Radagast

* Portrait
* In Game

"Bilbo Baggins: And the fifth?
Gandalf: Well, that would be Radagast the Brown.
Bilbo Baggins: Is he a great wizard, or is he more like you?
Gandalf: Well, I think he is a very great wizard... in his own way. He's a gentle soul who prefers the company of animals for others. He keeps a watchful eye over the vast forest lands to the East, and a good thing too. For always evil will look to find a foothold in this world."
—An Unexpected Journey

Radagast the Brown was one of the Istari sent to Middle-earth to combat Sauron. He had much experience with the plants and animals of Middle-earth and good relations with the Great Eagles of the Mountains. His home was Rhosgobel by Mirkwood and so he was one of the first of the Wise to notice the effects of the Necromancer of Dol Guldur. He taught various Northmen the properties of Rhovanion herbs and ancient protective magic conjured from warding stones - these druids formed the Oaken Order and they were key in resisting Sauron's forces of Dol Guldur. During the War of the Ring, he sent out his animals to act as messengers and watchers, and it was thanks to this that Gandalf could be saved from Orthanc.

In Age of the Ring, Radagast is a recruitable hero in Woodland Realm.

## Poem

**A Wizard Very Great** by Valkyrie. Click **Expand** to read.
**Saruman**:

*Unfit and unbecoming, that is him!
The cheapest mage, a conjurer on whim!
If sorcerers be yielding to caprice,
Would I they fled away and went amiss.*

*We, Istari, are counsellors of wit,
Who sages taught and ignorance have lit.
Our duty is to nurture royal dome;
‘Tis neither doting nor a wood to roam.*

**Gandalf**:

*He’s dear and nature’s dearest to his heart.
Such candour may reproachful frowns undart.
The fowl, the wounded beast he shall redress
To be their shepherd, be they shepherdless.*

*No minor guard; no foolish entity.
Have evils often woken under tree,
Whereon his eyes are fixed in patient wait;
A friendly one. A wizard very great.*

## Abilties

**Master of Hues and Shapes (W)** - Radagast is invisible while standing still. Passive ability. Allows all targeted allies to become stealthed for 30 seconds. Left click icon then left click on target units.

**Aiwendil (R)** - Nearby Woodmen and Beorning units gain +75% experience. Woodmen additionally gain +33% damage and armour. Passive ability. Targeted enemy units are beset by a flock of birds, causing them to lose 50% vision and 33% armour and take damage over time. Left click icon then left click on target.

**Level 3: Faithful Guardian (T)** - Radagast slams his staff into the soil, stunning enemies before him for a brief moment. At rank 8, stun duration is increased. Left click to activate.

**Level 6: Siphon Witchcraft** - Radagast continuously heals nearby friendly heroes and units. Passive ability.

**Level 10: A Very Great Wizard (V)** - Turns enemy units within a radius into wild animals that subsequently disperse. Does not work on heroic units. Left click icon then left click on target.

## Strategy

In Woodland Realm, Radagast is a good example of a snowballing hero, his initial abilities are good are supporting Woodmen and Beorning units however they don't make a significant impact in combat. However, as Radagast begins to level up, he becomes an increasingly dangerous threat to enemy units - his stun with **Faithful Guardian** affects a large radius of units and so can stun an enemy army long enough for Woodland Realm to inflict severe losses, though the player must be careful of enemy heroes as they will not be stunned by the ability. **Siphon Witchcraft** enables Woodland Realm to maintain pressure when they have the advantage because their units and heroes will be passively healed by the Brown Wizard. Finally, although it may be quite challenging for him to reach level 10, Radagast can completely turn the tide of battle with **A Very Great Wizard** as he neutralises a large number of units by turning them into wild animals. If Radagast is on the field and has reached level 10, it is vital to avoid clumping units and to try to focus on killing him before fully engaging due to the risk of losing a significant number of units.