Custom Elf

A Custom Elf is one type of hero that can designed via Create a hero, a feature available in The Battle for the Middle-earth II and its expansion, The Rise of the Witch-king.

Presentation
Elves are designed to ranged combat, since they have the best sight and are the only custom heroes who use ranged weapons (though they can switch with a blade with the Toggle bow/sword ability, and though Corrupted Men can acquire a bow via an ability). They can even enstrengthen their sight and their standard ranged damages. Beside this, they have a bunch of varied abilities, from healing allies to conjure a tornado.

Versions differences

 * In The Battle for Middle-earth II, all custom heroes cost 2000 resources.
 * In The Rise of the Witch-king only, the cost of summoning a custom Elf hero is determined by his given abilities. Initial costs, before abilities are assigned, are listed below. If ability is purchased on a higher level that the one which it becomes available, its cost is decreased by 10% by every additional level. (So, an ability which cost 300 resources at level 1 cost only 30 resource at level 10 : 9 levels difference, 90% reduction.)

Statistics
Elves come in two sub-classes: Male and Female.

Archer specialization
Permanent ability which increase the damages dealt by normal ranged attacks. So, doesn't work with Rain of arrows, Cripple shot or Toggle weapon. The later upgrades make Elf heroes effective against buildings. This ability is exclusive to Elves.

Cripple shot
Shoots a powerful arrow at one enemy hero, and paralizes them. This ability is exclusive to Elves, though other custom heroes have a close-range version.

Summon familiars
Summon ravens above Elf, which acts as an immobile sight spot with great range and stealth detection. This ability is exclusive to Elves.

Train allies
Gives free experience to targeted troops; is ineffective towards other heroes.

Self-heal
Heals the custom Elf hero, as well as any nearby allied units.

Stealth
Passive ability that makes the Elf hero stealth while moving. A higher level of this ability allows the hero to be invisible, automatically, while not moving.

Elendil
Inflicth "fear" on nearby ennemies, causing them to flee. Cooldown :  s..

Toggle weapon
Switches between the bow and the sword, at will.

True sight
Permanent ability which allows the Elf to detect stealth units who are close.

Leadership
Permanent ability which grants +50% armor and +50% damage output, and doubles the experience gained by nearby units. This ability is shared by most custom heroes.

Whirlwind
Summons a tornado for a brief time in a targeted area near the Elf. The tornado can be controlled, inflicts great damages and disrupts infantry.

Rain of arrows
Elf temporarily shoots multiple arrows on a targeted area, hurting several ennemies/squads with each shot.