Dúnedain Rangers

* Portrait
* Bows
* Swords
* Spears

### Upgrades

Equip Swords, Equip Spears, Dúnedain Captain, Tengwar-Inscribed Blades, Swan-Feathered Arrows

### Attack Type

Ranged, melee

"Few now remember them... yet still some go wandering, sons of forgotten kings walking in loneliness, guarding from evil things folk that are heedless."
—Tom Bombadil

Men of solemn faces and a duty more solemn still, the Dúnedain Rangers wandered the wilds of Eriador, keeping at bay the fell creatures that sought to bring harm to its unsuspecting inhabitants. Making their homes within the ruins of a long-ruined Kingdom, the Rangers did not forget their noble ancestry: Aragorn, the Heir of Elendil was their chieftain, and they still wore the silver star of Arnor upon their breast.

The Dúnedain Rangers are a versatile unit in the Rivendell faction as well as the Adventure: Grey Company subfaction based on Gondor that can greatly strengthen the player's midgame. Though starting out as archers, they can permanently switch to swords or spears on a whim, or instead focus more on their ranged skills by upgrading their arrows.

## Abilities and Formations

**Bombard (W)** - continually bombard the target area with a volley of projectiles. Left click icon and then left click on the target area. Requires Bows

**Level 2: Protectors of the Small Folk (V)** - Modifier Type: Leadership. Rangers of the North grant nearby Hobbits +15% armour. Passive ability. The battalion becomes invisible while standing still. Left click to activate.

## Upgrades

**Equip Swords (R)** - Permanently equips Rangers with swords. Increases damage towards infantry and slightly increases armor.

**Equip Spears (T)** - Permanenty equips Rangers with spears. Increases damage towards cavalry and heroes.

**Tengwar-inscribed Blades (C)** - When equipped, increases damage dealt by melee weapons. Research upgrade at Rivendell Forge to enable this upgrade. Cost: 300

**Swan-Feathered Arrows (C)**- Increases base damage and adds magic damage to arrows. Research upgrade at Rivendell Forge to enable this equipment. Requires Bows equipped. Cost: 300

**Dúnedain Captain (V)** - when equipped, increases this battalion to level 2 and unlocks the **Woodscraft** ability. Research upgrade at Rivendell Forge to enable this equipment. Cost: 100

## Strategy

The Dúnedain Rangers are some of the most versatile units in the game. When they are first recruited, they would act as stronger archers compared to the Took Archers or Blackroot Vale Archers. When at level 2, they gain the **Protectors of the Smallfolk** power which allows them to become invisible when standing still which allows them to set up ambushes. This also allows them to support the early game hobbit units as they progress into the mid game. Their main strength is their ability to specialise in a particular area. They can improve their ranged skills by buying Swan-Feathered Arrows. However, they can also permanently equip either swords or spears to grant them bonuses to different unit types. As the upgrades are very quick, leading to some interesting strategies by leading enemies into a situation that may seem favorable before turning the tables on them. Once they choose a melee weapon, they are able to improve it further with the weapon upgrade granting additional damage.