Starcraft 2 Viking
Terran Unit Strategy Guide
| Terran Viking | |
|---|---|
| Unlock | Safe Haven or Haven's Fall. |
| Mineral/Vespene | 150/75 |
| Build Time | 42 |
| Supply | 2 |
| Life | 125 |
| Body Class | Armored, Mechanical |
| Armor | 0 |
| Move Speed | 2.75 (flight) 2.25 (walk) |
| Gatling Cannon | Damage: 14 Range: 6 Speed: 1 Targets: Ground |
| Lanzer Torpedoes | Damage: 10 Damage vs Armored: 14 Attacks: 2 Range: 9 Speed: 2 Targets: Air |
| Training Requires: | Barracks, Factory, Starport |
| Mercenary Variant: | Hel's Angels |
Vikings are versatile units that fill two roles in the Terran military. They are the strongest anti-air unit available to the Terrans, and their high mobility and assault mode make them great for conducting raids on enemy bases in both the single player campaign and multiplayer. Vikings do not require a tech lab at the Starport to be built, so two can be created at once using a reactor. Viking rushes do work with some degree of success, depending on the opponent of course.
Viking Special Abilities and Upgrades
Vikings can transform in just 3 seconds from a fighter to an assault mech. They receive a pair of upgrades that dramatically increase their effectiveness in the air. That is, if you invest the credits.
The Phobos-Class Weapons System will increase a Viking's air range to an impressive 11, and land to 7. Range upgrades are great for any unit, but for air superiority this upgrade rocks. Next up, they can purchase the Ripwave Missiles Upgrade which gives their air attack splash damage.
Using a mass of Vikings is not often helpful in the Campaign (except in Haven's Fall/Safe Haven). But in Multiplayer you can sometimes win using only Vikings. Even if you fail, you can still deal a ton of economic damage and set your opponent back. Use the Viking's flight ability to go around the enemy base and attack his workers from behind.
Vikings are your go-to if you see the enemy is building a lot of air. If you're playing another Terran player who's using Banshess, be sure to hotkey your Orbital Command-equipped Command Center so that you can reveal them to let your Vikings do their job.
Vikings don't have to be in air mode. If you're desperate for some extra units, make some Vikings and put them in assault mode to allow them to join your other ground forces. They move at the same rate as other standard Terran infantry, and if you do encounter air they are but 3 seconds away from fighter mode and can take out the opposing flyer.
It's worth noting that Viking upgrades for flight and mech mode come from the Ship weapons/armor upgrade projects at the Armory.