Hordemaster Lordigin

"'They speak of his foul stench as more than just a result of his disregard for niceties, but as a presence. They chant of his ruthlessness and atrocities as a song of inspiration. They spit on his name out of respect, a telling of the culture and views on the world of the Defiled Horde.'"

Hordemaster Lordigin is the boss of Arc 1 in the Campaign Mode of Bloons TD 7: Dark Times. He is fought at the end of Round 25 in Stage 1-S, The Hordemaster's Den.

'''Remember that this page uses the Health and Damage system found in DARK TIMES. Information on that damage system can be found here.'''

Lore
Hordemaster Lordigin is one of the prime leaders of the Defiled Horde, a faction of bloons in the Outlands who made a deal with the Prince of Darkness to thrive in his age so long as they served as his army and allies.

Hordemaster Lordigin is one of Hordelorde Aulgart's 'Prime Masters', a collection of three powerful bloons lesser in rank than him but equal to each other and above all else. Hordemaster Lordigin was tasked with taking grasp of the southern Monkey Kingdom following the beginning of the Soul Fracture.

However, Lordigin is best described as lazy and selfish. A pure reflection of Horde life and culture, Lordigin embodies their values. He is brutal, obsessed with riches, rather stinky (as others would claim), and just all-around quite the jerk. But he is also a fool, a tool to Prideshead's endeavors in taking him down.

Design
Hordemaster Lordigin looks like a large white bloon with two black eyes, as bloons in Dark Times are described as having for better characterization. Wrapped around Lordigin's lower body are various straps of rough brown leather with spiky iron spikes sticking out of them. Atop Lordigin is an iron crown with various rusted iron spikes and a single red jewel.

Stats

 * Health: 1000
 * Movement Speed: 0.8x Red Bloon
 * Other Properties
 * Takes 1 reduced damage from all attacks, requiring damage be done by towers that deal 1 layer or more in damage.
 * Melee attacks made against Hordemaster Lordigin result in the tower taking 1 retaliation damage from his spikes.
 * Hordemaster Lordigin releases a constant gaseous green aura around him that smells particularly foul. Having not practiced hygiene in years, Monkey towers in this aura have a 20% chance of being unable to attack for 1 second. This cloud's range extends to that of an x/x/1 Dart Monkey.

Abilities
Every few seconds, Hordemaster Lordigin will select one of these abilities.


 * Spike Burst: Lordigin stops moving for 0.5 seconds, and releases in a ring around him 8 spikes that deal 3 damage and travel the distance of an x/x/1 Dart Monkey's range.
 * Brash Shield: Lordigin will flash silver for 3 seconds, as during this time his armoring doubles and he moves 10% faster.
 * Hearty Laugh: Lordigin will stop and release a triumphant laugh, as he becomes completely invincible for 1 second. During this time, attacks will actually heal Lordigin according to their usual damage.
 * Horderush: Lordigin will stop as a booming trumpet sounds, and 5-12 Hordelings will emerge from the track's start.
 * Hordeball: Lordigin's eyes will flash green as a large toxic ball of energy will hurdle into the closest tower, dealing 5 damage + 3 additional damage over the next 6 seconds.
 * Hordebeckon: At his location, 1-3 Hordelings and 0-1 Horde Strikers will spawn in a green portal on the track.
 * Hordebomb: From Hordemaster Lordigin, 2-5 bright green orbs that periodically turns white will arc through the air and into random locations on screen with at least one tower in range. After 5 seconds, these bombs will simultaneously explode dealing 5 damage to towers in the blast.

Strategy

 * Investing in Sniper Monkeys early in Campaign Mode specifically in preparation for Hordemaster Lordigin who is fought very early on can work wonders. Having upgrades in Snipers that allow them to deal tons of damage per shot are very effective at piercing Lordigin's minor armor, and staying out of his stench cloud with their practically endless range.
 * By this point in the Campaign, the player will have Sir Raymond III and Aurum Dragni as Heroes. Because Hordemaster Lordigin reflects melee damage and has a stench cloud around him, Aurum is the preferable Hero for this stage, as all aspects of Lordigin's passive abilities counter the purposes of Raymond unless he can reach levels that buff the health and damage resistance of nearby towers.
 * Monkey Bowmen with Longbow Training and Evasive Tactics are both cheap, can out-damage Lordigin's armor, and stay clear of his rather short range stench cloud. With Evasive Tactics, they're also less likely to get damaged by Spike Burst, Hordeball, or Hordebombs.

Trivia

 * All things considered, a rather simple to understand and overcome boss with some standard damaging, speed buffing, and summoning abilities to get a grasp on boss fights.
 * Lordigin is Hordelorde Aulgart's least favorite Prime Master due to his inability to conquer the southern territories even after 28 years unopposed. Despite that, he is a Horde celebrity due to his rather raw embodiment of their traditions.
 * Though there are standard bloon enemies called Hordemasters that are encountered later in Campaign Mode, as a technical Prime Master, Lordigin is above them in the Defiled Horde's ranks.