recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Andra

**Andra** the Witch is a Fortress hero. Andra starts with a spell book and the spell Dispel.

## User commentary

*Some may find the information in this section subjective or irrelevant.*

Andra is a prime champion for this town. Intelligence is a skill that scales very well, and plays a critical role for spellcasters through all stages of the game. The ability to keep your distance from the main town for longer without a visit to the mage guild for mana or even withstand a late game showdown with another main hero by outlasting their mana supply (not at all an uncommon scenario) cannot be overstated.

See also:

* List of heroes
* List of heroes (HotA)
* Hero class
* Hero biographies
* List of hero specialties
* List of hero specialties (HotA)
Artifact juggling

**Artifact juggling** is the technique of swapping artifacts in and out situationally, often on a turn-by-turn basis. This can be tedious, but also necessary in the late game to maximize the potential of main heroes.

## Most common uses

* Maximizing knowledge for a magic spring or mana vortex. Common artifacts for this might be Sandals of the Saint, Dragon Wing Tabard, or Thunder Helmet.
* Utilizing the movement bonus of artifacts like Boots of Speed and Equestrian's Gloves and then swapping into artifacts with combat relevance like Ring of the Wayfarer Still Eye of the Dragon or Sandals of the Saint
* Cloaks are some of the most common targets for artifact juggling. Late-game heroes may find the need to juggle Angel Wings, Dragon Wing Tabard, and Cape of Velocity depending on circumstances.
Avauntnell

**Avauntnell** is a region in southern Erathia that appears in the Hack and Slash campaign in *The Shadow of Death*.

The southern parts of Avauntnell are quite rocky, and home to many barbarian tribes, due to how close it is to Krewlod. The Erathians tried to build settlements here, but the harsh environment and barbarian raids made this difficult. The grasslands and forests further north attracted more settlers, and the Erathian militia had a presence here, including an order of knights known as the Knights of the Blade.

The eastern parts of Avauntnell are controlled by a small group of necromancers known as the "Ebon Hand". The Erathians decided that since they didn't cause many problems, it wasn't worth the time and expense to send their armies to this remote swamp region and deal with them.

The northern parts were home to the "Hand of Death", a necromancer cult that bribed the local Erathian militia to leave them alone. The main Erathian leadership were unaware that their militia had been bribed, so the necromancers were left in peace.

Some time before the Restoration Wars, Sandro hired Crag Hack to retrieve some magical artifacts from Avauntnell. The large barbarian ended up in combat against all the factions in the area - the barbarians, the Knights of the Blade, the Ebon Hand, and the Hand of Death, but he still managed to bring all the items back to his employer.
Altar of Sacrifice

**Altar of Sacrifice** is an adventure map location, which has different function depending on the hero's alignment. Castle, Tower and Rampart heroes, who are considered to be good alignment, can only sacrifice artifacts on the altar for experience. Inferno, Necropolis and Dungeon heroes, who are considered to be evil alignment, can only sacrifice creatures on the altar. Heroes from neutral alignment factions Stronghold, Fortress, Conflux, Cove  and Factory  can sacrifice either artifacts or creatures.

The amount of experience gained from the sacrifice depends on either the artifact class or creature AI value. A hero can gain 1000/1500/3000/6000 experience for a treasure/minor/major/relic artifact or 5\*(AI value/40(rounded down)) experience for a creature. Peasants provide no experience, and you cannot sacrifice them unless something else is also on the altar.

## See also

* List of map objects
* List of map objects (HotA)
Armageddon's Blade Manual Page 14

Conflux Towns

A Conflux is home to the Elementalist and Planeswalker. Composed primarily of elemental creatures,

the Conflux also offers home to the Sprites and the elusive Phoenix. What makes Conflux towns

unique is their emphasis on creatures of mid-range power. Generals continue to debate if this is the

strategic strength or weakness of the town. Regardless, all agree it takes an astute commander to

effectively lead a Conflux army. All elementals have neutral morale and immunity to poison.

Conflux Specific Buildings

Structure

Cost

Requirements

Benefits

Artifacts Merchant

10000 Gold

Marketplace

Visit the Artifacts Merchant to trade

resources for artifacts.

Blacksmith

1000 Gold + 5 Wood

Village Hall

Produces the Ballista war machine.

Resource Silo

5000 Gold + 5 Ore

Marketplace

This upgrade to the marketplace provides

1 Mercury per day.

Shipyard

2000 Gold + 20 Wood

Village Hall

Enable production of ships. Ships cost

1000 Gold + 10 Wood.

Magic University

5000 Gold + 10 Wood

+ 10 Ore

Mage Guild

The Magic University enables visiting

heroes to learn any/all of the four schools

of magic.

Conflux Creature Dwellings and Hordes

Pixies & Sprites

Within the land of Antagarich, Pixies

and Sprites have found a home

within the walls of the Conflux. These

flying creatures are usually found in

large numbers and possess great

quickness. Sprites strike so quickly,

they prevent their enemies from

counterstriking.

Structure

Requirements

Structure

Cost

Requirements

Creatures/Week

Name

Cost

Damage

Shots

Attack

Defense

Health

Movement

Speed

Pixie

25 Gold

1-2

None

2

2

3

Flying

Extra Swift (7 hexes/turn)

Magic Lantern

300 Gold + 5 Wood + 5 Ore

Fort

20 Pixies

Upgraded Magic Lantern

1000 Gold

Magic Lantern

20 Sprites

Sprite

30 Gold

1-3

None

2

2

3

Flying

Ultra Swift (9 hexes/turn)

Garden of Life

1000 Gold

Magic Lantern

+ 10 Pixie/Sprite Production
Admiral's Hat

**Admiral's Hat** is a relic class combination artifact and is equipped in the head slot. Combination artifacts were first added in the Shadow of Death expansion.

