Master Ledger of Middle-earth
Balance Overview
This archive compares how TAOM factions are tuned across troop skill, armor, and weapon quality. Use it as the top-level briefing before diving into the dedicated balancing pages for the full formulas and supporting data.
The Balance Triangle
Three Forces Shape Every Faction
No standard faction is meant to dominate troop skill, armor, and weapon output all at once. Strength on one edge is usually paid for somewhere else.
Cultural combat modifiers shape melee, ranged pressure, mobility, and battlefield consistency.
Protection bonuses and weight multipliers determine how long a faction can stay in the fight.
Craftsmanship modifiers adjust the raw output of swords, bows, polearms, and crushing weapons.
How To Read It
Use The Overview Like A Dossier
Start broad, then narrow down by battlefield role. The deeper pages are there when you need exact stat logic rather than just the faction-to-faction picture.
01
Check The Power Ledger
Use the main table to compare each culture across the three balance axes at a glance.
02
Open The Role Rankings
Drill into infantry, cavalry, ranged, and sub-role lists to see where each faction actually shines.
03
Follow The Dossiers
Jump into troop, armour, and weapon balancing pages when you want the full formulas and supporting data.
Faction Ledger
Power Comparison
Grades represent relative strength within each axis. S means dominant, A strong, B solid, C below average, and D weak.
Standard Realms
12 cultures| Culture | Race | Troops | Armor | Weapons | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ironfists | Dwarf | S | S | A | 2H+20, Pol+20, 1H+15, Ath+10, Xbow+5 |
| Longbeards | Dwarf | A | A | A | 2H+20, 1H+10, Pol+10, Ath+10, Thr+10 |
| Uruk-Hai | Uruk-Hai | A | B | B | 2H+15, Pol+15, Ath+10, 1H+10, Xbow+10 |
| Gondorians | Men | B | B | B | 1H+10, Ath+5, Rid+5, 2H+5, Pol+5 |
| Easterlings | Men | B | B | B | Rid+18, Pol+15, Ath+5 |
| Rohirrim | Men | B | C | B | Rid+20, Pol+10, Thr+2 |
| Dunlendings | Men | B | C | C | Ath+20, Thr+15, 1H+5, 2H+5 |
| Haruze | Men | C | D | B | Rid+15, Bow+10, 1H+5 |
| Mordor Orcs | Orc | D | C | C | 2H+5, Thr+5, most skills -5 |
| Gundabad Orcs | Orc | C | B | B | 2H+10, Ath+5, Pol+5, Thr+5 |
| Dol Guldur Orcs | Orc | D | B | D | 1H+5, 2H+5, most skills -5 to -10 |
| Umbareans | Men | C | C | — | Ath+10, 1H+10, 2H+5, Rid-15 |
Role Archives
Battlefield Rankings
These dossiers break the triangle down by real battlefield jobs so a culture can be excellent in one role but limited in another.
Primary Ladder
Infantry Power Rankings
Ranked by combined melee skill bonuses, Athletics, armor protection, and weapon damage. Elven factions would rank S+ across the board but are excluded because they are balanced by population rather than parity.
Overall Infantry
S Dominant
Iron Hills Best melee skills (2H+20, Pol+20, 1H+15), strongest non-elven armor (+5), dwarven-forged weapons (+5 pts)
Erebor Elite melee skills (2H+20, 1H+10, Pol+10), excellent armor (+4), dwarven-forged weapons (+5 pts)
A Strong
Isengard Well-rounded skills (2H+15, Pol+15, 1H+10), good armor (+2), baseline weapons (0 pts)
Gondor Solid skills (1H+10, 2H+5, Pol+5), above-baseline armor (+1 prot), Numenorean weapons (+3 pts)
B Competent
Dunland Excellent mobility (Ath+20), weak armor (-2), crude weapons (-2 pts) — skirmisher infantry relying on speed
Rhun Good polearm skills (Pol+15), baseline armor, baseline weapons — disciplined spearmen
Mordor Weak skills (-5 most) with crude weapons (-2 pts) — relies on sheer numbers and weight of arms
Gundabad Mixed skills (2H+10), dwarven-forged armor (0 prot, 1.15x weight), slightly crude weapons (-1 pt) — armor boost makes complete package
Dol Guldur Weakest skills (+5 only), crude weapons (-3 pts), and fortress-forged armor (0 prot) — cannon fodder balanced by cheap cost and numbers
C Weak
Umbar Decent skills (1H+10, Ath+10) but no weapons yet — corsair infantry planned
Rohan Infantry is an afterthought — cavalry culture with light armor and below-average weapons
Harad Infantry not their identity — worst armor in game (-3 prot), cavalry/archery focus
Role Breakdown
Infantry Subcategories
Infantry is split into four combat roles. A faction may dominate one lane while remaining merely average, or even poor, in the others.
