Denethor II Build and Guide LOTR Rise To War

In LOTR Rise To War Denethor II is a mediocre Commander in a mid-tier list of Commanders with a way below average stat for Might and slightly below average stats for Focus and Speed. Denethor II is also one of the iconic characters from LotR lore and folklore amongst the Men race, and also an important side character in the LotR series being the father of Boromir and Faramir and ruler of Gondor.

Denethor II is Tier 2 Commander and the first thing that you need to notice and acknowledge is his base trait which is “Support“ and his second base trait which is “Tip Master”. The “Support” trait will give Denethor II +25 (Commander) Focus and + 5 Skill points and he usually fits the best with units with high damage because his supportive skills and traits will provide additional sustain which creates a powerful combo.

Denethor II’s highest stat is “Focus”. Focus reduces the damage that his designated army receives during battle. Every time when your Commander levels up you will have a skill point to spend in their skill tree. There are four main skills and thus four different focus points in the Denethor II skill tree which we will talk about here.

Note that each of these four main skills has two additional skills connected to them which you will unlock upon leveling the main skill to level 2. On Commander Respect level 0 you will have two starting main skills.

Respect level 0 Build

The first one of two starting main skills is “Ally”. “Ally” skill when active will give :
– (This Commander) % chance of recovering % HP after Mannish units deal Physical damage.
Since none of the two starting skills are amazing, you will be given an option to choose whether you like to get more sustain for Denethor II or you want to boost his stats.

The most important thing that will play a part in your choice will be their 2 connecting skills. Note that “Ally” skill is referenced as a “title” rather than “skill” which essentially means once it’s unlocked and you have a skill point in it, it will act as a passive skill. At the max level of “Ally”, Men will receive +1 HP. As mentioned above upon leveling the “Ally” skill to level 2 you will unlock it’s two additional skills which you will be able to level up.

These two skills are:

– Reinforcement : (2 allied units) [From round 7 onwards] Recover % HP each round.
– Fortify : [While defending] (Allied units) Physical damage received -%.

These skills are pretty decent for mitigation and defensive maneuvers, if you need a Defense/Mitigation Commander, this is what you should focus on.

Naturally, effect stats % rise as you level up addressed skills.

The second main skill is “Ruling Steward” which when active will give: (Commander) Focus +%.
Now, as we mentioned this skill is buff-focused, and again, it is up to you to choose whether you want to buff your Commander or you want some additional sustain. Make sure you take a look at 2 connecting skills and make your decision based on them too.

Since this skill tree has tips for completing buffs, you might use them to get experience and level up Denethor II more quickly. Note that the “Ruling Steward” skill is referenced as a “title” rather than “skill” which essentially means once it’s unlocked and you have a skill point in it, it will act as a passive skill. Additionally, on max level of “Ruling Steward” skill, Denethor II will receive a bonus +15 Focus points.

Two additional skills that you will unlock upon leveling “Ruling Steward” to level 2 are:

– Clear-headed: Time needed to complete tips -%.
– Inquisitive: Experience gained from tips +%.

Naturally, effect stats % rise as you level up addressed skills.

Respect level 3 Build

Upon reaching Respect level 3 with Denethor II you will be able to unlock and level up his third main skill called called “Palantir Scryer” which when active will give: (This Commander) % chance of succumbing to Madness for 2 rounds, (2 allied units) Damage received -% for the next 2 hits (effect modified by Focus stat).

This should be your focus point for the late game and you would want to put your skill points from “Ruling Steward” into this skill. Like every other main skill, these stats rise as you level up the skill. At the max level of the “Palantir Scryer” skill, the chance of succumbing to Madness will be reduced down to 15%.

Note that the “Palantir Scryer” skill is referenced as a “title” rather than “skill” which essentially means once it’s unlocked and you have a skill point in it, it will act as a passive skill. This skill has 1 round cooldown.

Two additional skills that you will unlock upon leveling “Palantir Scryer” to level 2 are:

– Wild Magic: (Against 1 enemy target) Deals % Focus damage (effect modified by Focus stat), (1 allied unit) inflicts an additional % Focus damage (effect modified by Focus stat). This skill has 3 rounds of cooldown.
– Fanaticism: (All melee units) Damage +% each round.
Needless to say, if you want to take Denethor II to battle, it is mandatory to have both of these skills maxed out if you reach Respect level 3 with him; these are some of his best burst/damage skills.

Naturally, effect stats % rise as you level up addressed skills.

Respect level 5 Build

And finally, upon reaching Respect level 5 with Denethor II you will be able to unlock and level up his fourth main skill called “Mad Steward” which will give: (Denethor II) Enters a state of Madness [Denethor II units] Damage +%.

This should be your focus point for late game and should definitely be maxed out along with “Palantir Scryer ”. It will make Denethor II succumb to Madness but it will also give a very good damage buff to his units, on top of that, 2 connecting skills are also very good for additional damage/burst.

Like every other main skill, these stats rise as you level up the skill. At the max level of “Mad Steward” skill, Denethor II will receive additional +15 Speed points. Note that “Mad Steward ” skill is referenced as a “title” rather than “skill” which essentially means once it’s unlocked and you have a skill point in it, it will act as a passive skill.

Two additional skills that you will unlock upon leveling “Mad Steward” to level 2 are:

– Arson: (Against 2 enemy targets) Deals % Burn damage twice. Each separate attack chooses a different target. This skill has 3 rounds of cooldown.
– Enrage: (All allied units) % chance of succumbing to Madness, Damage +% for 1 round. This skill has 1 round cooldown.

It is recommended to max both of these skills or at least max one and put some skill points into other, considering that Denethor II isn’t really a great Commander for battles, these are absolutely great bursting skills.

Naturally, effect stats % rise as you level up addressed skills.