The Lord of the Rings: Rise to War best units

Our guide to The Lord of the Rings: Rise to War best units will help you choose which forces to focus on in the early stages of this mobile strategy game. The latest title set in Middle-Earth is a surprisingly layered geographical military sim. As such, you’ll want to perfect your balance of units to produce the most effective attack on enemy soil.

That’s where our handy best units guide steps in. We’ll break down each and every unit type in the game, including those exclusive to certain factions, so you know which are best tailored to your approach. It’ll give you the knowledge you’ll need to head straight into the in-game barracks and start training up units of your choice. The One Ring will be yours in no time - we’re sure of it.

Middle-Earth fans rejoice, as Rise to War is a mobile entry in the hit franchise that’ll keep you busy for countless hours. If you’re new to mobile, check out our Genshin Impact tier list and AFK Arena tier list for help in two other games. That's alongside a YuGiOh Master Duel deck list as well!

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The Lord of the Rings: Rise to War best units

First things first, it’s worth mentioning that these are the base units that you’ll get to use regardless of which faction you select. Of course, there will be cosmetic differences, but these units will perform the same in all factions.

Hunter

Type: Ranged
Base level: 15-16 damage, 18 HP, 86 speed
Evolves to: Marksman, Sentinel

First up is the Hunter, the base ranged units in The Lord of the Rings: Rise to War. As you can see, they aren’t the most effective unit, with negligible damage and low HP. However, their quick speed for a base unit means they’ll be useful, purely through brute force and sheer numbers. As you upgrade Hunters, they’ll get increasingly more useful - but they start off pretty weak.

Horseback Archer

Type: Ranged
Base level: 21-23 damage, 56 HP, 127 speed
Evolves to: Cavalry Archer, Bow Knight

The Horseback Archers are the second base unit, with stats that greatly surpass Hunters. These are ranged units too, shooting arrows from horseback. However, it’s worth mentioning that you’ll get fewer Horseback Archers in each squadron, as they train at a slower rate than Hunters. While they appear in smaller numbers, they’ll be individually stronger than the Hunter alternative.

Outrider

Type: Melee
Base level: 26-37 damage, 76 HP, 139 speed
Progresses to: Cavalier

The third base unit is the Outrider, a sword-wielding soldier on horseback. Speed is the key here, with Outriders being able to charge into battle and slash at opponents, with respectable HP stats to boot. The only downside is the amount of resources you’ll need to conscript them, taking 2,600 wood, 3,400 metal, and 5,200 grain. That’s no small cost, but the reward is an immensely powerful unit.

Warden

Type: Melee
Base level: 12-24 damage, 28 HP, 80 speed
Progresses to: Herald

These units wield swords and shields, meaning they’re somewhat tougher for opponents to defeat than other troops marching on foot. That said, the low HP and damage on Level 1 Wardens makes them a risky choice, as they might not do the trick in the heat of battle.

• Read more: Our The Lord of the Rings: Rise to War best factions guide

Bowman

Type: Ranged
Base level: 9-15 damage, 20 HP, 80 speed
Progresses to: Longbowman, Sharpshooter

Speed is once more the focus with this ranged unit, as their generally low damage and HP means it won’t take many hits to send them to the Apothecary. However, they’re very easy to train up, and once upgraded, Sharpshooters are much more potent in battle - if still a little bit weak.

Militia

Type: Melee
Base level: 8-13 damage, 24 HP, 89 speed
Progresses to: Spearman, Guard of the Tower

The Militia unit is best for padding out your forces, ensuring you’ve got enough sheer numbers to simply overwhelm your opponent. That’s because its attacking stats really aren’t something to marvel at, with pitiful damage that only rises to 12-15 when fully upgraded. If you want units to soak up damage, then they’re useful - but don’t expect them to win a fight for you.

Horseman

Type: Melee
Base level: 15-23 damage, 65 HP, 132 speed
Progresses to: Knight, Cataphract

While not quite as powerful as the Horseback Archer, this steed-riding unit will provide solid attacking stats while also soaking up a respectable amount of damage. Later progressions of this unit become slightly more cumbersome with lower speed, but the increase in damage, to a blistering 26-35, makes up for this. The Horseman is certainly a unit to bear in mind for melee fighters.