Front Line Shield Wall / Defensive
One-Handed and Polearm skill plus heavy armor protection for troops that hold ground.
S
Iron Hills 12 shield troops — Iron Phalanx, Boar Guard/Champion, Thrain's Ironclads (spear+shield) plus Forge Guard, Noble Warrior (sword+shield). Best non-elven armor (+5)
Erebor 12 spear+shield (Spear Guard, Legionary, Royal Lord) and 11 sword+shield (Shield Guard, Gate Warden, Royal Warden). Excellent armor (+4)
A
Gondor 28 shield troops — 13 spear+shield (Spearman, Fountain Guard, Dol Amroth Knights, Belfalas) and 15 sword+shield (Tower Guard, Swordsmen, Lossarnach, Dol Amroth). Most diverse frontline in game. Numenorean armor (+1 prot)
Isengard 17 shield troops — Uruk-hai Infantry/Veteran, Orthanc Guard/Warden/Bodyguard (sword+shield), Uruk Spearman/Veteran, Pavise (spear+shield). Disciplined formations
B
Rohan 18 infantry shield troops — Westfold Axemen line (sword+shield), Westmarches Spearmen, Edoras Swordsmen/Meduseld Spearmen. Light armor (-2) but solid numbers
Rhun 14 shield troops — Easterling Spear Bearer, Halberdier, Pillar, Chosen (spear+shield) plus Footman, Swordsman (sword+shield). Disciplined phalanx
Gundabad 17 shield troops — Spear/Pike Warriors, Guardian of the Tower (spear+shield), Sword Warriors, Chosen of Tharzog (sword+shield). Dwarven-forged armor (0 prot, 1.15x weight)
Dol Guldur 22 shield troops — Uruk Swordsman/Fell Infantry/Black Guard, Khamul Guards (sword+shield), Orc Warrior/Reaver, Warg riders (spear+shield). Most shield troops outside Gondor. Fortress-forged armor (0 prot), crude weapons (-3 pts) offset by sheer numbers
C
Mordor 11 shield troops — Uruk Shieldbearer/Shieldguard/Barad-dur Guard (spear+shield), Uruk Warrior/Infantry/Vanguard/Captain, Black Numenorean (sword+shield). Crude weapons (-2 pts) but strong numbers
Harad 9 shield troops — Levy, Militia, Spearfighter, Swordfighter, Spearguard, Footman, Champion (sword+shield), 2 militia spear. Worst armor (-3) undermines frontline
Umbar 7 shield troops — small roster of corsair frontline infantry. Weapons not yet implemented
D
Dunland Only 2 militia spear+shield troops. All 28 other infantry carry throwing weapons — Dunlendings are skirmishers, not line holders
Shock Troops Two-Handed Charge
Two-Handed skill, Athletics, and damage output for troops built to break formations.
S
Iron Hills 11 unshielded 1H mace/hammer/axe/mattock troops — Veteran Hammer Guard, Durin's Hammers, Dain's Reavers, Mattock Guard, Thorin's Mithril Piercers, Royal Guard, King's Chosen. 2H+20 skill
Erebor 4 dedicated 2H troops — Axe Guard, Veteran Axe Guard, Wyrm Slayers, Khazad Royal Guard (2H axe) plus Shield Breaker (1H mace). 2H+20 skill, +5 pts weapons
A
Gondor 7 shock troops — Lamedon Bladeguard/Highland Defender/Knight/Noble (2H sword), Dol Amroth Men/Sergeants/Captains-at-Arms (2H sword). Strong skill baseline
B
Dol Guldur 5 linebreakers double as shock — Uruk Foul, Butcher, Berserker, Black Howler, Rage Bearer (2H axe). Crude weapons (-3 pts) and weak skills (+5) limit effectiveness despite numbers
Isengard 4 shock troops — Uruk Champion (2H sword), Uruk Feller/Slayer/Reaver (2H axe), plus Berserker (unshielded sword). 2H+15 skill
Mordor 3 shock troops — Uruk Ravager, Executioner, Darkblade (2H sword). Plus 5 halberd/polearm troops (Feller, Halberdier, Reaper, Deathwarden). Crude weapons (-2 pts)
C
Gundabad 3 berserker-style troops (throwing+melee) but no dedicated 2H infantry. Mountain orcs prefer aggression over heavy weapons
Rohan 2 only — Westfold 2H Axeman and Veteran 2H Axeman. Cavalry culture with minimal 2H infantry
D
Dunland Zero 2H troops — all infantry carry throwing weapons. Hill clans fight as skirmishers, not shock infantry
Rhun Zero 2H troops — Easterlings fight in disciplined spear formations, not as berserkers
Harad Zero 2H troops — Haradrim fight mounted or with javelin, not heavy infantry
Umbar 1 shock troop only. Small roster, weapons not yet implemented
Line Breakers Anti-Armor / Blunt
Heavy axes and maces for cracking plate and forcing damage through high protection.
