Although the basic details of the game's setting, the main character, and additional features have been released, not much is known about Assassin's Creed: Valhalla. The latest installment of the Assassin's Creed franchise is set to begin in the Dark Ages of the 9th Century, specifically 873 AD, following a Viking leader by the name of Eivor.
So far, with only one trailer released, there haven't been many real-life figures confirmed for the game. Alfred the Great, the King of Wessex, is one of the only historical people that's been revealed to play some kind of role in the game. With so much unknown about the real historical features of the game, it's only possible to theorize five figures that should show up in the game, and five that probably won't.
10 Probably Won't: Aethelflaed
With King Alfred being the only confirmed historical figure in the game so far, it's safe to think that some of his family might make an appearance as well.
His eldest daughter, Aethelflaed (actually spelled Æthelflæd), is extremely unlikely to make an appearance. Married to the ruler of Mercia, Aethelflaed became one of the great female leaders of the Dark Ages. However, she's said to have been born in 870 AD, meaning she'd be way too young to play a significant role during the events of the game. So, as interesting as a character as she would be in Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, she probably won't make an appearance.
9 Should: Guthrum
Guthrum was an instrumental character in the series The Last Kingdom as one of the great leaders of the Great Heathen Army. He also notoriously led an attack on Alfred's kingdom in 878 AD, later making himself the King of East Anglia, one of the confirmed regions of the game's map.
There are plenty of reasons to include Guthrum in the game. Between a heated rivalry with one of the game's confirmed antagonists and a ruler of one of the map's confirmed regions, it only feels right that Guthrum would play some kind of role in Valhalla.
8 Probably Won't: Gunnar Hamundarson
In Viking mythology, Gunnar Hamundarson is one of the most ferocious and deadly warriors. While it would no doubt be a treat to see him fight alongside Eivor during Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, his timeline just doesn't line up with the game's.
Hamundarson is said to have been born in 945 AD. So, unless the game plans to significantly fast forward through time, he won't be showing up.
7 Should: Ivar the Boneless
One of the many children of Ragnar Lothbrok, Ivar the Boneless is a complex and interesting figure in Viking lore. He was a well-known chieftain made famous by his invasions and conquest of Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.
The origin of Ivar's nickname isn't particularly known, but it's likely to come from some kind of physical impairment. He died in 873 AD, the year the game is set to begin, so he might not line up properly with the game's timeline, but hopefully, there'll be some kind of small appearance or at least a mention of him.
6 Probably Won't: Leif Erikson
There are few as famous in the history of the Vikings as Leif Erikson. Most notoriously known for being the first European to reach North America, even before Christopher Columbus, Erikson is one of the most historically important figures of the 10th century.
Erikson wasn't born for nearly another hundred years after the events of Assassin's Creed: Valhalla is set to take place, so as important of a historical figure as he is, it's more than likely that he won't show up in the game.
5 Should: Halfdan Ragnarsson
Another leader of the Great Heathen Army and son of the legendary Ragnar Lothbrok is Halfdan Ragnarsson.
Halfdan is a fairly important figure in the history of the Vikings, having been the first King of Northumbria in 876. So, as a leader of one of the game's main regions right around the time period the games place, as well as a leader of the Viking's massive army, it makes perfect sense to include Halfdan in the game.
4 Probably Won't: Norse Gods
There's no doubt going to be a massive presence of mythical Norse gods in the game. In the trailer, Eivor even calls out to his army that "Odin is with us!". However, that doesn't mean you should expect appearances from other Norse gods, especially the big names such as Thor or Loki.
That also doesn't mean that the game will be entirely void of them, either. There's so much unknown about how Norse mythology will play into the game and whether the figures of it will play a similar role to the mythological beings scattered through Assassin's Creed: Odyssey. Either way, with the game directors claiming that Valhalla will be much more historically grounded, it seems more likely that most of the Norse gods will only earn mentions and not physical appearances.
3 Should: Erik The Red
The father of Leif Erikson, Erik the Red (Erik Thorvaldsson) is another important figure in the history of the Vikings Age. After being exiled from Iceland, he helped found the first settlement on Greenland in the lates 900s.
He's also one of the few figures whose personal timelines doesn't line up with the game's but should be included anyway. The game is certainly looking to avoid historical inaccuracies, but such an incredible story like his deserved to be brought to life in Valhalla.
2 Probably Won't: Ragnar Lothbrok
Another one of the most important historical Vikings is Ragnar Lothbrok. A Danish King and Viking hero, Ragnar was much more than just a father to future leaders.
Even though Ragnar has become one of the most popular Vikings, as the protagonist of the Vikings series, it's highly unlikely that he'll play much of a role in Assassin's Creed: Valhalla as he's said to have died years before the game takes place. However, even if he doesn't actually show up in the game, it seems almost certain that he'll be mentioned at one point or another, especially if any of his sons make an appearance.
1 Should: Harald Fairhair
With the game's setting starting in 873 AD, that means players could possibly see a decently young version of Harald Fairhair. As the first King of Norway, he started ruling at an extremely young age and the beginning of his reign would line up almost perfectly with the years the game takes place.
Fairhair could end up playing a massive role in Valhalla as both a leader and a warrior. Even though he'd be no more than 20 odd years old, he'd still likely be the tremendous leader and fierce fighter that he's historically portrayed as. It's only a matter of time before more real historical characters are confirmed to appear in Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, but you should almost definitely expect to see Harald Fairhair at some point during the game's story.