Overview
A guide on how to get the Crusader Kings 2 achievement Viking Raider. Some advice also on how to play as the vikings on The Old Gods.
Viking Raider Achievement
To be granted this award, you need to bring back 1000 worth of gold on a single viking raid. Note the Old Gods DLC is required.
The achievement is actually a fairly easy one to get, provided you have a sizeable empire able to support a large raiding party. The minimum number of ships you require is 100; this allows storage space for 1000 gold. A 100 ship fleet can also support an army size of 10K which should be more than enough for the possible enemies you might face.
Conquer Land
So the 1st thing is get yourself a large empire.
Sweden (Bjorn Ironside) is probably the best starting choice as it already has a sizeable navy(50-70) and is centrally located for rapid expansion. From the very first day, start subjugating your Scandinavian neighbours and take over their territories fast. (Note using the “Become King of Sweden” ambition you can effectively subjugate at will without penalty within the kingdom’s de jure borders.)
The Norwegian territories are weak, attack them next, then gradually take over all territories to the North. Move into Sapmi, the Kola Peinsula and then round to modern day Finland. Provided you win your wars, you will control a sizeable number of territories very fast.
Denmark is slightly more powerful than the rest of the viking countries so either leave them till last or avoid. The territories that are in modern day Russia that border Finland (Eastern Karelia) are also too powerful for you to attack early so avoid them. They are able to muster large tribal armies, and you will have trouble with your supply lines without higher military organisation research.
After some time your power will increase, you can consolidate your territories and create the Empire of Scandinavia. The achievement doesn’t require Scandinavia but it could make your life easier.
Create a Stable Foundation
Once you control a good number of territories, start building your economic base that will support your large raiding army. Upgrade your towns making sure you build markets and especially the shipyards, remember you need to have atleast 100 ships. Aim for a raiding army of 6K or higher. Vassal levies can also raid so be good to your vassals and they will provide you with military access.
Be Careful of Gravelkind
Gravelkind can be a massive pain, and this is the inheritance model you will most likely be playing with for the bulk of your viking days. Basically in a nutshell, it means when you die your kingdoms/territories are divided amongst your sons.
Be selective in your choice of wife. The more male heirs basically causes you more problems. Try to have only 1 male heir. When you succeed in having a male heir, divorce you wife to eliminate the risk of having anymore children. Keep tabs on who your male heir marries, as soon as he has a male heir himself, get him divorced too MGTOW!
This is a good strategy for early in the game. The other option is imprison and execute unwanted male heirs, but this will deeply upset your vassals who will start plotting against you. They will also not provide you with their vassal levies.
If you unlucky and your male heir dies, quickly arrange a new marriage, perhaps look for a bride with fertility traits to speed up the process, and select have a son ambition.
Try to have a male heir, and a single grandson at all times.
Where to Raid?
Once a strong economic and political base has been formed, let the raiding commence.
Ok the best areas to raid are islands in the Mediterranean that are cut off from the mainland. These provinces are inherently weak anyway due to their locations, but the ai is unable to effectively use ships to transport troops. An army of 6K will be more than able to defeat any army in these territories. Their armies are so small they probably won’t even put up a fight. Seiges of these areas can easily produce 150+ gold each.
Venice is probably the most lucrative city to attack. If you seige the castle, you usually gain a couple of hundred gold each trip. The other islands close by should also be raided.
Crimea is another good raiding area, especially for on the way to the Mediterranean. Vikings can sail up rivers- this is essentially a shortcut for them. The counties of Korchev and Cherson are wealthy and not well defended.
Other good areas are small/single, wealthy independant provinces on the costal mainland normally located in Northern Africa, the Middle East (eg Jerusalem Region) or Southern Europe. Your 6K is more than enough for a successful seige. The only risk is that they may have allies, or could be in a war where you are drawn into combat. These are important areas for the time period and as such there may be some large armies there.
England can also be a very lucrative raiding target. The counties are not as wealthy as those of the Mediterranean, but there are more of them, and they are also closer to Scandinavia. Provided England is fragmented, they will not usually be able to put up much of a fight. However a united England, or even a kingdom of 5-6 territories may put an army against you.
Ireland might be a potential target, but is not as lucrative as the others. Again, bear in mind of potential allies(Wales/English Lords) that could put up a fight. Northern Scotland is also a potential target mainly due to the fact it is close by and poorly defended. It is not particulary wealthy and you should only really consider this option if you are running short of men.
Try not to repeatedly raid the same places within too short a time frame. The city needs time to regenerate gold. If you attack too soon the payoff will be less.
You can also use the economy mode on the map to show the most valuable territories. This will help you pick targets (green equates to more wealth).
Try and avoid actual combat as much as possible. You will be able to win most seiges without being drawn into battle. If you see a large army moving against you, withdraw to your ship and find an easier target. Losing too many men results in a long sail journey home.
There may be easier ways to go about this achievement, but this
worked for me. Hope this helps you too