They could just stop at the trait removal, and the hero would be half as good as it was. But they also went to deny pre-10 Jump, and leave Norse Force out of the equation.

Early game you can still spread, but the attention span needed for each baby sitting is increased dramatically. Usually, I end up hugging the gate initially, and just soaking while my team does something more useful.

I am unsure on what they tried to achieve? High competitive level, suggests that TLV were over the top. I can understand, but it seems that they tried to kill two birds with one stone, and simultaneously nerfing them WHILE suggesting 2-3 alternative builds.

I agree with the nerfs being a bit much, TLV did need a nerf, agreed, but I think it's gone a bit overboard.

My main gripe is the trait change. Viking Hoard is incredibly unimaginative and boring as a trait, and looking across traits fairly weak as well given Blizz slashed the regen per orb in half. I'd be happier if even the Viking Bribery was the trait and you could pick VH as a level 1 talent.

Since the removal of fast restart you find that early game the Vikings tend to need to stick together unless you're supported by a cooperative teammate outside of soaking when heroes leave their lanes. This means generally you're gathering less orbs than you would have been prior to the patch. This in tandem with the halved values leaves this trait very poor indeed. I can take the other changes, but the trait is a major problem in my eyes.

Edited after some games. Executioner/Fury of the Storm was just amazing. Always coupled with Play Again.

I need to learn how to position properly, so it's going to take a bit of practice. Namely, you need to leave a viking in a safe distance in order to resummon all 3. Although Executioner is only self procced by Olaf (and most of the times is enough), in ALL teamfights I always found targets to burn down.

Probably the only hero that is SO dependent on its team to function properly. As far as the build goes, the level 20 Play again enhance requires some aggressive gameplay and is never guaranteed that it will work out, so...I will be trying the Executioner/Fury of the Storm way and see how it goes.

Thanks for the comments.

I like Nordic attack squad a lot as long as it's picked with play again and I don't like the upgraded play again cause I don't use it aggressively but that what I like about these new changes diversity

That's why I never play Vikings solo queue and that why my win mr are is 70% having teammates that know what there doing and don't blame you is invaluable but I think that if they didnt nerf the boat and didn't beef spin and Norse force people would still only have a single build

Thanks for the reply.

Having a team that backs you up is very important to get the plan right.People that won't understand how TLV works, will ping your hiding Vikings, or will blame you for not joining. It's the prime example of a hero that shines when there is a plan. Part of the reason why it's at 5% popularity.

My view is that Blizzard went over the top with the nerfs (they could achieve the same thing just by removing Fast Restart), but what's done is done.

In general try to be positive in chat, and inform the team what you are going to do before assigning lanes.

Thanks for this swift, but to the point guide. I've followed your logic myself and seen the massive value increase of Play Again! Since the removal of Fast Restart, and generally take it most games to offer a hasty split push threat or return to combat option.

I agree the team really needs to get behind you. I have lost count the number of times people have moaned at me for not lending all Vikings to early objectives in the game. In such games if we lose the loss is generally attributed to me, despite the exp contributions and siege damage suggesting otherwise. More people need to understand how ridiculously overpowered level advantages can be in this game and let the Vikings do their stuff prior to level 10.