The Shire

"As they crossed the bridge and looked up the Hill they gasped. Even Sam’s vision in the Mirror had not prepared him for what they saw. The Old Grange on the west side had been knocked down, and its place taken by rows of tarred sheds. All the chestnuts were gone. The banks and hedgerows were broken. Great waggons were standing in disorder in a field beaten bare of grass. Bagshot Row was a yawning sand and gravel quarry. Bag End up beyond could not be seen for a clutter of large huts.
"They’ve cut it down!" cried Sam. "They’ve cut down the Party Tree!" He pointed to where the tree. had stood under which Bilbo had made his Farewell Speech. It was lying lopped and dead in the field. As if this was the last straw Sam burst into tears."
—Return of the King, Scouring of the Shire

The Hobbits of the Shire have long considered themselves immune to the troubles of the Big Folk and safe in their holes. The orc chieftain Golfimbul II has a score to settle with the Halflings and launches an attack on the Shire to seize it for the Dark Lord. Capturing the Shire will be no easy feat however, as it is guarded by many watchful protectors and coveted by other opportunists.

The Shire is the third mission in the Dominion of Sauron Campaign, it is recommended to play the mission as Misty Mountains.

## Guide

**New Objective - Reach the Eastfarthing and establish a base**

The mission begins with Golfimbul's arrival in the Shire along with a horde of Moria Orc Screechers and two hordes of Moria Orc Archers. The player is almost instantly confronted by Hobbit civilians, Bounders and Took Archers led by Fatty Bolger; Golfimbul can trample Hobbits with ease to gain experience whilst the Orc Archers finish off any survivors. Fatty is able to escape before he can be killed.

**New Objective - Destroy the four Seats of Power and the Hobbits will cower before us**

There are four governing seats of power to be destroyed to assure dominion over the Shire, the first is found almost immediately before reaching the Eastfarthing and can be destroyed by the Orcs whilst Golfimbul holds off any attacking Hobbit units. As the player attacks the first seat of power, they are joined by another battalion of Screechers and Archers as reinforcements.

Upon arriving at the Eastfarthing, the player is granted builders to construct a Fortress and base; further reinforcements arrive in the form of Wildmen of Dunland, Wildmen Spearmen, Dunlending Longbowmen and two Mountain Giants. However, Dúnedain Rangers and Dúnedain Outriders will begin to launch attacks on the player's base and army: their camps are scattered around the map and must all be sacked to remove any resistance to the Dark Lord's rule of the Shire. It is recommended to build up a force consisting of stronger Mountain-orc units, Warg Riders and monsters, as Dúnedain units can dispatch Moria Orcs with ease.

**New Objective - The Dúnedain** **are attacking our forces. Kill them all.**

The first Dúnedain camp can be found south-east of the player's base, it is guarded by both Rangers and Took Archers which can be trampled by Golfimbul to make them easier targets for the rest of the player's army. Nearby this camp is Longbottom Farm, which can be captured to generate resources to keep the flow of troops coming and to build up defences against Dúnedain ambushes on the base. Across the bridge lies the Green Dragon inn, which can be destroyed.

**Bonus Objective - Destroy the Green Dragon Inn.**

Two of the three remaining seats of power and another Dúnedain camp are found north of the Eastfarthing. The seats of power themselves are not particularly well defended but the player will face significant resistance, once they reach Bag End.

**Bonus Objective - Destroy Bag End**

Upon arriving at Bag End, Fatty Bolger returns with a very large Hobbit and Dúnedain army to defend the Hobbit hole; it is recommended to have upgraded units for this battle to prevent being overwhelmed by the enemy army's superior numbers. Golfimbul can disrupt the enemy lines by summoning White Wolves behind the army so that enemy archers are easily trampled; Fatty Bolger himself can be killed with relative ease. Once this army and Bag End have been destroyed, the player can travel to the north-east seat of power. Farmer Maggot and his farm can be discovered, Maggot can be killed along with the Dúnedain Rangers defending him and his farm can be captured to produce resources. A seat of power lies nearby and must be destroyed.

A Dúnedain camp can be discovered in the north. Players must take caution as Tom Bombadil is summoned to help defend the camp - he can wipe out large numbers of units and so it is advised to either focus all attention on him so that he flees or to retreat and allow his timer to expire as he is only a temporary summon. This camp is the last of the Dúnedain presence on the map.

The fourth and final seat of power is in the south-west of the map. Once it is destroyed, the Hobbits surrender and the Dúnedain retreat. However, a great host from Isengard arrives, led by Grima Wormtongue, who declares himself lord of the Shire and sets his army against the Misty Mountains orcs.

**New Objective - Grima Wormtongue is attempting to claim the Shire for himself. Kill Wormtongue**

The Isengard host is difficult to take down: its units are elite and upgraded, ballistae disrupt the player's lines and the Isengard Builders construct fortifications to keep the player's army at bay. Wormtongue himself can be slain easily but that is not enough to secure victory. The player must also destroy the Isengard base being constructed. It is recommended to build an upgraded Mountain-orc army to fight off the Uruk-hai and Dunlendings whilst Cave-trolls and Snow-trolls focus the Isengard structures. Once both Wormtongue is dead and the Isengard base destroyed, the mission is complete.