Goblin Hoard

* Level 1
* Level 2
* Level 3

"I have heard that there are still forgotten treasures of old to be found in the deserted caverns of the mines of Moria, since the dwarf and goblin war."
—Elrond, A Short Rest

The Orcs of the Misty Mountains were renowned looters that would ambush unwary travelers and steal their possessions. Scores were hoarded within the Orcs' caverns and could be put to use to forge deadly weaponry and heavy armour in preparation for war.

In Age of the Ring, the Goblin Hoard is the secondary resource structure for the Misty Mountains and its Adventure: Shadow and Flame subfaction. Not only does it hoard armour and valuables as a resource but it allows the player to gain access to various unit upgrades.

## Upgrades

The Armory has no upgrades that can be bought. It will gain experience through earning resources as well as by buying the unit upgrades.

## Function

The Goblin Hoard will periodically produce +25 resources depending on location relative to other resource structures. This will increase as the building levels up. It will also increase the command point limit by 25. At level 3, it will spawn a scaffold with Moria Orc Archers who shoot at nearby enemies.

#### Surplus Bonus

Multiple Hoards will reduce the cost of unit upgrades.

* 2 Hoards: 5%
* 3 Hoards: 10%
* 4 Hoards: 15%

* 5 Hoards: 20%

#### Unit Upgrades

The Goblin Hoard will allow unit upgrades to be bought for Misty Mountains' units.

**Banner Carrier (W)** - Allows hordes to purchase the banner carrier upgrade. Increases a horde to level 2.

**Fire Arrows (E)**- Allows hordes to purchase the Fire Arrows upgrade .When equipped, significantly increases the damage done by Arrows. Will upgrade all patrols and tower archers instantly once upgrade is purchased.

**Forged Blades (R)** -Allows hordes to purchase the forged blades upgrade. Increases the damage done by melee weapons. Will upgrade all patrols once upgrade is purchased.

**Scavenged Armour (T)** - Allows hordes to purchase the scavenged armour upgrade. When equipped, significantly reduces the damage taken. Will upgrade all patrols once upgrade is purchased.

## Strategy

The Goblin Hoard is an essential structure as it grants Misty Mountains access to unit upgrades with which they can equip not only their elite units, but also cheap spammable Moria Orc units, to make them more powerful. Different upgrades become available at different Hoard levels: Banner Carriers and Fire Arrows can be researched at level 1, whereas Forged Blades and Scavenged Armour require a level 2 building. This necessitates the defence of the building so that it has sufficient time to level up; it is ideal to build the Hoard within the base during the early game so that it is closer to the player's defenses and levels up by the mid game. Admittedly, the Goblin Hoard is more expensive than the Orc Tunnel and so it is recommended to build several Tunnels and Lumber Mills to decrease the cost of an Armory. It is recommended to build various Goblin Hoards throughout the game once Misty Mountains' economy can afford them because the Surplus Bonus makes unit upgrades for elite troops more accessible, this also enables players to continue equipping upgrades even if one of their Hoards is destroyed.