Dunlending

Type: Melee
Base level: 18-22 damage, 38 HP, 95 speed

These are a group of human warriors with a proficiency for melee combat, arriving in the game in season 2. Little is know about their progression trees quite yet, but they're a solid, middle-tier attacking unit to overwhelm enemies.

Warbeast

Type: Melee
Base level: 325-350 damage, 1150 HP, 48 speed

Another addition in season 2, these huge four-legged creatures are some of the strongest in the game. Not only do they deal blistering damage when charging on opponents, but they can take a lot of punishment, too. They're very hard to recruit though, meaning you won't get too many in your ranks.

Hobbit Hunter

Type: Ranged
Base level: 11-15 damage, 25 HP, 112 speed

Donning capes and armed with bows, this band of courageous hobbits won't do much damage, but will work efficiently in large numbers. They made their way into the game when season 2 rolled around.

Bree Rider

Type: Melee
Base level: 35-40 damage, 90 HP, 121 speed

This cavalry unit is especially powerful against magical enemies, proving particularly effective when battling witchcraft. Riding horses and wielding swords, they're a particularly fast-moving unit too, making them one to consider consigning. These also came out alongside the season 2 update.

Keeper

Type: Melee

Base level: 20-25 damage, 25 HP, 105 speed

This unit arrived in season 3, and as per the stats, is one of the more middling choices you could make. They work well in batches due to the reasonable speed stats, but being able to take such little damage is a downside. Especially compared to the Bree Rider above, it's hard to see why you'd want to go for the Keeper - unless you can get some good upgrades in, of course.

Seafarer

Type: Melee

Base level: 18-21 damage, 33 HP, 85 speed

This unit comes from Gondor, and while their stats may not look too impressive on paper, it's the Seafarer's special ability that makes them worth it. In one-on-one fights they get a 50% damage boost, and can even provide a health buff to commanders if they're fighting alongside them. In terms of sheer strategy, it's hard not to recommend the Seafarer.

Vanguard

Type: Melee

Base stats: 35-40 damage, 85 HP, 65 speed

What the Vanguard lacks in speed, it certainly makes up for in brutal attacking potency. Even without any upgrades they're a fearsome unit that can dish out a bunch of damage, and with 78 defense on top of that, they can take a lot of punishment too. The only drawback is that they're a tier IV unit, so you'll need to grind quite hard to unlock them.

Wraith

Type: Melee

Base stats: 23-24 damage, 30 HP, 80 speed

As with the Seafarer, the Wraith's most powerful ability comes from how they can alter the battlefield. In fact, they halve enemy defense abilities, so you can then send out tank units to deal some serious damage. Combined with solid speed, they can zip around the battlefield wreaking havoc.

Spirit of the Wood

Type: Ranged

Base stats: 65-75 damage, 70 HP, 75 speed

Compared to the other units you're about to meet, the Spirit of the Wood is a comparatively hard sell. These units will do the trick if you need ranged forces to fend off attacks from afar, but don't expect them to hold up when things get close-quarters.

Werewolf

Type: Melee

Base stats: 700-800 damage, 2100 HP, 150 speed

Simply put, the Werewolf is one of the best units in the entire game. Roaming around in packs of two, these beasts do a searing amount of damage and can soak up plenty of punishment to boot. As a tier 4 unit they'll be hard to get, but you should definitely try.

Cold Drake

Type: Melee

Base stats: 1100-1200 damage, 6000 HP, 110 speed

This slimy reptile is another fantastic ttacking addition to any military fleet. Boasting almost undefeatable HP stats and a mean attack to boot, you'll definitely want a few Cold Drakes on your team. As with the Werewolf though, it's very tough to unlock.

Depths Defender

Type: Melee

Base stats: 40-50 damage, 80 HP, 85 speed

This pack of dwarven soldiers is also not as effective as some of the other units out there. They'll do if you're short on resources and cannot conscript some top-tier melee units like the Werewolf or Cold Drake, but otherwise you may be best off looking elsewhere.

War Drummer

Type: Melee

Base stats: 10-30 damage, 30 HP, 90 speed

These melee units aren't the strongest when it comes to combat, though they can move quite quickly across the battlefield. If you want to swamp your enemy early on by sending fast warriors to flank them, War Drummers can do the job.

