Patch 2.02 9.8.0 Balance Patch Out Now!
Patch 2.02 v9.8.0 balance, bug, and quality-of-life fixes
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2.02 Version 9.8.0 Patch Notes
September 26, 2026
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General
* Spell and special ability unit summons no longer generate experience (and Power Points) for players.
* New Reduced Power Points Mode which restricts players to a maximum of 75 earned Power Points (from the original 150).
* Arwen's and Elrond's Athelas now require more hurt non-hero units in the vicinity to activate.
* Ithilien and Dunedain Ranger Longshot auto abilities now require more units in the area to trigger.
* Statue unit discount now factors in decommission value so as to prevent resource exploits.
* All structures that have a ranged attack can now fire over/through walls and other obstacles.
* Elven Warship and Corsair Black Ship ranged weapon projectile speed increased.
* Balrog Breath and Summoned Dragon fire attack now deals damage at shorter intervals (total damage output unchanged).
General Balance
* Fire Arrows now deal approximately 25% less damage against structures.
* Hero revive times increased (tiers 1-5) to 50s 60s 65s 70s 80s (from 40s 45s 50s 55s 60s).
* Rain of Fire, Avalanche, and Earthquake now knock Heroes and Monsters off their feet.
* Mighty Catapult (Fortress & Citadel), Witch-king's Sanctum, and Gorgoroth Spire now knock Heroes and Monsters off their feet.
* Darkness:
--- recharge time increased to 9m (from 6m);
--- effect duration increased to 4m (from 2m 30s);
--- weather spell disable duration increased to 2m (from 1m);
--- enemy shroud clearing range (scouting vision) debuff penalty increased to -50% (from -25%);
--- now also affects Ships and all Siege weapons.
* Cloud Break:
--- recharge time increased to 9m (from 6m);
--- weather spell disable duration increased to 2m (from 1m).
* Mini Hero Horde Fear and Terror immunity now unlocked at level 5 (was level 4).
* Pikemen Crush Revenge damage penalty scalar against Battlewagons reduced to 15% (from 10%).
* Tom Bombadil punch damage bonus scalar against Treebeard reduced to +200% (from +250%).
* All buildable Towers (excluding Expansions) can now detect stealth within a radius of 250.
* Lesser Wights spawned from Morgul Blade/Corruption and Well of Souls now award less experience than the Greater Wight.
* Ships:
--- Elven Warship:
----- now gains additional health and damage per level (previously no bonus was awarded);
----- armour against FLAME, FROST, and MAGIC reduced to 80% (from 25%);
----- damage against all other Ships reduced by 50%.
--- Elven Bombard Ship:
--- now gains additional health and damage per level (previously no bonus was awarded);
----- SIEGE damage reduced to 450 (from 500);
----- now deals 50 MAGIC damage.
--- Corsair Black Ship:
----- now gains additional health and damage per level (previously no bonus was awarded);
----- armour against FLAME, FROST, and MAGIC reduced to 80% (from 25%);
----- damage against all other Ships reduced by 50%.
--- Corsair Bombard Ship:
----- now gains additional health and damage per level (previously no bonus was awarded);
----- SIEGE damage reduced to 450 (from 500);
----- now deals 50 FLAME damage.
* Arrow Volley:
--- recharge time reverted to 4m (from 3m 30s);
--- damage of first volley increased to 200 (from 100):
--- damage of third volley reduced to 200 (from 300);
--- volley damage radius increased to 100 (from 85);
--- passive fire damage radius increased to 115 (from 100);
--- passive fire damage increased to 40/s FLAME damage (from 12/s);
--- passive fire damage now also deals bonus damage against Monsters.
* Builder SIEGE armour increased to 200% (from 250%).
Audio & Graphics Changes
* Added cast FX for Farsight (both spell book spell and Elrond's special ability).
* Added passive Dwarven Leadership button in the Palantir for Battlewagons upgraded with the Banner Carriers upgrade.
* Heroic Statues now show a passive faction-specific Leadership icon in the Palantir.
* Dire Wolf:
--- added higher-resolution textures;
--- Spiked Collars upgrade now provides a full-body armour visual for better distinction.
* Isengard Flaming Bolts tech upgrade announcement is now slightly more audible.
* Added new lightning strike sound FXs to both Galadriel's Tempest and the Isengard Fortress Lightning Strike abilities.
* Removed several unintended duplicate music tracks and tweaked several late-game music tracks for better play diversity.
* Added sword swing attack sound for Rogash.
* Adjusted Arrow Volley audio cue timings and increased the max listening range.