In addition to the regular bonuses, the Admiral's Hat gives these advantages:

* No penalty when boarding / disembarking from a boat.
* Converts movement points between land and sea.
* Component effects: Hero sea movement + 1500; Summon Boat and Scuttle Boat spells; protects army in whirlpools.

## Admiral's Hat bug

A famous Shadow of Death bug, which allows a player who has Admiral's Hat, access to water tile, speed-boosting artifacts or a nearby scout with creatures of different speed in the army, and some spare time to convert all this into the immense amount of movement points.

First, how does water/dry land movement conversion work:

MP*bas* - basic movement points

MP*act* - actual movement points

WMP*bas* - basic movement points on water

WMP*act* - actual movement points on water

m - move cost (affected by a starting tile terrain penalty and Favorable Winds bonus)

Boarding MP convertion: WMP*act* = (MP*act*-m) × WMP*bas*/MP*bas*

Landing MP convertion:   MP*act* = (WMP*act*-m)/(WMP*bas*/MP*bas*)

MP*bas* depends on:

1. speed of the slowest creature in the army
2. speed artifacts (Equestrian Gloves, Boots of Speed)
3. daily/weekly MP boosting objects visited
4. Logistics and Navigation skills/specialties

The Admiral's Hat bug is based on the fact that MP*bas* is not fixed at the beginning of the day; - the game recalculates it during the turn every time one of the options described above is changed.

So it can be manipulated easily by:

1. changing the slowest unit
2. un/equipping Equestrian Gloves and/or Boots of Speed

The mechanics of the abuse briefly can be described as "slow boarding, quick landing". E.g.: a hero with 6th speed (1700 MP) and Boots of Speed artifact, which gives +600 MP, (and equipped **Admiral's Hat**, of course) boarding from the terrain without movement penalty by a straight step (m = 100). No Navigation or Lighthouse bonuses. Boots of Speed are removed for boarding and equipped for landing. The overall effect will look like:

comparing to how it should work with MP*bas* fixed at the start of the turn level:

In Horn of the Abyss MP*bas* cannot be changed during the day, hence the bug is fixed.

## See also:

* List of artifacts
* List of artifacts (HotA)
Ajit

**Ajit** the Overlord is a Dungeon hero.

## Specialty

The in-game description *"Increases the Attack and Defense skills of any Beholders or Evil Eyes for each level attained after 2nd level."* is erroneous in "each level attained" moment, and lacks the speed bonus information. *(Description is fixed in HotA ).*

Unlike the native terrain speed bonus, the creature specialty speed bonus can affect the hero's movement points in case the creature is the slowest one in the army.

See also:

* List of heroes
* List of heroes (HotA)
* Hero class
* Hero biographies
* List of hero specialties
* List of hero specialties (HotA)
Armor of Wonder

**Armor of Wonder** is a minor class artifact equipped in the torso slot. While equipped, the armor increases hero's all primary skills by +1. In Shadow of Death, the Armor of Wonder is a part of Angelic Alliance.

## Related artifacts

* Angelic Alliance
* Sandals of the Saint
* Celestial Necklace of Bliss
* Lion's Shield of Courage
* Sword of Judgement
* Helm of Heavenly Enlightenment

## See also:

* List of artifacts
* List of artifacts (HotA)
Alamar

**Alamar** the Warlock is a Dungeon hero. Alamar starts with a spell book and the spell Resurrection.

## User commentary

*Some may find the information in this section subjective or irrelevant.*

Alamar has Resurrection as a starting spell, which is one of most powerful spells in the game. This fact makes Alamar a valuable hero for all factions except Necropolis. In addition, Alamar starts with Scholar and Wisdom, which is a useful combination, that makes him a "walking Mage Guild" quickly. Three level-ups is minimum for Alamar to have Expert Scholar and Advanced Wisdom, which enables him to teach fourth level spells (including his Resurrection) to any hero capable of learning them.

See also:

* List of heroes
* List of heroes (HotA)
* Hero class
* Hero biographies
* List of hero specialties
* List of hero specialties (HotA)
Armageddon's Blade Manual Page 13

Conflux Town and

Creature Reference

Conflux Town and Creature Reference

In addition to the eight town types from Heroes III, this expansion pack includes one new town

type, the elemental Conflux. Here you will find descriptions for all the buildings in this town type.

Creature statistics are listed with data for the buildings required to produce them.

Mage Guild

Altar of Earth

Pyre

Altar of Air

Altar of Fire

Castle

Magic

University

Altar of Water

Blacksmith

Hall

Magic Lantern

Tavern

Artifact Merchants

Resource Silo

Altar of Thought

Marketplace
Agar

*Only available when the unofficial expansion, Horn of the Abyss, is installed.*

**Agar** the Artificer is a Factory hero. Agar starts with a spell book and the spell View Earth.

See also:

* List of heroes
* List of heroes (HotA)
* Hero class
* Hero biographies
* List of hero specialties
* List of hero specialties (HotA)
Armageddon's Blade Manual Page 10

Ranger

Gelu

Race

Attack

Defense

Unique Ability

Male Half Human/Vori Elf

Secondary Skills

Basic Leadership, Basic Archery

1

Power

1

3

Knowledge

1

Gelu can upgrade Archers, Marksmen, Wood Elves and Grand Elves to Sharpshooters.

Race

Attack

Defense

Unique Ability

Male Efreeti

Secondary Skills

Basic Leadership, Basic Tactics

2

Power

1

2

Knowledge

1

Devils and Arch Devils under Xeron's command receive + 4 Attack, + 2 Defense and

+ 1 Speed.

Demoniac

Xeron

Dragon's Blood

In the nation of Nighon, a young ambitious female overlord named Mutare seeks to defeat an aging,

ineffective neighbor, Ordwald, who has squandered his land and done nothing to deserve his valuable

territory. Lead Mutare and her armies as she attempts to gain rule over a larger portion of Nighon.