Spear Thrower

Type: Ranged

Base stats: 20-28 damage, 35 HP, 65 speed

The Spear Thrower is one of the most solid mid-range units in the entire game. They can send shots flinging through the field fairly quickly, but don't expect them to soak up much punishment before dying.

Shire Protector

Type: Melee

Base stats: 30-34 damage, 88 HP, 125 speed

These horse-riding hobbits are a very good suggestion for commanders to use. Not only do they move incredibly quickly, but they can also take plenty of punishment before going down. They're tough to conscript, but definitely worth looking into.

Woodman

Type: Melee

Base stats: 16-24 damage, 40 HP, 85 speed

These human units go very well alongside dwarves, though without that pairing they aren't the best when it comes to damage. Simply put, there are a few better melee unit choices out there.

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Faction-exclusive units

Ranger

Type: Melee
Base level - 14-20 damage, 30 HP, 100 speed
Progresses to: Dúnedain

The Ranger is part of the species of Man and is only unlockable when you join up with the Arnor faction. There’s a consistent mid-level performance here, with solid attacking stats that will slowly whittle down an opponent’s health. However, HP is notably low, and you’ll find that Rangers die very easily. That speed statistic is worth noting though, as they can zip around the battlefield faster than most on-foot troops.

Dwarven Footman

Type: Melee
Base level: 8-11 damage, 26 HP, 86 speed
Progresses to: Shieldbearer, Guardian

Dwarves are some of the most beloved soldiers in Middle-Earth, though the low damage of their Rise to War units makes them a pretty hard sell. They can soak up plenty of damage thanks to a respectable Defence stat once fully upgraded, but the lack of attacking potency means they might not perform well. If you’re the kind of player looking for a hardy and strong team, they can take punishment - but they can’t really dish it out.

Axe Thrower

Type: Ranged
Base level: 1-21 damage, 22 HP, 77 speed
Progresses to: Heavy Axe Thrower, Master Thrower

These dwarven units are, excuse the pun, equally hit-and-miss. Their utility comes more from the onslaught of throwable items on the battlefield than their damage stats, as a missed or inaccurate throw will result in negligible damage to your opponents. However, speed is the key for this unit, meaning they can roam around quickly and push up the battlefield, helping you take more territory while keeping the pressure on enemy forces.

Goat Rider

Type: Melee
Base level: 24-28 damage, 82 HP, 96 speed
Progresses to: Ram Rider

Yes, you read that right - this dwarven unit does its military business on goats. What’s even more surprising is how effective they are in battle, with consistent, if slightly low, damage stats and solid HP to boot. They can soak up plenty of enemy pressure while also dishing out a decent amount of punishment themselves, made even stronger when upgraded. They require a lot of resources to conscript, but the in-battle results will make it all worth it.

Ravager

This unit is exclusive to players who select Mordor as their faction. Their strength lies in damage and speed, with much better performance than base troops. However, that burst of power doesn’t last long, as Ravagers have low base HP stats, meaning they can be defeated quite easily in battle.

Swan Knight

This Gondor-exclusive unit is a particularly wise choice for defensive players. As a contrast to Ravagers, the Swan Knight is most proficient in soaking up damage and holding the fort for more attack-minded units to wreak havoc.

Marshal

The Marshal unit is exclusive to Rohan, with speed at the focus of its ability. The Marshal can blast across the battlefield faster than other units, dealing out high levels of damage in the process. The issue with Marshals, as you’ll see with a lot of Rise to War’s ground-based units, is their resistance to punishment. They’ll go down quickly - but they’ll also dish out plenty of damage before they do.

Marchwarden

The Marchwarden unit is exclusive to Lothlórien, with high damage stats combining with a ranged approach. If this sounds like a quality combination on paper, that’s because it is. Being able to rattle off shots from a safe distance is crucial to whittling down the enemies in front of you. As such, the Marchwarden is one of the strongest exclusive units in the game and is certainly one to keep in mind.

Iron Warrior

If you’re looking for a unit that can take almost all the punishment your enemies throw at it, then the Iron Warrior might be the best choice in The Lord of the Rings: Rise to War. This unit is exclusive to Erebor, home of the dwarves, and can provide a solid backbone to any fleet you send out to invade nearby territories. While Erebor isn’t the best location in the game, the benefit of having the Iron Warriors might be enough to balance out those geographical flaws.

