All things Orcsie

**Poosticks7** · December 20, 2011, 01:40 PM

I wanted to start a thread to talk about spicing up the unit rosters for the OoMM faction. Now I have no modding skills myself but I’m a fairly knowledgeable about all things Tolkien and I have a passion to see the orcsie faction more exciting so I thought I’d start a discussion on all things Orcsie.

Please chip in with any thoughts or argument on what the orcs of the mountains need to jazz up their roster. Hopefully we can generate some ideas for the TATW team or perhaps inspire one of the talented moddlers to start an orcsie submod project.

Now I’ve been thinking about some of this stuff for a while but the topic came back to my thoughts during the High Elves campaign I’ve been playing since TATW 3.0 came out. The OoMM roster is boring to fight let alone play! Another thing that occurred to me was how many enemies the Orcsie have. They are the main antagonist (along with OoG) for the Dwarves, High Elves, Sylvan Elves and Eriador. So such a prominent faction really needs a good roster I think.

I started thinking how the roster could be made more appealing and I actually looked at the Gondor roster for inspiration ( a roster that is fully rounded out with a good mix of troop types). The main thing I saw was that of the 16 units in the Gondor roster, 9 of the units were AoR units (almost half the roster). Compared to OoMM 1 unit (cave trolls) out of a total of 9 units (yes the same amount as Gondor’s AoR units).

So I rattled my brain and tried to think of some new units for the OoMM roster including some interesting AoR units for the OoMM and here’s what I came up with:

Mountain Orcs: A bow unit with a bit of ability in close combat (Archer Range Lv3) AoR mountains (obviously)

Warriors of the Black Pit or Pit guard : AoR Elite goblin unit based off the Hvy Goblin infantry but armed with two swords. (Barracks Lv4) AoR Moria

Great Goblins: The larger more dangerous denizens of the mountain inspired by Bolg’s bodyguard. Armed with scimitars and shields and armoured well. AoR Goblin Town and possibly Moria.

Wolves of the Mountain: Well wolves obviously. (Stables Lv1) bumping warg riders up a tier. AoR mountains

Warg Riders with bows/javelins: like snarga hunters but on big slobbering wargs, (everyone will love fighting them) (Stables Lv3)

Hill Trolls: A smaller but smarter Troll (than cave trolls) that fights with primitive weapons and basic tactics during raid to the surrounding lands for their goblin allies. (Same Tier as Cave Trolls)

Okay that’s all I’ve got for now. Please comment and add your own ideas to the thread. And if you can make units just whip these couple of units up for me please.

Edit: Other folks ideas:

Smoesville idea (or LL's) : Troll Drummers

Death's Deputy Ideas:

Moria Uruks - AoR Moria only, low recruitment pool to represent their elite status and lack of numbers. These are tough heavy infantry units armed with swords and maybe shields. They have been sent by Sauron to better organise the OotMM for planned future assaults on Lorien, Mirkwood, Imladris and the Dwarves, and the other goblins look up to them as the elite of their army. As a result they inspire nearby friendly units. Lore justification: In the books, when Gandalf first confronts the orcs in Moria he mentions to the rest of the party that some of the orcs "...are large and evil, black Uruks of Mordor".

Avengers of Bolg - AoR Goblin Town only, low recruitment pool again. Swift and deadly light infantry, in the style of the Haradrim Hashishi. Armed with two crude scimitars. Low armour but high attack, smaller numbers than most orc units. These orcs are cultist fanatics, intent on avenging the death of Bolg in the battle of the five armies by killing as many dwarves, elves and men as they can. Lore justification: There is none, but it would hardly be severe lore-rape.

Orcs of the Grey Mountains - AoR Grey Mountain settlement only (I think OotMM start with it and I think it is called "Dain's halls"). These Orcs are slightly different from their Misty Mountain kindred with whom they fight. They are larger and tougher, living in a tough and barren landscape rather than hiding away in Moria or Goblin Town, and skirmish regularly with the Elves of Mirkwood. They fight as skirmishers, armed with bows and swords/axes, and are very good archers as well as capable melee warriors. Their equipment is of superior quality to most orcs, since they are more relient on it to survive. Recruitment pool would be medium and units size would be smaller than most orcs, since they are scouts, ambushers and skirmishers rather than part of the horde. Lore justification - Well it wouldn't be lore rape, and I think the Grey Mountains deserve a AoR unit.

Mhaedros' idea: Winter wolves (probably make more sense for OoG I think)

freitach's idea: Warg riders with spears

**the stabby man** · December 20, 2011, 01:44 PM

You know of all of those i think possibly your best idea is the hilltrolls. the notion of fighting the kin of bill etc from the hobbit appeals, and i think a good modder could have allot of fun with the skins and meshes for that.

**AragornElessar** · December 20, 2011, 01:48 PM

These are very good ideas my friend!
AND no lore rape

**Dutch-Balrog** · December 20, 2011, 02:02 PM

great ideas! i like hem

**Rero** · December 20, 2011, 02:09 PM

Giving them the famed peasant formation would not be looked down upon either.

