Heroes 3 wiki - User contributions [en]

Grail

2026-05-24T14:01:18Z

85.24.253.43: Removed a leftover )

{| cellspacing=0 cellpadding=7 style="border-style: double; border-color: silver; border-width: 3px; color:dimgray; background-color:honeydew; margin:0 15px 5px 0; float:left;"
|- align=center
| [[File:Artifact Grail.gif]]
|}
The '''Grail''' is an item similar to an [[artifact]] in the sense that heroes can carry it and exchange it between them in the same way as artifacts. Also it can be sold for 1 unit of any resource. In fact, the Grail is sometimes unofficially referred to as ''the ultimate artifact''. The Grail is typically hidden somewhere in the ground of [[adventure map]], and finding it requires digging it with a hero. Recovering the Grail artifact and taking it to any town enables the player to build town specific Grail Building.

The primary bonuses of Grail Building for all towns are extra 5000 {{g}} generation per day and 50% additional creature growth per week (rounded down). The growth bonus applies after all the modifiers: external dwellings and {{An|Statue of Legion}} or its components. Additionally, every town has its own unique bonuses.

== Finding the Grail ==
In order to recover the Grail, a [[hero]] must dig it out of the ground. A hero without empty slots in a [[backpack]] cannot dig. Digging demands the whole amount of a hero's movement points so it is impossible to dig at the same day when a hero crossed even just one tile on the map without tinkering with fast/slow units in the hero's army. Only one Grail may be hidden in the adventure map. However, it is also possible for a mapmaker to set any number of heroes and towns to carry the Grail in their backpack or have their Grail structure built, respectively. When the Grail is buried into the ground, clues to its location can be found at [[obelisk|obelisks]]. Every visited obelisk reveals a part of the [[puzzle map]], which shows the location of the Grail marked with X. Typically the X becomes visible when the entire [[puzzle map]] is revealed, but occasionally it will be shown before the last obelisk is visited. However, it is often possible to guess roughly the area where the Grail might lie, and systematically start digging it. In fact, the AI at hard difficulty levels starts digging the Grail even if only a third of the puzzle map is completed.

If the hero carrying the Grail [[retreat|retreats]], [[surrender|surrenders]] or is defeated in battle, the Grail is lost forever. But when he is ''[[dismiss|dismissed]]'', it is possible to find him in a [[tavern]] with a Grail in his backpack.

The Grail can be sold to [[artifact merchants]] for 1 of any [[resource]].

If the map has no obelisks, it is completely impossible to find the grail (even if every single block on the map is dug on). Also, using "nwcoracle", a [[cheat]] that reveals the [[puzzle map]], will have no effect and the puzzle will not show anything.

[[File:Grail.webp|Grail marker|left]] The Grail can be placed in the map editor to always appear at a specific position. The editor will not allow it to be placed at less than nine tiles away from the edges of the map. It is also not possible to place the Grail in the open like the other artifacts, only its burial spot. Although it can be placed in the backpack of a hero (including one in a [[Prison]] or [[Hero Camp|Camp]]), the Grail cannot normally be set as a reward for a [[Seer's Hut]] quest, [[event]], or [[Pandora's Box]]. These restrictions can be worked around by hex editing.

== Grail Buildings ==
{{buildings}}
When the Grail is taken to a town and the visiting hero with the Grail "visits" the Town Hall ([[Town Hall|Village Hall/Town Hall/City Hall/Capitol]]), a town-specific Grail Building will be built. It can be the second town building per turn, but nothing can be built on the same day after it. The Grail can be built in an allied town, which can be greatly beneficial if the player chooses to construct it in an allied [[Tower]] or [[Conflux]] town. The effects of Grail buildings are gained by allies (except [[Castle]], [[Rampart]] and [[Necropolis]] buildings) where applicable.

