I can't seem get Vanheim to work. Need some help.

[Sandman]

Hmm. I think Hirdmen rock, personally. Sure, you can recruit more Huskarls - but only in the short term. In the long term, upkeep issues and secondary forts mean that you can recruit almost as many. And Hirdmen are much better fighters. Their slow map speed is less of an issue when you've got leaders with the sailing ability, too.

Generally, I'd stick with mostly broadsword ones, with a few spear wielders just to mix things up.

I never build Huskarls. Anything that can get killed by a javelin will get wiped out by heavy infantry, so what's the point? In the early game, I do occasionally set my Vanherses to cast a few buffs on themselves (including aim), and tell them to fire nearest. They'll hit with every shot. It's probably a waste of time, but it does look cool.