Character Kit Reveal - Lord Balin

“It seems to be a record of the fortunes of Balin's folk,' [Gandalf] said. 'I guess that it began with their coming to Dimrill Dale nigh on thirty years ago.... Listen to this! 'We drove out orcs from the great gate and guard room — we slew many in the bright sun in the dale… We have taken the twentyfirst hall of North end to dwell in… Balin has set up his seat in the Chamber of Mazarbul.'” - The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring.

Character Name: Lord Balin
Alignment: Light
Faction: Balin’s Expedition
Categories: Light, Support, Dwarf, Balin's Expedition, Two-Handed Heavy, Leader
Weapon Type: Two-Handed Heavy
Description: His throne in Moria obtained, Lord Balin must still battle Orcs and other Moria denizens for his right to keep it.

Abilities:

Basic: Strength of Durin

Ability Description at unlock: Attack the target enemy for 90% damage and 50% chance to cleanse 1 Bane(s) from 1 random squad member.

Ability Description at max upgrade: Attack the target enemy for 190% damage and cleanse 1 Bane(s) from 1 random squad member.

Special Ability 1: Dwarven Sundering

Ability stamina cost: 3

Ability stamina at battle start: 3

Ability Description at unlock: Attack the target enemy for 150% damage and an additional 10% damage per Boon on self, up to a max of 5 Boons for 50% additional damage.

Ability Description at max upgrade: Attack the target enemy for 330% damage and an additional 30% damage per Boon on self, up to a max of 5 Boons for 150% additional damage. 50% chance per Elf ally to gain 1 stack of Nimble.

Special Ability 2: Mazarbul’s Reckoning

Ability stamina cost: 4

Ability stamina at battle start: 4

Note: Ability stamina cost and at battle start reduces to 3 at Rank 4.

Ability Description at unlock: Cleanse 1 Bane(s) from all squad members. 50% chance to grant 1 stack(s) of Regeneration for 1 turn(s) to all squad members.

Ability Description at max upgrade: Cleanse 2 Bane(s) from all Dwarf and Elf squad members and 1 Bane(s) from all other allies. Grant 2 stack(s) of Regeneration for 2 turn(s) to all squad members.

Passive: Faith and Loyalty

Ability Description at unlock: If Rúmil and Orophin are allies, the first time this character receives a Fatal Blow:

• Heal self for 10% of this character’s Max Health
• Attack all enemies 2 times for 45% damage per hit
• Grant 100% Turn Meter to Rúmil and Orophin

Ability Description at max upgrade: When this character is inflicted with a Bane, gain 5% Turn Meter.

If Rúmil and Orophin are allies, the first time this character receives a Fatal Blow:

• Heal self for 25% of this character’s Max Health
• Attack all enemies 2 times for 90% damage per hit
• Grant 100% Turn Meter to Rúmil and Orophin

Leader Ability: Lord of Moria

Ability Description at unlock: When a Dwarf squad member is inflicted with a Bane, they have a 50% chance to gain Eagle Eye for 1 turn(s). When an Elf squad member is inflicted with a Bane, they have a 50% chance to gain Protection for 1 turn(s). When a Balin’s Expedition squad member is inflicted with a Bane, they have a 50% chance to gain both effects.

Ability Description at max upgrade: When a Dwarf squad member is inflicted with a Bane, they gain Eagle Eye for 1 turn(s). When an Elf squad member is inflicted with a Bane, they gain Protection for 1 turn(s). When a Balin’s Expedition squad member is inflicted with a Bane, they gain both effects. Dwarf and Elf squad members gain +20% Armor.

Inspiration: 

Balin, a descendant of the line of Durin, was driven from his home at a young age by Smaug the dragon. Throughout his life he has accompanied Dwarves who wanted to reclaim their rightful homes and lands. However, it wasn’t until after he fought in the Battle of the Five Armies that he led an expedition to reclaim the ancient kingdom of Moria. While he successfully ruled as Lord of Moria for a brief time, he was slain at the hands of Orcs.

Here, we explore a Shattered Timeline where Balin’s troop instead crosses through Lórien, the Elven realm of Celeborn and Galadriel, on their expedition to reclaim Moria where an unlikely alliance between Dwarves and the Elves of Lórien develops…

Strategy Tips:

• Lord Balin’s kit aims to bring together the power of Elves and Dwarves with the experience gained from his Shattered timeline. Experiment with different combinations of squad members from these two factions to find the best squad for your roster.
• When the brothers Rúmil and Orophin join Lord Balin, he will survive one Fatal Blow if the brothers are alive. Use this to your advantage in Chapter 4 of the Mines of Moria raid.
• Lord Balin’s leader ability Lord of Moria grants Eagle Eye, a powerful Boon that prevents an attack from being evaded or blocked. Keep this in mind when fighting enemies with Nimble or Defensive. It can also be very effective against enemies that apply Blind.

Lord Balin’s Adventure - An Unexpected Alliance - is coming to your game soon!

Starts: 8am, October 2, 2023 (Pacific Time)

Ends: 8am, October 9, 2023 (Pacific Time)

In this Shattered timeline, Lord Balin seeks to form an unexpected alliance between himself and the Elves to fight the darkness that resides and lurks within the Mines.

Players will need to be at least level 30 to participate in this event and unlock Lord Balin at 3 Stars. Players can earn additional rewards from the final two tiers by leveling/gearing their newly unlocked Lord Balin. The final tier requires a 5 Star Lord Balin, but provides some of the best rewards. Get these now as you won’t get another opportunity to do the final tier.

Rewards:

Tier 1 - 20 Lord Balin Shards 

Tier 2 - 20 Lord Balin Shards 

Tier 3 - 20 Lord Balin Shards

Tier 4 - 20 Lord Balin Shards

Tier 5 - 20 Lord Balin Shards

Tier 6 - 10x Luminous Crystals, 50,000x Gold, 15,000 Character XP

Tier 7 - 10x Epic Ability Materials, 500,000x Gold, 250,000 Character XP

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Includes in-game purchases (including random items). Abilities may require certain gear tiers to be reached.  Please see in-game for more details.

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