In her campaign to expand her territory, Mutare learns of a fabled magical vial of Dragon's Blood

that, when ingested, will transform a human into a powerful sentient dragon.

Heroes:

Overlord

Mutare

Race

Attack

Defense

Unique Ability

Female Human

Secondary Skills

Basic Tactics, Basic Estates

2

Power

1

2

Knowledge

1

All Dragons under Mutare's command receive + 5 Attack and + 5 Defense.

Dragon Slayer

The wizard Dracon sets out to specialize in the field of Dragon Slaying. He will gain training and cut

his teeth as a slayer by destroying a Crystal Dragon. In an effort to make a name for himself, Dracon

hopes to find and slay the greatest dragon to ever live, the Azure Dragon.

Heroes:

Wizard

Dracon

Race

Attack

Defense

Unique Ability

Male Human

Secondary Skills

Advanced Wisdom

0

Power

2

0

Knowledge

3

Dracon can upgrade Monks, Zealots, Magi and Arch Magi to Enchanters.
Angelic Alliance

**Angelic Alliance** is a relic class combination artifact and is equipped in the weapon slot. Combination artifacts were first added in the Shadow of Death expansion.

In addition to the regular bonuses (a total of +21 to all primary skills), the Angelic Alliance allows the player army to include creatures from towns of good and neutral alignment while retaining the +1 morale bonus, as if they were all from one faction. In the original game , Conflux units cannot be included as they prevent the morale bonus. In Horn of the Abyss , both Conflux and Cove units can be included in the army while retaining the morale bonus. Note that neutral creatures do not count as neutrally aligned for *any* purpose. While the artifact is equipped, the before mentioned factions, which have the morale bonus, are considered to be one faction. Adding evil units, neutral creatures, or Conflux units (the latter not in Horn of the Abyss ) prevents the morale bonus, but units from good and neutral alignment towns are still considered to be the same faction. For example, having units from Castle, Tower, and Inferno gives no morale bonus or penalty as if the hero had units of just two factions.

At the first turn of its owner in the combat, the Angelic Alliance casts Expert Prayer for 10 rounds, unless there are circumstances which prevent casting this spell (for example, allied creatures' immunity, Cursed Ground, anti-magic artifacts). Angelic Alliance gives the highest boosts to primary skills out of any combination artifact in the game, handily outclassing even Power of the Dragon Father despite filling fewer artifact slots (6, as opposed to 9 for Power of the Dragon Father).

Requires the following artifacts to create:

* Armor of Wonder
* Celestial Necklace of Bliss
* Helm of Heavenly Enlightenment
* Lion's Shield of Courage
* Sandals of the Saint
* Sword of Judgement

The Angelic Alliance is the most expensive artifact in Shadow of Death.

## Horn of the Abyss

The mixed alignment morale penalty removal effect now affects Conflux, Cove, and Factory units. As both of these factions are neutral, the Horn of the Abyss  developers decided to add them to the list of towns affected by and included in the alliance.

## User commentary

*Some may find the information in this section subjective or irrelevant.*

This artifact is referenced in the Calamity Mod for Terraria with an item of the same name. It provides the same type of all-round buff and the sound of Prayer is played upon the activation of the buff.

## See also:

* List of artifacts
* List of artifacts (HotA)
Armageddon's Blade Manual Page 11

Festival of Life

Every thirty years the youth of Krewlod are given the opportunity to replace their clan leaders and vie

for the throne. In preparation, a section of Krewlod is let alone for thirty years, creating a place of

wild and numerous beasts. As Kilgor the Barbarian, you must defeat the beasts, the Ancient

Behemoth Razor Claw, and the other lords in order to have a chance to usurp the king's throne.

Heroes:

Barbarian

Kilgor

Race

Attack

Defense

Unique Ability

Male Human

Secondary Skills

Advanced Offense

4

Power

1

0

Knowledge

1

Behemoths or Ancient Behemoths under Kilgor's Command receive + 5 Attack,

+ 5 Defense and + 10 Damage.

Race

Attack

Defense

Unique Ability

Male Ogre

Secondary Skills

Basic Offense, Basic Tactics

4

Power

1

0

Knowledge

1

Increases the attack and defense skills of any Ogre or Ogre Mage for each level attained after

4th level.

Barbarian

Duke Winston

Boragus

Playing with Fire

Adrienne, an outcast Fire Witch in the land of Tatalia, travels to her homeland to discover a strangely

familiar Death Knight is turning the local population into a harvesting ground for the Undead. Restore

order to the land and hunt down this evil Death Knight. Absolute extermination of the undead plague is

your ultimate goal.

Heroes:

Witch

Adrienne

Race

Attack

Defense

Unique Ability

Female Human

Secondary Skills

0

Power

1

Knowledge

Adrienne starts with Expert Fire Magic.

Basic Wisdom, Expert Fire Magic

2

2

Race

Attack

Defense

Unique Ability

Male Lich

Secondary Skills

Advanced Necromancy

1

Power

2

2

Knowledge

1

Black Knights or Dread Knights receive + 5 Attack, + 5 Defense and + 10 Damage under

Lord Haart's command.

Death Knight

Lord Haart
Ballistics

**Ballistics** is a secondary skill, that gives the player manual control over the catapult in a siege, increases the chances of hitting an intended wall and increases the chance of doing double damage. The castle walls as well as Drawbridge, Keep and Arrow Towers have 2 hitpoints (upon building castle standard walls are upgraded to fortified walls, which have 3 hitpoints). Additionally, at advanced and expert level of Ballistics catapults fire twice instead of just once.

It is interesting that Ballistics secondary skill does *not* buff Ballista. The latter works better via Artillery.