S
Iron Hills 11 heavy weapon troops — Hammer Guard, Durin's Hammers (1H hammer), Axeguard, Dain's Reavers (1H axe), Mattock Guard, Thorin's Mithril Piercers (mattock), Royal Guard, King's Chosen (Dain's axe). THE anti-armor faction
Erebor 5 dedicated breakers — Axe Guard/Veteran (2H axe), Wyrm Slayers, Khazad Royal Guard (2H axe), Shield Breaker (1H mace). 2H+20 skill, +5 pts weapons
B
Dol Guldur 5 dedicated linebreakers — Uruk Foul, Butcher, Berserker, Black Howler, Rage Bearer all equip 2H axes. Good numbers but crude weapons (-3 pts) and weak skills (+5) limit impact
Isengard 3 Uruk axe troops — Feller, Slayer, Reaver (2H axe). Berserker with unshielded sword. 2H+15 skill
Gondor 2 Lossarnach troops — Heavy Axemen and Wrathbearers (2H axe). Limited but elite anti-armor option
Rohan 2 Westfold troops — 2H Axeman and Veteran 2H Axeman. Small but present anti-armor capability
C
Mordor No dedicated 2H axe/mace troops. Orc warriors equip swords. Halberds are polearms, not crushing weapons
Gundabad Snaga and Grunt equip 1H axes but are lowest-tier troops. No dedicated heavy weapon line
D
Dunland Zero heavy weapon troops — all infantry carry throwing weapons instead
Rhun Zero heavy weapon troops — Easterlings fight with spears and swords in formation
Harad Zero heavy weapon troops — desert warfare favors speed over crushing power
Umbar No heavy weapon troops in current roster. Weapons not yet implemented
Skirmishers Throwing / Harassment
Throwing skill and mobility for factions that soften the enemy before committed melee.
S
Dunland 28 throwing troops — ALL clans carry javelins/throwing axes. Wolf Raider/Axeman/Champion, Bear Chosen/Berserker/Executioner, Boar/Ox/Stag lines, basic Spearman/Swordsman. Thr+15, Ath+20. THE skirmisher faction
A
Harad 11 skirmisher troops — Camel Scout/Rider/Sunlance/Bronzefang/Lancer/Warlance (javelin cavalry), Noble/Sandblade/Gildedfang/Serpentguard/Fang King (mounted javelin). Desert raiders built around javelin harassment
Gondor 10 skirmisher troops — Pelargir Sailor/Skirmisher/Marine/Veteran Marine (javelin), Pinnath Gelin Levy/Footman/Warrior/Champion/Scout/Horseman (javelin). Two dedicated subcultures
B
Rohan 6 elite riders with javelin — Westemnet Eorlingas/Royal/King's Own, Edoras Golden Hall Eorlingas/King's Own/Supreme Rider. High-tier cavalry skirmishers only
Rhun 5 skirmisher troops — Easterling Rider, Veteran Swordsman, Lancer, War Guard, Bloodsworn. Cavalry-based javelin harassment
C
Gundabad 3 only — Berserker, Veteran Berserker, Champion (throwing+melee). Limited skirmisher capability
D
Erebor Zero throwing troops — dwarves equip axes/hammers as melee weapons, not thrown
Iron Hills Zero throwing troops — Iron Hills fight in heavy formations, not as skirmishers
Isengard Zero throwing troops — Uruks use crossbows for ranged, not javelins
Mordor Zero throwing troops — Mordor orcs rely on bows or melee, no javelin tradition
Dol Guldur Zero throwing troops — Dol Guldur orcs use bows exclusively for ranged combat
Umbar Zero throwing troops in current roster
Mounted Archives
Cavalry Power Rankings
Ranked by Riding skill, mounted melee profile, armor weight, and weapon quality. This includes both traditional cavalry and beast riders where relevant.
