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"Ladies, gentlemen, I give you the latest weapon in the Dominion's arsenal, a force both for pacification and protection as we forge further into the unknown. It is my pleasure to unveil the Viking ground/air combat facilitation system!"

- Terran Dominion spokesman(src)

A Viking in walker mode.
MecoAdded by Meco

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").

Contents

OverviewEdit

"We start thinking of it as pretty or decorative, we risk forgetting its purpose is just downright ugly."

- Captain Jon Dyre (quoted by Wes Carter)(src)

A Viking aboard the Hyperion

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]

Viking configurations
HawkiAdded by Hawki

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

An early Viking.

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
VikingAirMode SC2 Game1.jpg
Air mode
VikingGroundMode SC2 Game1.jpg
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 Minerals Terran SC1.png

Gas

75 TerranVespene SC2 Game1.png

Supply

2 Supply

Build time

42 seconds

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 SC2TerrShipArm.jpg

Type
Armor type

Armored

Lanzer torpedoes
Damage

10 (+4 vs armored)

Attacks

2

Targets
  • Air
Cooldown

2

Range

9

Upgrade/level

+1/+1 vs armored SC2TerrShipWeap.jpg

Twin gatling cannon
Damage

12

Targets
  • Ground
Cooldown

1

Range

6

Upgrade/levels

+1 SC2TerrShipWeap.jpg

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

VikingTrans SC2 Icon1.jpg Viking Transformation
Acquisition
Researched at

Automatically researched

Hotkey

Assault mode: D
Fighter mode: E

Usage
Activation/
Build Time

3 seconds

Notes

The Viking transforms from one mode to another.

The ability is not smartcast.

Edit

UpgradesEdit

SC2 TerrAirWeap.gif Terran Ship Weapons
Researched at

Armory

Hotkey

S

Properties
Minerals

100 Minerals Terran SC1.png

175 Minerals Terran SC1.png

250 Minerals Terran SC1.png

Gas

100 Gas Terran SC1.png

175 Gas Terran SC1.png

250 Gas Terran SC1.png

Research time

160 seconds

190 seconds

220 seconds

Notes

Increases the damage of terran air units.

Edit
SC2 TerrAirArm.gif Terran Ship Plating
Researched at

Armory

Hotkey

P

Properties
Minerals

150 Minerals Terran SC1.png

225 Minerals Terran SC1.png

300 Minerals Terran SC1.png

Gas

150 Gas Terran SC1.png

225 Gas Terran SC1.png

300 Gas Terran SC1.png

Research time

160 seconds

190 seconds

220 seconds

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]

RipwaveMissiles SC2 Icon1.jpg 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-classWeaponsSystemSC2 Icon1.jpg 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
SC2 Lab Ultra Capacitors Icon.png 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
SC2 Lab VanPlating Icon.png 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
SC2 Lab BioSteel Icon.png 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

The following section contains information from a previous version of StarCraft II which is no longer valid.

Concept art
MecoAdded by Meco

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

Known Viking PilotsEdit

A Viking pilot
HawkiAdded by Hawki

NotesEdit

  • 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

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Armory units (in English). 2010.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Viking. Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed 2007-08-10.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Furman, Simon (w), Jesse Elliott (p, i). "Heavy Armor, part 2." In StarCraft: Frontline: Volume 2 (paperback binding), pp. 5-25. Tokyopop, January 1, 2009. ISBN 1427-80831-7.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Armory upgrades (in English). 2010.
  5. Gameplay Overview. Blizzard Entertainment, accessed on 2010-11-29
  6. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: Wings of Liberty, Ghost of a Chance (in English). 2010-07-27.
  7. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard) (in English). July 27, 2010
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Furman, Simon and Jesse Elliott. "Heavy Armor, part 1." In StarCraft: Frontline: Volume 1, pp. 140–163. Tokyopop, August 1, 2008. ISBN 1427-80721-3.
  9. Gerrold, David (w), Fernando Heinz Furukawa (p, i). StarCraft: Ghost Academy: Volume 2 (paperback binding). Tokyopop, August 10, 2010. ISBN 978-1427-81613-9.
  10. April 6, 2010. "Timeline". StarCraft II: Heaven's Devils. Simon & Schuster (Pocket Star). pp. 311 - 323. ISBN 978-1416-55084-6.
  11. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: Wings of Liberty, Engine of Destruction (in English). 2010-07-27.
  12. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: Wings of Liberty, Safe Haven (in English). 2010-07-27.
  13. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: Wings of Liberty, Haven's Fall (in English). 2010-07-27.
  14. 14.0 14.1 Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Protoss research (in English). 2010.
  15. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Zerg research (in English). 2010.
  16. Karune. 2008-02-08. StarCraft II Q&A - Batch 29. Battle.net StarCraft II General Discussion Forum. Accessed 2008-02-08.
  17. Karune. 2008-02-20. A Question for Karune about the Viking. Battle.net StarCraft II General Discussion Forum. Accessed 2008-02-20.
  18. [1]
  19. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II Map Editor. (Activision Blizzard) (in English). July 27, 2010
  20. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Lost Viking (in English). 2010.
  21. SDCC 2011 Blizzard Reveals Mega Bloks Starcraft II Viking Preview, NG4. Accessed on 2011-11-19
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