**Heroes with Basic Ballistics as a starting skill:**

* Olema the Heretic
* Theodorus the Wizard
* Uland the Druid
* Yog the Barbarian
* Morton the Mercenary

## Chance to get

*Out of total 112 for Shadow of Death, and of (112 + Interference chance) for Horn of the Abyss .
Banned skills change the probability.*

## User commentary

*Some may find the information in this section subjective or irrelevant.*

Ballistics is not something essential to everyone, but it's really useful when sieging towns, and if a map has many towns you should capture, consider using a hero with Ballistics as your starting hero, eventually improving the skill to Expert. It will make sieging a town way easier, reducing your losses, as you will destroy the drawbridge on an early stage of the battle, and the enemy's defense will worsen significantly. However, the most crucial when sieging a town is properly using your flyers, ranged units, and magic, so as to win as soon as possible and avoid major losses.
Quite useful, since it gives you first chance to cast spells in sieges (provided that the defending hero doesn't have Artillery).
**Recommended for:** Heroes with walker-heavy armies
While useful for breaking open the gate quickly, one also has to care to consider that it is the only battle-skill that in non-siege battle situations has absolutely no impact. Therefore, in a multiplayer game it may be better to select a more multi-situation skill upon which to invest. In single-player games, more useful, but also situational, as the AI tends to charge out of the castle if an army demonstrates any significant long-range damage abilities. It is very rare that the AI stays in the castle entirely, and that this skill is entirely necessary. I would take this if I had walker armies, and were offered an alternative skill considerably less useful (ie. eagle eye, learning).
Armageddon's Blade Manual Page 16

Fire Elementals &

Energy Elementals

Fire Elementals are burning spirits of

Fire Magic. They are immune to all

Mind and Fire School spells, but take

double damage from Ice Ray and Frost

Ring attacks. Energy Elementals gain

the ability to fly and can also cast the

spell Protection from Fire.

Structure Requirements

Earth Elementals &

Magma Elementals

Earth Elementals are forces of Earth Magic.

They take no damage from Mind, Lightning

Bolt, Chain Lightning, and Firestorm spells.

They take double damage from Meteor Storm

attacks. From a source deep beneath the

world's surface, roam the Magma Elementals.

Slightly stronger than their earthen counterparts, Magma Elementals can also cast the

spell Protection from Earth.

Structure Requirements

Psychic Elementals & Magic Elementals

Psychic Elementals are the physical evidence

of what many consider the fifth element:

thought. These creatures are immune to

Mind spells. Their attacks overpower the

minds of all those surrounding them, causing

enough pain to kill. Enemies enduring such

an attack rarely are capable of a retaliatory

strike. Magic Elementals are a product of the

sixth element: magic. Magic Elementals are

also immune to all forms of magic.

Structure Requirements

Name

Cost

Damage

Shots

Attack

Defense

Health

Movement

Speed

Fire Elemental

350 Gold

4-6

None

10

8

35

Ground

Swift (6 hexes/turn)

Structure

Altar of Fire

Cost

2000 Gold + 5 Wood + 5 Ore

Requirements Altar of Air

Creatures/Week 5 Fire Elementals

Altar of Fire

5 Energy Elementals

Name

Cost

Damage

Shots

Attack

Defense

Health

Movement

Speed

Earth Elemental

400 Gold

4-8

None

10

10

40

Ground

Extra Slow (4 hexes/turn)

Magma Elemental

500 Gold

6-10

None

11

11

40

Ground

Swift (6 hexes/turn)

Structure

Cost

Requirements

Creatures/Week

Altar of Earth

2000 Gold + 10 Ore

Altar of Water

4 Earth Elementals

Upgraded Altar of Earth

1000 Gold + 5 Sulfur

Altar of Earth

4 Magma Elementals

Name

Cost

Damage

Shots

Attack

Defense

Health

Movement

Speed

Psychic Elemental

750 Gold

10-20

None

15

13

75

Ground

Extra Swift (7 hexes/turn)

Magic Elemental

800 Gold

15-25

None

15

13

80

Ground

Ultra Swift (9 hexes/turn)

Structure

Cost

Upgraded Altar of Fire

2000 Gold + 5 Ore + 5 Mercury

Altar of Thought

Upgraded Altar of Thought

3000 Gold + 5 Ore + 5 Wood 2 Crystal

+ 2 Gems + 2 Mercury + 2 Sulfur

3000 Gold + 3 Crystals + 3 Gems

+ 3 Mercury + 3 Sulfur

Requirements Altar of Earth + Altar of Fire

Creatures/Week 2 Psychic Elementals

Energy Elemental

400 Gold

4-6

None

12

8

35

Flying

Very Swift (8 hexes/turn)

Altar of Thought

2 Magic Elementals
Onyx

**Titel** | der Herumtreiber

Alle Wolfen haben einen angeborenen Killerinstinkt. Einige wissen, wie sie ihre Impulse kontrollieren können, wenn es nötig ist, oder wenn das Überleben es erfordert. Dies aber ist nicht bei Onyx der Fall. Keine Tradition könnte einen Wolfen wie ihn zähmen. Für Onyx sind die Kinder Yllias die Spitze der Nahrungskette und kein Hindernis wird sich zwischen ihm und seiner blutdurstigen Wut in den Weg stellen. Es werden keine Kompromisse geduldet, die Schwachen müssen verschwinden.
Kategorie:Personen (Wolfen von Yllia)
A Gryphon's Heart

Victory condition: Transport Artifact or Defeat All Enemies

## Prologue

 Unnamed male general: Our nation's goal was to kill the man who banished us from Erathia. However, Nighon and Eeofol's subsequent invasion has done us an unexpected favor. Erathia is strewn with the dead. For the necromancers, this is a season of harvest. This is a season for war. Queen Catherine is a formidable foe. To defeat Erathia's remaining military, we need a tactician greater than her. We have a plan... an ironic plan. While Catherine organizes the last stages of her war with Nighon and Eeofol, you will sneak into Erathia and locate King Gryphonheart’s grave. Be wary. The region is occupied by scattered Erathian. When the gravesite is found, we will resurrect the dead king and make him our pawn. With King Gryphonheart commanding our armies, his former home will become our land of the dead.

