Guldur Gaol

* Level 1
* Level 2
* Level 3

"I remembered a dangerous journey of mine, ninety-one years before, when I had entered Dol Guldur in disguise, and had found there an unhappy Dwarf dying in the pits. I had no idea who he was. He had a map that had belonged to Durin's folk in Moria and a key that seemed to go with it, though he was too far gone to explain it. And he said that he had possessed a great Ring."
—The Quest of Erebor, Unfinished Tales

The pits of Dol Guldur contained many dungeons and cages containing the Necromancer's prisoners. These included Woodmen of Anduin, the Elves of the Woodland Realm and travelling dwarves. These prisoners had miserable lives, being forced to work for the Necromancer or being tortured and experimented on. The orcs themselves were little better, living in constant fear of death and being under the influence of the Necromancer's fell sorcery.

The Guldur Gaol is one of Dol Guldur's primary unit production structures. It allows access to the faction's basic and elite infantry, while also providing upgrades for the faction's units.

## Upgrades

**Upgrade to Level 2 (A)** - Allows training of Orc Ravagers. +10% faster build speed. (cost: 600)

**Upgrade to Level 3 (A)** - Allows training of Tomb Guard. +25% faster build speed. Adds defensive arrow tower. (cost: 500)

## Function

#### Unit Production

The Guldur Gaol can be used to recruit the following units:

#### Unit Upgrades

The Guldur Gaol will allow unit upgrades to be bought for Dol Guldur's units.

**Black Banners (F)** - Allows hordes to purchase the Black Banners upgrade. Increases a horde to level 2.

**Fire Arrows (C)** - Allows hordes to purchase the Fire Arrows upgrade. When equipped, increases the damage done by arrows and allows level 2 Hunters to use 'Bring it Down!' ability. Will upgrade all patrols and towers archers instantly once upgrade is purchased. Requires a Level 2 Guldur Gaol.

#### Abilities

**Dark Presence** - Nearby Dol Guldur units afflicted by Slow Decay are no longer drained over time, receive +15% damage and armour, and are healed by a small amount. Passive ability.

**Infestation (W)** - Requires a Spider Lair. Summons a temporary swarm of spiders around the structure that slows nearby enemies' attack and movement speed by 10% and deals minor damage to nearby enemies. Left click to activate.

## Strategy

The Guldur Gaol will form the core of Dol Guldur's unit production throughout the game. Like all Dol Guldur buildings, it can provide **Dark Presence** to prevent Slow Decay and allow your units to spread across the map. Therefore, a worthwhile but risky strategy can be to build a forward Gaol to enhance early pressure on enemy forces. Broken Rabble will be the faction's early swordsmen. They are weak but can be enhanced by Thráin the Broken, and can transform until Risen Dead if they are killed at level 2. Orc Gaolers and Hunters can act as pikemen and archers in the early game but can be used in the mid-late game to create additional Risen Dead once a Spire of Sorcery has been built. To this end, the Misery Bonus of the Slave Mill can be useful. Orc Ravagers and Tomb Guard are powerful mid-late game infantry that have more armour, health and damage than the basic units. The former can disrupt enemy forces and deal heavy damage to structures while the latter is a powerful pike unit.