Hirdman

"Counter cavalry. Infantry only good against cavalry."
In-game description

The Hirdman is a Norse Classical Age infantry unit in Age of Mythology: Retold that can be trained at the Longhouse. It serves as a counter-cavalry unit. Like other Norse foot soldiers, Hirdmen can build and repair buildings.

The release version of the Hirdman is conceptually similar to the Bondi, which was cut twice, once for the base game, and once for Tale of the Dragon.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strong vs.
File:Grk-h-hippeus.png Hippeus • File:Grk-h-prodromos.png Prodromos • Spearman • Jarl • War Elephant • Berserk • Camel Rider • Huskarl • Hersir • Raiding Cavalry

Weak vs.
File:Grk-h-toxotes.png Toxotes • File:Grk-h-hypaspist.png Hypaspist • Cheiroballista • Chariot Archer • Throwing Axeman • Axeman

Technologies

General Technologies

Offense
Image	Name	Description
File:Shared-t-copper-weapons.png	Copper Weapons	+10% damage
File:Shared-t-bronze-weapons.png	Bronze Weapons	+10% damage
File:Shared-t-iron-weapons.png	Iron Weapons	+10% damage

Defense
Image	Name	Description
File:Shared-t-copper-armor.png	Copper Armor	-15% Hack Vulnerability
File:Shared-t-bronze-armor.png	Bronze Armor	-15% Hack Vulnerability
File:Shared-t-iron-armor.png	Iron Armor	-15% Hack Vulnerability
File:Shared-t-copper-shields.png	Copper Shields	-15% Pierce Vulnerability
File:Shared-t-bronze-shields.png	Bronze Shields	-15% Pierce Vulnerability
File:Shared-t-iron-shields.png	Iron Shields	-15% Pierce Vulnerability

Utility
Image	Name	Description
File:Grk-t-levy-infantry.png	Levy Infantry	-20% training time
File:Grk-t-conscript-infantry.png	Conscript Infantry	-20% training time

Myth Technologies

Image	Name	God	Description
File:Grk-t-phobos-spear-of-panic.png	Phobos' Spear of Panic	Ares	+1 divine damage
File:Grk-t-sarissa.png	Sarissa	Athena	+10% hack damage, +1 attack range
File:Grk-t-aegis-shield.png	Aegis Shield	Athena	-15% pierce vulnerability
File:Grk-t-oracle.png	Oracle	Apollo	+4 Line of Sight
File:Grk-t-dionysia.png	Dionysia	Dionysus	+5% hit points

Upgrades

Age	Upgrade	Cost	Effect
File:Infobox-age2.png Classical Age	File:Shared-t-medium-infantry.png Medium Infantry	File:Infobox-food.png 150, File:Infobox-gold.png 150, File:Infobox-time.png 20 seconds	Upgrades Hoplites to Medium: +10% hit points, +10% damage, +1 Line of Sight
File:Infobox-age3.png Heroic Age	File:Shared-t-heavy-infantry.png Heavy Infantry	File:Infobox-food.png 300, File:Infobox-gold.png 300, File:Infobox-time.png 30 seconds	Upgrades Hoplites to Medium: +15% hit points, +20% damage, +1 Line of Sight); requires Medium Infantry
File:Infobox-age4.png Mythic Age	File:Shared-t-champion-infantry.png Champion Infantry	File:Infobox-food.png 500, File:Infobox-gold.png 400, File:Infobox-time.png 40 seconds	Upgrades Hoplites to Medium: +20% hit points, +30% damage, +1 Line of Sight); requires Heavy Infantry

Relic Bonuses

Image	Name	Description
	Armor of Achilles	-5% hack vulnerability
	Canopic Jar of Imsety	+25% training speed
	Gaia's Book of Knowledge	+3.0 attack multiplier vs. Titans
	Pelt of Argus	+6 Line of Sight
	Thundercloud Shawl	-5% pierce vulnerability
	Gungnir, Odin's Spear	+5% attack

History

"The Norse Hirdman wields a spear and is effective against cavalry. A Viking Age Scandinavian chieftain's power was centered on his personal warband, or hird. This body of retainers served as a household guard in the direct employ of the chieftain, who was responsible with providing them with the wealth, status, and leadership that earned their loyalty. In later centuries, the hirdmen constituted a court of magnates to whom a king delegated power, property, and administrative responsibilities."
In-game compendium

Gallery

Trivia

Hirdmen were the nucleus of informal personal companion bodyguards of a lord or ruler. They were essentially Elite Huskarls, and are mentioned many times in Norse Sagas. As per law codices by the time of the reign of Haakon IV, they had become more of a Men-at-Arms, thus becoming formalised as the court household.
The texture map for the Hirdman, is located in the Multiplayer Alpha textures.bar file, under "Infantry N Hirdman Map".
"Hirdman" means the same as "Huskarl".

Video

List of Units