Hardrada
Rarity: LEGENDARY
Civilization: 
Norway
Talents: 
Harald Sigurdsson (1015-1066), also known as “Harald Hardrada”, “The Last Viking”, and King of Norway, was a strategist and conqueror.
In 1030, a 15-year-old Harald and his brother Olaf Haraldsson fought in the “Battle of Stiklestad” against King Knut the Great of Denmark. The war ended in defeat, his brother was killed in battle, and Harald took refuge by serving Yaroslav the Wise, for whom he performed well in a series of small battles. Later, Harald joined the army of the Byzantine emperor Michael IV, for whom he fought in Sicily and Bulgaria, and served as captain of the famous Varangian Guard.
In 1045, Harald returned to Norway and successfully shared the throne with his nephew Magnus Olafsson, known as Harald Magnus the Good. In 1047, Magnus was killed in battle, and Harald became the sole ruler of Norway.
Harald launched a series of wars to invade Denmark. In the great naval battle of Nisa in 1062, Harald defeated the Danish King Sweyn Estridsson (Sweyn II), but his army was also seriously injured. In 1064, he signed an unconditional peace treaty with Denmark. In 1066, Harald launched a war to invade England, but the Norwegian army was defeated in a surprise attack at Stamford Bridge, and Harald was killed in battle.
Harald is considered one of the most legendary Viking leaders, and his death is considered the end of the Viking Age.
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Review of Commander Harald Sigurdsson:
- When used as a secondary commander, Harald’s fourth skill (Stamford Bridge) may trigger first before the active skill of the primary commander fires off, leading to Harald casting his active skill (Berserker) and gaining immunity to defense reduction effects for 3 seconds. In addition, Harald’s active skill also gives up to 20% increased damage, which provides a nice boost to the primary commander. For this reason, Harald should be used as a secondary commander.
- An Expertised Harald is great to use in murder-ball fights (big fights) as his Expertised skill provides him with a huge boost when he is targeted by multiple enemies.
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Harald Sigurdsson Commander Skills:
| Skill | Description |
 Berserker (active skill) | Rage requirement: 1000 If not surrounded, troops led by this commander deal direct damage to the current target (Damage Factor 600). If surrounded, troops deal direct damage to up to 3 target troops within a circular area of effect (Damage Factor 600). Damage dealt to each target is reduced by 15% for each additional target. After using this skill, troops gain 10% increased damage for 2 seconds. Upgrades: Direct Damage Factor: 600/700/800/1000/1200 Damage Factor (Surrounded): 600/900/1100/1300/1500 Damage Bonus: 10%/12%/14%/16%/20% |
 Viking Battleaxe (passive skill) | When attacking strongholds and cities, infantry units led by this commander deal 2% increased attack and whenever they take damage, they have a 10% chance to reduce that damage by 10%. This damage reduction effect can trigger once every 5 seconds. Upgrades: Infantry Attack Bonus: 2%/4%/6%/8%/10% Damage Taken Reduction By: 10%/15%/20%/25%/30% |
 Varangian Guard (passive skill) | Infantry units led by this commander gain 10% increased attack and 2% increased march speed. When this commander uses their active skill, all infantry units under their command gain 1% more attack, but lose 5% defense (This effect lasts 8 seconds, and can stack up to 15 times). Upgrades: Infantry Attack Bonus: 10%/15%/20%/25%/30% March Speed Bonus: 2%/4%/6%/8%/10% Infantry Attack Increase (Per Stack): 1%/2%/3%/4%/5% |
 Stamford Bridge (passive skill) | When troops led by this commander are on the map and use their normal attack, their commander has a 5% chance to cast their active skill and grant their troops immunity to all defense reduction effects for 3 seconds. This skill can trigger once every 5 seconds. Upgrades: Probability: 5%/8%/11%/15%/20% Additional Damage Factor: 800/900/1000/1200/1400 |
 Valhalla (new passive skill) | Counterattack damage dealt on the map is increased by 20%. If surrounded, counterattack damage dealt is further increased (Bonus Damage = number of surrounding enemies x 2%, maximum 10 enemies). |
Skills Upgrading Priority for Harald Sigurdsson:
- 5115 – This is the best skills set-up for him in open-field battling if you have insufficient legendary commander sculptures to expertise him.
- 5555 – If you have sufficient universal Legendary Commander Sculptures, you should Expertise Harald.
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Best Commander Pairings for Harald Sigurdsson:
- K’inich Janaab’ Pakal (Pakal as primary commander)
- Alexander the Great (Alexander as primary commander)
- Charles Martel (Charles Martel as primary commander) – this is the better pair only if they are attacked.
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Best Talent Trees for Harald Sigurdsson
Open-field
Rally
Sunset Canyon
