1 - Lorien

Objective: Build a Goblin Cave.

This mission is essentially a tutorial mission; it provides the basics of base-building and combat for the goblins. You begin in the northeast corner of the map with a small base and four heroes at your disposal: the Mouth of Sauron and three Nazgul.

You have enough points to acquire your first power; both Tainted Land and War Chant will serve you well through the next few missions. Tainted Land is like the good power Elven Wood; it taints an area of land and all ally units within gain +50% damage and +50% armor. War Chant improves targeted allies with similar boosts to damage and armor.

Select a goblin builder and construct the goblin cave to complete the first objective.

Objective: Build two goblin hordes from the cave.

The goblin cave trains goblin warriors and archers. Select the goblin cave and train one of each or two sets of warriors or archers. Any combination completes the objective. Train a few extra hordes of warriors and/or archers but leave command point room for Cave Trolls, which you’ll be able to train within a few objectives.

Objective: Build a tunnel.

The goblin tunnel generates resources and can also be used as an underground transport system. Select a builder and construct a tunnel. Look south of the Fortress for a high percentage spot (even up to 100%). Practice using the transport system.

Objective: Build a fissure.

You’ll want the Goblin Fissure to build Cave Trolls.

Choose a builder and construct a fissure to complete the objective.

Objective: Upgrade the fissure to build Trolls.

Select the fissure and upgrade the structure. The upgrade must complete before you can train Cave Trolls.

Objective: Build a Cave Troll from the upgraded fissure.

Select the upgraded fissure and build a Cave Troll. You should have room under the command limit. Continue to produce Cave Trolls until you have maximized the command limit.

Bonus Objectives: Build up your Fortress defenses with 2 upgrades.

Select a build plot around the goblin fortress and enhance the defenses with an upgrade. Finish two expansions to complete the objective.

Objective: Cross the river and destroy the two Elven treehouses.

When you’ve completed the base construction objectives, the Elves advance from the south in a preemptive strike against your goblin camp. The attack is meager--a few battalions of warriors that are easily dispatched by your overwhelming army. Charge the warriors with your Nazgul heroes and provide support with Cave Trolls switched to melee combat and goblin archers from long-range.

Move your forces south to the river crossing. The Elf hero Haldir waits on the western side with battalions of warriors and archers. Launch arrows against the enemy forces then advance your trolls and Nazgul. Counter the enemy warriors with trolls and charge the archers with your Nazgul. Focus on Haldir after slaughtering the Elf defenses. You can’t kill Haldir, though; he’ll escape before his health expires. Destroy the nearby treehouses.

Objective: Destroy the stronghold of Lothlorien, Caras Galadhon.

Move your forces west but explore the first northern path to discover a bonus objective.

Bonus Objective: Free all 3 giants.

Liberate captured Mountain Giants and add them to your assault group.

The Elves have captured three Mountain Giants; the giants are held captive in three separate locations. Eliminate the defenders around the giant to free the beast. Add the giant to your battle groups. Like the Cave Troll, the giant can be used as a melee or ranged attacker.

Resume course west and destroy the structures along the northern and southern edges. You’ll trigger a large force of Elves led by Haldir. Your goblin Nazgul heroes are fragile so don’t allow them into a huge brawl without support from the Cave Trolls and Mountain Giant in melee mode. Haldir will escape once again.

Bonus Objective: Build a tunnel on the far side of the river.

The goblin tunnel can be used as a transport system. Use a builder to construct a tunnel on the western side of the river. You can use a tunnel near your Fortress to quickly shuttle troops to the western side of the map to reinforce your battles.

Move toward the southwest corner and discover the second captive giant guarded by archers and warriors. Eliminate all defenders to free the Mountain Giant. Continue to obliterate all structures in your path.

Proceed north and battle Haldir once again as he defends the outskirts of Caras Galadhon. If you get too close to the Elf base, you may trigger attacks from the other heroes, Celeborn and Galadriel. Eliminate enemy warriors and archers along with their heroes. Locate a third captive Mountain Giant in the northern corner of the map. You must eliminate the warrior and archer defenders to free the beast.

Use the Mountain Giant’s ranged attack against the structures and towers near the Elf Fortress Caras Galadhon. You should be able to get your Nazgul heroes up to level four during the course of the mission. The Mouth of Sauron receives the Doubt ability at level four; it significantly reduces enemy armor and damage. Crush the enemy base, though Galadriel escapes the goblins’ wrath.