OLD - Previews and Announcements

[Impaller]

You mean unlike all those very necessary additions they put in the hobbit?

[Altar360]

You mean unlike all those very necessary additions they put in the hobbit?

That's different. The Hobbit's additions and changes are a result of the filmmakers attempting to stretch out a children's novel into 3 movies. Withe The Lord of the Rings, each book was it's own movie, and the books are massive in scale of it's story. There was no way they could add every detail from the books even with movies nearing 3 and half hours in the extended versions. And seeing as Bombadil didn't really add much, then it's justified in excluding his chapters.

[Impaller]

So then how are you confused by the barrow wights being removed?

[TheEliteDwarf]

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:

Hey Everyone,

Here's the 6th batch of campaign strat map previews:

Album Link: LINK

Quick Highlights:

Imladris:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Wood Elf Large City:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

High Elf Large City:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Harad City:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Incredible Bulk]

Very nice, here take some rep

[MIKE GOLF]

Beautiful job!

[Firedragon414]

They look awesome Elite Dwarf!

[The Gondorian Knight]

They look pretty sick! Beautiful job!

[Araval]

[Hummingbird]

I've admittedly been somewhat neglecting the TWC for previews in favour of Discord. So to catch everyone up here's a few previews of unit overhauls and new units:

Lorien: Galadhrim Marchwardens

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Dol Guldur: Dol Guldur Scouts (new unit)

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Dale: Royal Archers (bodyguard) credit to 'TATW Reforged' for letting us use this one.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Bree, Rhun, Gondor and Dorwinion bodyguards:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Imladris: Eldarinwe Nobles (bodyguards)

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

New Ered Luin unit

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Lothlorien: Yavanna's Chosen

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Harad: Hasharii Shadows

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Anduin: Valesmen and Woodmen Warriors

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Enedwaith: Hunter's Guildsmen

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

You'll probably need to squint a bit to see what's changed with the Hasharii Shadows and Yavanna's Chosen, heh. Which should give me just enough time to find a bunker to hide in...

There's some other unit changes too. In particular a great many Khand units look a lot different now, but I'll let Galu show those when he does his faction overview video.

[Tal-In-Galumir]

Nice! Have some rep.
I notice females and an increasing theme of spear and shield and bow hybrids... I have to say the later seems somewhat unbalanced.

[Hummingbird]

One is a a bodyguard (and frankly Dale's bodyguard's stats are nothing to write home about) and the two others are very rare and restricted recruitment AOR elite units.

In particular the Marchwardens were changed as, in v1.2 and lower, they really were just far too similar to WR's Elvenking's Guard. So overhauled they are now a very, very tanky unit but they don't do nearly the melee damage of the EG (Marchwardens are no longer armour-piercing and have lower Attack than before) playing to Lorien's overall theme of being the more defensive faction.

[Tar-Falassion]

Boi these are gorgeous ! Each day that passes the struggle of waiting gets harder ^^'

[Grauman]

The javeline unit for Dol Guldur I always wanted!


Even wanted to suggest this unit!

Thx

Hummingbird!

[Sandalphon]

Aww...don't know how I should feel for the Galadhrim Marchwardens.....I used to like them very much as double-bladed glaive wielders.....But doesn't really matter, you are the bosses. In any case, your models look amazing! You are a very gifted modder Hummingbird

[elud]

Models are looking nice! Loving the new more defensive style of Marchwardens but part of me kinda wishes marchwardens kept their greyish style tho.

[racer999]

Blue Wizards Script Preview

Today I'm happy to announce that most of the work on the Blue Wizards script for Khand has been completed (only event UI's are left atm) and I believe it's about time a preview of it was released.

The Choice:
In v2.0 the first interaction with the script will happen during turn 68, when the player shall receive a warning of the incoming events. Then at a random point between turns 70-80 the choice to whether side with the Blue Wizards or Mordor will appear. But beware, should you attack Mordor, Ruhn or Harad prematurely, you'll trigger the script early and the game will handle such an act as if you had chosen to side with the Blue Wizards.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Siding with the Blue Wizards:

I won't sugarcoat it - this is the Hard choice, which will turn this otherwise easy campaign on its head, as expected when you betray Mordor in it's own backyard. Should you choose to support the cause of the Blue Wizards, be prepared for open rebellion from both your own people as well as all your neighbours that were previously your allies.
Once you side with the Blue Wizards Mordor, Ruhn, Harad and Umbar will all declare war on you as well as receive boosts to their kings purses to help them combat the threat that Khand becomes.

