Late Game
Most of the time in late game, you will want to get out Gimli. An exception could be if they went fast Forged Blades, and have many Half-Trolls out. You may want to invest in another Hall of Warriors if you still have trouble keeping up with their spam. An interesting option here is Men of Dale, if they are not spamming Spider Riders. Men of Dale will be great against unupgraded Goblins and Trolls, and even when they start to get upgrades, because Goblins usually get Forged Blades first, so the damage you deal will be the same. Remember, the shorter the game, the better, Goblins have a better Late game than Dwarves.
Late Game HeroGimli
Cost: 3000
Gimli is the one man wrecking crew of the Dwarves. Like Dain, be careful of Half Troll Marauders, and possibly Gorkil if he has his Stinger at Level 6. Mass Goblins, even more potent when they have Forged Blades, can take him out too if you are not careful. But used wisely, he will put you much closer to winning.
Abilities:Level 1: Axe Throw
Axe Throw deals splash damage and is good cavalry so if Spiderlings are causing trouble then use this on them.
Level 1: High Level Leadership
Gimli’s leadership gives 50% defensive and stacks with King Dain's Leadership to give 75% defensive.
Level 2: Leap
Leap is great when used in the middle of an army, just make sure Gimli has some backup so he is not surrounded.
Level 5: Slayer
Slayer is Gimli’s trademark ability, and gives a 50% damage boost, as well as a speed boost. Use it to take out buildings, and go for the fort. It can also be used to retreat if you need to.
Late Game Powers: Barrage or Undermine then Earthquake
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Use Barrage to take out large armies, fort expansions or even clumped production buildings, Undermine for quick reinforcements or a good sneak attack. Earthquake for their buildings and the killing blow that lets you take the fort.
Note: If they get Darkness AND you went for Dwarven Riches then get Cloud Break asap if you went so that you can cancel the Darkness, it will be a pain to fight against buffed Goblins everywhere.
Upgrades:Dwarves are one of the slowest factions to get upgrades, mostly because of their strong units and heroes, combined with the 75% defensive leadership of Gimli and King Dain. However, if you end up fighting a fully upgraded Goblin army, you should be getting upgrades as well.
Forged Blades
Forged Blades will increase the damage of your units, making them engines of destruction. If you already have Gimli or King Dain out with their defensive leadership, it would be better to get Blades prior to Mithril Mail.
Mithril Mail
This will add defense to your troops, making them last longer.
Fire Arrows
Research Location: Level 3 Archery Range
Research Cost:1000
Per Unit Cost: 300
These are only used on Men of Dale battalions, and you will not need to have Fire Arrows unless you hit extremely late game and still cannot beat their fully upgraded army with your infantry based army (and Battlewagons)
Flaming Shot
Research Location: Level 3 Forge Works
Research Cost: 1000
Per Unit Cost: 400
This will make your catapults shoot flaming rocks, increasing their damage and adding fire damage, which can be used against troops. This is not needed unless you hit late game and are having trouble finishing them off.