{| border cellpadding="4" style="border:1 solid; text-align:left; background-color:#{{Purple 4}}; margin-right:20px; margin-bottom:10px;"
|- style="background-color:#{{Purple 1}}; color:white"
! style="text-align:center;" | Town
! style="text-align:center;" | Grail
! style="text-align:center;" | Effect
! style="text-align:center;" | Notes

|-
| style="text-align:center;" | {{swh|noicon=|[[File: Adventure Map Castle capitol (HotA).webp|x64px]]|[[File: Adventure Map Castle capitol.webp|x64px]]}}[[Castle]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Grail Castle Colossus.gif]]'''Colossus'''
| Increases the [[Morale]] of all of the owner's heroes by 2.
| Although the documentation states that it increases all allied heroes’ morale, this appears to be wrong.

|-
| style="text-align:center;" | {{swh|noicon=|[[File: Adventure Map Rampart capitol (HotA).webp|x64px]]|[[File: Adventure Map Rampart capitol.webp|x64px]]}}[[Rampart]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Grail Rampart Spirit Guardian.gif]]'''Spirit Guardian'''
| Increases the [[Luck]] of all of the owner's heroes by 2.
|

|-
| style="text-align:center;" | {{swh|noicon=|[[File: Adventure Map Tower capitol (HotA).webp|x64px]]|[[File: Adventure Map Tower capitol.webp|x64px]]}}[[Tower]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Grail Tower Skyship.gif]]'''Skyship'''
| Reveals the entire map for the player who owns it.Increases the [[spell points]] of the defending hero by 150 and replenishes them immediately after the battle.
| Does not cancel out [[Cover of Darkness]].

|-
| style="text-align:center;" | {{swh|noicon=|{{watchable|Adventure Map Inferno capitol (HotA).webp|height=64px}}|{{watchable|Adventure Map Inferno capitol.webp|height=64px}}}}[[Inferno]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Grail Inferno Deity of Fire.gif]]'''Deity of Fire'''
| Causes every week to be The Week of Imp (+15 [[Imp]] / [[Familiar]] growth).
| External dwellings are not affected by this special week.

|-
| style="text-align:center;" | {{swh|noicon=|[[File: Adventure Map Necropolis capitol (HotA).webp|x64px]]|[[File: Adventure Map Necropolis capitol.webp|x64px]]}}[[Necropolis]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Grail Necropolis Soul Prison.gif]]'''Soul Prison'''
| Increases the [[Necromancy]] skill of all the owners’ heroes by 20%.
| Although the documentation states that it increases all allied heroes’ Necromancy skill, this appears to be wrong.

|-
| style="text-align:center;" | {{swh|noicon=|[[File: Adventure Map Dungeon capitol (HotA).webp|x64px]]|[[File: Adventure Map Dungeon capitol.webp|x64px]]}}[[Dungeon]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Grail Dungeon Guardian of Earth.gif]]'''Guardian of Earth'''
| Increases the [[Spell Power]] of the defending hero by 12.
|

|-
| style="text-align:center;" | {{swh|noicon=|[[File: Adventure Map Stronghold capitol (HotA).webp|x64px]]|[[File: Adventure Map Stronghold capitol.webp|x64px]]}}[[Stronghold]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Grail Stronghold Warlords' Monument.gif]]'''Warlords' Monument'''
| Increases the [[Attack]] of the defending hero by 20.
|

|-
| style="text-align:center;" | {{swh|noicon=|{{watchable|Adventure Map Fortress capitol (HotA).webp|height=64px}}|{{watchable|Adventure Map Fortress capitol.webp|height=64px}}}}[[Fortress]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Grail Fortress Carnivorous Plant.gif]]'''Carnivorous Plant'''
| Increases the [[Attack]] and [[Defense]] of the defending hero by 10.
|