## Epilogue

While resurrecting King Gryphonheart from the dead, former King Vilmar met with an unfortunate accident. King Gryphonheart has taken command of the military... and the throne. His control over the dead is beyond anything we have seen. This bodes well for our invasion. However, our lords watch their new king, searching for a sign of weakness.
Anabel

*Only available when the unofficial expansion, Horn of the Abyss, is installed.*

**Anabel** the Captain is a Cove hero.

## Specialty

Unlike the native terrain speed bonus, the creature specialty speed bonus can affect the hero's movement points in case the creature is the slowest one in the army.

See also:

* List of heroes
* List of heroes (HotA)
* Hero class
* Hero biographies
* List of hero specialties
* List of hero specialties (HotA)
Armageddon's Blade Manual Page 2

To Xeron, loyal servant of his majesty Lucifer

Kreegan, killer of his king's enemies:

Upon receiving this letter, kill the messenger. No one is to

learn of its contents. Should its information fall into the hands

of an enemy, our kingdom of Eeofol may find itself the victim of a

greater nation's aggression.

Though we have met and spoken frequently since the death of our

previous lord, King Xenofex, I have yet to tell you how I came to

know of his death before anyone else in the kingdom.

On the night of the day Xenofex fell to a band of adventurers, he

came to me in a dream.

As I slept, my dream-form walked through a lush forest of rich

green foliage and warm sunbeams. As I walked, the stench of fresh

earth and morning dew surrendered to the fragrance of charcoal and

sulfur. Through the parting trees, I stepped into a clearing. At my

feet lay a shimmering pool of molten rock. Warming my face to the

heat

rising from the pool, I leaned over and peered inside. At the bottom,

barely visible, rested a breastplate. Unafraid of injury, I plunged my

arm into the pool and grabbed the artifact. Unscorched, I withdrew

my arm and held before my eyes the Breastplate of Brimstone.

I could not help but feel my own exaggerated grin as I put on the

prized artifact. However, my elation faded as I heard the echo of an

insane cackle. After a moment of stillness with nothing but the

sound of the leaves rustling in the faint breeze ... then the laughter

came again. Its direction was obvious, so I walked toward the source.

As I grew closer, the laughter became louder and more frequent, until

I came upon a shield set against a dead tree. The laughter reached

a fevered pitch, threatening my sanity, as I drew closer. With much

concentration, I was able to grab and lift the artifact. The laughter

ceased. It was the Shield of the Damned.

No sooner did I hold the shield then my ears heard a horrible

screeching. I spun around. For a split second, I glimpsed a sword

speeding through the air. I raised the Shield of the Damned to

deflect the attack. Cartwheeling backward, the blade hovered for a

moment then dove. Again, I parried the attack. This continued, until

finally, the blade tired and dropped to the ground. Carefully, I

approached and picked up the artifact. It was the Sword of Hellfire.

As I rose, I saw before me Xenofex. He turned and began walking
Armageddon's Blade Manual Page 7

Starting a Custom Campaign:

From the Main Menu, click New Game

Click Campaign

Click Custom

Click the Campaign you wish to play

Note: Custom campaigns must be stored in the Maps subdirectory of Heroes III.

Starting a Single Scenario Game:

1. From the Main Menu, click New Game

2. Click Single Scenario

3. Select the Scenario and as detailed in the Heroes III Restoration of Erathia manual,

pages 9-11.

Note: You can now sort the list by map version (Restoration of Erathia or Armageddon's Blade).

Note: If you select a scenario from the original Heroes III: The Restoration of Erathia with the

Armageddon's Blade CD in your CD-ROM drive, any of the new creatures, towns or heroes from this

expansion may appear on the map. If you do not want to use the new creatures, towns or heroes, you

must run the original Heroes III by inserting the Heroes III CD and/or running Heroes III from the

Start menu.

Sort the list by map

type (Restoration of

Erathia or

Armageddon's Blade)

Generate a

Random Map
Armageddon's Blade Manual Page 3

away. I followed and eventually caught up with

him. He was

standing next to an old man seated on a tree stump. The old

man was examining the construction of a wild rose he had plucked

from a nearby bush.

Under the watchful eye of Xenofex, I approached. At the feet of the

old man, I placed the Breastplate of Brimstone, the Sword of

Hellfire, and the Shield of the Damned. Stepping back, I watched as

the old man put aside the flower.

Picking up the sword, he examined the blade then lifted the shield

from the ground. By a means I do not understand, he folded the artifacts together creating a new sword. He then repeated this feat,

folding the sword into the breastplate, creating a final artifact: a

sword with a strong blade and a golden bird lifting its wings at the

hilt.

After the old man laid the magnificent blade on the ground, Xenofex

stepped forward. Taking the blade in his hands, Xenofex looked in my

direction, grinned, then with great strength, drove the blade into the

ground.

In an instant, a flash of white blinded me. My vision returned in

time to see the blade conjure an ocean of fire to wash over the world.

These waves of fire spread, fast as lightning, burning all in its path.

When it was over, Xenofex and I stood face to face, on a world

charred black. Examining the face of Xenofex, I saw only satisfaction

and glee. He then stepped backward, away from the blade as it spoke

to me; "I am the blade of Armageddon."

Carefully, I approached. Stretching out my hand, I reached for the

blade. Before I could touch it, time froze and the vision shimmered. I

awoke.

I know Xenofex came to me the moment after he was killed. I know

not why, but it is my destiny and duty to possess Armageddon's Blade.

