First of all, this is more of an account of how I managed to clear the quest rather than a guide. I was having a lot of problems with this quest, but with great help from the help channel (esp from guide townie), and some more experimentation, I think I have managed to find a way to tackle this quest with minimal losses using only standard troops that comes with a free account. In other words, if I can do it, so can you, new Saga players! Just follow the guide

 

Level: 6

Quest Name: Territory: Orc Stronghold

Location: 94,108

CP: 75

Additional requirements: done all 3 tutorials, 5 bronze,1 silver quest

 

Expected enemies includes 1 unit of orc archer and catapult outside stronghold, 1 unit of elephants and infantry at the gate in the beginning, 3 units of orc border guards (spearmen) later, and 1 hero/boss when the keep is destroyed.

 

1. Lure out the elephants and infantry without disturbing the other units and eliminate them

2. Eliminate archer and catapults outside stronghold

3. Break down the gatehouse

4. Eliminate border patrol units

5. Capture keep and subsequently all buildings

6. Destroy keep and kill enemy boss

 

 

Fielded:

1 x Behemoth (20CP) - main tank

1 x 12 Human Heavy Cavalry (29CP) - anti-range and secondary tank

1 x Ballista (18CP)

1 x Fireball (very important) (5 CP)

 

Reserve:

1 x 11 Elven Bear Riders (27CP) (or something equivalent <= 28CP )

 

 

Activate Heavy Cav, Behemoth, Ballista and Fireball

Arrange the troops near the spawn point such that Behemoth and Cavalry protects Ballista. Set Behemoth and Cavalry to Melee Defence. Set Ballista to Aggressive.

 

Move the view to the gate house, where the Elephant riders and orc infantry are located. Drop a fireball on the infantry, which should damage the elephants as well. This will get them to move towards your troops without disturbing the Orc Archers out there.

 

Due to the speed difference between elephants and infantry, the elephant unit will reach you much faster than the infantry. Use Ballista's special to slow down the elephant while the ballista shoots at it from great range. When the elephants get close to ballista, engage it with Behemoth then Cavalry (Melee defence). Since only one of your melee units will be hit (look for red flashing on the icon), once you know which unit is not being attacked (best if Cavalry), switch it to aggressive to maximize damage. When the Orc Infantry enters the ballista range, use ballista's special to slow it down as much as possible while all 3 units concentrate attack on the elephants. You should be able to at least rout the elephants before the infantry arrive. Then proceed to attack the infantry with Behemoth and Cavalry (the unit being attacked use melee defence formation, while the other uses aggressive), while the ballista continue to attack the retreating elephants. Remember to use Behemoth's special attack on Orc Infantry.

 

You should be able to kill off the elephants and Orc Infantry with minimal losses (I lost no troops, as most are absorbed by the behemoth, which is by then heavily wounded). When your Behemoth is too heavily injured now or subsequently, retreat it and bring in the Bear Riders. If not, continue to use it until such a time.

 

A unit of Orc Archer and catapult remains outside the walls.

Prepare your troops by moving all units to just where the Orc Archer lies outside the Ballista range. Set Ballista to aggressive and Cavalry/Behemoth/Bear Riders to range defence.

 

Use the Ballista's special on the Orc Archer which will also move the Ballista into attacking range. Wait until the Orc Archer's attack range almost reaches the Ballista (click on enemy unit to view it's range), then charge with Cavalry/Behemoth/Bear Riders, using specials where possible. Rinse and repeat with the catapult. Should be able to take down the enemy with minimal casualties.

 

There will be 3 units of Orc Border Guards (throws spears/javelin) behind the gate. Use your Ballista to attack the gate. Position the Cavalry/Behemoth/Bear Riders in range defence in front of the Ballista.

 

Be patient and wait for the gate to break, which will cause the Orc Guards to come out. Use the Ballista's special to slow down the enemy while the Ballista continues to shoot at them. Just before the enemy's range reach your units, charge with the Cavalry/Behemoth/Bear Riders to engage them (rem to use specials) while the Ballista continues to shoot. Watch the unit icons to see which units are being attacked and which are not. For those not being attacked, switch to aggressive formation to maximize AR. The enemies should be taken down without major problems.

 

The aim of the quest is to destroy the stronghold, but if you want to capture the other buildings for pillage, capture it first instead of destroying. You can use the Ram which will be given to you temporarily for the quest. Just move the ram right up to the strong hold and wait for the capture. Then proceed to capture all other buildings. You may want to use your own units (siege) to attack the walls for a little xp. (Do not use the temporary units given to you as they will disappear after the quest)

 

After you capture all the buildings you want and picked up all the treasure chests, proceed to destroy the stronghold. You might want to use your own siege units instead of the temporarily ones just for that little extra xp. Then kill the last enemy hero. After you pick up all the reasure, move a unit into the portal to end the quest. Quest complete.

 

I've managed to beat the quest losing only 1 Human Heavy Cavalry in the process which is a huge difference from the first time I tried the quest (lost 12 Calvary, 12 Bear riders, all siege machines, 25 spearmen, 25 pikemen, 25 archers ... well.. everything). The Fireball trick at the start was what makes all the difference. Hope this recounting of my attempt at the quest will be useful to others who are experiencing difficulties with this quest.