S Dominant
Rohan 27 mounted spear+shield troops across 5 subcultures — Westemnet Riders (lance+shield), Eastemnet Lancers, Edoras Golden Hall Riders, plus 6 elite javelin cavalry. Most cavalry of any faction
Rhun 10 mounted spear+shield — Noble Youth/Rider/Honor Guard/Bloodrider/Cataphract/Dragon Knight plus 5 mounted skirmishers. Disciplined cataphract lancers
A Strong
Harad 11 camel/horse javelin cavalry — Camel Scout/Rider/Sunlance/Bronzefang/Lancer/Warlance, Noble/Sandblade/Gildedfang/Serpentguard/Fang King. Plus horse archers. Desert raider identity
Gondor Dol Amroth Knights (sword+shield+lance), Gondor Knights/Pages/Squires (spear+shield), Pelargir Horsemen. Quality over quantity
B Capable
Dunland Stag Lancer/Rider/Noble Lancer (lance), Lizard Horseman/Outrider/Noble Cavalry (sword), Falcon Wildrider (mounted archer). 7 mounted troops across 3 clans
Isengard Warg Scout/Overseer/Enforcer (spear, no shield) plus Warg Lieutenant (spear+shield). 4 warg riders — unique mount type
Gundabad Warg Tamer/Tracker/Warrior/Dread Rider (spear+shield on warg). 4 warg cavalry with shield
C Limited
Dol Guldur Warg Scout/Raider/Fell Warg Rider, Khamul Veiled/Shadow Knight (spear+shield). 5 warg/mounted troops
Mordor Uruk Archer (classified horse archer). Very limited mounted options
Umbar Small roster with minimal cavalry options. Corsairs fight on foot
D None
Erebor Zero cavalry — dwarves fight exclusively on foot. All troops are infantry
Iron Hills Zero cavalry — Iron Hills dwarves fight in heavy infantry formations only
Missile Archives
Ranged Power Rankings
Ranked by Bow, Crossbow, and Throwing modifiers alongside armor weight and weapon quality. Elven cultures would dominate this ladder, which is why they are called out separately above.
S Dominant
Dol Guldur 17 ranged troops — Goblin Hunter/Skirmisher/Archer (bow), Orc Scout/Archer, Uruk Skirmisher/Bowman/Fell Archer/Black Sharpshooter, Warg Skirmisher/Red Fang, Khamul Marksman/Shadow Bowman. Massive ranged roster
A Strong
Gondor 16 ranged troops — Bowman/Archer (bow), Rangers of Ithilien (3 tiers, elite bow+2H), Pelargir Archer, Blackroot Hunter/Skirmisher/Archer/Longbowmen/Elite Longbowmen, Pinnath Gelin Skirmisher/Bowguard/Hillwarden. Three dedicated archery subcultures
Dunland 15 ranged troops — Raven Archer/Ranger/Master Ranger (bow), Falcon Archer/Wildrider (mounted), Dragon Crossbowman/Firebolt/Sniper (crossbow), plus Hunter/Skirmisher. Three clan specializations
Rohan 13 ranged troops — Wold Scout/Horse Archer line (5 tiers of mounted archers), Eastfold Skirmisher/Bowman/Veteran Bowman (foot archers). Strong horse archer tradition
B Competent
Isengard 11 ranged troops — Uruk Crossbowman/Veteran Crossbowman/Arbalest/Chosen Marksman (crossbow), Scout/Skirmisher/Hunter/Tracker/Archer (bow). Heavy crossbow focus
Harad 9 ranged troops — Skirmisher/Archer/Marksman/Vipereye/Serpent Eye (bow), Horse Archer/Serpent Horse Archer (mounted bow). Mix of foot and mounted archers
Erebor 9 ranged troops — Scout/Archer/Veteran Archer (bow), Iron Hills Arbalest/Veteran Arbalest/Iron Tusk Sharpshooters (crossbow), plus Scout. Crossbow specialty
Rhun 8 ranged troops — Watcher/Archer/Marksman (bow), Horse Archer/Shadowguard/Sunbow/Eye/Eye of the Waste (mounted bow). Horse archer tradition
Gundabad 8 ranged troops — Hunter/Scout (bow), Despoiler of the Vale/Lurker/Sentry/Archer (bow). All foot archers, no mounted
C Weak
Mordor 4 ranged troops only — Uruk Scout/Marksman (bow), 2 militia archers. Very limited ranged options for such a large faction
Mirkwood 5 ranged troops — Sentinels/Borderwardens/Thingolheir (elite bow), 2 militia. Few but extremely skilled (Bow+50)
Rivendell 9 ranged troops — Recruit/Bowman/Archer/Marksman/Marchwarden (bow), Horse Archer/Rider of Himring (mounted). Elven accuracy compensates for numbers
Umbar 4 ranged troops in small roster. Weapons not yet implemented
Deep Reads
Detailed Balancing Pages
Use these linked dossiers when you want formulas, baselines, and exact cultural tuning rather than the high-level faction snapshot.
Troop Balancing Cultural skill modifiers, progression baselines, and why each roster leans toward cavalry, infantry, or missile play. Armour Balancing Protection curves, tier baselines, and weight tuning across all currently defined armour cultures. Weapon Balancing Damage tuning built on TaleWorlds physics, culture modifiers, and per-weapon identity across the arsenal.