Age of Empires II’s Saxons Will Lean on Cheaper Infantry and Stronger Defenses
The faction's roster includes the Hearth Troop, Varangian Guard, Longship, and Mounted Crossbowman.
The Saxons are being introduced in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition with a strategy built around infantry, fortified positions, and a fleet that can stand up to Viking pressure. The Age of Empires team’s Saxons civilization overview details a faction that can build its army cheaply, strengthen troops in groups, and turn defensive structures into serious threats.
The civilization’s identity draws from the Saxons of Roman Britain and their repeated clashes with Viking raiders. Its economy uses the fyrd system to raise foot soldiers from towns and estates, while Alfred the Great’s naval reforms are represented through a fleet capable of challenging Danish forces at sea. In practical terms, the Saxons are being shaped as a faction that can hold ground before sending disciplined infantry back across the map.
The Saxon economy supports a growing defensive line
Several bonuses tie the Saxon economy directly to its military plan. Dropsites provide a little extra food and stone when built, while foot soldiers cost less per Town Center or Castle controlled. Towers and Castles fire more arrows starting in the Castle Age, giving defended territory extra bite when enemy armies arrive.
The naval bonuses keep the civilization from being boxed in by water. Longships and Catapult Galleons have more hit points, and the team bonus allows repairers to work faster. That last benefit can help allied armies, buildings, and ships recover from a fight sooner, giving the whole team more room to stay in the battle.
Varangian Guards and Longships add pressure beyond the walls
The Saxon roster includes the Varangian Guard, a shock infantry unit trained at the Barracks. It generates gold while fighting and is designed for raiding and close combat. Saxon Varangian Guards cost less based on the Town Centers and Castles under the player’s control, and groups of them gain additional armor when massed.
At the Dock, the Longship fires a volley of projectiles and threatens warships, soldiers, and buildings. Its extra Saxon hit points fit the civilization’s broader approach, letting the fleet absorb more punishment while it contests shorelines and waterways.
The Mounted Crossbowman rounds out the regional roster. Trained at the Archery Range, it fires more slowly than a nomadic horse archer but delivers heavy armor-piercing damage. Most European civilizations produce Mounted Crossbowmen instead of Cavalry Archers.
The Hearth Troop gives Saxon infantry a javelin attack
The Saxons’ unique unit is the Hearth Troop, an elite infantryman based on the professional retinues of Saxon leaders. It fights with a sword and shield, then periodically throws a javelin at enemies. The unit’s name comes from the warriors who shared their lord’s hearth and hall, a tradition celebrated in works including Beowulf, the Battle of Maldon, and the Fight at Finnsburh.
Two technologies strengthen the army and clergy
Clerical Recruitment gives Monks one extra range and makes them train 33% faster. Shield Wall takes the classic infantry formation and turns it into a battlefield bonus, granting infantry additional armor when they fight in larger groups.
The visual identity continues into the late game. The Saxon Castle is based on the stout burhs shown in the Bayeux Tapestry, while the Saxon Wonder takes the form of an iconic turriform church.
The Viking Sagas is available for pre-order on Steam, Microsoft Store, and Xbox with a 15% discount. The PlayStation 5 version will be available for purchase in that store on launch day.
Would you build the Saxons around a massive Hearth Troop army or lean into their towers and ships? Tell us what you think in the comments, and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram.