With it, I will set the world on fire.

Go forth

Sword of

the three

I have no

and search the land for the Breastplate of Brimstone, the

Hellfire, and the Shield of the Damned. When you have

artifacts, seek out the old man. I do not know who he is, but

doubt you will find him. It is your destiny.

When you have finished, return to me with the blade.
Armageddon's Blade Manual Page 26

4. Turn off the Autorun and DMA settings on your CD-ROM drive:

1. Right-click on the 'My Computer' icon and choose 'Properties'.

2. Click on the 'Device Manager' tab.

3. Click on the '+' sign next to the CD-ROM line so that it becomes a '-' sign.

4. Click on the line that appears under the CD-ROM line so that it is highlighted, then

click on the 'Properties' button.

5. Click on the 'Settings' tab.

6. Look for the Auto-insert Notification and DMA lines. If there is a check mark in

the boxes next to either of these lines, click on the box to remove the check mark.

7. Click on the 'Apply' button, and then click on the 'OK' button.

8. When you are asked if you want to restart your system, choose 'Yes'.

You can restore all of the CD-ROM settings back to normal after the game has been successfully

installed.

Launching the Game I

After launching the game from the Start menu or Desktop icon, you get a blank screen,

a black box that surrounds the mouse cursor, blurring or choppy graphics, vertical lines

on the screen, choppy sound, or no sound.

There is probably a conflict between your video or sound card and Microsoft's DirectX.

For Windows 95 and 98 users:

1. Press the 'Start' button on the Windows 95/98 task bar and select 'Run'.

2. Type "dxdiag" or "c:\Program Files\directx\setup\dxdiag.exe" then click on the 'OK'

button. This will run the DirectX Diagnostics Tool.

3. Make sure all your files are DirectX 6 compatible. Select the 'DirectX Files' tab make

sure there are no exclamation points next to the file names. If you find exclamation

points under this tab you will need to reinstall DirectX 6 by going to the 'START'

Button on the Windows 95 task bar then select 'RUN' and type your CD-ROM drive

letter followed by ":\DirectX\dxsetup.exe" and click on the 'Reinstall DirectX' button.

This will reinstall DirectX 6.

4. Make sure all of your drivers are DirectX 6 compatible. Select the 'DirectX Drivers'

tab and make sure there are no exclamation points next to any of the file names. If

you find exclamation points under this tab you will need to update your drivers by

contacting the manufacturer of the hardware through their Phone Support or

through their web site. 3DO has a listing of manufactures sites available at:

http://www.3do.com/support.

5. Test your hardware with the DirectX 6 Diagnostics tool. Run the tests that are

available on the 'Display', 'Sound', and 'Input' tabs. If one or more tests fail, this

could be due to driver incompatibility. Installing the newest drivers available for your

sound and video card hardware can usually resolve this.

For Windows 98 users:

1. Press the Start button on the Windows 98 task bar and select 'Help.'

2. Select the Search tab, type 'DirectX Troubleshooter' in the text box, and then press

the List Topics button. Select 'DirectX Troubleshooter' in the Topics window, click

the Display Button, and then follow the instructions to troubleshoot your DirectX issue.
Ancient Altar

*Only available when the unofficial expansion, Horn of the Abyss, is installed.*

**Ancient Altar** is an adventure map location, and commonly known as one of the creature banks. It is guarded by 25 Haspids. The reward is the Horn of the Abyss artifact.

The Ancient Altar differs from other creature banks as the combat layout is the same as if the Haspids were attacked normally on the Adventure Map. War machines **are** available for use.

NOTE: If the spinning horn is not visible, that means the Haspids have already been defeated and the horn is gone.

## Default settings for random map generator

* Terrain: ???
* Value: ???
* Density: ???

## See also:

* List of map objects
* List of map objects (HotA)
Armageddon's Blade Manual Page 4

What's New?

Armageddon's Blade is the highly anticipated expansion pack for Heroes of Might and Magic III.

It extends and enhances the original game with new campaigns, new scenarios, a powerful new

random map generator, a campaign editor and an enhanced map editor. In addition, Armageddon's

Blade presents unique challenges with new creatures, new heroes and a new town type.

Here is a list of new features in Armageddon's Blade:

New Campaigns: There are six new campaigns featuring their own storylines: Armageddon's Blade,

Dragon's Blood, Dragon Slayer, Festival of Life, Foolhardy Waywardness and Playing with Fire.

See page 9 for a description of the new campaigns.

New Scenarios: There are 38 new stand-alone scenarios to test your strategic ability.

Random Map Generator: Use this tool to create playable maps based on your settings for size, terrain,

difficulty, number of players and other selectable parameters. Once created, you can refine your maps

using the Map Editor and string them together with a story line using the Campaign Editor. See page

8 for instructions on using the Random Map Generator.

Map Editor: Enhancements include new adventure objects and the Random Map Generator. This tool

enables users to edit maps and also to refine maps created by the Random Map Generator. For a

complete explanation of how to use the Map Editor refer to the online Help File. To run the help file

launch the Map Editor from your start menu and press F1.

Campaign Editor: Build your own campaigns using the Campaign Editor to connect individual

Scenarios, define the story, cinematic sequences, starting options and objects that carry-over across

multiple Scenarios. Consult the on-line Help File included on the CD for complete instructions on

how to use the Campaign Editor. To run the Help File launch the Campaign Editor from your start

menu and press F1.

New Creatures: Players can now engage 23 new creatures including 10 new elemental Conflux

creatures. See page 13 for details on all of the new creatures.

New Heroes: The game features two new Hero classes, including 16 new Heroes, as well as 11 new

campaign Heroes around whom the stories revolve. See page 9 for descriptions of the campaign

Heroes and page 21 for descriptions of the other new Heroes.

