Raiders were once considered to be the most honored warriors of the Horde. Yet, just prior to the Second War, Gul'dan the Warlock masterminded the disbanding of the Raiders. Now, after many long years, the young Warchief Thrall has decided to train a new generation. These mighty warriors carry hefty warblades into combat and rely greatly upon the cunning and ferocity of their faithful Wolf mounts to defeat their enemies.

Level: 3 Cost: 180 40 3 Unit Type: Normal Attack Type: Siege Weapon Type: Normal Armor Type: Medium Armor: 1 (7*) Ground Attack: 25 avg (34 avg*) *(#) = Stats when fully upgraded

Air Attack: None Cooldown: 1.85 Hit Points: 610 Health Regeneration: Always Mana: None Mana Regeneration: N/A Range: Melee Day Sight: 140

Night Sight: 80 Speed: Fast (350) Build Time: 28 Trained At: Beastiary Requirements: None Transport Space Usage: 1 Production Hot Key: R

Orc Raiders are a specialized unit useful for killing buildings, bringing air units to ground for attack, and for disabling the enemy with Ensnare. Raiders are typically used for hit-and-run attacks because they only have 610 hit points. They also take increased damage from normal damage (most melee units). Raiders can also generate money with Pillage when attacking enemy buildings.

Raiders are somewhat similar to Siege Engines in that using them with surprise is best. Build up a group of them then sneak them into an enemy town. You can quickly kill a Town Hall or buildings such as farms or barracks. When the enemy responds, run. Cast Ensnare on anyone that attempts to chase you. After running away attack another location or come back later. This can really strike fear into the enemy because they can't really go out and Creep (unless they have several Scrolls of Town Portal) for fear of their town being attacked again.

Raiders are building killers! Raiders do siege damage which means they can quickly destroy buildings. They can also Pillage while they are attacking buildings. Raiders are excellent for hit and run attacks with their quick speed and Ensnare ability.

Raiders are very popular among Orc commanders for their Ensnare ability. Ensnare will bring air units to the ground and will hinder other ground units.

Goblin Zeppelins can carry 8 Raiders making this combination very useful for hit and run attacks on enemy towns. Land, destroy some buildings, then get in the Goblin Zeppelin and run away.

Ensnare Causes a target enemy unit to be bound to the ground so that it cannot move. Air units that are ensnared can be attacked as though they were land units.

Research Cost Researched At Requirements Upgrade Time 50 75 Beastiary None 40 sec. Duration (Hero) Cooldown Mana Cost Range Area of Effect Allowed Targets Effect 12 (2) sec. 16 sec. None 50 Unit Air, Ground, Enemy Target caught by net

Ensnare Information

• Use Ensnare to bring flying units to the ground so that you can kill them with melee units such as Grunts and Tauren.
• Use Ensnare to stop units from running away. If the enemy is running away, cast Ensnare on the tail end of their train. Pick off whatever units you can which will reduce the enemy army and make them pay for running.
• Use Ensnare to break away powerful enemy melee units so they can no longer contribute to the battle as shown in a below screenshot.
• Don't bother casting Ensnare on ranged troops unless you're trying to prevent them from running away.
• You can continue to cast Ensnare on enemy Heroes to trap them if you have multiple Raiders with Ensnare ready to go. Just keep casting until your army can finish the Hero off.
• Ensnare can be used to interrupt spells that require spell channeling.
• When Assaulting a town, Peons or Peasants etc. will try to repair. Use Ensnare to stop them.

[ Click to Enlarge - 184 KB ] A talented Orc player uses Ensnare to break up Crimson's armies as is shown here.

Pillage (Passive) Each attack that does damage to a building also gains resources. This is a passive ability. Pillage returns 50% of the cost of the building if you destroy it at full health.

Research Cost Researched At Requirements Upgrade Time 75 25 Great Hall/Stronghold/Fortress None 60 sec.

Steel Melee Weapons Increases the melee attack damage of Grunts, Raiders, and Tauren.

Research Cost Researched At Requirements Upgrade Time 100 75 War Mill None 60 sec.

Thorium Melee Weapons Further increases the melee attack damage of Grunts, Raiders, and Tauren. Research Cost Researched At Requirements Upgrade Time 150 175 War Mill Stronghold 75 sec.

Arcanite Melee Weapons Further increases the melee attack damage of Grunts, Raiders, and Tauren. Research Cost Researched At Requirements Upgrade Time 200 275 War Mill Fortress 90 sec.

Steel Unit Armor Increases the armor of Grunts, Raiders, Troll Batriders, Tauren, Troll Headhunters, Troll Berserkers, Wind Riders, and Demolishers.

Research Cost Researched At Requirements Upgrade Time 150 75 War Mill None 60 sec.

Thorium Unit Armor Further increases the armor of Grunts, Raiders, Troll Batriders, Tauren, Troll Headhunters, Troll Berserkers, Wind Riders, and Demolishers. Research Cost Researched At Requirements Upgrade Time 225 225 War Mill Stronghold 75 sec.

Arcanite Unit Armor Further increases the armor of Grunts, Raiders, Troll Batriders, Tauren, Troll Headhunters, Troll Berserkers, Wind Riders, and Demolishers. Research Cost Researched At Requirements Upgrade Time 300 375 War Mill Fortress 90 sec.