Concept Update: The Three Trolls news - Edain Mod for Battle for Middle-earth II: Rise of the Witch King

Today we want to show you an upcoming rework for another hero: The Three Trolls. The Three Trolls are a hero we were relatively okay with but felt like they were missing a bit of depth and focus. In the new concept, we aim to remedy that.

General Changes
- Cost reduced to 1500
- Auto-heal reduced by 60%
- Experience gain reduced by 50%

The first thing we wanted to do with these changes is make the Three Trolls easier to obtain. Until now, they were a mid to late game hero that we rarely saw due to its cost. With these changes, the Three Trolls becomes a much more affordable early-mid game counter to heroes for the misty mountains. To make sure they don't lose out on that role, we've only reduced experience gain and auto heal, but not damage, armor or health. This means that as a hero, the player can recruit them earlier, but you will have them fully levelled up around the same time as before... unless you always fight by your hoard.

Stances
- Battle Stance - Bert has normal stats and deals high single target damage. He automatically detects enemies within a medium distance
- Aggressive Stance - Bill has increased attack damage and uses a rock but lower armour value. He automatically attacks enemies in sight
- Defensive Stance - Tom has increased armour value and deals damage in a large area but lower attack damage. He does not attack automatically

The stances of the Three Trolls now have a much deeper impact on how the trolls perform. They allow you to switch between a large AoE, a single target attack or a ranged attack. The stance you have will also affect some of your other abilities so make sure to pick carefully before activating them.

Abilities
Troll Hoard (Level 1): The three robbers summon a Troll Hoard, which they defend with their lives. The hoard produces resources and levels up from nearby kills. Left click on a pathable location

Moving the Troll Hoard ability to level 1 allows us to give it a much more central role. When summoned, the Troll Hoard provides additional exp gain and auto heal to the three trolls. This compensates the nerfs, but only for as long as they fight near one of their hoards. As a result, we've also removed the limit on the number of hoards you can have. There is more to the hoard, but we'll dive into it later.

Treasure Haul (Level 2): The Three Trolls pillage a building, dealing heavy damage. If the building is destroyed shortly after the ability is used, it will drop a chest of loot. This chest can be picked up by the Three Trolls and turned in at a Loot Hoard to generate money and experience. Left click on the ability and left click on the target building.

Treasure Haul provides a bit of building destruction but most importantly it allows the trolls to generate Treasure Hauls. Treasure Hauls are a good way to level up any Loot Hoard you want and make a bit of money alongside. Be careful though, Treasure Hauls can be destroyed by enemies and if they do, it will drop a treasure that can be picked up by anyone.

Troll Rage (Level 4): Bill, Tom and Bert become enraged, gaining certain effects for a short durations. Bert gains increased damage, Bill gains increased range and rate of fire and Tom gains increased armour. This also affects any summoned Three Trolls. Left click on the icon to activate.

This simple ability give the Three Trolls a lot of diversity in how they handle a situation and also interacts with their level 10.

Squash 'em into jelly! (Level 7): Tom, Bert, and Bill throw themselves on their enemies to squash ‘em into jelly. Left click to activate

This ability remains the same, but now has increased damage and knocks heroes back.

The Three Trolls (Level 10):For a short time the selected Troll calls the other two Trolls to the battlefield. While near each other they gain +10% damage and armor for each of the three present.

This ability is also relatively unchanged except for the additional armor and damage when the trolls are near each other.

Troll Hoard
The Troll Hoard is now a much more central part of the Three Trolls' kit. It gains experience from nearby kills and through the Treasure Hauls.

Troll Hoard (Level 1): The Troll Hoard levels up with nearby kills and produces resources. The Three Trolls gain additional regeneration and experience when nearby. All nearby monsters gain more experience. As long as one hoard exists, the Three Trolls gain +10% armor. Passive Ability

Cooking Pot (Level 2): Tom, Bert, and Bill set up their cooking pot at the troll hoard \n Nearby allied heroes and units are permanently healed. Passive Ability

Love of Home (Level 3): The Three Trolls fiercly defend their home. While near the hoard, they gain +300% armor. Passive Ability

Sell: After 30 seconds, the Troll Hoard will be destroyed and will drop a Treasure Haul.

The new Troll Hoard is intended to work in tandem with the Three Trolls to help them sustain themselves during longer engagements and gain more benefits from every kill. At level two it functions as a permanent well that heals nearby troops and at level three it gains once again its old passive making it a very good place by which the Three Trolls can fight. It is important to note that the building itself does not gain any defensive benefits from leveling up, it must be defended by the Three Trolls.

The final ability allow you to get rid of a useless hoard and to get some money and experience back from it. This is an important ability as your enemy will make money off any Troll Hoards they destroy. However don't expect to be able to use this ability to instantly prevent the enemy from destroying your hoard, once activated it takes 30 seconds to take effect.

That's all for this update, we hope you enjoyed the new concept and look forward to your feedback.


Your Edain Team