Whether you are an experienced Dwarven player or completely new to Dwarves, this guide should help you become better online or against the AI.
Dwarves is a very unique faction, being both strong and slow. Mines are used to counter their lack of speed, which gives a huge advantage to Dwarven units. Guardians, the basic infantry unit of the Dwarves, are stronger than any other basic infantry unit in the game. Dwarven buildings have more health than other factions’ buildings, which is a huge advantage. Dwarven heroes are similar to Dwarven units in that they are slow but incredibly strong. Most heroes are also effective at destroying buildings.
His level 1 Slam can damage a building or a clump of units with great effect. This power is best on resource structures or neutral lairs.
Gloin’s level 4 Shake Foundation can severely damage buildings and deactivate them for 10 seconds. This power works well against any structure, and can often one-hit-kill resource buildings or towers. This is also useful against a fortress, removing a large chunk of its health and preventing it from firing arrows for a precious 10 seconds. With a 60 second recharge time, this power is incredibly useful.
Gloin’s level 10 Shatter Hammer is his final power and is immensely powerful. Its only drawbacks are the fact that you have to get to level 10 to use it and its long recharge time of 120 seconds. Otherwise, this is an amazing power that can be used effectively against structures or units.
His level 1 Leadership gives nearby units +50% armor and damage, and doubles their experience gain rate. This power is useful in that it will keep your troops alive longer and make them dish out more damage. Dain’s Leadership can often be the deciding factor in any battle.
Dain’s level 4 Mighty Rage buffs both units and heroes, giving them +25% speed and damage. Its long recharge time is a drawback, but otherwise this power is extremely useful in almost any circumstance.
His level 7 Stubborn Pride makes nearby units immune to fear, which protects them from abilities such as the Fellbeast Screech or Shelob’s Instill Terror. This is useful when facing an evil faction, but otherwise does not have much use.
King Dain’s level 10 Summon Royal Guard summons six battalions of dwarves to his side. This power is useful for defending Dain when he has low health or for occupying the enemy while flanking from the side.
His level 1 Axe Throw is useful for taking out a troublesome troll or an enemy hero with low health. It has a low recharge time of 30 seconds, so can be used often.
Gimli’s level 2 Leap can disrupt an enemy formation and kill a lot of units. This power is most useful when Gimli is surrounded, creating a gap for him to escape.
Gimli’s level 5 Slayer gives him a major buff, increasing his attack by 200% and attack speed by 100%. This is extremely useful in killing enemy heroes or units with heavy armor.
Build Order: Forward Mine, Hall of Warriors, Mine, Gloin, Mine, Guardians, Guardians
Build Order: Mine, Forward Forge Works, Mine, Hall of Warriors, Mine, Demolisher, Demolisher
Build Order: Forward Mine, Hall of Warriors, Mine, Guardians, Guardians, Mine, Phalanx, Guardians
I hope this guide has helped you become a better player. Dwarves are arguably the best faction, and mastering them is essential to playing online. If you have any questions or suggestions for the guide, please post here.
But that does not mean that I walked alone. ~ Brandon Sanderson
[This message has been edited by Blatant7 (edited 01-03-2009 @ 06:33 PM).]