New Town Type: Players will encounter a ninth town type, the mysterious elemental Conflux which has

emerged as either a harbinger of Erathia's victory, or an omen of world destruction. See page 13 for

details on the Conflux.

Secondary Skills: Heroes that possess the Artillery Secondary Skill can now control Arrow Towers

during Siege Combat.
Armageddon's Blade Manual Page 22

Elementalists

Aenain

Race

Attack

Defense

Unique Ability

Male Genie

Secondary Skills

Basic Wisdom, Basic Air Magic

0

Power

3

0

Knowledge

3

Aenain adds + 2 when casting the Disrupting Ray spell.

Brissa

Race

Defense

Attack

Unique Ability

Female Genie

Secondary Skills

Basic Wisdom, Basic Air Magic

0

Power

3

0

Knowledge

3

Brissa casts Haste with increased effect, based on hero level compared to the level of the

target unit (the bonus is greater when used on weaker units).

Ciele

Race

Attack

Defense

Unique Ability

Female Elf

Secondary Skills

Basic Wisdom, Basic Water Magic

0

Power

3

0

Knowledge

3

When cast by Ciele, Magic Arrow damage increases by 50%.

Gelare

Race

Attack

Defense

Unique Ability

Male Elf

Secondary Skills

Basic Wisdom, Basic Water Magic

0

Power

3

0

Knowledge

3

Gelare increases income by 350 Gold per day.

Grindan

Race

Attack

Defense

Unique Ability

Male Dwarf

Secondary Skills

Basic Wisdom, Basic Earth Magic

0

Power

3

0

Knowledge

3

Grindan increases income by 350 Gold per day.

Inteus

Race

Attack

Defense

Unique Ability

Male Human

Secondary Skills

Basic Wisdom, Basic Fire Magic

0

Power

3

0

Knowledge

3

Inteus casts Bloodlust with increased effect, based on hero level compared to the level of the

target unit (the bonus is greater when used on weaker units).

Labetha

Race

Attack

Defense

Unique Ability

Female Human

Secondary Skills

Basic Wisdom, Basic Earth Magic

0

Power

3

0

Knowledge

3

When cast by Labetha, Stone Skin is increased by + 3.

Luna

Race

Attack

Defense

Unique Ability

Female Human

Secondary Skills

Basic Wisdom, Basic Fire Magic

0

Power

3

0

Knowledge

3

Damage from Fire Walls cast by Luna is doubled.
Artifact merchants

**Building cost:** 10000 .
**Buildings required:** Marketplace.

**Artifact merchants** is a building that can be constructed in Tower, Dungeon, Conflux, and  Factory. It enables visiting heroes to buy or sell artifacts. The set of artifacts available for sale are the same in every merchant, regardless of the town, the town type or the player. The available artifacts contain three treasure artifacts, three minor artifacts, and one major artifact. Once an artifact is purchased, it is gone from all artifact merchants. At the beginning of each month, the set of artifacts available for sale is renewed.

## Price of artifacts

Every artifact has a so called basic cost, from where the sell price and the buy price is determined. The price depends on how many marketplaces the player owns. The rule of thumb is, that the more marketplaces, the cheaper are the buy prices and the higher are the sell prices.

```
PRICE (buy) = 5 x B / (1 + (M - 1) x 0,25)

  where   B = basic cost of an artifact
          M = number of marketplaces (max. 9)

PRICE (sell) = B x (1 + (M - 1) x 0,25) / 5

  where   B = basic cost of an artifact
          M = number of marketplaces (max. 9)
```
Armageddon's Blade Manual Page 5

Revisiting Adventure Map Locations: If a hero currently stands on a trigger of an Adventure Object,

players can revisit the location by pressing the Space Bar.

Before you can pass through a Quest Gate, you must fulfill the quest that is assigned

to you.

Several new types of quests have been added to the Seer's Huts.

Border Gates are different from a Border Guard. Border Guards disappear from the

adventure map once a hero visits a Keymaster's Tent and returns with the password.

Border Gates DO NOT disappear from the adventure map. They remain in place,

continually guarding the pass. This allows certain players to pass, while preventing

others.

Hire Base Level or Upgraded Creatures: If you have upgraded your creature structures, you may now

choose to recruit either the base level or the upgraded creature. The default is to purchase the

upgraded creature.

Guard Mines With Creatures: You can drop off creatures at your mines to guard them. Whenever you

revisit a mine that belongs to you, you may choose or remove creatures to guard it. This is similar to

placing creatures in a garrison.
Armageddon's Blade (campaign)

The first campaign in the expansion. You play a Castle/Rampart/Conflux/Inferno Campaign. You play both on the evil and good side.

## Manual description

After the mysterious slaying of demon King Xenofex, Lucifer Kreegan solidified his rule over the clans in Eeofol. Following a visionary dream, Kreegan is rumored to have begun gathering relics to build an artifact, the legendary Armageddon's Blade, which has the power to set the world on fire.

Queen Catherine of Erathia orders her war-weary troops to invade Eeofol in order to dethrone the destructive demon monarch. But Erathia's people are split over Catherine's action.

Lucifer's hell-spawned army has pushed Erathia's soldiers back to the Eeofol-Erathia border, and there have been reports of the emergence of mysterious elemental Confluxes the size of cities. Though these Confluxes don't appear to be hostile, their intent is still unknown.

As Catherine, Roland and Gelu, you must fight the destructive Lucifer Kreegan and his demon army before he has a chance to assemble the Armageddon's Blade and engulf the world in flames.

## Backstory

Queen Catherine, her husband King Roland, and Gelu, a warrior in Erathia's elite Forestguard, must work together to defeat the insane King Lucifer of Eeofol who will create Armageddon's Blade. With it, he plans to set the world on fire.

