Sons of Valhalla is an upcoming pixel-art action and base-building game developed by Pixel Chest and published by Hooded Horse. This side-scrolling strategy game blends fast-paced combat with resource management and tactical planning. Set in the Viking era, the game follows a warrior’s quest to rescue his captured wife, a journey that leads him across the seas to England, where he faces battles, fortifications, and the intervention of Odin himself. This guide will introduce key mechanics, strategic approaches, and effective ways to dominate your enemies.

Understanding the Basics: Gameplay and Setting

The game’s premise is straightforward but engaging: your Viking village has been raided, and your wife has been taken as a slave. You set off in pursuit, only to suffer a shipwreck and seemingly meet your demise. However, Odin intervenes, granting you another chance but with a catch—each time you die, you must sacrifice one of your powerful runes. These runes grant buffs and abilities, making survival a strategic endeavor where death has meaningful consequences.

At its core, Sons of Valhalla is a mix of action combat and base management. You control a warrior with melee and ranged attacks, capable of commanding troops and building structures. The ultimate goal in each level is to capture enemy-held positions, strengthen your forces, and finally besiege the enemy’s stronghold.

Resource Management and Base Building

To wage war effectively, you must manage four key resources:

• Hack Silver – Primarily gained by killing enemies, this is used for purchasing upgrades and reinforcing your forces.
• Gold – Spent on personal character upgrades and progression.
• Wood – Required for constructing buildings and training units.
• Fish – A crucial resource for sustaining your troops and economic strength.

Early Game Strategy: Establishing Your Base

At the start, you have limited building slots, so prioritization is key. A good first move is constructing a Fishing Hut to boost food production and a Barracks to start training shielded swordsmen. Initially, you can only have a small army, so efficient use of resources is vital. Later in the game, you may need to tear down certain buildings to make room for more advanced structures.

Troop capacity is limited, so it’s crucial to balance resource gathering with military expansion. Upgrading your Mead Hall unlocks more building slots, allowing for better infrastructure and stronger defenses.

Combat Mechanics: Attacking and Defending

Combat in Sons of Valhalla is action-oriented, requiring quick reflexes and strategic troop deployment. Blocking is a vital mechanic—shielding against enemy attacks can mean the difference between life and death.

Taking Over Enemy Positions

Your goal is to capture enemy bases, which are marked on your minimap. The best strategy is a systematic takeover, where you slowly expand your territory while reinforcing your supply lines. Rushing too aggressively can deplete your troops and leave you vulnerable to counterattacks.

1. Scout the Area – Before attacking, use ranged attacks (such as a bow and arrow) to eliminate defenders from a distance.
2. Deploy Troops Wisely – Issue commands to your soldiers using the Q button. Timing and positioning are crucial.
3. Utilize Siege Weapons – Enemy strongholds are heavily fortified. Training a Fire Catapult early on can be a game-changer, allowing you to weaken defenses before committing your troops.
4. Maintain Defensive Lines – After capturing a new base, hold your ground against enemy counterattacks while fortifying your new position.

Defending Against Enemy Attacks

Enemies will attempt to reclaim lost territory, so strong defenses are a necessity:

• Repair Gates and Towers – Keep your fortifications intact to slow down enemy advances.
• Train Reinforcements Efficiently – Have troops constantly training in your upgraded Barracks and Archery Ranges.
• Use Fire-Based Weapons – Fire arrows and fire catapults are highly effective at dealing damage over time and disrupting enemy formations.

Mid-to-Late Game Strategy: Expanding Your Empire

Once you control a central location, it’s time to optimize your economy and increase your military output.

• Convert Your Starting Base into an Economic Hub – Replace military buildings with woodcutters and fisheries to maximize passive resource generation.
• Upgrade Buildings – Higher-tier Barracks and Archery Ranges reduce training time, allowing for a faster replenishment of troops.
• Use Fast Travel – With multiple bases under control, you can use fast travel to quickly respond to enemy attacks.

At this stage, strategic patience is crucial. Silver, which fuels your economy, is a bottleneck resource. Farming enemies and maintaining a steady flow of income ensures that you can afford unit upgrades and siege weapons.

Final Battle: Sieging the Stronghold

The last obstacle in each mission is the enemy’s stronghold. These fortresses have reinforced walls, archers, and elite defenders. A direct assault without preparation will likely end in disaster.

Key Tactics for the Final Siege:

• Upgrade Your Units – Before the final push, invest in armor, weapon damage, and unit resilience.
• Increase Siege Weapon Range – With maxed-out catapults, you can destroy defenses before engaging in melee combat.
• Use a Shield Wall – Have troops form a shield wall to absorb arrow fire while siege weapons do the work.
• Reserve Reinforcements – Keep a second wave of troops ready to sustain the assault if the first wave struggles.

Boss Fight: Facing Valgard

After breaching the stronghold, you must face the enemy commander in one-on-one combat. Valgard is a formidable warrior, using spinning attacks and throwable barrels. The best approach is:

• Dodge and Counter – Instead of retreating, move through him and attack from behind.
• Use Fire Arrows – Fire damage over time is extremely effective in wearing him down.
• Shield Against Projectiles – Hold your shield to block his barrel attacks, minimizing damage.

Final Thoughts: Strengths and Areas for Improvement

Sons of Valhalla offers an immersive blend of tactical gameplay and action combat. The pixel art is beautifully detailed, and the Viking theme is well-executed. However, the pacing of the game can be an issue. Resource generation—particularly silver—feels slow, creating moments of stagnation where players must wait for income to progress. A more dynamic economy system, such as marketplaces or increased loot from longships, would improve the flow of gameplay.

Despite some minor balancing concerns, Sons of Valhalla is shaping up to be an engaging and challenging Viking conquest game. With careful strategy and tactical combat, you can forge a path to victory and reclaim your rightful place in Valhalla.