Snaga Thrak

All Lord of the Rings fans know that Isengard isn’t the most welcoming place in Middle-Earth. In fact, it’s the home of Saruman and his seeing stone in the films and books. The good news is that if you choose Isengard, you’ll unlock the exclusive Snaga Thrak unit. Speed is an issue here, as the Snaga Thrak aren’t particularly quick, but the damage and HP stats certainly make it a troop worth considering.

Noldor Longshot

The Noldor Longshot is a unit that you’ll unlock if you pick the faction in Lindon. It’s the mountainous home of the High Elves, and as such the Noldor Longshot focuses on bow and arrow combat. Ranged attacks are the focus here, alongside speed - but as with other bow-minded units, defence and HP are at a premium here. Use your Noldor Longshot troops wisely, as they won’t withstand much punishment.

Fallen

The ominously named Fallen is a unit exclusive to those choosing the Angmar faction. Nicknamed the Steel Home, you can probably guess the Fallen’s strength. They’re highly proficient in sword and blade-based combat, which is good for speed but often leads to slash attacks that aren’t particularly effective. The Fallen would be a useful unit if you’ve got plenty of ranged attackers to complement it, but on their own the impact might be slightly understated.

War Chariot

Next is the War Chariot, a special unit you get if you select the Rhun region. A horse riding special unit, sheer firepower and brute strength is the focus here. As you might expect, speed is also very prominent with the War Chariot. However, it’s worth noting that not all of these troops are immediately unlockable. As such, you’ll have to play a significant amount before you’re eligible to unlock the War Chariot.

Champion

The Champion unit is exclusively availabile in the Variags faction. These horse-mounted soldiers are a Melee unit, who can move incredibly quickly and land solid damage as well. With a solid 90 HP, they can take a reasonable amount of enemy punishment, and as such they're worth considering if you opt to conquer Variags.

Warlord

The Warlord is exclusive to Gunabad, and this orcish unit is just as fearsome as it sounds. The main downfall is a pitiful 10 HP, meaning they can't get hit too many times before going down. However, wielding heavy axes means they can equally deal a lot of damage - but generally speaking, their lack of defense makes them very easy to defeat.

Beserker

The Beserker is exclusively available to the Uruk-hai from Isengard, as a tier three unit to send into battle. Crucially, Beserkers cannot be stunned, and can also land plenty of early-match damage to give you an instant advantage over your adversaries. If you're going for an attack-first strategy, the Beserker is a great choice.

Half-Troll

As you'd likely expect, the Half-Troll is a behemoth of a villainous unit. Its two main attacks are just as powerful as you'd hope. Deep Wounds causes DoT bleed damage to your adversaries, while Mental Training will temporarily make your unit immune to Stun.

Some other units who are announced but lack concrete details are as follows:

• Alchemist
• Reaper
• Mountain Troll

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How do I select exclusive units in the Lord of the Rings: Rise to War?

Broadly speaking, the special units detailed in this guide are unlockable once you choose your faction in The Lord of the Rings: Rise to War. For example, if you choose the Arnor faction when you go through the tutorial, you’ll be able to enlist Ranger troops in your Barracks.

However, as a geography-based strategy game where only one player can pick each region within a server, there are times you won’t be able to select an in-demand faction, as somebody else might already have it. If that’s the case, you won’t be able to access the special unit within that faction. You’ll have two options: either choose a different faction and enjoy those special units, or join a different server to try your chances again.

How do I keep up with the Lord of the Rings: Rise to War?

As it's still a very new and popular game, there's plenty of online communities surrounding The Lord of the Rings: Rise to War. These are great resources to check for any new units or factions, so you can expand your military might even further.

First, we recommend the game's official Twitter page. It's constantly updated with detailed guides on each faction and their leader, and will definitely share new units as and when they release. On top of that, it's a good idea to check out the game's Facebook page, and the official website, too. All of those make for brilliant Rise to War reading, and will help you stay on top of which units are most powerful.

Equally, now is a great time to dive into The Lord of the Rings: Rise to War. The upcoming fourth season is here, and we already know the four neutral units that will be accessible for all factions. They are as follows:

• Dale Watchman
• Hunter
• Hill-Troll

We don't know much about their stats or abilities just yet, though they should be in the game in the very near future for you to try out. Keep an eye out for new details very soon, and happy battling!