The Viking, officially designated as the A2 Armored Mechanical Hybrid,^[1] is a terran unit with the ability to transform between a ground unit ("Assault mode") and an air unit ("Fighter mode").

OverviewEdit

Based heavily on the transformation design of the siege tank, the Viking was designed to be the ultimate anti-air and ground-support weapon system, armed with MT50 Lanzer Torpedoes and twin gatling guns for both respective tasks.^[2] A targeting system exists for both, along with displaying height and location. The ability to self-destruct is also present.^[3] The arm and leg servos are interchangeable, easing repairs.^[1] Bellerephon further expanded the Viking's options through the Phobos-class weapon system—an improved loadout that adds a longer-range anti-air missile and an improved gatling cannon increased range in ground assaults. Enlightened Dynamics also developed Ripwave missiles for the hybrid.^[4]

In its aerial mode, Vikings are classified as air superiority fighters. The walker mode was considered more important.^[5] They can be paired with AH/G-24 Banshees for operations as air cavalry.^[6]

While the Viking's versatility is its greatest asset, it is also one of its drawbacks. Few pilots are able to handle both combat modes and the majority of Viking pilots are killed in their first battle^[2] (the term "cherry" is used for Viking pilots who have yet to carry out a transformation).^[1] Those who survive however, become amongst the most skilled pilots.^[2] The elite few who make it through training are so deadly that their names are well-known by both allies and enemies across the Koprulu Sector.^[1]

Viking pilots are equipped with helmets with visors that lower when they take their vehicles into the air.^[7] However, regardless of whatever advantages the visor might bring, it is still possible to fly a Viking without one.^[8][3]

HistoryEdit

The Brood War revealed weaknesses in terran anti-air capability. Wraith combat fighters and valkyrie missile frigates proved to be an unwieldy combination against agile zerg airborne organisms. In addition, ground-based anti-air support from goliath assault walkers was too limited in its mobility: all too often airborne attackers would simply move out of the goliath's range. In the aftermath of the war, terran weapon technicians proposed a radical new concept to resolve both of these problems; an armored vehicle with the ability to change its combat role from an assault walker to an air-superiority fighter, enabling it to switch smoothly to fulfill tactical needs in a developing battle.^[2]

The Wyrm^[3] was an early design.^[9] It was quickly succeeded by the Viking, which had more armor, more options and a faster response time.^[3] A Viking was showcased at Ursa^[8] in 2502,^[10] where one single-handedly destroyed a military base.^[8]

Final field testing of the Viking was carried out at Valhalla.^[11]

Game UnitEdit

Viking
Air mode
Ground mode
Unit
Race	Terran
Role	Durable support unit
Armament	Lanzer torpedoes Twin gatling cannon
Properties
Transport size	2
Sight range	10
Production
Minerals	150
Gas	75
Supply	2
Build time	42
Produced from	Starport
Hotkey	V
Movement
Speed	2.75 (air)/2.25 (ground)
Acceleration	2.625 (air)/1000 (ground)
Lateral acceleration	0
Deceleration	0
Collision radius	0.75
Protection
Hit points	125
Armor	0
Type	Air or Ground Mechanical
Armor type	Armored
Lanzer torpedoes
Damage	10 (+4 vs armored)
Attacks	2
Targets	Air
Cooldown	2
Range	9
Upgrade/level	+1/+1 vs armored
Twin gatling cannon
Damage	12
Targets	Ground
Cooldown	1
Range	6
Upgrade/levels	+1
Meta
Target priority	20
Kill score	400
Production score	200
Miscellaneous
Notes	Switches between roles.

The Viking is produced from the starport. They are one of two base units produced from the starport, allowing them to be built two at a time with a reactor add-on. Due to their long range and relatively high mobility, Vikings are effective at fighting slower enemy units like battlecruisers, corruptors, and void rays, using hit and run tactics to avoid counterattacks as they are relatively fragile, but are weak against more mobile units including marines, mutalisks, and stalkers. Large groups of phoenixes can also quickly knock out vikings due to their ability to swiftly move and attack simultaneously. Vikings are useful for raiding worker lines due to their ability to quickly infiltrate and escape bases as well as providing escort for marines and marauders against colossi.

TransformationEdit

Viking Transformation
Acquisition Researched at Automatically researched Hotkey Assault mode: D Fighter mode: E	Usage Activation/ Build Time 3
Notes
The Viking transforms from one mode to another. The ability is not smartcast.
Edit

UpgradesEdit

Terran Ship Weapons
Researched at	Armory
Hotkey	S
Properties
Minerals 100 175 250 Gas 100 175 250 Research time 160 190 220
Notes
Increases the damage of terran air units.
Edit

Terran Ship Plating
Researched at	Armory
Hotkey	P
Properties
Minerals 150 225 300 Gas 150 225 300 Research time 160 190 220
Notes
Increases the armor of all terran air units.
Edit

Wings of LibertyEdit

Vikings are unlocked by playing either "Safe Haven" or "Haven's Fall", available after Rory Swann called in some favors to get their schematics.^[12][13]

Ripwave Missiles
Campaign	Wings of Liberty
Cost	$75,000
Researched at	Hyperion armory
Notes
Vikings deal aerial splash damage. Enlightened Dynamics developed the anti-matter warheads that can damage multiple air targets with deadly bursts of sub-atomic shrapnel. Environmental effects are still being studied.[4]
Edit

Phobos-Class Weapons System
Campaign	Wings of Liberty
Cost	$90,000
Researched at	Hyperion armory
Notes
Vikings gain +2 missile range and +1 cannon range. Bellerephon has developed improved weapons systems for the viking.[4]
Edit

Ultra Capacitors Campaign Wings of Liberty Cost 5 protoss research points Researched at Hyperion laboratory Notes Attack upgrades at the armory and engineering bay improved cooldown by 5% per level. Self-replicating ultra capacitors reduce the reload time of weapons and systems.[14] Edit

Vanadium Plating Campaign Wings of Liberty Cost 5 protoss research points Researched at Hyperion laboratory Notes Armor upgrades at the armory and engineering bay increase health by 5% per level. Vanadium better disperses weapon impacts than standard armor.[14] Edit

Regenerative Bio-Steel
Campaign Wings of Liberty Cost 20 zerg research points
Acquisition Researched at Hyperion laboratory
Notes
Damaged ships and vehicles recover hit points over time.[15]
Edit

QuotationsEdit

See: StarCraft II Viking Quotations

DevelopmentEdit

Karune stated that its ground mode could attack both ground and air units in February 2008^[16] but that ability underwent balance testing and has since been removed.^[17]

At earlier builds the Viking was built on the factory at ground mode, but needed a Fighter Tech upgrade to enable transforming to air mode.^[18]

Concept art of the Viking is identical to that of the Wyrm, the Viking's in-universe predecessor effectively being lifted from concepts of its in-universe successor.^[2][8][3] The icon for this old form can still be found in the map editor.^[19]

Known VikingsEdit

• Viking 02
• Hel's Angels

Known Viking PilotsEdit

• Captain Jon Dyre
• Lieutenant Chet Ward

NotesEdit

• The Lost Vikings is a 1992 Blizzard Entertainment game featuring the adventures of three Vikings. One of the pictures on the official Viking page is labeled "the Lost Vikings".^[2]

• A mini-game called Lost Viking in which a sole Viking must fight a massive protoss, zerg, and terran air force, including swarm guardians, a carrier, leviathan and terra-tron.^[20]

• Mega Bloks plans to produce a Viking model as part of their StarCraft toy line, set to be released in 2012. The Mega Bloks Viking will be able to transform between modes.^[21]

ReferencesEdit