Troop Balancing

The Men of Gondor, the Land of Stone, are among the last remaining remnants of old Númenor. Infantry is the backbone of the Gondorian army, though each region provides its own unique bonuses and specializations. From the knights of Dol Amroth to the rangers of Ithilien, Gondorian soldiers rely on steel and discipline.

Gondor is the baseline "average" faction. Infantry forms the backbone, but each region — Lamedon, Anfalas, Ithilien, Dol Amroth — brings its own specializations. Versatile but lacking a dramatic specialty.

The Men of Rohan, the Rohirrim, are steadfast, distrusting of strangers and highly pastoral. Few things mean more to Rohan than the keeping of Oaths, their horses and the loyalty to their friends. Rohan fields one of the strongest cavalry forces in the game, but their infantry and archers are weaker — the Rohirrim fight best from the saddle.

Rohan has one of the strongest cavalry forces in the game. Their infantry and archers are weaker by comparison — meant to hold the line while the cavalry delivers the decisive blow, not to lead charges on their own.

Durin's Folk, the most well known clan of the dwarves. After the death of the dragon under the Lonely Mountain and the ascension of Dáin Ironfoot to King, the Iron Hills have been integrated into the Kingdom of Erebor. The Longbeards favor one-handed axes with shield, polearms and bows — disciplined, heavily armored infantry.

Erebor shares the troop file with Iron Hills but uses different cultural modifiers. Longbeards favor one-handed axes with shield, polearms and bows, while Ironfists favor two-handed axes, maces, mattocks and crossbows.

The Folk of Sindri the Rich, the Ironfists are the wealthiest of all the dwarven clans. Renowned across all of Middle-earth for their great weaponcraft, the forges of the Ironfists are running hot. They favor two-handed axes, maces, mattocks and crossbows — the heavy siege troops of the Dwarven world.

Ironfists favor two-handed axes, maces, mattocks and crossbows — heavy hitting siege infantry. They share the Erebor troop file but use different cultural modifiers.

The Noldor of Lindon and Imladris are among the last of the High Elves remaining in Middle-earth. Once mighty princes of Beleriand and jewel-smiths without equal, their glory is tempered by sorrow. Proud but no longer wrathful, they are implacable to enemies. Millennia of martial training gives them unmatched combat prowess across every discipline.

Rivendell is the most elite faction in TAOM. Their troops are 25-50 skill points above standard factions at every tier. This reflects High Elves as an ancient, diminished but supremely skilled warrior culture. They compensate for low numbers with individual excellence.

The Silvan Elves of Mirkwood are a woodland folk in the truest sense — hunters, foresters and wardens of Greenwood the Great. Under King Thranduil, they favor strong drink, hearty feasts and skilled archery. Having endured the shadow of Dol Guldur, the Silvan Elves are wary and resolute.

Mirkwood specializes in ranged combat more than Rivendell. Their archers are the deadliest in the game, but their melee troops are slightly below Rivendell's. The best faction for ranged-focused armies.

The Sindar of Lothlórien dwell beneath golden leaves and timeless boughs. Though ruled by Galadriel of the Noldor and Celeborn of Doriath, the woodland realm is largely Silvan and Sindarin in custom. Beneath their serenity lies vigilance — none cross the borders of Lórien unseen. Balanced elite warriors, equally deadly with bow, blade, and spear.

Lothlorien sits between Rivendell and Mirkwood — not quite as dominant in any single area, but the most well-rounded elven faction. Their troops have no weaknesses and perform well in any role.

The Uruk-hai are the pinnacle of Orc-kind's breeding, wrought for war and discipline. Larger, stronger and more enduring beneath the sun than lesser Orcs, they fight in ordered companies. Strength commands obedience; weakness invites death. Where they march, they do so for conquest and slaughter.

Isengard's infantry is among the strongest non-elven melee troops in the game. Their crossbowmen are competent, but their real strength is the devastating Uruk-hai charge. Warg riders provide limited cavalry support.

