- Lord of the Rings War in the North best character depends heavily on your preferred combat role and game mode.
- Eradan (Ranger) ranks highest for solo play due to exceptional ranged flexibility and mobility.
- Farin (Champion) is the strongest frontline tank, ideal for absorbing damage in difficult encounters.
- Andriel (Loremaster) provides irreplaceable party support and crowd control for cooperative teams.
- No single hero dominates every scenario—the best choice depends on your build and team composition.
Character Tier Rankings Overview
Choosing the best character in Lord of the Rings War in the North requires understanding how Eradan, Andriel, and Farin perform across different combat scenarios. The game is built around a three-hero fellowship, meaning each character fulfills a distinct role rather than competing for the same function. Our tier rankings evaluate all three heroes based on solo viability, co-op contribution, damage output, survivability, and ease of use.
Video Highlights:
- Official Warner Bros. launch trailer showcasing all three heroes in action
- Gameplay footage demonstrating each character's unique combat style
- Co-op mechanics and party synergy in northern Middle-earth
The rankings below reflect overall performance across the entire campaign, including higher difficulty replays on Heroic and Legendary modes where character strengths and weaknesses become far more pronounced.
| Tier | Character | Class | Best Role | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | Eradan | Dúnedain Ranger | Ranged Damage / Mobile Melee | ★★★★★ |
| S | Farin | Dwarf Champion | Tank / Heavy Melee | ★★★★★ |
| A | Andriel | Elven Loremaster | Magic / Support / Control | ★★★★☆ |
S-tier characters excel in their primary roles with minimal weaknesses. A-tier characters are highly effective but may require more strategic positioning or team coordination to reach full potential.
Detailed Character Breakdown and Comparison
Each hero brings a unique set of weapons, abilities, and passive strengths to the fellowship. Understanding these differences is critical when deciding who to main, especially if you plan to invest dozens of hours into a single character's skill tree and equipment progression.
Eradan - Dúnedain Ranger
- Primary weapons: Bow, one-handed blades
- Strengths: Ranged precision, fast melee, mobility
- Weaknesses: Lower natural durability
- Best for: Solo players, ranged specialists
- Playstyle: Eliminate threats from distance, then engage in close combat
Andriel - Elven Loremaster
- Primary weapons: Staff, Elven blades
- Strengths: Magic damage, healing, crowd control
- Weaknesses: Vulnerable when surrounded
- Best for: Support players, co-op teams
- Playstyle: Cast from safety, protect allies, manage battlefield
Farin - Dwarf Champion
- Primary weapons: Axes, hammers, crossbow
- Strengths: High durability, heavy melee damage
- Weaknesses: Limited mobility
- Best for: Frontline fighters, tank enthusiasts
- Playstyle: Absorb damage, crush armored enemies
The following table provides a direct stat comparison across the categories that matter most during campaign progression and endgame content.
| Attribute | Eradan (Ranger) | Andriel (Loremaster) | Farin (Champion) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melee Damage | Medium | Low | High |
| Ranged Damage | High | Medium | Low |
| Durability | Medium | Low | High |
| Mobility | High | Medium | Low |
| Support Utility | Low | High | Medium |
| Crowd Control | Low | High | Medium |
| Solo Viability | High | Medium | High |
| Co-op Value | High | High | High |
| Learning Curve | Easy | Medium | Easy |
These base attributes shift significantly based on your equipped gear. A well-geared Andriel with upgraded staff damage can output surprising burst damage, while a poorly equipped Farin will struggle against grouped enemies.
Best Character by Game Mode
The best character in Lord of the Rings War in the North changes depending on whether you are playing solo, in a three-player co-op team, or tackling Legendary difficulty. Each mode rewards different strengths and punishes different weaknesses.
| Game Mode | Best Pick | Runner-Up | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo Campaign | Eradan | Farin | Ranged flexibility handles mixed enemy groups safely |
| Co-op (3 players) | Any (team dependent) | — | Full trio covers all roles naturally |
| Co-op (2 players) | Farin | Eradan | Tank presence compensates for AI companion gaps |
| Heroic Difficulty | Farin | Eradan | Survivability becomes critical against elite enemies |
| Legendary Difficulty | Farin | Eradan | Raw durability prevents one-shot deaths |
| Speed Runs | Eradan | Andriel | Ranged burst damage clears encounters quickly |
| Exploration | Eradan | Farin | Mobility reaches side paths and secrets faster |
In a full three-player co-op team, every character is equally valuable because the party covers all combat roles. The true "best character" in co-op is whichever hero your group needs to complete the fellowship.
When playing solo, AI companions control the other two heroes. The AI performs adequately but lacks the tactical decision-making of a human player. This makes self-sufficiency a major factor in choosing your main character for solo play.
