Tol-In-Gaurhoth

* Normal
* Pyres
* Lava Moat
* Magma Cauldron

* Level 1

"Then Sauron made it into a watchtower for Morgoth, a stronghold of evil, and a menace; and the fair isle of Tol Sirion became accursed, and it was called Tol-in-Gaurhoth, the Isle of Werewolves."
—The Silmarillion

**Tol-in-Gaurhoth** is a fortress that can only be summoned by Sauron after he has received his Gorthaur form (10pp) or has picked up the One Ring. It was originally a fortification of the Noldor, captured and corrupted by Sauron for his evil purposes. It became known as the Isle of Werewolves, and therefore can produce these fearsome creatures. It can also produce resources, receive some upgrades, and make use of swarms of bats.

Only one Tol-in-Gaurhoth Fortress can exist on the battlefield at the same time. It can be placed almost anywhere as long as the terrain is flat and within Gorthaur's sight radius, making it very strategically versatile. This structure shoots lightning at nearby enemies, weakens and damages nearby enemies, heals nearby allies and provides them with a leadership bonus. The fortress no longer produces resources as of the 4.5.4 version.

## Abilities

**Isle of the Werewolves** - The fortress provides +50% damage and armor to nearby ally units. Nearby ally units are also resistant to fear.

 **Release Burning Lava** - The fortress pours out burning lava that will damage nearby enemies. (Requires the Magma Cauldron upgrade)

 **Unleash Vampire Bats** - Unleash Vampire Bats from the dungeon of Tol-In-Gaurhoth.

## Upgrades

The Tol-in-Gaurhoth Fortress can receive the following upgrades which improve or strengthen it.

 **Doom Pyres:** Reduces cost of heroes by 20%. **Cost**: 600

 **Lava Moat:** Decreases melee vulnerability of the fortress . **Cost**: 750

 **Magma Cauldron:** Allows the fortress to pour burning lava on nearby enemy troops. **Cost**: 1000

## Strategy

Tol-in-Gaurhoth is one of Sauron's/Gorthaur's most powerful abilities that can be used defensively, offensively, and passively to suit one's immediate needs.

As a defensive fortification, Tol-in-Gaurhoth can be used effectively as a territorial structure to discourage entire armies from traversing a specific area with its size and dangerous lightning strikes. With its various upgrades, it is also one of the most difficult structures to besiege with most soldiers and siege machines, forcing enemies to assault it with the most expensive weapons that bombard it at range. It also makes for an ideal place to gather one's forces, since it empowers them and passively heals and regenerates all friendly troops nearby. The fortress also serves well with its ability to dramatically reduce the cost of hero units.

Interestingly, Tol-in-Gaurhoth can be used as an offensive weapon as well as a defensive one. For one, it can train werewolves, which are among Mordor's most powerful monsters. These werewolves are costly to produce, but they have enormous health pools, run quickly, can trample lesser soldiers, and deal great splash damage to take down enemy units and structures with ease. Paired with Gorthaur in his own werewolf shape, they are a devastating menace. Along with that, the fortress itself can be summoned to great effect on the field of battle. The instant it is raised, the fortress will continuously heal and empower your own units while weakening and destroying the enemy units that get too close. The lightning strikes can even destroy enemy buildings if enough time has passed by.

Even if Tol-in-Gaurhoth is destroyed, it can be rebuilt by using Sauron's ability for free, making it one of Mordor's greatest assets ever.