Best way/unit to fight trolls

[stoffi]

I'm sure this has been discussed many times before, but a search didn't bring up any threads and there's nothing about trolls 5-6-7 pages back.


So, what type of units do you find best vs trolls(except dwarves)? I tested this extensively a few years ago but that's long forgotten now.

Ballistas are not that good vs trolls in my eyes, as you only get a few shots before the trolls storm your lines.

Spearmen? Axe? Sword? Horses? Two handed sword?

[Sanguinary Guardian]

Having played only Gondor and Rohan extensively, I'd say that for these two factions, javelin-armed troops are your best bet that means Pelargir Marines and Riddermark Skirmishers. I prefer the latter because they are faster and the fat baddies can't catch'em. I'd argue that any high-tier unit with AP can do the job, as well as war machines.

[Fanest]

use cavalry charges, javelins and lots of arrows and when they hit your lines use cheap inf for meat shield then charge with cav, retreat and charge again and again ... its easy really

[cezarip]

Axes (Riddermark Axmen are great), halberds (Barding Hird), Ents, anything AP. Pelargir Marines or Riddermark Skirmishes are great vs. Murmakil but against trolls/Olog-Hai they do less good. First because they won't get enough time for more as one volley before the enemy charges your line. Second because once in melee with your troops the troll unit tend to disperse quite a bit.

[Sanguinary Guardian]

Axes (Riddermark Axmen are great), halberds (Barding Hird), Ents, anything AP. Pelargir Marines or Riddermark Skirmishes are great vs. Murmakil but against trolls/Olog-Hai they do less good. First because they won't get enough time for more as one volley before the enemy charges your line. Second because once in melee with your troops the troll unit tend to disperse quite a bit.

While I agree about the Marines, Riddermark Skirmishers can outrun a troll. Or not? Well, I'll check it out.

[cezarip]

While I agree about the Marines, Riddermark Skirmishers can outrun a troll. Or not? Well, I'll check it out.

If you babysit them. Left to their own devices with skirmish on, they won't retreat before the fast charge of the troll unit reaches them. At that point they go into melee where they looose.

[Sanguinary Guardian]

If you babysit them. Left to their own devices with skirmish on, they won't retreat before the fast charge of the troll unit reaches them. At that point they go into melee where they looose.

Just tested them. They can outrun trolls, but yeah, they need babysitting. They also appear unable to bring down enough of them.
Gonna test Riddermark Axemen later.

[cezarip]

Sorry, doublepost

[Mhaedros]

One unit of Dwarven Dragonslayers of Ered Mithrin can take several units of trolls

[cezarip]

One unit of Dwarven Dragonslayers of Ered Mithrin can take several units of trolls

Tested the Slayers against Olog-Hai, they got badly beaten. 3 out of 3. Only the guards of KD won.

[Mhaedros]

Tested the Slayers against Olog-Hai, they got badly beaten. 3 out of 3. Only the guards of KD won.

Liez! No, seriously, you use them wrong. Enable 'shieldwall' mode, and they're invincible.

[cezarip]

Liez! No, seriously, you use them wrong. Enable 'shieldwall' mode, and they're invincible.

True. Used them without the shieldwall. That much of a difference? Thought the trolls can easily smash a SW.

[Dwarven Berserker]

True. Used them without the shieldwall. That much of a difference? Thought the trolls can easily smash a SW.

Shield wall pretty much nullifies any charge I think the only thing it can't stop is elephant units.

By the way, af you are using a unit with armor piercing which can't use shieldwall, the best way to deal with trolls is to put one unimportant unit in the front to absorb the charge f the trolls, and THEN send in your AP-units

[Mhaedros]

Yes, but the dwarves high defence makes sure they dont die, and then the trolls are suddenly surrounded by short guys with axes

[cezarip]

Yes, but the dwarves high defence makes sure they dont die, and then the trolls are suddenly surrounded by short guys with axes

Mmm, have to try it.

Just tested them. They can outrun trolls, but yeah, they need babysitting. They also appear unable to bring down enough of them.
Gonna test Riddermark Axemen later.

Tested them some 3 days ago. They are terrific against Murmakil, they kill the Oliphaunts like nothing. Against trolls, they never got to bring even one of them down before running out of ammo. They bloody them but...

My main method to bring them down are axes.

[stoffi]

Dwarves are obvious but since only one faction has dwarves, it doesn't help the rest. ^^

Cavalry charges, yes. But you still need some infantry to hold them. So, skirmishers and Axemen. Possibly let some crappy infantry unit hold them while skirmishers pound them. Maybe I'll do some testing with axemen.

Playing as Dale currently.


Btw, I forget what AP means...

[Shingen]

Pelargir Marines and all other javelin-throwers with the attribute thrown "throw javelin before charge" are annoying. To much micromanagement to use them effectively.
My strategy. Archers shoot them until they get into close combat. I always keep some axemen with armor piercering attribute in reserve. They attack the trolls once they have charged one of my units. So I can pull back the attacked unit. The axemen will still lose men but they are doing much better than any other unit. If there is space to maneuver I also send cavalry that charges them. They do the most damage.

[paradamed]

I'm sure this has been discussed many times before, but a search didn't bring up any threads and there's nothing about trolls 5-6-7 pages back.


So, what type of units do you find best vs trolls(except dwarves)? I tested this extensively a few years ago but that's long forgotten now.

Ballistas are not that good vs trolls in my eyes, as you only get a few shots before the trolls storm your lines.

Spearmen? Axe? Sword? Horses? Two handed sword?

Ballistas can be very good. Just lure the trolls with a cheap unit and just bombard them with ballistas. You will have to sacrifice a few of your units but you will kill the trolls.

[Mhaedros]

That's what hobbits are for

[paradamed]

That's what hobbits are for

Nooooooooooooo, poor tinies!