- Farin the Dwarf: The premier melee tank and area-of-effect damage dealer in your trio.
- Attribute Priority: Invest heavily in Strength for raw damage and Stamina for survivability.
- Weapon Choice: Axes and shields provide the best balance of offense and defense.
- Crowd Control: Utilize wide-sweeping strikes to manage large groups of goblins and orcs.
- Durability Management: Always monitor weapon condition and carry backup armaments.
Farin Overview: The Champion of Erebor
Farin of Erebor serves as the primary frontline fighter in Lord of the Rings War in the North. As a dwarf hailing from the Lonely Mountain, he brings immense physical strength, robust armor, and a fighting style tailored for close-quarters combat. While Andriel provides magical support and Eradan offers ranged versatility, Farin is the anchor of the group, designed to absorb punishment and dispatch clustered enemies with devastating efficiency.
Video Highlights:
- Farin's high melee damage output is showcased early against goblin waves.
- The dwarf possesses unique utility, such as smashing through hidden walls.
- Stamina directly increases both health pool and combat endurance.
- Quick-swapping to Farin during co-op or solo play helps control large crowds.
Farin is not a subtle skirmisher. His entire kit revolves around standing toe-to-toe with the darkest forces of Middle-earth. Position him at the front of the formation to draw aggro, allowing your ranged companions to pick off targets safely.
Optimal Attribute Allocation
Building an effective Farin requires a strict focus on physical attributes. Unlike Eradan, who needs Dexterity for bow usage, or Andriel, who relies on Will for spellcasting, Farin's power scales almost exclusively from his physical prowess. When you level up, you will gain attribute points to distribute across his core stats.
| Attribute | Priority | Effect on Farin | Investment Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 1st (Highest) | Increases raw melee damage output | Maximize as soon as possible |
| Stamina | 2nd (High) | Boosts total health and combat stamina | Keep close to Strength |
| Will | 3rd (Low) | Minor boost to skill damage | Dump stat, ignore entirely |
| Dexterity | 4th (Lowest) | Slightly improves ranged crossbow attacks | Do not invest |
| Courage | Situational | Improves critical hit chance | Invest spare points late game |
Do not split Farin's points into Will or Dexterity. His ranged crossbow attacks are only meant for emergencies when closing distance. Dumping points into magic or agility will severely gimp his tanking potential and melee damage, making late-game encounters unnecessarily difficult.
Best Combat Skills
Skill points are earned alongside attribute points and should be spent maximizing Farin's area-of-effect (AoE) potential and single-target burst. Farin thrives when surrounded, making crowd-control skills his most valuable assets.
Cleaving Strike (R2 + Square)
- Wide AoE Damage
- Strikes multiple enemies in front
- Essential for goblin swarms
- First skill to max out
Quick Attack (R2 + Triangle)
- Single-Target Burst
- Bonus damage to one enemy
- Ideal for armored trolls
- Great for executing weakened foes
Evasion (R2 + Circle)
- Tactical Retreat
- Breaks enemy sight
- Useful against sorcerers
- Creates space to heal
Beyond the basic unlocks, Farin has access to passive modifications that enhance his survivability. Prioritize the skill node that increases armor, health, and melee damage simultaneously. This holistic upgrade ensures that every swing of his axe cuts deeper while he shrugs off incoming arrows.
When facing a massive wave, open with a standard heavy attack to stagger the front line, immediately follow up with Cleaving Strike (R2 + Square) to damage the entire group, and finish surviving targets with Quick Attack (R2 + Triangle) for precise elimination.
Weapon Loadouts and Gear Management
Farin's effectiveness hinges entirely on the gear he equips. Weapons in War in the North possess durability ratings, meaning they degrade over time during extended dungeon crawls like the ruins of Fornost. Carrying backup weapons is not just recommended; it is mandatory for survival.
| Weapon Type | Damage Profile | Defensive Utility | Best Scenario |
|---|---|---|---|
| Axe + Shield | Moderate, fast swings | High (Blocks arrows/melee) | General combat, Sorcerers |
| Two-Handed Sword | Very High, slow swings | Low (Cannot block effectively) | Trolls, Bosses, Single targets |
| War Hammer | High, stagger bonus | Moderate | Armored Orcs, Knockback |
| Crossbow | Low (Ranged) | None | Emergency pulls, Interrupts |
Equip Primary Melee
Always start with a one-handed axe and shield combo. This provides a reliable balance of damage and defense, allowing you to block incoming goblin arrows and parry melee strikes.
Carry a Backup Weapon
Keep a two-handed sword or heavy axe in your secondary slot. When you encounter a heavily armored troll or a war machine that needs destroying, swap to the high-damage weapon.
Monitor Durability
Watch your HUD. When your weapon icon flashes or damage numbers drop significantly, open your inventory and swap to your backup immediately.
Manage Inventory Coins
Collect coins dropped by enemies. Use these at merchants in hub areas like Bree to purchase health potions, repair gear, and upgrade your armor sets.
Never wait until your weapon breaks completely in the middle of a fight. A broken weapon deals drastically reduced damage, leaving you vulnerable. If you notice your sword or axe is "damaged," switch it out before engaging the next enemy pack.
Advanced Combat Tactics
Mastering Farin requires more than just mashing the attack button. The Legacy Edition features balanced solo play, meaning the AI companions will need reviving frequently. You must learn how to manage threat, control space, and utilize the environment.
Combat Readiness Checklist:
- Always keep at least 2 health potions in quick-slot inventory
- Use shield block (L2) to parry incoming ranged attacks from goblin archers
- Prioritize enemy Sorcerers before they overwhelm your team with magic
- Revive fallen companions (Andriel/Eradan) only after clearing nearby threats
- Break environmental objects to find hidden arrows, coins, and artifacts
When fighting in the narrow underground tunnels of Fornost, use Farin's wide-sweeping attacks to hit enemies funneled through doorways. If an ally falls, do not rush to revive them immediately if enemies are still active. Clear the immediate area first—Farin is the only character sturdy enough to survive the onslaught while performing a revive.
During specific encounters, such as destroying war machines on the inner walls, you can call upon Beleram the Eagle for devastating air support. Save this ability for moments when you are completely overwhelmed by reinforcements or facing a mini-boss alongside a mob.
Build Summary & FAQ
Farin is the backbone of any successful War in the North playthrough. By maximizing Strength and Stamina, investing in AoE skills, and maintaining a versatile weapon loadout, you transform the dwarf from Erebor into an unstoppable force capable of turning the tide against Agandaûr's armies.
Q: Should I use a two-handed weapon or a one-handed weapon with a shield for Farin?
For 90% of the game, a one-handed axe paired with a shield is superior. The ability to block arrows and parry melee attacks drastically increases survivability. Reserve two-handed weapons for specific boss encounters where you need maximum burst damage.
Q: Does Farin need any Dexterity or Will stats?
No. Farin's crossbow is only useful for pulling enemies or interrupting spellcasters at range. Investing in Will or Dexterity wastes points that should go toward Strength and Stamina, which scale his melee damage and health pool.
Q: How do I fix my weapon when it breaks?
Weapons cannot be repaired in the field. You must swap to a backup weapon from your inventory. To restore durability, visit a merchant in a hub area like Bree and pay coins to have the gear repaired.
Q: Is Farin the best character for solo play in the Legacy Edition?
Farin is arguably the most survivable character for solo play due to his high health pool and shield capabilities. However, you will need to manually swap to Andriel to use her healing magic when the AI fails to manage itself properly.