How to Play as Norway in Civilization VI: Unleash the Viking Fury

So, you’ve decided to lead Norway in Civilization VI, have you? Ready to channel your inner Viking and set sail across digital seas? Norway, under the leadership of Harald Hardrada, is a civilization with a unique focus on naval power and raiding. Here’s a detailed guide on how to harness the strengths of Norway and bring out the best in your Viking playthrough.

Understanding Norway’s Unique Traits

Before you begin pillaging and baptizing, let’s get familiar with the unique abilities that make Norway a formidable sea power:

• Knarr: Norwegian units gain the ability to navigate ocean tiles after researching the Shipbuilding technology, much earlier than other civilizations. Their naval melee units can heal in neutral territory, which is perfect for those long voyages away from home.
• Thunderbolt of the North: Allowing coastal raiding for all naval melee units, this ability lets you pillage from the sea. Other civs need a specific unit, but your Vikings can start raiding from the get-go.

Strategic Early Game Moves

Set Sail Early: Since your ability allows you to hit the oceans sooner, don’t be a landlubber for too long. Use your early seafaring ability to explore and meet other civilizations or find those precious city-states before anyone else does.

Expand Coastal: To make the most of your naval prowess, settle primarily on the coast. This gives you direct access to water for your unique units and buildings. Look for locations near resources like fish and whales for an extra economic boost.

Making the Most of Your Unique Units and Buildings

Norway boasts two unique units and one unique building that steer its strategy towards naval and raiding prowess:

• Viking Longship: Replace the Galley and can raid coasts from the start. Use them to harass coastal cities early in the game, stealing gold and slowing down your opponents.
• Berserker: Replacing the Swordsman, this unit is stronger when attacking and weaker when defending. Berserkers excel in quick, aggressive attacks where you can hit hard and then retreat before taking too much damage.
• Stave Church: This unique building replaces the Temple and provides additional faith and production for each coastal resource in the city. Building these can enhance your city’s productivity and boost your religious output if you’re gunning for a religious victory.

Mid to Late Game Strategies

Enhanced Raiding Tactics: As the game progresses, continue to use your naval and raiding abilities to keep opponents on their back foot. Use your Viking Longships and their upgraded forms to control the seas and chokepoints, and keep pillaging for resources and rewards.

Balancing Military and Infrastructure: While it’s tempting to go full Viking and neglect your cities, remember to balance your military activities with solid economic and infrastructural development. Ensure your cities are well-developed and can support your military endeavors with strong production and food outputs.

Pursuing Victory as Norway

Norway is versatile enough to aim for several types of victories, but two paths are particularly synergistic with its strengths:

• Domination Victory: Use your superior naval capabilities and unique units to launch seaside invasions and control large portions of the map. Keep your fleet modern and your armies ready to exploit any weakness.
• Religious Victory: With the Stave Church boosting your faith generation, you can also push for a religious victory. Use your naval mobility to spread your religion across continents and islands far faster than your rivals can.

Tips for Mastering Norway’s Gameplay:

• Keep an Eye on Science: While focusing on naval and military might, don’t neglect scientific advancement. Falling behind can make your units and strategies less effective against more technologically advanced foes.
• Use Harald’s Leader Ability: Harald’s leader ability, “The Last Viking King,” provides additional faith and culture from all units killed in battle. This encourages and rewards aggressive military strategies, so don’t be shy about skirmishing with neighbors.

Playing as Norway is about embracing the Viking spirit—adventurous, fearless, and always a few waves ahead of the competition. Whether you’re raiding the coasts of England or establishing Norse rule across unknown continents, remember: in Civ VI, as in history, the Vikings are at their best when they’re making waves. Happy raiding!