Hello!
This version contains all of our ideas we had for 2023.
This is the last version. We do not plan to develop it further at the moment.
We will just fix bugs if they are found.
Changes and improvements
- Powers Menu has been reworked.
We always wanted to make it more realistic and canonical. There is some kind of teleportation of the units on the battlefield in the original, which is suitable for some futuristic game like Warhammer 40000. But It looks strange in the game dedicated to Tolkien's universe.
You must choose the power from the Powers Menu and click on a building/hero/location in order to summon the units. It depends on the power. For example, if you want to summon Rohirrim then you must capture at least one Signal Light on the map and then click on the Stables. You will be able to summon ten Knights of Rohan for free. This is how new system works.
If you want to summon the Oathbreakers then you need to reach the tenth level for Aragorn, choose the power, click on the hero, the Oathbreakers will come from outside the map. They can go through any obstacles and lands, which guarantees that you will always get them. If this is about Eagles of the High King of Arda then you must simply summon them, they will appear anywhere from the sky.
- Shadowfax has been reworked.
Gandalf the White has Shadowfax. Shadowfax is a separate unit that can be managed by a player. This is the lord of horses, Shadowfax has a great health and recovers outside combat. Manage the horse, keep Shadowfax nearby Gandalf in order to be able to save the Maia.
- New units have been added.
Pirates of Umbar and Battlewagons are available now. You must have the Symbol of Sauron's Power fortress upgrade in order to unblock the pirates, you must summon Dwarven builder in order to be able to construct the wagon.
The pirates are effective versus economy since they steal resources attacking Farms. Battlewagons are elite cavalry that can slash their enemies like heavily armoured knights. But it cannot ride through the enemies unstoppably anymore. Also, the model has been changed. It has both Hearth and Banner now. The banner inspires nearby dwarves.
- We have improved Dwarven Citadel.
It can be built by Dwarven Builder. It has a mighty catapult that fires more projectiles than an ordinary one. Moreover, this mighty catapult will be reconstructed over time after its destruction.
- We have added the last chance.
The Last Chance ability allows a player to start the expansion again if the player has a unit that prevents defeat as long as the unit exists. For example, if you have Gandalf as the last unit then you can summon Undermine using The Last Chance power. The Undermine summons dwarven builder and provides resources. The Darkness has a similar power.
- The interface has been enhanced.
The interface contains buttons and options that work in the modification. Other options are disabled.
- Artificial intelligence has been improved.
AI scouts the map in order to find enemy’s buildings and units just like a human player. There is no scouting in the original game, AI just see player’s units and building always and sends troops to destroy them. This is how the AI works in every strategy game.
AI uses the Powers Menu in the skirmish mode according to the new system. Also, it uses all the powers if it plays for the waves in the horde mode. AI doesn’t use all the powers from the Powers Menu in the original. We have fixed it.
Units from the waves can attack air units in the horde mode. The mod has the system in the skirmish mode, we have added it to the horde mode. That’s why you will not be able to destroy all of the melee units using only one Fell Beast.
AI summons new units, such as Grond.
- We have improved the balance between Sauron and Aragorn.
Aragorn is almost his equal in melee combat. Sauron fought a draw with Elendil after defeating Gil-galad. Aragorn is the same creature as Elendil. Perhaps a little weaker. But Sauron had the Ring on his finger at the moment. Sauron is still able to destroy Aragorn instantaneously with the heat of his hand. But he cannot kill him so easily if the power is unavailable.
- Sauron has been reworked.
Sauron gains his powers and opens the powers from the Powers Menu over time. Moreover, you can use the unit on the battlefield, he gains the powers even while fighting. But killing the enemies cannot help him to gain the power faster. You can place a hero nearby any archers who are killing enemies in the original, the hero will gain the levels rapidly doing nothing. Also, Sauron frightens the Oathbreakers nearby and while attacking since they were afraid of him in the books.
- We have upgraded the combat system.
Elite archers can kill units who ride a Mumak. It's impossible to kill them in the original. Catapults and trebuchets can attack air units with low accuracy. They deal a lot of damage if they strike accurately.
- And many other improvements and fixes.
Good luck with your projects and goals! Make your dream come true!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
We wish you good health and good luck!
