Starcraft 2 Viking Guide
Starcraft 2 Viking - Introduction
Our complete Terran guide for Starcraft 2 multiplayer is back with a study of the Viking unit.
Betraying some of the anime influence upon the Starcraft series, the Terran Viking is a classic transforming mech, converting from an aerial superiority fighter jet into a ground-walking attack robot, enabling it to fulfill two distinct roles in the Terran forces for the price of one unit. In this article, we’ll take a look at the strategy options this flexible unit gives the Starcraft 2 player, with a discussion of tactics and counters for the Viking against all three races, as well as providing the usual indepth info on all the vital numbers.
Starcraft 2 Terran Viking Vital Statistics
**
Production and Properties:
- Minerals: 150
- Gas: 75
- Supply: 2
- Build Time: 42 secs
- Produced By: Starport
- Requires: -
- Hotkey: V
- Max Energy: 0
Movement and Protection:
- Speed: 2.25 (2.75 alternate)
- Acceleration: 1,000
- Hit Points: 125
- Shields: 0
- Armor: 0
- Armor Type: Mechanical, Armored
Weaponry:
Lanzer Missiles
- Air Attack
- Attacks: 2
- Range: 9
- Damage: 10
- Bonuses: +4 vs Armored
Twin Gatling Cannons
- Ground Attack
- Attacks: 1
- Range: 6
- Damage: 12
Starcraft 2 Terran Viking Upgrades and Abilities
Upgrades:
Ship Weapons 1-3 (Upgrade for all of the Terran ship units)
- Level 1: (Minerals: 100, Gas: 100, Time: 160 secs)
- Level 2: (Minerals: 175, Gas: 175, Time: 190 secs)
- Level 3: (Minerals: 250, Gas: 250, Time: 220 secs)
- Required: Starport
Ship Plating 1-3 (Upgrade for all of the Terran ship units)
- Level 1: (Minerals: 150, Gas: 150, Time: 160 secs)
- Level 2: (Minerals: 225, Gas: 225, Time: 190 secs)
- Level 3: (Minerals: 300, Gas: 300, Time: 220 secs)
- Required: Starport
Abilities:
- Fighter Mode: The Viking unit transforms into an aerial unit, with improved speed but only able to strike other aerial targets.
- Type: Command
- Cast Time: 3 secs
- Assault Mode: The Viking unit transforms into a ground unit, with the restriction of only being able to engage other ground units.
- Type: Command
- Cast Time: 3 secs
Starcraft 2 Viking Strategy, Tips and Tricks
Strong Against:
Vulnerable To:
Terran vs Terran
The multipurpose nature of the Viking makes it an ideal unit for base and resource raiding against a Terran opponent - fly into an enemy base or Mineral Field, transform into Assault Mode and play hell with the surrounding building units. Of course, doing this under heavy fire is not recommended, so make sure you have taken measures to take out defences such as Missile Turrets. While in Assault Mode, the Viking is quite ponderous and vulnerable to other heavy Terran units such as Marauders and Siege Tanks.
Terran vs Protoss
Vikings make great Colossus hunters against Protoss, and again resource and base destruction is a valid tactic against this race. Be careful for Stalkers packing the Blink ability - their turn of speed can catch the relatively slow Viking in a trap before you know it. High Templars casting Psionic Storm can also quickly disable a Viking.
Terran vs Zerg
If you can achieve superiority in the air against a Zerg opponent, then Vikings make great mobile support armor for your ground forces, able to head to important choke points across the map, and use Assault Mode to take out enemy armor. As always with such slow units as Vikings against the Zerg, be careful about getting rapidly surrounded and swarmed by Zerglings when on the ground.
Conclusion
The tactical flexibility the dual-role Starcraft 2 Viking offers a player makes it a vital unit for the Terran faction in multiplayer matches. However, it’s important to know the right time to utilize each role, air fighter and ground mech, in a SC2 battle, otherwise the Viking can end up being neither one thing nor the other.