**Ultra123** · December 20, 2011, 02:16 PM

how about black numenorians?

**Death's Deputy** · December 20, 2011, 02:44 PM

I've been considering this as well, so here is my tuppence worth of ideas. I'll probably be back with more soon.

Moria Uruks - AoR Moria only, low recruitment pool to represent their elite status and lack of numbers. These are tough heavy infantry units armed with swords and maybe shields. They have been sent by Sauron to better organise the OotMM for planned future assaults on Lorien, Mirkwood, Imladris and the Dwarves, and the other goblins look up to them as the elite of their army. As a result they inspire nearby friendly units. Lore justification: In the books, when Gandalf first confronts the orcs in Moria he mentions to the rest of the party that some of the orcs "...are large and evil, black Uruks of Mordor".

Avengers of Bolg - AoR Goblin Town only, low recruitment pool again. Swift and deadly light infantry, in the style of the Haradrim Hashishi. Armed with two crude scimitars. Low armour but high attack, smaller numbers than most orc units. These orcs are cultist fanatics, intent on avenging the death of Bolg in the battle of the five armies by killing as many dwarves, elves and men as they can. Lore justification: There is none, but it would hardly be severe lore-rape.

Orcs of the Grey Mountains - AoR Grey Mountain settlement only (I think OotMM start with it and I think it is called "Dain's halls"). These Orcs are slightly different from their Misty Mountain kindred with whom they fight. They are larger and tougher, living in a tough and barren landscape rather than hiding away in Moria or Goblin Town, and skirmish regularly with the Elves of Mirkwood. They fight as skirmishers, armed with bows and swords/axes, and are very good archers as well as capable melee warriors. Their equipment is of superior quality to most orcs, since they are more relient on it to survive. Recruitment pool would be medium and units size would be smaller than most orcs, since they are scouts, ambushers and skirmishers rather than part of the horde. Lore justification - Well it wouldn't be lore rape, and I think the Grey Mountains deserve a AoR unit.

Originally Posted by Ultra123

how about black numenorians?

A joke, I hope

**Bungo Baggins** · December 20, 2011, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by Death's Deputy

Avengers of Bolg - AoR Goblin Town only, low recruitment pool again. Swift and deadly light infantry, in the style of the Haradrim Hashishi. Armed with two crude scimitars. Low armour but high attack, smaller numbers than most orc units. These orcs are cultist fanatics, intent on avenging the death of Bolg in the battle of the five armies by killing as many dwarves, elves and men as they can. Lore justification: There is none, but it would hardly be severe lore-rape.

Actually you can even find a justification:
After Gandalf killed the Great Goblin in the Hobbit, his party was pursued by goblins.
And once their first assault had been repeled, some especially fast goblins ran silently after the dwarven party. After their attack Bilbo got lost.

So I think a light armoured fast and small stealth unit for OotMM is perfectly justified.

**Poosticks7** · December 20, 2011, 03:53 PM

Some good ideas guys, keep them coming. I'll up date the first post with other folk's ideas as well.

No Black numenorians please. Stick to the title + Trolls, Wargs and wolves.

**smoesville** · December 20, 2011, 02:19 PM

LL said he was thinking of making a troll drummers which would be great as a morale boosting unit which orcs really need.

**Ultra123** · December 20, 2011, 02:20 PM

that sounds pretty dam good actualy if he can get in good drum music when you zoom in or have camera near them

**the stabby man** · December 25, 2011, 06:53 PM

how about orc guitarists... maybe put in some battle metal?

**ihranator** · December 20, 2011, 02:20 PM

The only way I can see Orcs of the Misty Mountains getting any Black Numenoreans is if Sauron sends them some.

Which I cannot find any reason for.

**TWWolfe** · December 20, 2011, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by ihranator

The only way I can see Orcs of the Misty Mountains getting any Black Numenoreans is if Sauron sends them some.

Which I cannot find any reason for.

And the fact that there are at most a few dozen of them left anyway.

**Ultra123** · December 20, 2011, 02:23 PM

coz king kong jumped on top of barad dur and said so.

**smoesville** · December 20, 2011, 02:45 PM

Pretty much.

**Ultra123** · December 20, 2011, 02:55 PM

of course death a shadow of the angmar thread

nice unit ideas btw

**muller227** · December 20, 2011, 02:59 PM

I like the Idea of the Great Goblin unit, I have looking at the orc models present for a long time trying to decide which would best fit the bill. None really capture the imagination. I also think this would be a great Bodyguard model as well, unfortunately I have no skill in modeling.

The Hill troll idea is also excellent.

**Mhaedros** · December 20, 2011, 03:19 PM

I didnt read through everything, I'm sorry, so if this already is written forgivr me. But what about winter wolves like those who attacked the Shire when Bilbo was young? Or was it even earlier? The same kind that attacked the Fellowship at Caradhras