The Orcs of Mordor are as harsh and varied as the land that birthed them. Drawn from many breeds and tribes, they gather beneath the Dark Tower in uneasy unity. Cruel, cunning and ever watchful for advantage, they survive through brutality and hierarchy. In siege and attrition, they excel. The Black Land shapes its children well.

Mordor is intentionally weaker per-troop than other factions — they win through attrition and sheer numbers. In the future, creatures such as trolls, fell beasts and other horrors will add unique gameplay to compensate for their individual weaknesses.

The Orcs of Mount Gundabad are among the oldest tribes of their kind in the North. Hardy and numerous, they thrive in cold caverns and high crags. They favor strength of numbers and savage assault. Their hatred for Dwarves burns brightest, for Gundabad itself is a place of ancient grievance.

Gundabad's heavy infantry is the strongest orc melee force in the game, devastating in open-field charges. In the future, creatures such as cave trolls, great bats and other mountain horrors will add unique gameplay to compensate for their ranged and cavalry weaknesses.

The orcs of Dol Guldur are among the most numerous and persistent of Orc-kind. Cruel and disciplined under the Necromancer's rule, they favour ambush, traps and overwhelming numbers. Quick in movement and adept at navigating darkness, they compensate for weak individual skill with sheer volume and deadly weapons.

Dol Guldur is the weakest evil faction in raw infantry skill, but their warg cavalry gives them unique tactical options. In the future, creatures such as giant spiders, wargs and other Mirkwood horrors will add unique gameplay to compensate for their individual weaknesses.

The Haruze are the product of the constant intermingling of many different tribes of Harad. Many are simple herders and oasis farmers, able to traverse the deadly Dune Sea with ease. Their pack animals and horses they call Târag — Windwalkers. Like the wind their cavalry and light infantry can wash over entire armies.

Harad is the evil counterpart to Rohan — cavalry-focused with excellent archers. Their horse archers are particularly dangerous with both Riding and Bow bonuses stacking.

The Easterlings of Rhûn hail from the vast lands beyond the Sea of Rhûn. Chief among their realms is the Medlóshukain — a dominion of wealth, pageantry and disciplined might. Their armies are no rabble host: shielded infantry, chariots and armored horsemen march in measured ranks, drilled for cohesion.

Rhun has the largest troop roster (91 troops) and fields the most diverse army among evil factions. Their polearm infantry excels at holding defensive positions, and their cavalry — second only to Rohan among human factions — adds significant mounted strength.

The Dunlendings are a proud and ancient folk of the White Mountains and the wild hills of Dunland. Clannish and fiercely independent, they dwell in timber halls and hill-forts, bound tightly by blood and oath. They are herdsmen, hunters and raiders in equal measure. Old grudges die hard in Dunland and the hills remember.

Dunland excels at skirmishing — their throwing weapon bonus makes their infantry dangerous at range before closing for melee. They struggle in prolonged mounted engagements.

The people of Umbar are the heirs of a divided legacy. A seafaring people above all else, the Umbareans command swift corsair fleets that prowl the coasts. Trade and piracy walk hand in hand, and few vessels pass the Bay of Belfalas without paying heed to its black-sailed ships. They measure worth in strength and dominance.

Umbar has the smallest troop roster (14 troops) and is focused entirely on infantry combat. Their significant riding penalty (-15) reflects a seafaring culture with no cavalry tradition. Best suited for siege defense and close-quarters engagements.

The Variags of Khand are a fierce and warlike people from the arid lands east of Mordor. Bound to the Dark Lord through tribute and ancient alliance, they are renowned for their chariots, swift horsemen and brutal close-quarters fighting. Khand produces some of the most feared mercenary warriors in all of Middle-earth.

Khand troop trees are planned but not yet implemented. Cultural modifiers and troop composition are deferred until the faction XML is created.