Swedes
A European civilization added in Definitive Edition, centered on Torps and strong gunpowder choices.
Economy & identity
Torps provide population and gather nearby resources; their value depends on site selection and remaining natural resources.
Military & matchups
Caroleans and Leather Cannons are distinctive military options. Mercenary shipments are cheaper and faster than usual for the Swedes.
Practical direction
Place Torps for actual resource access and defend them as economic assets, then choose shipments around the army’s missing roles.
Opening economy and Torps
The Swedes are a Definitive Edition civilization with an economy built around the Torp, a House that gathers nearby resources and supports ten population. A Torp also spawns a small Berry Bush, giving Villagers a local Food source. The Swedish starting economy includes Food, Wood, and six Settlers; the current starting Food crate value is 150, changed from 200 in update 14.3853. Settlers have a train limit of 90. Torps allow the player to place economic production across the map, but each one requires a safe site near resources. If placed too far forward, a Torp can be destroyed and its local gathering bonus lost. Protect the area with units or nearby production, and spread buildings so that the economy is not dependent on a single exposed corner.
Unique units and army composition
The Swedish army includes Caroleans, Hakkapelits, and Leather Cannons. Caroleans are rapid firing Musketeer type Heavy infantry that can use ranged bonuses against cavalry and charge into melee for a limited period. Hakkapelits are light ranged cavalry from Finland with a powerful hand attack and a short ranged area attack. Leather Cannons are affordable mobile artillery effective against infantry. Royal Guard Pikemen are called Dalkarl, and Royal Guard Hakkapelits are called Drabant. These units cover different roles: Caroleans hold a ranged line, Hakkapelits move quickly and threaten cavalry or exposed units, and Leather Cannons pressure infantry from range. Protect the artillery from cavalry and avoid sending the Caroleans into a melee counter simply because they have a charge ability. The Swedish roster rewards a combined force rather than relying on one unit.
Mercenary and Arsenal advantages
Swedish Home City shipments of Mercenaries cost 10 percent less Coin and arrive 20 seconds faster. Jaegers and Black Riders can always be recruited from the Tavern. This creates a flexible access route to powerful units, but Mercenaries still consume Coin and population, so plan the shipment around the opponent's army rather than choosing them automatically. The Swedes also have advanced improvements at the Arsenal. These upgrades can strengthen their infantry, cavalry, and artillery lines, making the Arsenal valuable when those units are already being produced. Cards and upgrades compete with the economic investment in Torps; decide whether the next timing needs additional unit strength or more resource income. A Torp network supports a long match, while a Mercenary shipment can change a single fight.
Age advancement and civilization tools
The Swedes choose Politicians to advance in Age. The available choices range from economic support to military or mercenary rewards, so the best selection depends on whether the next phase requires resources, a faster army, or specialized units. The Swedish Explorer has one extra hand attack damage, a small but useful improvement when clearing Treasures or fighting guardians. Settler train limits and starting resources have changed through updates; use the current civilization profile rather than an older build order. Swedish revolutions include Finland, Livonia, and the United States, each changing access to cards and units. A revolution is a major commitment and should be chosen only after checking which economy and roster remain available.
Practical plan and vulnerabilities
Start by scouting a safe Torp network that covers nearby resources, then use Caroleans or another opening force to protect the first placements. Add military production before expanding too far, because an opponent can raid the scattered economic buildings. Use Torps to reduce Villager travel and support Food gathering, but do not treat them as invulnerable Houses. The army can combine Caroleans with Hakkapelits and Leather Cannons, and mercenary cards can answer a specific opponent timing. The main weakness of a Torp centered economy is that its income and population support are tied to buildings across the map. Scout for raids, keep units close enough to respond, and rebuild the network only when the resource area can be held. The Swedes' strength comes from joining economic structures, flexible Home City access, and specialized units into one plan.
Torp placement and resource coverage
A Torp gathers nearby resources and supports ten population, so its placement can combine housing with local income. Set it beside the resource you want to exploit, then check that its Berry Bush and surrounding area remain safe for Villagers. Torps can replace some gathering travel, but they do not eliminate the need for Settlers; local resources eventually run out or become unsafe. Spread them across secure areas rather than clustering every economic building near one Town Center. When the opponent attacks, prioritize Torps that support the most Villagers or cover an important resource route. The building's economic value accumulates over time, so a Torp placed early in a safe location can repay its cost, while a forward Torp that falls immediately is a poor trade.
Home City and resource priorities
Mercenary shipments arrive 20 seconds faster and cost 10 percent less Coin than the normal price, giving the Swedes a timing advantage when a specialized unit is needed. Choose a shipment that answers the current opponent and keep enough population space to receive it. Torps provide long term income, while Mercenaries add immediate military strength; investing in both at once can leave the standard army underproduced. The Explorer's extra hand attack helps clear Treasures and protect early Torp sites, but he should not fight a full enemy force. Select the resource and unit plan together so that the economy can support the shipment rather than treating each bonus separately.
When to transition away from Torps
As the map becomes contested, move Villagers to resources that can be defended rather than replacing every lost Torp in the same forward area. The building remains useful for population, but its gather effect depends on nearby resources and safe access. Keep the core income inside the army's response range and use the Torp network to support expansion only when the next position can be held.
Torp network and nearby resource gathering
The Swedish economy is shaped by Torps, which provide housing and automatically gather nearby resources in the Definitive Edition profile. Their value depends on placement: a Torp near useful natural resources can contribute income while Villagers work elsewhere, but isolated or exposed Torps are easy targets. Expand the network around safe resources and protect it with military production. Building Torps uses resources and time, so keep enough Wood for housing and production rather than placing them without a plan.
Caroleans and artillery define the army transition
Sweden can combine Caroleans with artillery and other specialized units to create a flexible force. Caroleans provide the main infantry presence, while artillery adds pressure against buildings and dense formations. The exact unit and upgrade options depend on age and version, so do not treat every Swedish unit as available from the opening. Use the Torp economy to support continuous production, but scout before investing in a large army of one type; add the counter the opponent requires and keep guns protected from Cavalry.
Torp housing and the Swedish unit roster
A Swedish Torp supports 10 population, gathers nearby resources and spawns a small Berry Bush in the documented profile. Place Torps where their resource radius can work and where the building can be defended; scattered sites that are quickly destroyed waste both the housing and gathering opportunity. Sweden’s Carolean is a fast-firing Musketeer that can counter Cavalry at range and charge into melee with its sword. Hakkapelits add a Finnish cavalry role with a powerful hand attack and short-ranged area damage, while the Leather Cannon is affordable, mobile artillery suited to infantry. Use these roles together rather than relying on Caroleans alone.
Protect the network and adapt to counters
Sweden’s economic buildings and military roster work best as a connected map plan. Torps gather around the territory the army controls, while Caroleans defend the resource network and Leather Cannons pressure enemy infantry. Hakkapelits can punish exposed ranged units but remain vulnerable to anti-Cavalry troops. Swedish access to Jaegers and Black Riders through the Tavern, cheaper and faster mercenary shipments, and advanced Arsenal improvements further shape the army; check the relevant version and cards before using an old build order. Protect the Torp network and shift production when the opponent changes composition.