* Added improved/higher definition textures for the Angmar Witch-king.
* Added improved/higher definition textures from Hill Trolls.
* Added fade-in time for Ent Moot level 2 and 3 upgrade props.
* Added fade-in time for Men and Dwarven Lone Tower Field Supplies upgrade props.
* Ent Moot Level 3 sun rays no longer visible in the fog before being discovered.
* Added new selection decals for Towers and Lone Towers that depict their attack range.
* Changed the Fortress selection decal to depict its attack range and added one to all Fortresses that previously lacked one.
AI
* Easy and Medium AI difficulty levels reduced - this is to ensure those who are new to the game/prefer a more relaxed experience have more breathing room.
* Hard Command Point bonus removed.
* The AI will no longer attack the walls on the Fornost map.
* The AI will now use Mighty Catapult on the Summoned Citadel.
* Legolas will now once again toggle between bow and knives.
Neutral
* Lesser Wight guards from Barrow Wight Lairs now award less experience than the accompanying Greater Wight.
Inn:
* Rohan Peasants:
--- experience award increased to 30 (from 15).
--- Rohan Shields upgrade is now discounted by the Iron Ore upgrade.
* Rhudaur Rebels now require a level 2 Hall of the King's Men to purchase the Torches upgrade.
* Galadhrim Warrior:
--- recruit cost increased to 450 (from 400);
--- un-upgraded CRUSH armour reduced to 150% (from 100%);
--- upgraded CRUSH armour reduced to 75% (from 50%).
Men
* Rohirrim bow damage penalty scalar against Pikemen increased to 25% (from 50%).
* Lone Tower:
--- now deals 50% less damage against Heroes;
--- Strengthened Stonework armour bonus reduced to +25% (from +33%).
* Fortress:
--- Flaming Munitions upgrade cost reduced to 1200 (from 1500);
--- Numenor Stonework upgrade cost reduced to 1200 (from 1500).
* Summon Hobbit Allies and Tom Bombadil spells swapped in the spell book.
* Rohan Spearmen experience award increased to 30 (from 15).
* Theoden's Glorious Charge armour bonus reduced to +150% (from +300%).
Elves
* Arwen:
--- Athelas total heal amount reduced to 500 (from 1000);
--- now also affects Swordsmen, Archers, Cavalry, and Builders.
* Mirkwood Archer:
--- upgraded MAGIC damage reduced to 30 (from 40);
--- CRUSH armour reduced to 250% (from 200%);
--- experience award increased to 70 (from 60).
* Fortress:
--- Encasing Vines upgrade cost reduced to 1200 (from 1500);
--- Silverthorn Arrows upgrade cost reduced to 1000 (from 1200);
--- Eagle's Nest upgrade cost increased to 800 (from 500).
* Siege Ent and Treebeard CRUSH damage now deals 25% less damage to Thrall Masters.
* Glorfindel:
--- recruit cost increased to 1700 (from 1600);
--- now a Tier 3 Hero:
----- which requires more experience to level up and awards more experience for damage taken/being killed;
----- which requires more time to recruit and revive.
--- health increased to 3000 (from 2700);
--- Blade of Purity armour bonus reduced to +40% (from +50%).
* Siege Ent experience award increased to 70 (from 60).
* Ent Allies - Siege Ent now deals 50% less damage against Fortresses.
* Lorien Archer experience award reduced to 45 (from 60) - the unit unintentionally offered too much experience.
* Rivendell Lancer experience award increased to 80 (from 70).
* Mithlond Sentry:
--- un-upgraded SLASH armour reduced to 150% (from 140%);
--- upgraded SLASH armour reduced to 100% (from 95%).
* Thranduil:
--- Wild Walk:
----- now requires level 6 (was level 2);
----- stealth detection radius increased to 40 (from 20).
Dwarves
* Lone Tower:
--- now deals 50% less damage against Heroes;
--- Strengthened Stonework armour bonus reduced to +25% (from +33%).
* Fortress:
--- Masterwork Munitions upgrade cost reduced to 1200 (from 1500);
--- Dwarven Stonework upgrade cost reduced to 1200 (from 1500).
* Battlewagon:
--- Vision Range increased to 450 (from 400);
--- Crush Deceleration percent increased to 2.5% (from 2%), which slightly reduces the number of units that can be crushed in a single run.
--- player can now target Flyers by clicking on them;
--- Men of Dale Passenger:
----- upgrade cost reduced to 250 (from 300);
----- bow damage reduced to 225 (from 263);
----- +50% bonus damage scalar against non-flyer Heroes removed.