|-
| style="text-align:center;" | {{swh|noicon=|[[File: Adventure Map Conflux capitol (HotA).webp|x64px]]|[[File: Adventure Map Conflux capitol.webp|x64px]]}}[[Conflux]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Grail Conflux Aurora Borealis.gif]]'''Aurora Borealis'''
| {{swh|Fills the town's [[Mage Guild]] with all [[spell|spells]] up to the level of the currently built [[Mage Guild]], but does not include spells that are never available for Conflux.|Fills the town's [[Mage Guild]] with all [[spell|spells]].}}
| In earlier versions, any hero that entered the town learned all spells that were in the game, including [[Titan's Lightning Bolt]][[Talk: Titan's Lightning Bolt#Titan's Lightning Bolt from Aurora Borealis|*]], regardless of their level of [[Wisdom]].Fixed in {{ab}} patch [[2.2]], {{sod}} patch [[3.2]], and {{hommcomplete}} patch [[4.0]].

|- class="onlyhota"
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Adventure Map Cove capitol.webp|Cove|link=Cove|x64px]][[Cove]]{{-wh}}
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Grail Cove Lodestar.gif]]'''Lodestar'''
| Makes any terrain [[Native terrain|native]] to all (allied or enemy) [[Cove]] units: <ul><li> No [[movement penalty]]</li><li> +1 to [[attack]]/[[defense]]/[[speed]]</li><li> Can see and ignore [[land mine|land mines]] and see [[quicksand]]</li></ul>
|

|- class="onlyhota"
| style="text-align:center;" | {{watchable|Adventure Map Factory capitol.webp|height=64px}}[[Factory]]{{-wh}}
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Grail Factory Lightning Rod.gif]]'''Lightning Rod'''
| Strikes all enemies with lightning at the first round of every battle.Damage is based on town building count. Damage formula is 35 + n × 7 where n is the number of built buildings (upgrades do not count separately) up to a maximum of 168.
| Effect happens on the first round of the controller's turn, not the first round of combat.Does not affect creatures immune to [[Chain Lightning]]. Deals reduced damage to creatures with [[Spell damage reduction]].Damage is increased by [[Sorcery]] and [[Orb of the Firmament]], but not by [[Air Magic]] nor [[Magic Clouds]].Ignores [[Anti-Magic]], [[Cursed Ground]], [[Interference]] and anti-magical artifacts (e.g. [[Orb of Inhibition]]).

|- class="onlyhota"
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Adventure Map Bulwark capitol.webp|Bulwark|link=Bulwark|x64px]][[Bulwark]]{{-wh}}
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Bulwark Spirits of the Forebears large.png]]'''Spirits of the Forebears'''
| Increases the [[Defense]] of the defending hero by 20.
|
|}

== Gallery ==
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights=200px>
Rampart-totem.jpg| Spirit Guardian concept
Guardian-of-earth-sketch.jpg| Guardian of Earth concept
HotA_1.7.0-Data-HotA_lng_snd-Factory2A-bik-Factory2A.webm| [[Airship]]s were a modified Skyship design (see left) ([[Beyond the Horizon]]{{-wh}} prologue)

