Norse have only infantry and calvalry meaning they save $ on line ups but will lose to full counter infantry/calvalry EX. hyps + podromos.. in addition TA are weak infantry counters have a mere x2 bonus to suppliment their meager 4.5 base HACK attack, have 65 base hp, and most infantry will have high hack armor..meaning mymidrons,fantics,or even murmillo will be hard for norse to counter. I also have yet to see a norse expert game where they made balistas and won
Atties IMO only really upgrade 2 types of units; infantry and archers ( no one makes contarius! nor upgrades to champion cherios..) Even have theia, is there an expert game where the atty player even has MEDIUM calvalry or at all? Lets not mention the un-cost/pop efficency of their siege and comming from expesnive building. Although their counter units are aviable an age earlier than the greeks, they are much harder to "micro" or use ( if u dont believe me, try using pure counter units of the atties and compare to the greeks.. )