Your First Skirmish

Second-watcher Heathstraw is holed up in a small fortification just outside a snowy, wintery South Bree Gate. Speak with him and again, be sure to read everything so you don’t miss out on important details! He’ll instruct you to use the horn sitting next to him. This will grant you a pair of new skills – Summon Soldier and Direct Soldier. They do exactly what they sound like. Use your Summon Soldier Skill to get your first look at your new partner in mayhem. Sure, he looks a little raw. Maybe he’s not as disciplined as you, but he has potential. Time to put him to work!

Head out from the stockade, and you’ll come upon a pair of unsavory types guarding a large banner. Take down the guards and claim the gate in the name of the Free Peoples of Middle-earth. Congratulations! You’ve just taken a control point and earned some Skirmish Marks!

You probably also noticed your Soldier is nowhere to be found. Don’t worry too much about him; he’s rambunctious and prone to getting into trouble. If he doesn’t survive the assault, just wait until you’re out of combat and re-summon him.

If you find your Soldier is running headlong into trouble or not helping out as much as he should be, try using the Direct Soldier skill. It will give your partner a little direction on what he should be attacking or healing, but keep in mind, Soldiers aren’t trained fighters. They’re just average citizens trying to help out as best they can.

Tip: You can summon your Soldier either with the Summon Soldier skill or by clicking on the round Soldier icon on your screen. This icon is only visible in areas where you can summon your Soldier.

You can also use that button to call your Soldier to your side if he should wander off. It’s useful for when your Soldier goes tearing off after some Brigand and can’t find his way back.