A relatively weak roster early on, but later-game development gives them access to viciously effective Uruk-Hai units, including the specialized pike units that will give them a huge advantage over Rohan. Dominion of Isengard - Balanced/Industrialist: Has access to a wider variety of troops relative to Orc factions and even Mordor.Evolves to more of Generalist faction later on, with access to strong swordsmen and spearmen units, as well as fast cavalry. Dale - Ranger early on, with no real ability to produce strong melee troops, and a corresponding reliance on archers and skirmishers.Arnor - Elitist/Generalist: Has the strongest (non-Elf) units in the game all-round.
Free Peoples Of Eriador - Guerilla/Ranger: Many units are cheap but comparatively weak in straight-up fights, with emphasis on light infantry, militia, and Dunedain Rangers.They also have access to and focus on securing mineral-rich mountain territories. Elitist due to the effectiveness and costliness of their high-tier units. Dwarves - Elitist/Brute Force/Economist: The Dwarves have the best heavy infantry in the game bar none, with no cavalry and few archers.For example, you can completely avert the Balrog's spawning in Moria if you kill the leader and heir of the Orcs of the Misty Mountains, thus eliminating the entire faction by turning all of their settlements neutral.
This can be bypassed if you manage to kill the factions' leadership before attacking the city, through either open battle or assassination.