Optimal Build Directions for Each Hero
Selecting the right character is only the first step. Investing skill points into a focused build direction transforms a good hero into a devastating one. Below are the recommended build paths that maximize each character's natural strengths.
| Character | Build Name | Tier | Focus | Priority Skills |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eradan | Ranged Critical | S | Bow damage, critical hits | Ranged attack upgrades, critical damage |
| Eradan | Dual-Wield Melee | A | Fast melee, critical strikes | Melee damage, dual-wield bonuses |
| Andriel | Support and Protection | S | Healing, defensive magic | Protective abilities, party buffs |
| Andriel | Spell Damage | A | Offensive magic, crowd control | Staff damage, area abilities |
| Farin | Tank and Shield | S | Survivability, blocking | Defense upgrades, taunt abilities |
| Farin | Heavy Melee | A | Raw melee damage | Two-handed weapon skills, heavy attacks |
Choose a Focused Build Early
Decide on a primary combat role before spending your first skill points. Spreading points across unrelated abilities weakens your character during mid-campaign difficulty spikes.
Invest in Core Skills First
Pour points into the abilities that directly support your chosen build. For Eradan's Ranged Critical build, prioritize bow damage and critical hit upgrades before touching melee utility.
Reach Tier 3 Skills
Push one skill path until a Tier 3 ability unlocks. The War-hardened achievement rewards this commitment, and Tier 3 skills provide a massive power spike.
Match Equipment to Your Build
Select weapons, armor, and Elf-stones that reinforce your skill choices. A Ranged Critical Eradan needs bows with high damage and critical bonuses, not balanced stat spreads.
Refine on Higher Difficulties
Use Heroic and Legendary replays to fine-tune your build. Stronger enemies expose weaknesses in unfocused builds, making these runs the ultimate test of your character choice.
While each hero has optimal build paths, all three characters can succeed with creative builds if you commit fully. A melee-focused Eradan or a damage-oriented Andriel can work effectively with the right gear and skill investment.
Strengths, Weaknesses, and Team Synergy
No character is perfect in isolation. The fellowship system in War in the North is designed so that each hero covers another's weaknesses. Understanding these dynamics helps you choose the best character for your team composition.
| Character | Key Strengths | Key Weaknesses | Ideal Team Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eradan | Ranged elimination, fast repositioning, critical hit chains | Cannot sustain heavy melee pressure from elites | Mid-range, flanking |
| Andriel | Party healing, magical crowd control, protective barriers | Falls quickly when surrounded by melee enemies | Backline support |
| Farin | Damage absorption, heavy melee burst, armored enemy counter | Struggles to chase fleeing or ranged enemies | Frontline vanguard |
Before Choosing Your Main Character:
- Decide if you prefer ranged, melee, or magic combat
- Consider whether you will play solo or primarily in co-op
- Review each hero's weapon options and available builds
- Plan your skill point investment before starting the campaign
- Coordinate with co-op partners to avoid overlapping roles
When playing solo, AI-controlled companions will attempt to revive you when downed, but they prioritize combat over self-preservation. Choose a character that can independently handle dangerous situations without relying heavily on AI support.
The strongest team composition is always the complete fellowship: Farin holding the frontline, Eradan removing priority targets from range, and Andriel providing magical support and crowd control. Incomplete teams—whether in solo play or two-player co-op—must compensate for the missing role through build adjustments and tactical play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is the best character in Lord of the Rings War in the North for solo play?
Eradan is widely considered the best solo character because his ranged combat flexibility allows him to handle mixed enemy groups safely. His bow eliminates dangerous targets before they reach melee range, and his mobility helps avoid being surrounded. Farin is a strong alternative for players who prefer durability over agility.
Q: Can I change characters mid-campaign in War in the North?
Each character maintains separate progression, equipment, and skill trees. You can switch between heroes between chapters, but the new character will only have the levels, gear, and skill points you previously invested in them. Most players focus on one hero throughout the campaign.
Q: Which character is best for Legendary difficulty?
Farin is the strongest choice for Legendary difficulty because his high durability helps survive the massive damage output of elite enemies. Eradan is a viable alternative if you can consistently avoid melee engagements through ranged combat and mobility.
Q: Is Andriel viable for solo play?
Andriel can complete the solo campaign, but she requires more careful positioning and strategic play than Eradan or Farin. Her magical abilities are powerful, but her lower durability means mistakes are punished more severely. She shines brightest in co-op where teammates can protect her.
If you are still unsure, start with Eradan for a balanced, forgiving experience. His ranged capabilities make early campaign encounters manageable, and his dual-wield melee build remains viable throughout the entire game.