[supercat]

Does anyone have any comment about the orc's bomb? My mom said the orcs didn't have any such thing in the book.

[Robert A Cook PE]

It was not as explicitly "gunpowder" and " a munfactored bomb" - unlike all the other fighting which was hand-to-hand/non-mechanical (middle ages warfare), but the idea was there.

I had the impression it was more "magical" than chemical, but this battle is the change to a new era.

The battle scenes (attacking vilalges, attacking the fortress were relatively well-played and reflected real tactics.

[HairOfTheDog]

The bomb was legit! This has been interpreted as a bomb, I think accurately... - They just don't know what to call it:

Even as they spoke there came a blare of trumpets. Then there was a crash and a flash of flame and smoke. The waters of the Deeping-stream poured out hissing and foaming: they were choked no longer, a gaping hole was blasted in the wall. A host of dark shapes poured in.

'Devilry of Saruman!' cried Aragorn. 'They have crept in the culvert again, while we talked, and they have lit the fire of Orthanc beneath our feet.

SNIP

'But the Orcs have brought a devilry from Orthanc,' said Aragorn. 'They have a blasting fire, and with it they took the Wall. If they cannot come in the caves, they may seal up those that are inside. But now we must turn all our thoughts to our own defence.'

~Ch. 7 Helm's Deep