Danes

Overview

Danes are part of Age of Empires II, representing Northern Europe and emphasizing raiding infantry & navy. Their signature roster includes the Jomsviking. Villagers and Fishing Ships drop off 5% more food.

Civilization identity

Danes is classified as Northern Europe and is centered on raiding infantry & navy. Its defining roster entry is Jomsviking. This focus is a starting point for reading the technology tree, not a requirement to use only one unit line: the bonuses and matchup determine which parts of the roster are worth investing in. In team games, land siege units except grenadiers gain +2 line of sight; account for this while choosing allies and deciding which role the civilization should cover.

Civilization bonuses and their value

Each bonus applies to a specific part of the economy, army, or map plan. Read the effect together with its target: a discount matters when it changes a build or upgrade timing, while a combat bonus matters only when the affected unit or structure is actually fielded.

• Villagers and Fishing Ships drop off 5% more food This affects economic tempo or worker efficiency and can change how quickly the civilization reaches its next production or Age-up timing.
• Destroying a building loots 25% of its resource cost, except for walls and gates This changes the resource investment or timing needed to field the affected option.
• Barracks and Siege Workshop technologies cost 66% less gold This changes the resource investment or timing needed to field the affected option.
• Varangian Guards and Longships move 10% faster This is a water-map advantage; plan around control of fishing, crossings, and transport rather than assuming it matters equally on a land map.

Signature units and unique technologies

Jomsviking: Danish infantry that hurls torches at buildings and ships, making it useful for raids and close assaults Mounted Crossbowman: A heavily armed ranged cavalry unit with strong attacks but a slower firing cadence Varangian Guard: Shock infantry used by the Vikings, Varangians, and Byzantines; it can earn gold while fighting Catapult Galleon: A campaign and regional naval siege unit that attacks shore targets with thrown projectiles Longship: A Northern European regional warship that fires multiple projectiles and supports naval raids These units define the civilization’s distinctive options. Its unique technologies add later-game choices; compare their effects with the cost and research timing before committing resources.

• Hamask: Infantry gain attack as their hit points fall
• Northmen’s Fury: Mangonel-line siege weapons and Catapult Galleons gain range; siege units deal more damage to buildings

Civilization game plan

The guide below connects the civilization’s bonuses to an opening, a main army, a transition, and the principal risk to watch. Adapt the sequence after scouting rather than treating it as a fixed build order.

• Opening: Favor an early infantry push that can turn damage to enemy buildings into additional resources.
• Core army: Men-at-Arms and later infantry can work with siege to keep a land attack advancing.
• Transition: Invest the early food advantage into production and follow successful pressure with more siege or a growing economy.
• Watch for: Raiding bonuses pay off only when attacks connect; protect the economy while maintaining enough units to exploit them.

Technology tree gaps

This civilization-specific tree marks the units, research, and upgrades that are unavailable. Check the named production building or research line before planning a transition; the gaps can rule out an otherwise familiar counter or upgrade.

• Archery Range: Arbalester, Cavalry Archer, Hand Cannoneer, Parthian Tactics
• Stable: Hussar, Cavalier, Camel Rider, Battle Elephant, Steppe Lancer
• Siege Workshop: Bombard Cannon
• Castle: Sappers
• Dock: Carrack, Demolition Raft, Cannon Galleon
• Monastery: Atonement, Herbal Medicine, Heresy, Faith
• Defensive structures: Bombard Tower, Fortified Wall
• University: Fortified Wall, Architecture, Bombard Tower, Siphons, Treadmill Crane
• Lumber Camp: Two-Man Saw
• Mill: Crop Rotation
• Market: Guilds

Team-game role

The team bonus is Land siege units except Grenadiers gain +2 Line of Sight. This can help define a complementary team role. Coordinate it with allied civilizations that can use the bonus or cover a weakness in the roster.