The Dwarf Holds (TDH) is a mod for The Battle for Middle-Earth. TDH adds a fully-functional Erebor faction, updates the original four factions will hi-res models and skins and includes a wide array of maps covering the whole of Middle-earth.
TDH is currently unreleased, but we are looking to release early 2010. For more information, check out our news (below), screenshots on our media page as information about new content on our about page.
News - July 2nd Update: The Fortress of Erebor
Posted on July 2, 2010, by Nertea. View Comments (45)
I've dedicated this entire update to showing off Haldir's awesome new Erebor map. We've worked quite a lot to bring this centrepiece map to life, and well... now I'll just give you some screenshots.
Of course, the fortress wouldn't be complete without the closely linked town of Dale:
The map has a three versus one layout. The main gate is the primary entrance, with a trio of secret entrances providing the Erebor player with possible flanking routes.
Enjoy!
Posted on July 2, 2010, by Nertea. View Comments (45)
News - Three Thousand!
Posted on May 19, 2010, by Nertea. View Comments (16)
It has been almost exactly 3 months since The Dwarf Holds has been released, and we've had a whopping three thousand downloads (3057 to be exact). I'm not sure what the average count for a Battle for Middle-earth mod tends to be (and there's probably a few redownloads in there), but I know that this is far more popularity than I originally expected. So, a big hand to the entire community for making this release a qualified success! It's excellent motivation for the team to continue working and improve the mod even further.
(Honestly, I had no idea that anywhere close to 3000 people even still played BFME1
)Thanks for playing! I'll probably roll out some 'Future of TDH' stuff in a week or two, so stay tuned.
Posted on May 19, 2010, by Nertea. View Comments (16)
News - Patch 0.551 Available
Posted on April 19, 2010, by Nertea. View Comments (15)
Because one faction's staple unit being invisible is kinda unacceptable, I've released the 0.551 hotfix. Just run TDH's Check for Updates utility again to download it (if you downloaded Version 0.55 earlier today). If you haven't downloaded the version 0.55 patch yet, don't worry, the updater will handle everything (I hope!) and install the first patch as well.
The changelog is as follows:
- Fixed missing Gondor Soldier model
- Made another attempt at fixing Legolas' pink arrows
- Fixed Rohan Well not giving proper discount to Door-Wardens of Edoras
- Fixed Stables tooltip not mentioning Royal Guardsmen
- Fixed Archery Range tooltip not mentioning Door-Wardens of Edoras
*crosses fingers*
Posted on April 19, 2010, by Nertea. View Comments (15)
News - Patch 0.55 Released!
Posted on April 18, 2010, by Nertea. View Comments (7)
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 (7)
News - Upcoming New Unit Showcase The Second
Posted on April 5, 2010, by Nertea. View Comments (32)
The patch will be delayed some days, I'm not exactly sure how many. In consolation, I'll present the actual new units for Rohan and Isengard.
Riding into battle on the best steeds Rohan can offer, the Royal Guardsmen can go toe to toe with any cavalry in the game and win. A specialized formation also lets them disrupt foot troops effectively. They are expensive however, and limited to two units on the field at once. Royal Guardsmen also have the Sons of Eorl passive special ability, which grants them +50% to the effectiveness of any Leadership bonus recieved from a Rohan hero. They are purchased at a Rank 3 Stable, and can receive the Banners upgrade - all the others are inherent.
Skilled at defence, a second branch of the King's Royal Guard is dedicated to the defence of Rohan's capital. These warriors are strong, having access to two useful abilities - Defenders of Rohan gives them bonuses when near friendly Farms, and Lock Shields gives them bonuses to their already formidable combat capabilties. They can recieve the Banners upgrade, and are purchased at a Rank 3 Archery Range. Like their mounted cousins, only 2 units can be active at once.
You'll just have to wait and see!
The Scouts of Isengard are tough, fast and nasty. Elite troopers, they can switch between short-ranged but deadly bows and swords and shields. Scouts are important as they are now the only Isengard unit that can get Fire Arrows. They also have a much higher attack rate that the sluggish Crossbowmen, so are better on the move. A Rank 3 Uruk Pit is needed to train Scouts. They can purchase Forged Blades, Fire Arrows and Banners. The lack of Heavy Armor makes them better skirmish troops than frontline ones, though they are intrinsically tough.
Posted on April 5, 2010, by Nertea. View Comments (32)