Orcs – discussion about the race.

I have a question - is it really possible for Orcs to defeat Wingael (Stronghold Elf)?
The endgame happens at the beginning of month 4! Hero level – 23. Map – “Lands of Outcasts”.
Heroes 3.0 version

If yes, then please advise:
1. Which hero is best to choose? How to develop the hero?
2. Castle development?
3. How to capture “Mercury” on the second week if it is guarded by Mages or Druids? (Tactics against these strong neutrals)
4. And most importantly – what is the tactic and strategy in the final battle?

I would especially like to hear the opinion of Avenger!

Under no circumstances should you allow your opponent to play Wingael under these conditions. The answer to the question: no, it is absolutely unrealistic. Orcs simply won't have time to properly build up their rage, and half of the army will already be gone.

You can try using a tactic, perhaps your opponent won't realize to take the leadership aura for speed, you can try to develop a super ability (so that at least some defense in the form of rage is available), and try to withstand the first attack.

In general, it is not so easy to fight against Forest Elves on long maps, because the Avenger's skill works more effectively (for example, when there are few dancers, and, let's say, they deal 50 damage, the Avenger's skill will allow you to deal 100, that is, +50 damage. When the number of dancers increases, the damage will be, let's say, 1000, the Avenger will allow you to deal 2000, that is, +1000 to the damage. Let's compare the damage bonuses: 50 versus 1000).

1. Against another Elf hero (which you must definitely achieve), it is probably better to take Haggeesh, as this will most likely allow you to strike first due to the increased starting initiative of the centaurs, which is very important. And the start will be easy.

2. Castle development. Advice - demand duels at the hero level, as in this case, the Elves' problems with wood will be such that the development of the Orcs' castle will seem like a walk in the park.
You can try to build a Stronghold on the first week.

3. To be honest, I try not to attack these neutral creatures for a MONTH. It is very difficult for Orcs to leave these battles on the second week without losses. If you are unlucky, it is probably best to build a warehouse in the castle. In any case, the Elves' problems with wood will be more significant than the Orcs' problems with Mercury.

4. If the Elves are moving all their troops forward, then it is probably best to see which troops of the horde have the most rage at the initial stage (for example, after the first wave of attack by the Light Elves), and pump up the hero's rage (for example, with a war cry) for these units. Usually, these are shamans, warmongers, and cyclops. Then these three units become difficult to kill from some point on, and we go and beat the remnants of the Forest Alliance. By the way, do not underestimate goblins, a very large number of them gather, and they can decide the outcome of the battle. Many people try to destroy them immediately, but you can try to place warmongers next to them, using the taunt ability (instead of hitting the goblins, the unit hits the warmongers and receives a furious counterattack).

If the Elves are playing defensively (the tactic is that unicorns are in front, druids and archers are behind them, and ents are on the side), there are some problems associated with the magical resistance aura of the unicorns. In this case, I think it is best to try to destroy the unicorns as quickly as possible, and then - use the "Rage of the Horde" spell (since the endgame is at the beginning of the 4th month, it can be very effective).
Of course, there is no one-size-fits-all recipe, the tactics and strategy in the final battle depend a lot on how the opponent has developed and what he is doing.