Woodmen Hunters

* Portrait
* Bows
* Axes
* Upgraded

"In spite of the dangers of this far land bold men had of late been making their way back into it from the South, cutting down trees, and building themselves places to live in among the more pleasant woods in the valleys and along the river-shores. There were many of them, and they were brave and well-armed, and even the Wargs dared not attack them if there were many together, or in the bright day."
—The Hobbit, Out of the Frying Pan Into the Fire

The hunters amongst the Woodmen are veteran warriors, having long needed to wield their great bows in defense of their holdfasts against the hordes of Dol Guldur. Throughout the Third Age, they were driven further north by the corrupted growth of their lands which ensnared many unfortunate Woodmen - the Elves of the Woodland Realm proved to be strong allies in keeping the darkness at bay.

Woodmen Hunters are an archer unit in the Woodland Realm faction and its Adventure: Dorwinion subfaction recruitable from a level 1 Beorning Lodge. They are capable of toggling to axes to fight in melee.

## Abilities and Formations

**Toggle Weapon (W)** - Left click to toggle weapons. Bows are strong vs infantry and monsters, axes are strong vs structures

**Mark of Béma (R)** - For 30 seconds, target unit or hero is marked by the Woodmen Hunters. The target takes 15 more damage from Woodmen attacks. Left click then left click on target.

## Upgrades

**Loyal Companions (T)** - causes the battalion to be defended by hunting dogs who attack nearby units. Cost: 150

**Druid-made Fletching (C)** - when equipped, significantly increases the damage dealt by arrows. Research upgrade at Thranduil's Treasury to enable this equipment. Cost: 300

**Well-honed Axes (C)** - when equipped, increases the damage done by melee weapons. Research upgrade at Thranduil's Treasury to enable this equipment. Cost: 300

**Banner Carrier (V)** - when equipped, increases this battalion to level 2. Research upgrade at Thranduil's Treasury to enable this equipment. Cost: 100

*(Note: In Adventure Dorwinion, all upgrades with the exception of Loyal Companions must instead be researched at the Dorwinion Marketplace.)*

## Strategy

Woodmen Hunters are a highly versatile unit that can support Silvan Elves throughout the early-mid game thanks to their superior durability and ability to toggle between ranged and melee. They are able to support each other via the **Mark of Béma** ability which increases enemy susceptibility to Woodmen attacks, thus it is more than possible to recruit predominantly Woodmen, perhaps with some Silvan Spearmen to protect them from cavalry. Woodmen are effective against infantry with their bows equipped and gain additional damage against structures with their axes. As with all units in Woodland Realm, Woodmen benefit from Thranduil's passive armour buff although they cannot receive Sindarin Armour from Love of Silver and Jewels; they are also specifically supported by Radagast whose leadership exclusively affects Woodmen units. They can also be healed by Galion and Druids of the Oaken Order, both of whom have healing and temporary armour granting abilities. The Druids can also support them in other ways by making them more resistant to cavalry trample and immune to fear and terror.

They are also recruitable for the Adventure: Dorwinion subfaction, and their stats and overall purpose as early-mid game units remains unchanged.