LotR Rise to War Factions Guide

There are currently 12 LotR Rise to War Factions. Which ones are available to be picked will depend on the season you are in. Each is visually distinct, while also having its own set of special talents and powers.

Choosing the one that suits your playstyle the most is crucial and is one of the pitfalls that new players fall into. This guide will assist you in determining which LoTR Rise to War faction will be the best one for YOU.

Choosing the Best LotR Rise to War Faction

At the start of each new LotR Rise to War Season, players are allowed to choose their faction. The faction you choose will have a huge impact on your gameplay for the rest of the season. There are 3 key things to consider when making the choice:

• Faction Location.
• Faction Buffs.
• Good/Evil Factions.

Please note, that the factions available to be chosen will differ from season to season. You can see more details on factions availability in our Rise to War Faction List, at the bottom of this post, and in our LotR Rise to War Seasons Guide.

LotR Rise to War Faction Locations

Each Faction in Lord of the Rings: Rise to War has a distinct spawn spot on the map giving it certain advantages and disadvantages. For new players, it can be wise to pick a faction in a safer spot that is not bordered by too many rival factions. Whilst players looking for a faster route to PvP may want to choose a Rise to War Faction that is the opposite.

LotR Rise to War Faction Buffs

Each LotR Rise to War Faction has unique buffs and units. We outline these further down in this Rise to War Faction Guide and they should be carefully examined when making your decision.

For example, players focused on city building may want to choose Gondor for the construction speed buff. Whilst those focused on PvP may want to choose Erebor for the conscription/hiring time reduction buff.

LotR Rise to War Good/Evil Factions

Each faction in LotR Rise to War will have an allegiance to Good or Evil. This will determine the factions that you must battle against, the troops you can use, and which commanders are available to you.

The choice here is more likely to be personal preference. For example maybe you just really want to play with a certain commander that is only available with an evil faction or with a troop type that is only available with a good faction.

Changing LotR Rise to War Faction

If you have chosen a faction that you do not like, you are in luck and can change your faction mid-season. However, you should know that changing your mind in Lord Of The Rings Rise To War will cost you!

The steps to do this couldn’t be easier though there is a cost of 1,500 Gems to complete it. To complete a faction change in LotR Rise to War just follow the below instructions:

• Click on your settlement.
• Select your main hall building.
• Click on the arrows next to the faction banner.
• Select ok and confirm the change.

Before doing this though, you should consider if the 1,500 Gem cost is really worth it along with the other costs outlined below:

• Occupied tiles.
• Titles.
• Faction troops will be converted into your new factions troops.

Lastly, when changing factions you are unable to change your allegiance. In other words, if you chose an Evil LotR Rise to War Faction at the start of the season, you may only change to another evil faction.

LoTR Rise To War Factions List

As mentioned previously, there are now a total of 12 factions in LotR Rise to War. At launch, there were only 10 and it seems likely that more will come in the future. Read below for all the details on each faction.

Lindon

• Location: Western Coast
• Capital: Grey Havens
• Race: Elves
• First Commander: Gil-galad
• Faction Bonus: Praised Land – wood, grain collection yield +10%
• Special Unit: Noldor Longshot
• Allegiance: Good
• Season Availability: 1,2,3, and 5.

Lindon is an Elven faction that features some great ranged troops. However, their bonus is not the best for a PvP-focused player. Despite this, their position is extremely safe, as they are tucked into the North-Western corner of the map, behind friendly Arnor. Therefore, it’s not a bad choice for a novice who doesn’t want to get squashed too early.

For more detail on this faction. check out our LotR Rise to War Lindon Faction Guide. It includes tips on how best to play with this faction, an analysis of their faction buff, and information on faction troops.

Arnor

• Location: Western Plains
• Capital: Annuminas
• Race: Humans
• First Commander: Faramir
• Faction Bonus: Land of Kings – construction cost -5%
• Special Unit: Ranger of the North
• Allegiance: Good
• Season Availability: 1,2,3, and 5.

Arnor is a LotR Rise to War Faction best chosen by those looking for a real challenge. They are faced to their east by both Angmar and Isengard but only possess a development-focused buff that reduces construction costs by 5%. This faction is not recommended for beginners.

For more detail on this faction. check out our LotR Rise to War Arnor Faction Guide. It includes tips on how best to play with this faction, an analysis of their faction buff, and information on faction troops.

Rohan

• Location: Central Plains
• Capital: Edoras
• Race: Humans
• First Commander: Eowyn
• Faction Bonus: Forth Eorlingas – army march speed +3%
• Special Unit: Marshal
• Allegiance: Good
• Season Availability: 1,2,3,4, and 5.

Rohan is situated close to the middle of the map, between Isengard and Gondor. So again, unfriendly and friendly neighbors. The 3% march speed bonus gives a surprisingly big advantage during fights with other players.

This faction is recommended for beginners trying to learn the game because it makes the combat with others much more forgiving.

For more detail on this faction. check out our LotR Rise to War Rohan Faction Guide. It includes tips on how best to play with this faction, an analysis of their faction buff, and information on faction troops.

Gondor

• Location: Southern Plains
• Capital: Minas Tirith
• Race: Humans
• First Commander: Faramir
• Faction Bonus: Land of Stone – construction time -5%
• Special Unit: Swan Knight
• Allegiance: Good
• Season Availability: 1,2,3,4, and 5.

Swan Knights make superb mounted infantry and are highly effective as defensive tanks. Gondor is situated next to Mordor and Rohan. This faction is great for defensive players who want to help hold tactical battle lines.

For more detail on this faction. check out our LotR Rise to War Gondor Faction Guide. It includes tips on how best to play with this faction, an analysis of their faction buff, and information on faction troops.

