This is the first of 4 polls I will be making today, based around several different ideas I have had to make Rohan more diverse and improve their late game a little bit.
I think that Erkenbrand, Elfhelm and Grimbold should be made into full fledged heroes, considering that Rohan's heroes are so weak late game compared to the other factions heroes. So to compensate for this, they should just get more heroes. Additionally, in both the Films and Books, Gamling and Hama actually didn't have much more influence than any of these 3, in fact they had less, and would really have about the same abilities. In terms of the hierarchy of Rohan Theoden was King, Eomer, Elfhelm and Grimbold were the 3 Marshals of the Mark, and Hama, Gamling and Erkenbrand were all captains of the guard. So they should not be reduced to just being hero battalions in my view, they deserve to be full fledged heroes. I came up with abilities for the 3, and specific roles too, but don't let this influence your vote, this is just speculation on my part. My ideas for hero roles: Grimbold, Cavalry Supporter, Elfhelm, Hero Supporter, and Erkenbrand, Unit Interruptor. Here are the abilities I thought up for each hero, a couple of these are from my biggest idea and 3rd poll, which will be up in a little while.
Grimbold Abilities
Level 1: Mount
No description needed.
Level 2: Horse Master.
Effect: Grimbold and all nearby friendly cavalry, including mounted heroes, move 25% faster. Description: "Grimbold is a master horseman, able to lead cavalry on routes that most would consider impossible. All friendly cavalry, including mounted heroes, move 25% faster while near Grimbold"
Level 5: Mighty Trample.
Effect: Gamling causes all nearby friendly cavalry to deal double trample damage for 10 seconds, at the cost of 50% armor. Description: "Grimbold drives his ranks of cavalry onward, trampling his foes into dust. All nearby friendly cavalry including mounted heroes deal double trampling damage for 10 seconds, at the cost of of 50% armor for the duration"
Level 7: Calming Voice
Effect: Fear resistance for nearby cavalry, but not infantry. Description: "Grimbold is a master of calming horses and preventing them from bolting in terror. All nearby friendly cavalry, but not infantry, gain resistance to fear"
Level 10: Wrath of the Eastfold
Effect: Grimbold causes all friendly cavalry, including mounted heroes, in a medium radius to continually stun enemies with terror for 10 seconds. The terror effect lasts as long as Boromir's Horn, so once the 10 seconds runs out the enemies will remain stunned as long as if the horn had just been blown. This ability is meant to synergize with Theodens Glorious Charge and Erkenbrands Charge of the Westfold. Description: "Grimbold sounds a charge into the flank of his enemies, and his men ride with such fury that it stuns their foes with sheer terror. Friendly cavalry, including mounted heroes in a medium radius will stun enemies with terror for 10 seconds. The terror effect lasts for a short time after the 10 seconds runs out"
Elfhelm Abilities
Level 1: Mount
No description needed.
Level 3: Elfhelm's Encouragement
Effect: Moderately heals nearby friendly heroes, similarly to Athelas. Description: "Elfhelm speaks words of encouragement to nearby friendly heroes, helping them to forget their wounds and fight on. Nearby friendly heroes will be moderately healed"
Level 6: Pact of Honor
Effect: Target friendly heroes ability recharge timers are fully charged, and they gain +100% attack speed for 30 seconds. Description: "Elfhelm is an honorable man, and has been known to enter into pacts with heroes who need his help. The target friendly hero will gain +100% attack speed for 30 seconds, and their abilities will instantly be fully charged"
Level 10: Elfhelm's Healers
Effect: Hero revival costs will be halved for 30 seconds. Description: "Elfhelm orders the healers of Rohan to work more speedily, to get the wounded heroes of Rohan back on their feet to continue fighting for Rohan's defense. All hero revival costs will be halved for 30 seconds"
Erkenbrand Abilities
Level 1: Mount
No description needed
Level 2: Disarming Tactics
Effect: Targeted enemy units in a small radius become unable to attack for 30 seconds. Ability becomes more powerful as Erkenbrand gains levels. At level 5, the targeting radius increases. At level 7, the effect lasts for 60 seconds. At level 10, the ability can affect heroes. Description: "Erkenbrand uses tactics to trick his foes into releasing their weapons, making them unable to attack or defend themselves for 30 seconds"
Level 5: Slowing Tactics
Effect: All enemies near Erkenbrand lose 50% movement and attack speed for 20 seconds. Description: "Erkenbrand is a master of the terrain of Rohan, and can lead his foes on difficult routes to slow them down and wear them out. All foes near to Erkenbrand will lose 50% movement and attack speed for 20 seconds"
Level 7: The Red Shield of the Westfold
Effect: Passive Ability, allies near Erkenbrand become resistant to fear, while enemies lose 10% damage and armor, but not leadership. Description: "Erkenbrand wields his famous Red Shield with skill, giving hope to his men and causing fear in his enemies. All nearby friendly units will become resistant to fear, enemies will lose 10% damage and armor, but not any leadership effects"
Level 10: Charge of the Westfold
Effect: Erkenbrand and all friendly cavalry in a medium radius reduce enemy armor by 50%. Meant to synergize with Theodens Glorious Charge and Grimbolds Wrath of the Eastfold. Description: "Erkenbrand's voice pierces above the din of battle, encouraging his warriors to fight to the last man. His warriors will fight with renewed fury, and cut through enemy ranks like a knife through butter. Erkenbrand and all friendly cavalry and mounted heroes in a medium radius will reduce enemy armor by 50% for 20 seconds"
Final Note: I will again restate that I do not want these ability ideas to influence peoples votes in any way, they are purely ideas from me. The team could put whatever abilities they see fit on these three if they were made into full fledged heroes. The poll is just for voting on having Elfhelm, Erkenbrand and Grimbold as full heroes in the game. And if you're curious what would happen to the captain system at the assembly point, view my poll on reworking the captain system