After more than a year of hard work since that last release the team behind RJ-RotWK has released a new version! Included in this update is the totally reworking of the elven faction which has been split into three sub-factions: Lorien, Rivendell and Mirkwood. In addition many smaller updates have been included, such as a revamped leadership system. For the most part the heros and units are finished and have powers. Included below you will find a list of the changes from 1.05 to 1.06. RJ-RotWK can be downloaded at ModDB!

So what is new in version 1.06?

- Elven Faction has been split into 3 parts – Rivendell, Lothlorien, Mirkwood (Mirkwood still not playable as the base)
- A large number of new maps have been added (custom maps, converted BFME1 maps, etc.)
- The Leadership system has been revamped
- Balance has been completely redone
- All heroes now have their own powers and abilities. The blue wizards are as complete as Gandalf and Saruman.
- Many new models have been added outside of the Elves. The Radagast, Romestamo, & Morinehtar have their own models, as well as many others that you’ll find as you explore
- Nearly all new structures have normal maps applied to them, bringing out all of their detail to the fullest extent
- Some new skins for the Dwarves have been added
- Goblins now will come without armor and will gain armor as you upgrade them
- The AI for Elves, Arnor, MotE, & Rohan has been added on any map that has the camera sytem
- The AI now puchases the spells the way they should from their pp tree
- MotE have a completely new pp tree
- and so much more

Elves:
By the onset of the third age, three main regions of elven settlement remained in Rivendell, Lothlorien, and Mirkwood. 1.06 allows you to play as these factions individually and together, by choosing elves as the faction when setting up the game. Choose carefully, as each elvish force is suited to a particular style of battle.

At the start of the game, you will begin with an unbuilt fortress. Clicking the fortress allows you to choose either Lothlorien or Rivendell. (Unfortunately choosing Mirkwood is not available in version 1.06 as the mod is a work in progress and the faction’s structures have not been completed.) Once the fortress is built you will be able to build your structures from your porter.

All elven fortresses, with the exception of the Noldehil, are recruited from a training grounds. This is a structure which can be upgraded to specialize in a choice of combat disciplines, allowing more skilled troops to be trained. The Rivendell trianing grounds allows the training of barracks units when built, and can be ugpraded with either an archery range or a stable. The Lothlorien training ground allows the training of archers when built, and can be upgraded with either a barracks or a stable.

The Elven kingdoms will ride to the aid of another, should it be assaulted by the enemy. You can summon the aid of troops from the two elven regions which you did not choose at the start of the game by lighting the beacom on the fortress.

Mapping:
Mapping has always been an important aspect of the mod, starting with the first RJ maps to mix BFME1 and BFME2 gameplay. With version 1.06 not only are we adding 20+ skirmish maps, but we are laying the groundwork for 2 very important areas: a new living, WotR map and campaigns. A very important note, almost every in-game image in this update was taken during regular gameplay. There were no additional camera animations to obtain these shots, just regular gameplay.

Among the maps included in this update are: A scaled version of Minas Tirith, Cair Andros, Osgiliath, Tolfalas, The Lonely Mountain, Dol Amroth, Lake Evendim, Hobbiton, Fords of Bruinen, Lanthir Lamath, Brethil, Combe Valley, and more. Most of the maps are built from scratch, though there are a few converted skirmish maps from existing campaign maps. Also, there a number of BFME1 maps will be converted and included with AI and RJ features.

You’ll also get a preview of the new living map, which has more than 100 territories split across 10 regions. Almost all of the territories from BFME1’s campaign, BFME2, and more have been added. This alone has become one of the largest projects for BFME, but it has been incredible to work on with the mapping team.

As for the campaign, you will not see much work on the campaign in 1.06. You’ll still have the first 10 maps of the non-linear campaign and a preview of the good linear campaign. 1.06 is all about laying the ground-work for the campaign, from splitting up the Elves to their respective locales to expanding up different aspects of each faction to finally the maps where the battles/action will take place. Many of the new maps will take a central role in one if not more of the campaigns

List of maps with the camera system:
Brethil, Cair Androws (Dawnless Day), Combe Valley, Dimrill Dale, Dol Amroth, Eastfold, Hobbiton, Lake Evendim, Lanthir Lamath, Scaled Minas Tirith, Osgiliath, Swan Fleet, Tolfalas, Lonely Mountain, Anorien, Central Ithilien, Crossroads, Druadan Forest, Dunharrow, East Emnet, Eastern Rohan, Eastfold, Eaves of Fangorn, Emyn Arnen, Emyn Muil, Harondor, Lebennin, Mirkwood, Northern Ithilien, Nurn, Pelargir, West Emnet, West Fold, Wold, Amon Hen, Caras Galadhon, Deadman’s Dike, Lake-Town, Anorien, Belfalas, Cair Andros, Dunharrow, Fords of Isen, Mouths of the Entwash, Old Brown Lands, Amon Sul Ruins, Angalas, Angmar, Black Gate, Buckland, Dagorlad, Dead Marshes, Dol Guldur, Ettenmoors, Evendim, Fangorn, Grey Havens, Grey Mountains, Harad, Harlindon, Harlond, Helm’s Deep, Minas Morgul, Minas Tirith, Mount Doom, Nanduhirion, Rhun, Shire, Stonewain Valley, Tower Hills, Weathertop, Withered Heath