Isengard

This section covers general tips for using Isengard. For additional details on Isengard’s One Ring powers, heroes, and units, check the multiplayer section of this game guide.

• Isengard’s infantry force includes Orc laborers, Uruk-hai, Uruk pikemen, and berserkers. Orc laborers are trained from lumber mills to gather resources to fund Isengard’s hordes of Uruk warriors. Although they’re primarily resource gatherers, the laborers can be used in combat if necessary (such as aiding in a nearby battle or helping in base defense). Use laborers and their axes against Ents in particular. Uruk-hai are roughly the equivalent of Gondor’s soldiers. Use the infantry units’ block formation to gain additional armor at the expense of speed. The Uruk-hai also feature the bloodthirsty ability; this essentially allows you to sacrifice other Uruk-hai to increase experience of another Uruk-hai horde.



• Uruk pikemen specifically counter enemy cavalry units and are a must to protect your Uruk warriors from the cavalry of Rohan and Gondor in particular. Use the porcupine formation against incoming cavalry to increase armor at the expense of speed (much like the infantry’s block formation). Keep pikemen close to your infantry and ranged units so they can intercept incoming cavalry at a moment’s notice. Berserkers aren’t trained in hordes and don’t require as many command points. They offer strong damage and armor (without upgrades) and excellent in rushing an archer line or thrashing defenses along a castle wall. Use a squad to rampage some settlements while a main force is occupied. Plus they have the light torch ability to light the Isengard’s explosive mine for siege!



• Construct the armory to upgrade Isengard infantry units (Uruk-hai and pikemen) with the forged blade and heavy armor enhancements. Forged blade increases damage and heavy armor increases armor. Research the banner carrier upgrade to instantly elevate your infantry hordes to experience level two.



• Uruk crossbowmen are the Isengard ranged unit and are functionally similar to Mordor’s orc archers or Gondor’s archers. Protect crossbowmen from close-range attack so they can freely bombard enemy units with projectiles from a safe distance. Construct the armory to upgrade the Isengard crossbowmen with fire arrows, heavy armor, and banner carriers. Fire arrows are particularly important for their increased damage. Fire arrows also counter mumakil and Ents and can also be used to light the explosive mine.



• Warg riders are essentially the Isengard cavalry unit. Warg riders are quick, durable, and can help break infantry lines to reach supporting archers. Utilize the howl ability to increase warg rider damage for a short period of time. Upgrade the warg rider’s damage and armor at the armory (with forged blades and heavy armor) and use the banner carrier upgrade to elevate warg riders to experience level two instantly. Use warg riders to harass enemy troops, as scouts, and to scatter formations by charging into engagements.



• Isengard offers a variety of siege units to topple enemy castles and structures. The battering ram crushes gates, walls, and buildings but it must be moved against the structure to inflict damage. The ballistae inflicts solid damage against gates, walls, and structures and can crush stationary battalions and hordes--all from the relative safety of long-range. Use the siege ladders to elevate Uruk warriors onto walls to combat defending archers and reach base interiors quickly. Finally, the explosive mine can obliterate base defenses but must be placed against the structure and then lit to detonate. Light the explosive mine with the berserker’s light torch ability, a fire arrow, or Saruman’s fireball.