Guards of the Master

* Portrait
* In Game
* Upgraded

"Every vessel in the town was filled with water, every warrior was armed, every arrow and dart was ready, and the bridge to the land was thrown down and destroyed, before the roar of Smaug’s terrible approach grew loud, and the lake rippled red as fire beneath the awful beating of his wings. Amid shrieks and wailing and the shouts of men he came over them, swept towards the bridges and was foiled!"
—Fire and Water, The Hobbit

Some of the militia of Laketown were assigned to the Master of the Lake. These guards were granted special privileges, with access to improved equipment and supplies. They also had increased authority in the town and were often sent to perform the Master's will. During the attack on the town by Smaug, some of them protected their leader while others assisted in the defence of the town. These warriors later fought the forces of Bolg of the North in the Battle of the Five Armies before being assigned to the new Master of the Lake after the battle.

The Guards of the Master are an elite swordsmen battalion for Reign of Oakenshield Erebor and its Adventure: Battle of the Five Armies subfaction. They are recruited from a level 2 Erebor Assembly (or the Dalish Ruin for Adventure: BOTFA) and can also be temporarily summoned by the Master of Lake-town himself.

## Abilities and Formations

**Level 2: Stop Right There! (W)** - Enemies within the radius temporarily deal -33% damage and are slowed by 20%. Left click icon then left click on target battalion.

**Level 3: Search Warrant** **(R)** - Disable enemy structures and deals damage over time. Left click icon then left click on target.

## Upgrades

**Master's Armour (T)** - When equipped, significantly reduces the amount of damage taken. Research upgrade at Grand Forge to enable this equipment. Cost: 300

**Master's Blades (C)** - Upgrades this battalion with Master's Blades. Increases the damage done by melee weapons. Research upgrade at Grand Forge to enable this equipment. Cost: 300

**Esgaroth Banners (V)** - when equipped, increases this battalion to level 2. Research upgrade at Grand Forge to enable this equipment. Cost: 100

*(Note: In the Adventure: Battle of the Five Armies subfaction, the **Master's Armour** and **Master's Blades** upgrades require the **Armouries of Thrór** ability from the Erebor Fortress, while the **Esgaroth Banners** upgrade is instead researched at the Dalish Ruin.)*

## Strategy

The Guards of the Master are an elite swordsmen battalion that are faster than the Âzagh-baruk although not as fast as the Huruz-Khagal-zirak. Their primary use is disruption of enemy forces. **Stop Right There!** can be used to slow down units and reduce their damage, making it easier for the Guards and other infantry fighting them. This can also be used as a counter to archers and cavalry. **Search Warrant** is a versatile ability that is used to cripple the opponent's ability to recover. It can be used to prevent a structure from producing resources or from producing units. It can even be used to stop enemy defences. The Guards of the Master work best with the Master of Lake-town who can grant them additional damage in combat. He can also be used to summon additional Guards to help reinforce an army.