--- Phalanx Passenger attack range increased to 35 (from 30) to match that of their recruitable counterparts.
--- CRUSH damage against Berserkers reduced by 75%;
--- CRUSH damage against Thrall Masters reduced slightly.
* Demolisher CRUSH damage now deals 25% less damage to Thrall Masters.
* Guardian Siege Hammers SIEGE damage increased to 25 (from 20).
* Iron Hills Catapult experience award reduced to 30 (from 60).
Isengard
* Wildmen of Dunland:
--- attack speed increased to 1.3s (from 1.35s);
--- un-upgraded SLASH armour reduced to 95% (from 90%);
--- upgraded SLASH armour reduced to 48% (from 45%).
* Sharku's mounted crush now allows for 4 unit tramples (was 3).
* Uruk Crossbowman:
--- attack speed increased to 2.25s (from 2.5s);
--- un-upgraded PIERCE damage reduced to 52 (from 55);
--- upgraded PIERCE damage reduced to 75 (from 80);
--- now deals +40% bonus damage against Drogoth (was +25%);
--- now deals +35% bonus damage against Mounted Mordor Witch-king (was +25%).
* Uruk-hai Swordsman:
--- attack speed increased to 1.7s (from 2s);
--- un-upgraded SLASH damage reduced to 65 (from 73);
--- upgraded SLASH damage reduced to 130 (from 146);
--- Resource Building damage penalty scalar increased to 85% (from 92%).
* Fortress:
--- Flaming Munitions upgrade cost reduced to 1200 (from 1500);
--- Iron Plating upgrade cost reduced to 1200 (from 1500);
--- Wizard Tower upgrade cost increased to 1800 (from 1500).
* Lurtz:
--- Carnage now provides +25% bonus armour;
--- Cripple duration reduced to 15s (from 20s).
* Ballista CRUSH damage now deals 25% less damage to Thrall Masters.
* Clan Steading level 2 upgrade cost reduced to 300 (from 400).
* Freezing Rain:
--- recharge time increased to 9m (from 6m);
--- effect duration increased to 4m (from 2m 30s);
--- weather spell disable duration increased to 2m (from 1m);
--- affected enemies now also earn experience 50% slower.
* Various tier 2 spell book spell positions changed.
* Dragon Strike:
--- damage radius increased to 300 (from 250);
--- summon call sound can now only be heard by the player and allies.
Mordor
* Fortress:
--- Morgul Sorcery upgrade cost reduced to 1200 (from 1500);
--- Orcfire Munitions upgrade cost reduced to 1000 (from 1200);
--- Black Rider recruit cost increased to 2200 (from 2000).
* Mouth of Sauron's Evil Eye now deals half as much damage against Fire Drake Broods.
* Black Orcs:
--- now deal 20% less damage against structures;
--- experience award reduced to 45 (from 49) - the unit unintentionally offered too much experience;
* Haradrim Lancer experience award increased to 80 (from 70).
* Corsair Fire Bomb damage halved against Thrall Masters.
* Morgomir:
--- health increased to 2200 (from 2000);
--- mounted crush now allows for 4 unit tramples (was 3).
* Orc Warrior Heavy Armor values improved by 25% across the board.
* Summoned Barricade now deals 50% less damage against Heroes.
* Mumakil regular and Charge Crush damage against Battlewagons and Trolls and Ents increased signficantly.
* Fellbeast SPECIALIST armour increased to 80% (from 100%).
* Witch-king: mounted SPECIALIST armour increased to 67% (from 100%).
Goblins
* Added a new Fortress upgrade called "Goblin Drums":
--- adds 2 drum visuals and enables a Fortress ability that can be activated to temporarily grant nearby allies Leadership;
--- cost: 600; duration: 45s; recharge time: 3m.
* Mountain Giant:
--- experience award increased to 70 (from 60);
--- shroud Clearing Range increased to 650 (from 600);
--- improved side and rear vision;
--- CRUSH damage now deals 25% less damage to Thrall Masters.
* Dragon's Nest healing rate reduced to 1% per 2s (from 1.8% per 2s).
* Fortress:
--- Web Cocoon upgrade cost reduced to 1200 (from 1500);
--- Fire Arrows upgrade cost reduced to 1000 (from 1200).
* Fire Drake Broods:
--- now classified strictly as a Monster only (was previously classified as both Cavalry and Monster);
--- stances template changed to Monster (from CavalryHorde).
* Spider Allies (summon) damage against Fortresses halved.
* Azog's Crack the Whip ability is now available from level 1.
* The Goblin King's Skull Totem ability is now available from level 1.
