Viking

The Viking is a Terran unit with the ability to transform between a ground unit ("Walker mode") and an air unit ("Fighter mode").

The Brood War revealed weaknesses in Terran anti-air capability. The Wraith combat fighters and Valkyrie missile frigates proved to be an unwieldy combination against agile Zerg airborne organisms. Ground-based anti-air support from Goliath assault walkers was too limited in its mobility: all too often airborne attackers would simply move out of the Goliath's range.

In the aftermath of the war, Terran weapon technicians proposed a radical new concept to resolve both of these problems. Based heavily on the transformation design of the Terran Siege Tank, the Viking was designed to be the ultimate anti-air and ground-support weapon system. With the ability to change its combat role from an assault walker to an air-superiority fighter, the Viking can switch smoothly to fulfill tactical needs in a developing battle.

Ground Mode
In the walker mode the Viking has low armor, leaving it vulnerable to powerful ground units such as Siege Tanks. Armed with twin gatling cannons, it can attack ground and air units.

Air Mode
The Viking must upgrade to access its air mode.

When in this mode the Viking has an extremely powerful anti-air attack (MT50 Lanzer Torpedoes) designed to destroy capital ships but does not have the ability to attack ground units.

Quotes

 * "You ready for this?"
 * "Transform and roll out!" (A reference to Transformers).
 * "Not a problem!"
 * "All over that!"
 * "Turn and burn!"
 * "Looks like the big boy needs a little training." (Possible reference to the Decepticon, Astrotrain.)

These quotes can be heard in the Terran gameplay video.

Trivia
Vikings may be named for the old Blizzard Entertainment game the Lost Vikings.