Lothlorien

• Location: Northern Plains
• Capital: Caras Galadhon
• Race: Elves
• First Commander: Haldir
• Faction Bonus: Elven Wisdom – compander EXP gain +5%
• Special Unit: Marchwarden
• Allegiance: Good
• Season Availability: 1,2,3,4, and 5.

Lothlorien features some of the best-ranged troops in the game. It’s situated next to friendly Erebor and enemy Rhun, which can easily turn into a 2v1 situation for Lothlorien and Erebor.

However, the commander exp bonus only comes into play if you win a lot of fights, and to win those you need to know what you are doing. Therefore this faction is recommended mainly for seasoned players.

For more detail on this faction. check out our LotR Rise to War Lothlorien Faction Guide. It includes tips on how best to play with this faction, an analysis of their faction buff, and information on faction troops.

Erebor

• Location: Northeastern Mountains
• Capital: Erebor
• Race: Dwarves
• First Commander: Dwalin
• Faction Bonus: Sons of Durin – conscription/hiring time -5%
• Special Unit: Iron Warrior
• Allegiance: Good
• Season Availability: 1,2,3,4, and 5.

Erebor’s special unit type is the Iron Warrior, another extremely tanky melee unit. They are situated just above Lothlorien, near the North-Eastern corner of the map.

If one knows how to win sieges, position troops, and what to attack first, then the 5% faster troop acquisition is one step away from game-breaking.

For more detail on this faction. check out our LotR Rise to War Erebor Faction Guide. It includes tips on how best to play with this faction, an analysis of their faction buff, and information on faction troops.

Angmar

• Location: Northwestern Mountains
• Capital: Carn Dûm
• Race: Orcs, Trolls, and Humans
• First Commander: Agzok
• Faction Bonus: Steel Home – siege damage +5%
• Special Unit: Fallen
• Allegiance: Evil
• Season Availability: 1,2,3, and 5.

Angmar is definitely one of the better aggressive factions in the game thanks to the bonus siege damage. They are also situated relatively close to the comparatively weak Arnor. A good Rise to War Faction to practice your PvP skills with.

For more detail on this faction. check out our LotR Rise to War Angmar Faction Guide. It includes tips on how best to play with this faction, an analysis of their faction buff, and information on faction troops.

Isengard

• Location: Central Plains
• Capital: Orthanc
• Race: Orcs
• First Commander: Ugthak
• Faction Bonus: Ring of Iron – conscription/hiring cost -10%
• Special Unit: Snaga Thrak
• Allegiance: Evil
• Season Availability: 1,2,3,4, and 5.

Isengard is located between 3 rival factions – Rohan, Arnor, and Lindon. Players who select them will face a lot of PvP but should be able to build troops fast. Only recommended for experienced players.

For more detail on this faction. check out our LotR Rise to War Isengard Faction Guide. It includes tips on how best to play with this faction, an analysis of their faction buff, and information on faction troops.

Mordor

• Location: Southeastern Plains
• Capital: Barad-dûr
• Race: Orcs
• First Commander: Gorbag
• Faction Bonus: Land of Darkness – resource production +5%
• Special Unit: Ravager
• Allegiance: Evil
• Season Availability: 1,2,3,4, and 5.

The Ravager is a very tanky unit that can deal a lot of damage. However, they are very slow in terms of movement speed and therefore best used in defense.

Mordor is also situated only near one enemy, Gondor, and therefore can suit a defensive player biding their time and building up an army for a late-game push.

For more detail on this faction. check out our LotR Rise to War Mordor Faction Guide. It includes tips on how best to play with this faction, an analysis of their faction buff, and information on faction troops.

Rhun

• Location: Eastern Plains
• Capital: Kineland
• Race: Humans
• First Commander: Khaldoon
• Faction Bonus: Eastern Traveler – damage dealt to non-player armies +10%
• Special Unit: War Chariot
• Allegiance: Evil
• Season Availability: 1,2,3,4, and 5.

Rhun is located in the North-Eastern corner of the map. Pretty much cornered by the LotR Rise to War Factions Erebor and Lothlorien. Not a place to be when you are new to the game. However, some seasoned players can work wonders with increased stamina recovery.

For more detail on this faction. check out our LotR Rise to War Rhun Faction Guide. It includes tips on how best to play with this faction, an analysis of their faction buff, and information on faction troops.

Gundabad

• Location: Northern Mountains
• Capital: Gundabad
• Race: Goblins
• First Commander:
• Faction Bonus: Underground Hall – storage space +10%
• Special Unit: Warlord
• Allegiance: Evil
• Season Availability: 3,4, and 5.

Unlocked in Season 3, Gundabad is in a good position for players to enjoy some quick PvP with Lothlorien and Erebor directly to their east. However, expansion can be slow due to Angmar also being positioned to their West.

For more detail on this faction. check out our LotR Rise to War Gundabad Faction Guide. It includes tips on how best to play with this faction, an analysis of their faction buff, and information on faction troops.

Variags

• Location: Eastern Plains
• Capital:
• Race: Humans
• First Commander:
• Faction Bonus: Furtive Mercenary – sweep EXP and resources +15%
• Special Unit: Champion
• Allegiance: Evil
• Season Availability: 3 and 5.

Another Season 3 unlock, the Variags faction is located to the far east of the map. They are far from the action with Mordor and Rhun their closest LotR Rise to War Factions.

Additionally, their faction bonus is much more suited for development. Therefore, Variags should only be picked by experienced players or those looking for a slower-paced game.

For more detail on this faction. check out our LotR Rise to War Variags Faction Guide. It includes tips on how best to play with this faction, an analysis of their faction buff, and information on faction troops.

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