units in your army, not
Berserker Entourage trait (+40pts). including heroes, can be made up of
0-70% of the units in your army, not Medium Cavalry, represented by the
including heroes, can be made up of warrior elites.
Levy Freemen and Levy Peasants. Their 0-20% of the units in your army, not
common method of fighting involved the including heroes, can be made up of
spear, and so they may choose the Levy Freemen. Their common method
Phalanx option (+15pts for Regiment of fighting involved the spear, and so
units, +25pts for Hordes). These units they may choose the Phalanx option
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(+15pts for Regiment units, +25pts for The Levy Peasants may swap their
Hordes). shields (lowering their defense to 2+) for
0-20% of the units in your army, not bows (+5pts for Troop units, +10pts for
including heroes, can be made up of Regiments, and +20pts for Hordes).
Levy Peasants and Skirmishers. 0-20% of the units in your army, not
0-20% of the units in your army, not including heroes, can be made up of
including heroes, can be made up of Skirmishers or Light Cavalry.
Light Cavalry. Light Cavalry units may You may have as many heroes as you
swap their javelins for bows (+20pts for have regiment-sized or larger units.
Troop units, +40pts for Regiments).
Pecheneg Army Composition
Light cavalry units may purchase the
Expert Riders trait (+5 pts for Troop This section will provide guidelines for
units, and +10 for Regiments). Pecheneg armies that straddled the
Volga river south of the Rus lands.
You may have as many heroes as you
have regiment-sized or larger units. Light, fast cavalry dominated the armies
of the nomadic Pecheneg tribes.
Early Slav & Bulgar Composition Wealthier warriors would have had
This section will provide guidelines for better armour and likely fought with
Early Slav armies that fought the two-handed long spears, while the
Vikings in Eastern Europe. majority of horsemen would have been
The armies of the Early Slavs fought in bow-armed light cavalry.
loose formations with a focus on speed Pecheneg tribes also made use of troops
and maneuverability. Infantry fought on foot; typically foot troops would be
savagely in warbands, and did not use poor, unable to afford mounts, and
the shieldwall. would be armed with bows.
Also, Early Slavs employed horse 20% of the units in your army, not
warfare at least in part; noble warriors including heroes, can be made up of
may have fought from horseback. Medium Cavalry, playing the role of the
0-20% of the units in your army, not wealthier warrior classes.
including heroes, can be made up of 50-80% of the units in your army, not
Medium Cavalry, playing the role of the including heroes, can be made up of
wealthier warrior classes. Medium Light Cavalry. Pecheneg light cavalry
Cavalry in Slav and Bulgar armies have should swap their javelins for bows
the Hidden trait. (+20pts for Troop units, +40pts for
0-50% of the units in your army, not Regiments). Pecheneg light cavalry units
including heroes, can be made up of must purchase the Expert Riders trait
Levy Freemen. Levy Freemen in Slav (+5 pts for Troop units, and +10 for
and Bulgar armies have the Hidden and Regiments).
Barbarian! traits. 0-20% of the units in your army, not
20-50% of the units in your army, not including heroes, should be made up of
including heroes, should be made up of Levy Peasants. Pecheneg should swap
Levy Peasants. Levy Peasants in Early their shields (lowering their defense to
Slav armies have the Barbarian! trait. 2+) for bows (+5pts for Troop units,
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50-80% of the units in your army, not 0-33% of the units in your army, not
including heroes, can be made up of including heroes, can be made up of
Light Cavalry. Magyar light cavalry Levy Freemen. Levy Freemen may take
should swap their javelins for bows the Pikemen special rule (+30pts for
(+20pts for Troop units, +40pts for Regiment units, +55pts for Hordes).
Regiments). Magyar light cavalry units Also, units of Levy Freemen can swap
must purchase the Expert Riders trait their shields (lowering their De to 3+)
(+5 pts for Troop units, and +10 for for bows (+10pts for Troops, +15pts for
Regiments). Regiments, and +30pts for Hordes).
0-33% of the units in your army, not 0-20% of the units in your army, not
including heroes, should be made up of including heroes, can be made up of
Levy Freemen. Magyar Levy Freeman Skirmishers.
can take the Phalanx option (+15pts for You may have as many heroes as you
Regiment units, +25pts for Hordes). have regiment-sized or larger units.
You may have as many heroes as you Religious Fanatic heroes may purchase
have regiment-sized or larger units. the Fanatical Inspiration trait (+15pts).
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KNIGHTS
KNIGHT TROOP Cost: 90 pts
Type Sp Me Ra De At Ne
Cavalry 9 3+ - 5+ 8 11/13
Special: Can have banner (+15 pts), musician (+10 pts).
Crushing Strength (1).
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