The next turn you'll see two of your settlements(Chelkar and Kyzilkum) on fire, indicating the bad things that are about to happen.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

After another turn the settlements, that were previously shown, will be besieged by rebel armies consisting of mostly low-mid tier units, with a couple good ones mixed in.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

And a second batch of settlements(Oibamari and Ammu Khand) will go in flames.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The next turn, the first batch of settlements that were previously under siege will get attacked, while the second batch of settlements will get besieged.
The second wave of the rebellion will be a bit stronger and larger than the first one, with the army attacking Ammu Khand consisting of purely Khandish units, while the army besieging Oibamari in the province of Gap of Khand will have more orcs in it.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

You'll also see your capital on fire and receive rumours of a massive Mordor invasion force.

A turn after, the second batch of settlements shall be attacked, while your capital will be besieged by the dark Numenorean Ancantar, Inquisitor of Mordor and Enforcer of Saurons Will in the East.
He will bring with him an incredibly massive force (btw. the 2 units that aren't shown in the screenshot are troll catapults )

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

On the following turn the Inquisitor shall attack and attempt to take your capital.

So, what will you get for all your trouble, I hear you ask?

Well first, once you choose to side with the Blue Wizards - you will be automatically be at peace with Gondor and Dol Amroth, so at least you won't have to worry about them.
Secondly, you'll change your factions religion to Northmen, allowing you to build the coresponding temples straight away.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

After the Inquisitors assault on your capital, you'll receive the really good stuff.

First and most importantly, you'll receive Alatar and Pallando, the fabled Blue Wizards that ventured far, far East - both with sizeable armies of battle ready Orocarni dwarves, both with unique strategy and battle models.
Second, they will bring with them the deadly dwarven catapults - you won't be able to recruit any more of them tough, so try not to lose the ones you get.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Third, you will be able to build the Orocarni Clan Hall line of buildings in Sturlutsa Khand, Ammu Khand and Oibamari (as well as in Grey Mountains, Misty Mountains etc. if you eventually get there )

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Fourth, a new unique chariot unit - the Stormriders, will become available from the 3rd tier barracks.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

And lastly you'll get a sizeable boost to your trade and mining income along with a one time gift of 5000 gold.

However it doesn't end there - it has also been ensured that you'll be able to find and destroy the One Ring after the arrival of the Blue Wizards.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Siding with Mordor:

This is the Easy choice, but it has some very attractive perks nonetheless, so you should try going down this path as well.

Once you decline the offer of the Blue Wizards you'll get a significant boost in relationship with Mordor and a 500 gold Kings purse increase.

The next turn, as a token of his gratitude Sauron shall place his loyal Inquisitor under your direct command to aid you in killing the Blue Wizards once and for all.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

You will unlock the special Inquisiton line of buildings in Khand's capital which shall allow you to recruit Black Numenoreans (Archers, Swordmen) from the first rank of the building and the fearsome Great Beasts from the second rank.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

You'll also unlock the ability to build past large town, by unlocking the city tier.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Lastly you'll gain access to Warboats, that you'll be able to build in your ports.

If you choose to stay evil, than you may find and return the ring to Sauron as you'd normally do.


AI Khand sides with the Blue Wizards:

When playing a faction other than Khand the AI Khand will also choose between good and evil. Should it choose to stay good, it's capital will be captured by Mordors Ancantar, while Khand will get 2 powerful armies lead by the Blue Wizards.
If you'll be playing an evil faction then AI Khand will also receive a massive bonus to its Kings Purse of 10000 gold, but if you're playing a good nation then this Kings Purse bonus will consist of only 2500 gold.

IF you're playing as Mordor - then instead of Ancantar capturing Khands capital you'll receive him along with a very small force of Black Numenoreans to help you deal with this new threat.

AI Khand sides with Mordor:

Should AI Khand choose to side with Mordor - two rebel armies lead by the Blue Wizards will attack and capture Sturlutsa Khand and Ammu Khand.
In this case the AI Khand will receive only a minor increase of it's Kings Purse by a 1000 gold, as well as a powerful army lead by Ancantar.
If you'll be playing a good faction, then the rebel Blue Wizards will be killed in the assault and without leadership any surviving rebel Orocarni they had with them will return back to the Red Mountains, leaving only a mediocre force of Khandish rebels to protect the gains.
If you'll be playing an evil faction, the Blue Wizards and the dwarves will stay and give you the opportunity to kill them.


Final thoughts and thanks:
This is easily the biggest and most complicated script that I've ever done and I'm sure that it will transform what was once one of the dullest campaigns in DaC into one of the most interesting and challenging campaigns of the mod.

I would also like to thank the entire modding team for their support and input during the making of the script, it would have been impossible without you guys!
Special thanks to LordofLinks, who provided the event texts for the script and many other descriptions, as well as all the other active beta-testers.

[elud]

Amazing work! Looks awesome

[Tal-In-Galumir]

Unleash the rep flood! I can't even imagine how much work you put into this, the result looks so awesome!

[wraithwalker]

agreed looks incredible