## Heroes

* Catherine, knight with Swordsmen speciality.
* Roland, knight with Swordsmen specialty.
* General Kendal, knight with Speed specialty.
* Gelu, ranger with Sharpshooters specialty.
* Xeron, demoniac with Devils specialty.

## User commentary

*Some may find the information in this section subjective or irrelevant.*

* There are four factions in this campaign: Castle, Rampart, Inferno, and Conflux. You should use the whole magical potential of three latter, since Castle doesn't have 5th level Mage Guild. Build Order of Fire in every Inferno town, so as to upgrade heroes' spell power.
* In Gelu's Rampart scenarios, don't build Elves' upgraded dwellings. Gelu can upgrade their basic version, i.e. Wood Elves, directly to Sharpshooters, so you don't need Grand Elves at all. Sharpshooters don't have double attack unlike Grand Elves, but they don't need it as range and obstacle penalties are defied, their stats are significantly higher than Grand Elves' stats, and they have speed 9 which is brilliant for a shooter. They get an opportunity to kill Cerberi or Pit Lords with impunity. Save money for something more important.
Bashing Skulls

Victory condition: Acquire Artifact or Defeat All Enemies

## Prologue

 Crag Hack : After watching me clobber a pack of goblins in a bar fight, a Wizard named Sandro asked me to come to his table. He wants to pay me to find him something called a Skull Helmet. I'll probably have to bash someone's head in to get it. Sounds like it's going to be fun!

## Scenario

### Objects

#### Events

 50, 66, 0
 54, 12, 0

#### Quest Guards

 News of your conquest of the Trolls living in the central underground region traveled quickly. Do you wish to pass, oh worthy Barbarian?
Armor of the Damned

**Armor of the Damned** is a relic class combination artifact and is equipped in the torso slot. Combination artifacts were first added in the Shadow of Death expansion. In addition to the regular primary skill bonuses from combined artifacts, the armor casts Slow, Curse, Weakness and Misfortune at expert level with a duration of 50 rounds at the beginning of hero's first turn during combat, unless there are circumstances which prevent casting these spells (for example, enemy creatures' immunity, Cursed Ground, anti-magic artifacts). Please note that if a creature misses a turn due to low morale, Armor of the Damned doesn't cast spells until you have a creature which doesn't miss its turn.

Requires the following artifacts to create:

* Blackshard of the Dead Knight
* Rib Cage
* Shield of the Yawning Dead
* Skull Helmet

## User commentary

*Some may find the information in this section subjective or irrelevant.*

Armor of the Damned is one of the weakest combination artifacts in the game in regards to stats alone (+3 attack, +3 defense, +2 power, +2 knowledge). Conversely, its effect is easily one of the most powerful, casting a total of four spells at Expert level, at no cost, and leaving the hero free to cast another spell on their action (so potentially 5 spells in a single turn). Of the spells cast, only Misfortune is subpar. Slow is one of the best spells in the game and Weakness and Curse are both fairly potent, especially combined.
Since it casts its spells only when your first unit becomes active, Armor of the Damned works best with a speedy unit stack and/or combat speed artifacts. If the enemy moves before you, they may haste their units or slow yours, and cripple your army before the Armor ever has a chance of activating.

## See also:

* List of artifacts
* List of artifacts (HotA)
Artificer

*Only available when the unofficial expansion, Horn of the Abyss, is installed.*

**Artificers** are the magic heroes of Factory in Horn of the Abyss.

As they are heroes of a neutral town, this allows them to sacrifice for experience both creatures and artifacts on Altar of Sacrifice and in Grotto .

Artificers cannot learn Necromancy, Resistance and Interference, which means they can only acquire it from Witch Huts (if allowed), Scholars, Seer's Huts, Pandora's Boxes or Events.

* Intelligence
* Sorcery
* Wisdom
* Leadership
* Offense
* Resistance
* Interference

## See also:

* Hero class
* List of heroes
* List of heroes (HotA)
Armageddon's Blade (artifact)

**Armageddon's Blade** is a relic class artifact equipped in the weapon slot. While equipped, the blade increases hero's attack, defense and power skill by +3 and knowledge skill by +6. Additionally, it places expert level Armageddon spell in the hero's spell book, and makes all creatures in the hero's army immune to the Armageddon spell.

Armageddon's Blade is the key artifact in the Armageddon's Blade campaign. Unlike in the regular game, in the campaign game the artifact is created by combining Sword of Hellfire, Shield of the Damned and Breastplate of Brimstone. However, the blade is not an actual combination artifact.

Using Armageddon's Blade and Orb of Vulnerability at the same time makes even enemy troops that are usually unaffected by Armageddon vulnerable to the spell, with your creatures still immune to the spell.

## User commentary

*Some may find the information in this section subjective or irrelevant.*

Typically, Armageddon's Blade is banned in multiplayer maps, as it makes the wielder hero extremely powerful.

## See also:

* List of artifacts
* List of artifacts (HotA)
Alkin

**Alkin** the Beastmaster is a Fortress hero.

 - Alkin in Horn of the Abyss campaign.

## Specialty

The in-game description *"Increases the Attack and Defense skills of any Gorgons or Mighty Gorgons for each level attained after 5th level."* is erroneous in "each level attained" moment, and lacks the speed bonus information. *(Description is fixed in HotA ).*

Unlike the native terrain speed bonus, the creature specialty speed bonus can affect the hero's movement points in case the creature is the slowest one in the army.

See also:

* List of campaign heroes
* List of heroes
* List of heroes (HotA)
* Hero class
* Hero biographies
* List of hero specialties
* List of hero specialties (HotA)
After the Amulet

Victory condition: Acquire Artifact or Defeat All Enemies

## Prologue

 Gem : I have met a Wizard named Sandro who is conducting research to combat necromancy. He is creating a magical amulet, which will ward off the undead and wants to pay me a large sum of gold to find the pieces he needs to construct it. He seems to think me quite the mercenary.