Vikings slot review

Vikings slot: Ragnar’s saga on two different grids

NetEnt launched Vikings on 22 November 2018 under licence from the television series, and the characters are lifted straight from the show: Ragnar, Lagertha, Bjorn and Floki appear as the premium symbols. It is one of the better-known titles among Norse slots, and the theme is played straight rather than as a cartoon.

What makes the game distinctive is structural. The base game uses a standard 5×3 grid with 243 ways, but the bonus switches to a much larger 7×5 grid with 78,125 ways. Two of the three features revolve around the Viking characters transforming into one another, so the more of them on screen, the bigger the potential result.

From 243 to 78,125 ways: why the bigger grid matters

A ways game counts every route across adjacent reels from the left. On five reels of three rows, that is 3 multiplied by itself five times, or 243. In Raid Spins, the grid becomes seven reels of five rows: 5 × 5 × 5 × 5 × 5 × 5 × 5 = 78,125.

More positions and more reels mean a single premium symbol can appear far more often across far more routes. Combined with the Hotspot transformations, that is where most of the game’s top-end value lies. It also explains the high volatility: the base game is relatively lean, and much of the return is concentrated in a round that doesn’t arrive often. Our 243 ways slots page lists other games built on the base system.

Symbols and characters

Lower-paying symbols fill out the bottom of the paytable, styled to match the show’s artwork. The four main characters, Floki, Bjorn, Lagertha and Ragnar, are the premium symbols, and they can land fully stacked, filling a whole reel. Those stacks are the trigger for the Hotspot feature. A scatter symbol starts Raid Spins. The paytable lists all values as multiples of your total stake, so check it in the game before playing.

The Shield Wall feature

Shield Wall can trigger at random in the base game and during Raid Spins. A cluster of shields appears in a random area of the reels as mystery symbols, and they all turn into the same randomly chosen symbol. Lagertha’s battle cry marks the moment it fires.

The value depends entirely on what the shields become. A low rune across a cluster of positions usually adds a modest win; a premium character can combine with matching symbols elsewhere to produce something much better. As with any random feature, it doesn’t become more likely after a run of losing spins.

Hotspots: how one Viking takes over the reels

In the base game, the centre reel holds a Hotspot. If one of the four Viking characters lands fully stacked so that it fills the Hotspot, every other Viking character on screen transforms into that same character. The transformed symbols then pay as scatters, counting how many are visible anywhere rather than along ways. The help screen shows how many symbols each payout needs.

A worked example shows why this matters. Suppose a stacked Ragnar fills reel 3, and two other Viking characters each appear twice elsewhere. After the transformation you have 3 + 4 = 7 Ragnar symbols paying together, where before you had scattered, mismatched characters. More Viking symbols on screen means a larger count. Stacked symbols are what make the feature possible, so seeing a full stack land on reel 3 is the moment to watch.

Vikings Raid Spins: the 7×5 free spins round

Three scatter symbols trigger 7 Raid Spins. The grid expands to seven reels and five rows, giving 78,125 ways, and three Hotspots sit on reels 3, 4 and 5. When a stacked Viking fills any Hotspot, Viking symbols inside and outside the Hotspots transform into that character, so a single landing can turn much of the grid into one premium symbol.

Shield Wall stays active during Raid Spins, adding another way for a cluster of matching symbols to appear. Seven spins is not many, which keeps the round high-variance: some will end with a modest total, while a round where several Hotspots activate can approach the game’s top results. The free spins count is fixed by the game, and in the UK the round can’t be bought.

The round is short and its value is uneven. Over many triggers, the average is part of the 96.05% RTP, but any single Raid Spins round can pay far less or far more than that average suggests.

How to play the Vikings slot

1. Open the game’s help screen to confirm the RTP version your casino runs and the scatter payouts for Hotspots.
2. Choose your stake. UK limits are £5 a spin for players 25 and over and £2 for those aged 18–24.
3. Spin. There is no autoplay in the UK, and each spin takes at least 2.5 seconds.
4. Watch reel 3 for a fully stacked Viking character landing in the Hotspot.
5. Look for Shield Wall clusters, which can appear on any spin.
6. Land three scatters to start 7 Raid Spins on the 7×5 grid.
7. Check your net position after each round before choosing whether to continue.

Vikings RTP and volatility in pounds

The default RTP of 96.05% means a theoretical £3.95 is kept for every £100 staked over the long run. Some casinos offer lower versions, so it is worth confirming on the information screen.

High volatility means those averages are a poor guide to a single session. A typical pattern is a slow decline in the base game punctuated by occasional Hotspot or Shield Wall wins, with Raid Spins arriving rarely. Many sessions will end without seeing the bonus at all. Choose a stake that lets your budget cover a long run of spins; our guide on what stake to play explains how.

Vikings max win: 10,000x and what it takes

The maximum win is 10,000 times your stake: £2,000 on a 20p spin, £10,000 on a £1 spin, £20,000 at the £2 limit and £50,000 at the £5 limit. In practice a result near the cap would almost certainly need Raid Spins with multiple Hotspots firing on premium characters, which is a very rare combination. Play ends once the cap is reached; our win cap entry explains how that works.

UK rules and the Vikings slot

The British version has no bonus buy, so Raid Spins only come from scatters. Autoplay, turbo and slam-stop are disabled, each spin runs for at least 2.5 seconds, returns below the stake aren’t celebrated, and your balance and net position stay visible. The £5 and £2 per-spin limits apply. A demo is available at many casinos after age verification, as explained on our free slots page.

Vikings compared with other Viking-themed slots

Vikings Go Berzerk uses a rage meter that builds towards its bonus. Le Viking is a newer, lower-volatility take with the same 10,000x cap. Viking Runecraft swaps reels for a cluster grid. NetEnt’s game is the one to choose if the TV characters and the grid-expanding bonus appeal most.

Pros, cons and who the Vikings slot suits

Vikings suits players who enjoy high-variance games with a single big bonus to aim for, and fans of the series. If you prefer steadier play, a medium-volatility Norse slot such as Le Viking may suit better.

Where to play Vikings in the UK

Not every UK casino carries every NetEnt licence, so search for Vikings in the lobby before depositing. Casumo’s welcome offer for new customers is a 50% bonus up to £100 on a first deposit of at least £20; opt in, wager the bonus 10x within 7 days and keep stakes to £5 or less while it is active, with game and payment restrictions. Coral gives 100 free spins at 10p on selected games after a £10 slots bet, with 48 hours to accept, 7 days to use them and no wagering on winnings. 18+, T&Cs apply.

18+. Gambling should be entertainment that costs money, not a way to make it. Set a deposit limit before you play: how to set limits. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.