Regular Unit Changes
In RotWk you had the following troop types at your disposal
- Swordsmen
- PIkemen
- Archers
- Cavalry
- Monsters
- Flying Creatures
- Siege Weapons
the class system will be changed in Wars of Arda to the following
Man at Arms
The Most basic infantry. Armed with swords, axes, short spears or simple pitchforcs and tools.
Pikeman
Infantrymen armed with long spears. They are effective against light and heavy cavalry, and some monsters.
Scout
A scout may be mounted or unmounted and may carry any weapon. The size of the group they come in varies by faction. Some scouts are not equipped for combat, and are purely for recon (for example Gondors scout) while some scouts are well equipped and function almost as an elite unit (Marchwardens, Uruk Hai Scouts). All have 2 factors in common. All are stealthed, and all have a long vision range.
Archer
Archers will no longer be the most devestating units in your arsenal. They will be significantly reduced in terms of accuracy, with the least skilled archers (peasants, goblins) shooting with about 30-40% accuracy, while the most elite basic archers (Mirkwoods) will shoot at about 60%. A few elite special units (for example archer royal guards in the Quest of Erebor era Mirkwood core faction) will have higher accuracy. This change will cause archers to become more of a support unit. Dont worry, hero archers wont miss, so Legolas will still look a right show off!
Crossbowman
Crossbowmen will have a slower firing rate, and a shorter range than archers, but will do good damage and will be the most accurate ranged units, although they will still miss.
Skirmisher
Skirmishers are infantry armed with throwing weapons (spears, axes etc). They will be the shortest ranged ranged units, but will be the most powerful, and the better skirmishers will also have knockback, making them useful for disrupting enemy formations.
Light Cavalry
Light cavalry will be faster cheaper cavalry, usually armed with lances. They will have good trample, but will be less effective in melee combat.
Heavy Cavalry
These are slower more expensive cavalry. They will however be very effective in melee combat, surviving far longer than light cavalry.
Ranged Cavalry (Archers/Skirmishers)
Light cavalry armed with bows or throwing spears. they are faster and more mobile than regular archers/skirmishers, but are a little less accurate. Will have the worst trample of all cavalry units.
Creatures
The characteristics of creatures will var from creature to creature.
Flying Creature
What can i say, a big flappy thing.
Siege Weapon
See "siege warfare".