Hirdmenn

__NOTOC__
"...the breastplates clanged,war-gear of men; their weapons stacked, spears of the seafarers stood together, gray-tipped ash: that iron bandwas worthily weaponed!"	
	
— Beowulf, trans Grummere
==In game==
Hirdmenn — Vital statistics	Hirdmenn — Vital statistics	Hirdmenn — Vital statistics	Hirdmenn — Vital statistics	Hirdmenn — Vital statistics	Hirdmenn — Vital statistics	Hirdmenn — Vital statistics	Hirdmenn — Vital statistics	Hirdmenn — Vital statistics	Hirdmenn — Vital statistics	Hirdmenn — Vital statistics
 	
Norse unique assault infantry, capable of countering heavily-armed infantry units. Powerful and has a "first strike" charge-based attack.
*Strong versus light and medium infantry; light cavalry.
*Weak versus heavy infantry; buildings	
Norse unique assault infantry, capable of countering heavily-armed infantry units. Powerful and has a "first strike" charge-based attack.
*Strong versus light and medium infantry; light cavalry.
*Weak versus heavy infantry; buildings	
Norse unique assault infantry, capable of countering heavily-armed infantry units. Powerful and has a "first strike" charge-based attack.
*Strong versus light and medium infantry; light cavalry.
*Weak versus heavy infantry; buildings	
Norse unique assault infantry, capable of countering heavily-armed infantry units. Powerful and has a "first strike" charge-based attack.
*Strong versus light and medium infantry; light cavalry.
*Weak versus heavy infantry; buildings	
Norse unique assault infantry, capable of countering heavily-armed infantry units. Powerful and has a "first strike" charge-based attack.
*Strong versus light and medium infantry; light cavalry.
*Weak versus heavy infantry; buildings	
Norse unique assault infantry, capable of countering heavily-armed infantry units. Powerful and has a "first strike" charge-based attack.
*Strong versus light and medium infantry; light cavalry.
*Weak versus heavy infantry; buildings	
Norse unique assault infantry, capable of countering heavily-armed infantry units. Powerful and has a "first strike" charge-based attack.
*Strong versus light and medium infantry; light cavalry.
*Weak versus heavy infantry; buildings	
Norse unique assault infantry, capable of countering heavily-armed infantry units. Powerful and has a "first strike" charge-based attack.
*Strong versus light and medium infantry; light cavalry.
*Weak versus heavy infantry; buildings	
Norse unique assault infantry, capable of countering heavily-armed infantry units. Powerful and has a "first strike" charge-based attack.
*Strong versus light and medium infantry; light cavalry.
*Weak versus heavy infantry; buildings	
Norse unique assault infantry, capable of countering heavily-armed infantry units. Powerful and has a "first strike" charge-based attack.
*Strong versus light and medium infantry; light cavalry.
*Weak versus heavy infantry; buildings
Prereq: 	Build time 	HP 	LOS 	Attack 	Attack speed 	Movementspeed 	 	 	 	
* 	10s(150t) 	120 	10 	25 	2.7s(40t) 	33 	 	 	 	
Cost 	Cost 	Cost 	Created from 	Armour 	Weapon range 	Specialty 	Specialty 	Specialty 	 	
Base 	Ramp 	Pop 	Created from 	Armour 	Weapon range 	Specialty 	Specialty 	Specialty 	 	
:: 40: 40 	
:: 1: 1 	1 	 	2 	Melee 	
*Armour piercing
*Bonus damage versus buildings, siege weapons.
*Defensive bonus versus Archers.
*Can "charge" enemy units.	
*Armour piercing
*Bonus damage versus buildings, siege weapons.
*Defensive bonus versus Archers.
*Can "charge" enemy units.	
*Armour piercing
*Bonus damage versus buildings, siege weapons.
*Defensive bonus versus Archers.
*Can "charge" enemy units.	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
=== Overall strategy===
As an elite unit, Hirdmenn exemplify the Norse propensity for infantry combat. These men aren't simple hicks or brigands but instead form a corps of veteran frontliners for any Viking chief or king capable to recruit them. Despite their slow movement and attack speed, Hirdmenn are highly regarded and are good counter-infantry units, capable of destroying enemy formations if properly managed thanks to their slow but powerful anti-armour attacks, thanks to their body armour and powerful greataxes.
Their only problem, however, might be meeting unique units which have better defensive stats. Towers will also stop them in their tracks. Equally devastating too, is heavy cavalry — the added height of Lancers and Knights makes it an easy task to gaffe the life out of them since all Hirdmenn are armed with are just clumsy axes. Nevertheless, the ability to spawn these fearsome warriors with each Barracks constructed by the Norse player means that they are still a very powerful asset, handily providing the Norse with a good defensive unit to support a mid-game rush or defensive boom in the late game.
==See also==
*Scara Infantry
*Huskarlar
*Heavy Axe Guards