A dwarven problem

**Eleril** · May 16, 2013, 04:20 AM

Greetings to all thirdagers

As the title suggest I have a problem with the dwarves.I'm playing as Rhun and right now I've almost completely destroyed Dale.They have only the city of Dale and the eastern Mirkwood settlement.The problem arose when the little bearded folk decided they would attack me so I've taken Azanulimbar.In that battle I've noticed that my archers (Clan hunters and Dismounted variags) couldn't kill as many dwarves as they could Dale's warriors.My HA were not much help,either.I've managed to beat them due to my faction heir and leader being in the battle so those 2 units charged them to death.Still,I've lost too many man.Any ideas on a decent Rhun army that can take on the dwarves effectively?

**Ngugi** · May 16, 2013, 04:44 AM

Combined forces of Balcoth javeliners and cavalry is a Dwarf killer, as long as you avoid [any larger] siege battles; take the Dwarves on the open field and you have the upper hand with faster and enduring forces.

**Flinn** · May 16, 2013, 05:46 AM

truly, Balchots work wonderful against dwarves and as Darth Ngugi said they are sensible against cavalry charges, as long as you don't leave them in melee with the Dwarves.

In my very first campaign with Rhun I was very afraid of dwarves, until I won a great battle just est or Erebor against a full stack including Axemen of Erebor and Iron Guards, by using higher ground and 6 units of (silver chevrons) javelin.

in any case I suggest also to keep a couple of good archers too, just to hit the dwarven miners which will be surely in their army; furthermore, I found not mandatory to have heavy troops (Loke), but as long as you have experienced javelin, some "heavy" cavalry and a bounch of spendable infantry to hold the dwarves long enough you should be able to score a good strip of victories before you need to retrain your army

edit: let me add, Rhun also have early militia crossbowmen; altough they are slow to shoot, they work very fine against dwarven warriors and axemen; plus, all the archers/crossbowmen have best results if shooting at enemy side or back (it requires some maneuvre but you have light horse archers which are very fast and clan archers which moves faster than dwarves as a general rule). Finally, if fighting on chokepoints ballistas works well too (but this is true in any case

)

**Eleril** · May 16, 2013, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by Flinn

edit: let me add, Rhun also have early militia crossbowmen; altough they are slow to shoot, they work very fine against dwarven warriors and axemen; plus, all the archers/crossbowmen have best results if shooting at enemy side or back (it requires some maneuvre but you have light horse archers which are very fast and clan archers which moves faster than dwarves as a general rule). Finally, if fighting on chokepoints ballistas works well too (but this is true in any case

)

I never tried the crossbows.I'll try using them since I dislike skirmishers...The problem with archers/HA is that they are not working well against the heavily armored dwarves.I usualy draw a line with clan guards/warriors then I move my archers/HA to the side and the rear an start shooting.After that I charge repeatedly with my bodygards.Dale's warriors died a lot quicker then the dwarves with that tactic.Let's hope x-bows will do better than bowmen or I'll have to switch to balchots

I really dislike sieges so I always try to fight filed battles or starve a settlement out untill they either sally or surrender.
Thanks for the tips

**Loki_999** · May 16, 2013, 10:40 AM

Against dwarves avoid attacking cities directly. Starve the little buggers out, let them come to you. Dwarves are awesome in enclosed spaces. As Rhun take advantage of your superior mobility with your light units and cavalry. Don't the let Dwarves engage you on their terms.

**Wolfeson** · May 16, 2013, 01:35 PM

The harsh reality is just that it will be slower going with the dwarves because their troops are stronger overall than Dale's, and in particular are more heavily armored. So units with armor-piercing will be the most cost-effective. Javelins and crossbows both have this, and I believe one of your gold infantry types also has it (iirc the ones with the one hand maces/axes; I can never remember which Loke-something is which).

**LuckyPistol** · May 16, 2013, 02:38 PM

As everyone said above, Balcoth and Crossbows will tear the dwarves to shreds. Also instead of cavalry charges, try using some armor piercing units ("effective against armor") to charge dwarven flanks if you do not have enough archers

**Eleril** · May 16, 2013, 03:47 PM

OK,some update.Since I don't yet have access to Loke troops and considering the fact that I hate skirmishers,I went on with 2 armies consisting of 3 Clan guards,3 Clan warriors,6 Crossbows and 2 general units.I had 4 large field battles in which I decimated the dwarves.When my x-bows began firing I was amazed.It took them half the time it took the bowmen to kill the dwarven units.Really,the generals and the melee infantry was there just to keep the little buggers away from my crossbows.Right now one of my armies is besieging Erebor and the other is on it's way to Dain's halls.Great advice on the units,thanks.