* Goblin Warrior Scavenged Armor values improved by 25% across the board.
* Drogoth SPECIALIST armour increased to 50% (from 100%).
Angmar
* Blizzard:
--- recharge time increased to 9m (from 6m);
--- effect duration increased to 4m (from 2m 30s);
--- weather spell disable duration increased to 2m (from 1m);
--- now also reduces enemy Resource Building and Production Building production speed by 5%.
* Snowbind radius increased to 100 (from 50).
* Avalanche FROST damage against structures tripled.
* Snow Troll:
--- un-upgraded SPECIALIST armour reduced to 200% (from 175%);
--- upgraded SPECIALIST armour reduced to 135% (from 120%);
--- un-upgraded CAVALRY armour increased to 70% (from 80%);
--- upgraded CAVALRY armour increased to 45% (from 50%).
* Fortress:
--- Ice Munitions upgrade cost reduced to 1200 (from 1500);
--- Ice Walls upgrade cost reduced to 1200 (from 1500).
* Thrall Master:
--- un-summoned Thrall CRUSH armour reduced to 75% (from 62%);
--- summoned Thrall CRUSH armour reduced to 150% (from 125%).
* Karsh:
--- recruit cost reduced to 1800 (from 2000);
--- Will of the Undead (Fear & Terror immunity) now available from level 2 (was level 4).
* Rogash Summon Cave Troll auto-ability enemy scan radius increased and will now trigger more easily.
* Giant Summon:
--- renamed to Beast Summon;
--- Mountain Giant renamed to Stone Giant;
--- removed 1 Giant and replaced it with 3 Elder Hill Trolls (blackish in colour) that deal splash damage;
--- Giant rock and melee damage against Fortresses reduced by 50%.
* Sorcerer:
--- Black Ice now reveals stealthed units;
--- ranged attack speed increased to 3s (from 4s);
--- Soul Freeze no longer makes units completely invulnerable, but highly resistant to damage (+900% armour).
* Hill Troll attack animation no longer cuts off prematurely.
* Gundabad Orc POISON armour reduced to 90% (from 75%).
* Rhudaur Axe Thrower POISON armour reduced to 90% (from 75%).
* Rhudaur Pikeman POISON armour reduced to 90% (from 75%).
* Blight will now compensate with additional damage dealt to Elves when they auto-heal.
* Wolf Rider experience award reduced to 70 (from 77).
* Dark Ranger sword (melee) close-quarters attack removed as he does not actually have a sword visual.
* Fell Wind:
--- now briedly detects steathed units in the target area;
--- now extinguishes all fires.
Bug Fixes
* Knights of Dol Amroth now actually benefit from the Swan-knight Resilience Crush Deceleration bonus (for real this time).
* Collector's Edition version of Corpse Rain no longer causes uncontrollable fear.
* Mordor's Morgomir recruit button is no longer greyed out on the War of the Ring Middle-earth map.
* Addressed an issue where the Gatewatcher Expansion, Hall Expansion, and Dormitory Expansion would refund more resources than their original cost.
* Saruman's Dominate can no longer convert archers on Mallorn Trees, Barricades, and Mumakil, as well as Lone Tower Sentinel units.
* Treebeard bounty value corrected.
* Corrected Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin's bounty values.
* Corrected Fire Drake and Eagle bounty values.
* Treebeard can now take chunks from Elven Walls and Wall Hubs.
* Sorcerer Black Ice now properly slows enemies continuously when units travel on and off the frozen patch.
* Fixed an issue that prevented garrisoned units in the Dwarven Hall Expansion from gaining passive experience.
* Deleting the Lone Tower will no longer leave a radar dot on the minimap.
* Ent Moot refund value now correctly set at half the cost price (was erroneously 300).
* Fixed an issue where Wormtongue would continue to gain passive experience if he died just after activating Escape.
* Addressed an issue where single units (such as catapults) caused lag.
* Addressed an issue where Scavenger and other resource stealing passive bonuses would not always grant resources per kill.
* Addressed an issue where Lesser Wights from Lairs did not award experience.
Maps
New Maps
* Forest of Harad - 1v1 map by AnDyBranDy`.
* Misty Mountains - 1v1 map by AnDyBranDy`.
* Ithilien Plains - 4v4 map by Solas.
* Besiege: Ruin of Fornost - new custom map by nameless.
Map Edits
* Map Zoom increased to 560 (from 540).
* Lanthir Lamath:
--- moved the two left crossings on the river further towards the center;
--- moved the bottom left Outpost slightly further south;
--- changed the long narrow corridor in the mountains at the far left into a more open set of hills.
