Every unit in the game can use stances except siege units and monsters. Stances generally improve some attributes of a unit, while decreasing others, but the exact amount depends on the unit's group. There are three stances - aggressive stance, battle stance (neutral stance), and hold ground stance (defensive stance). In general, aggressive stance gives an increase to attack and a decrease to defense, battle stance does not give any changes, and hold ground stance gives an armor increase and an attack decrease. The three stances have unique situations in which one may be more beneficial than the others, and the usage of stances becomes second nature after a few games of practice.
Formations, on the other hand, are remnants of the
Battle for Middle-Earth game-play and are only available to a few units. The Shield Wall formation gives an armor increase and speed decrease to Uruk-Hai and Soldiers of Gondor. The Porcupine formation provides a defense increase and renders your unit immobile and unable to attack opposing units or structures.
Stances
As stated previously, the effects that a specific unit receives depends on its categorical grouping. There are three groupings - swordsmen, pikemen, and cavalry (as one group), archers, and heroes.
First a note about the following values. Armor is an
additive modifier while damage and range are
multiplicative. This is important, so keep it in mind.
Also note that the vision decrease when in defensive stance ranges between 90% to 97%, but should not be confused with shroud-clearing vision. Vision is not affected in battle or aggressive stances.
Swordsmen, Pikemen, and Cavalry
Aggressive Stance- Armor: -10%
- Damage: 125%
- Speed: 100% (no change)
Defensive Stance- Armor: +25%
- Damage: 85%
- Speed: 100% (no change)
Archers
Aggressive Stance- Armor: -30%
- Damage: 110%
- Speed: 100% (no change)
Defensive Stance- Armor: +20%
- Damage: 70%
- Speed: 65%
Heroes
Note that Berserkers and Battlewagons are included in the hero group, although they are technically not heroes.Aggressive Stance- Armor: -30%
- Damage: 110%
- Speed: 107%
Defensive Stance- Armor: +10%
- Damage: 100% (no change)
- Speed: -25%
