The Dwarf Holds (TDH) is a mod for The Battle for Middle-Earth. TDH adds a fully-functional Erebor faction, significantly updates the gameplay and artwork of the original four factions, and includes a wide array of maps covering the whole of Middle-earth.
TDH's latest version, 0.75, was released in March 2012, and can be downloaded from our downloads page. For more information, check out our news (below), screenshots on our media page, and information about new content on our about page.
News - Patch 0.55 Released!
Posted on April 18, 2010, by Nertea. View Comments (11)
Finally, version 0.55 of The Dwarf Holds is here!
After a long wait that I assure you was as annoying to us as it was to you, the patch is ready for release. To download the update, simply run the Check for Updates utility in the Start Menu folder which was installed with The Dwarf Holds. Or, run TDHUpdater.exe from your My Battle for Middle-earth Files folder. The patch will be downloaded and installed. If prompted by a firewall/antivirus program, allow the Updater access to the internet.
The changelog is quite long, so I'll quickly summarize some of the more important changes below. Exact balance numbers and lists of fixed bugs can be found here.
Additions:
- Abilities added to Rohan's Theoden and Eomer
- Royal Guardsmen, Door-Wardens of Edoras added to Rohan unit roster
- Uruk Scouts added to Isengard unit roster
- Steel Drawstrings upgrade added to Isengard Crossbowmen
- Poisoned Arrows upgrade added to Haradrim Skirmishers
- Several awesome new maps (and I mean really awesome)
Major Changes:
- All Archers now have accuracy levels; Elves are the most accurate (95%), and Orcs are the worst (70%)
- Fire Arrows Upgrade decreases archer accuracy by up to 35%. Arrows that miss can still hit targets
- Fire Arrows have been removed from Isengard Uruk Crossbowmen
- Scaling siege equipment (Ladders, Siege Towers) have lower costs, take up no CP, but are hard-capped
- Siege artillery has been increased in buildtime and CP cost, and is hardcapped
Some specific changes have also been made to each faction's specific piece of Siege Artillery:
- Mordor Catapults are now generally inaccurate with large splash. Capped at 8
- Isengard Ballistae are very accurate and can sometimes hit moving targets, but do little damage to buildings and have low splash radius. Capped at 8
- Gondor Trebuchets are inaccurate with low splash and high damage. The Fire Stones upgrade decreases damage but greatly increases splash. Capped at 8
- Thrown Ent rocks are more inaccurate, but otherwise remain identical. Ents are capped at 5
- Iron Hills Mangonels have had their abilities specialized. Boulders do more inaccurate, single-target building damage, Scatter Shot does less damage in a larger radius. Capped at 6
Post bug reports in the main bug report thread. As usual, try to be specific.
Bug reports related to map issues should be posted in the Map Bug Report thread.
Posted on April 18, 2010, by Nertea. View Comments (11)
News - December 6th Update: Old Foes
Posted on December 7, 2009, by Nertea. View Comments (47)
Old Foes
The Horse Lords
The bulk of Rohan's forces have been recently remodelled and reskinned to match the high artistic quality that characterizes the Dwarves and other factions in The Dwarf Holds. One of the key aspects of this quality is randomization. In our other factions, we've included variety within hordes - for example, there are 32,000 possible Orc Warriors that are randomly generated when the player builds a horde. Our new Rohan is no different - but the scale is even larger. Riders of Rohan have, for example, a pool of 24 million possible variations - no joke! Chances are that you'll never see the same Rider, mounted Archer or Yeoman in the same game.
These Riders of Rohan cut easily through any legion of Uruk-Hai
We have also of course eliminated the vanilla BFME gold armour, and added a new effect for the Forged Blades upgrade - Tengwar runes are inscribed on the blades of upgraded weapons in Good factions.
Armoured Yeomen jeer the fleeing Uruks as Elves of Lorien show off their new weapons
I'm particularly proud of our work on the Peasants, who have also been remodeled and given a horde of amusingly agricultural weapons - your undrafted peasants will now wield pitchforks, scythes and rough axes, and gain some more professional weapons and shields when drafted.
On the left, peasants claim a farm. On the right, they are drafted into its defence
The Elves, Aragorn and Legolas have also been given their Rhovanion Alliance models
Secondly, as Gimli son of Gloin has been moved to the Dwarf faction, we're adding a new Rohirric hero to replace him. Enter Elfhelm, a heroic Marshal of Rohan who fought in Theoden's host at the Pelennor. After the battle, he was given command of the Rohirric forces charged with the defence of Anorien and Gondor while King Eomer and the Lord Aragorn led a host to challenge the Black Gate. He was later honoured with the rank of Marshal of the East-Mark on Eomer's victorious return.
On the left, the mounted heroes of Rohan. On the right, Elfhelm using his Outrider power
In the mod the combat capabilities of King Theoden and Eomer have been increased, and Elfhelm has claimed the role of early-game hero. His heroic powers include the ability to detect invisible units, a power that boosts his speed temporarily, and a leadership bonus to mounted troops. His late-game power is very potent - he can declare a Blinding Charge, stunning enemies that are nearby and negating their pike damage for a short period. Combined with Theoden's Glorious Charge, this is sure to be devastating.
The White Hand
The forces of Saruman have also recieved a facelift so they can stand beside their old foes. Lurtz and Saruman have new skins, and the Uruk-Hai now start off in the rough leather armour of the Scouts, and are upgraded to plated armour.
Lurtz prepares a force of Uruks to cross the plains of Rohan while Saruman inspects the troops
Warg Riders have new skins as well, and all units have a new, subtle effect for Forged Blades - runic Black Speech inscribed onto their weapons.
These Peasants were no match for the vicious Wargs and their bloodthirsty riders
Fully Upgraded Crossbowmen
That's all for this week, hope you enjoyed the update!
Posted on December 7, 2009, by Nertea. View Comments (47)