* Hills of Evendim: add a central access ramp to each of the support player's bases.
* Icebay of Forochel: removed central mountain encasing the support players.
* South Enedwaith: added 2 access ramps to the support players' bases.
* Westfold:
--- daytime lighting changed to Afternoon (was Evening);
--- fixed various terrain spots on the map that did not allow the casting of certain spells.
* Dunland: Wildmen creep units now use the correct armour set.
* Ruins of Dunland: Wildmen creep units now use the correct armour set.
* Islands of Valinor: fixed Random Team spots.
* Mering Stream: fixed various terrain spots on the map that did not allow the casting of certain spells.
* Shallows of Isen: added additional Farm templates.
* Frozen Shallows of Isen: added additional AI Farm templates.
* Upper Tower Hills:
--- addressed an issue where the Angmar AI would be inactive on this map;
--- added additional Farm templates.
* Last Bridge: fixed passability on the bridge.
* Blackroot Vale: fixed an issue where the map would crash when loading in with AI players.
* Lower Dunland:
--- added more buildable space for the backup player;
--- widened the battlefield along the sides of the map, near the Inns;
--- removed the Signal Fire.
* Crossings of Poros:
--- added slightly more Resource Building space;
--- Spider Lairs replaced with additional Warg Lairs.
* Archet:
--- fixes to the corners of the map;
--- additional spot space added for players.
* Fenmarch: several fixes to player spots.
* Enchanted River: positioned Signal Fires further away from the corners of the map.
* Jungles of Far Harad: added additional AI Farm templates.
* Brandy Hills Canyon: Added more trees to the outer areas of the map.
* Dor-en-Ernil: now a 6 player map (was an 8 player map).
Custom Map Edits
* The Last Stand:
--- gate armour reduced;
--- Citadel Level 2 cost increased to 2000 (from 1000);
--- repair ability health restoration amount increased to 8000 (from 4000);
--- cost of Numenor Stonework ability in the store reduced to 750 (from 1000);
--- Galadriel recruit cost increased to 5000 (was 3500);
--- disabled the use of Custom Heroes (CaH).
* Fort Defense: Shockwave HC:
--- added a building with various bonuses;
--- players can now progress to wave 22.
--- fixed issues with various waves.
* The Invasion of Sauron:
--- addressed an issue with the win condition;
--- addressed an issue with Sauron's spawn;
* Hero Defense: Heroes Arena: Hard mode difficulty increased.
Tooltips
* Added new recruit tooltips for all units in the game, including various Expansions.
* Sharku's Tame the Beast tooltip now indicates that it boosts production of Warg Pits as well.
* Added missing duration tooltip for Knights of Dol Amroth Charge of Glory ability.
* Added missing splash damage radius tooltip for Mordor Catapults.
* Added build time tooltip for Lumbermill Orc Labourer.
* Added missing range tooltip for garrisoned Wildmen throw weapon.
* Ballista, Demolisher, Mountain Giant, Ent, and Treebeard crush tooltips now display the correct values.
* Corrected erroneous Crossbowmen attack speed tooltip.
* Added missing mouse hover tooltip for Dol Guldur main entrance statue.
* Wildmen neutral structures dotted around the map now have proper hover titles.
* Added Palantir hover tooltips for Eye of Sauron, Crebain, Cave Bats, and Goblin King's Skull Totem.
* Added missing build time tooltip for the Goblin's Arrow Den Expansion.
* Added missing attack speed tooltip for Sorcerers.
* Simplified Heroic Statue and Well/Mirror/Hearth build and hover tooltips.
* Wall siege weapon construct buttons now state that the upgrade adds 30 additional Command Points.
* Corrected Wall Hub Expansion tooltip for Angmar Wall Segment.
* Upgraded Stone Thrower ice damage tooltip corrected.
* Hobbit Rock Throw toggle renamed to Stone Throw.
* Hobbit Hero toggle weapon no longer referred to as "stick".
* Legolas' Knife Fighter tooltip corrected.
* Corrected Angmar/Mordor Witch-king, Fellbeast, and Drogoth heal tooltip to 50/s (was erroneously 30/s).
* Added detailed tooltips for Good and Evil Ship upgrades.
* Added detailed tooltips for ship build buttons.
* Uruk-hai renamed to Uruk-hai Swordsmen
* Added missing text when transferring map files: FileTransfer::Status03
* Wyrm now displays the correct ranged damage tooltip.
* Corrected various typos and grammatical errors.
* Several tooltip reworks and numerous other tweaks and improvements.