</gallery>

{{fanopinion|
*Castle: One of the less impactful grails, which is often made redundant by Knights’ [[Leadership]] skill. The bonus can be seen as Advanced Leadership without needing to waste a skill slot.
*Rampart: Similar to the Castle grail, but even less impactful.
*Tower: Having this building gives a massive tactical advantage, and any player will be perfectly able to spot any attempt of siege or attack not only to this town but to all friendly heroes and buildings.
*Inferno: Typically grail buildings are built long after the imps, low tier creatures, are useful. However, the scrupulous Inferno player can turn this into an incredibly powerful advantage. A high level Marius equipped with any of the extra hitpoint artifacts can turn these extra imps into more demons with pit lords. A vial of lifeblood makes conversion 50% more efficient, requiring six imps per demon as opposed to nine. This means with the addition of the grail, birthing pools and castle, one can expect an additional 11 demons per week. 
*Necropolis: Typically grail buildings will be acquired long after skeletons have already been farmed from neutral encounters, but the 20% boost is still appreciated for whatever fights there are. It is also completely worthless for non-Necro opponents, which is nice. Notably, this is the only source of Necromancy that wasn't halved in [[Horn of the Abyss]], making the boost even more significant.
*Dungeon: Having a +12 Spell Power boost together with 5 level of [[Mage Guild]] allows to cast tremendous spells like [[Chain Lightning]] or [[Implosion]] dealing horrific damage, or to make essential spells like [[Slow]], [[Haste]], [[Bless]] or [[Curse]] everlasting.
*Stronghold: This bonus gives an absurd damage bonus, able to increase the damage output of even the highest leveled creatures by about 50%, any hero holding a town with this building is nearly unbeatable except by an overwhelming army or an opposing hero with a very high level.
*Fortress: This boost is considered to be the best in terms of siege defense, not only does it make all units tanky but also gives them a powerful damage steroid, this is particularly useful for the [[Fortress]] creatures, who have somewhat low stats (but extremely potent and annoying abilities) and allows them to achieve a strong combination of destruction, tankiness and annoyingness.
*Conflux: Arguably the best Grail building. Having guaranteed access to [[Town Portal]], [[Dimension Door]], and [[Fly]] by itself is already incredible. Getting every single other spell is just bonus. Even with the nerfs in Horn of the Abyss, this Grail is still the most powerful.
*Cove: Effectively provides a global buff to all Cove units while preventing [[movement penalty]] with mono-Cove armies. The speed is particularly appreciated given how sluggish most Cove units are.
*Factory: Probably in top 3 best Grail buildings. Lightning Rod is global, not in-town only. It can clear most neutral creatures (especially if they are split in 7 stacks) for free and take a dent out of the opponent's army. The damage scales primarily from town building count (7 damage per building, starting from 42 with just Village Hall and Lightning Rod up to 168 when fully built), so it is best built in your main town. See [[Arrow tower#Damage calculation]] to see how the damage works. If you send multiple heroes against the opponent one by one, assuming the opponent has 7 creature stacks, they will deal up to 1176 damage for 2500 gold each. With a large gold supply, this can be used until the enemy army is depleted, as long as the enemy is accessible in a day (1500-1700 movement points) from any of your towns or a [[Tavern]]. Keep in mind that the effect does not happen until your turn, meaning the opponent will have a chance to cast a protecting spell on their troops if they have a faster creature; it doesn't work on units immune to Lightning Bolt and Chain Lightning (e.g Gold and Black Dragons) and works very poorly on Golems.
*Bulwark: Combined with Bulwark's already high defense on their heroes and high health units, this will make defending creatures nearly unkillable unless facing an overwhelming army.
}}

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[[Category: Adventure Map]]
__NOTOC__

Horn of the Abyss

2026-05-24T13:43:54Z

85.24.253.43: GoG -> GOG

[[Image:Horn of the Abyss GOG Cover Small.png|right|frame|{{hota}} GOG cover art.]]
__TOC__
'''Horn of the Abyss''' (or '''HotA''') is an unofficial yet comprehensive expansion for {{homm3}}, designed as a continuation of the classic [[expansions]].

The project adds plenty of new features, but stays true to the formula and vision of the original game. Quality is of utmost importance in this addition to the game. This includes the careful balance changes and fixes, removal of the graphical imperfections left by the developers, and the addition of considerable amount of new content, such as new campaigns, playable factions, and map objects. The project is lore-oriented and attempts to keep connected with the original ''Might and Magic'' universe.

In 2024, the Cove faction from Horn of the Abyss was canonized by being officially adopted as one of the upcoming expansions for ''[[The Board Game|Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Board Game]]'', and in 2025 the project was further recognized by GOG.com in its inclusion of Horn of the Abyss on the official Heroes of Might and Magic III page.

Unlike {{wog}}-based mods, Horn of the Abyss' new towns are added to the game without replacing any existing towns. The mod requires {{sod}} or {{hommcomplete}} to run.

The expansion is officially available in two languages: Russian and English. However, unofficial 1.8.0 translations are available in Spanish, Polish and French through the GOG gaming platform.

== Plot ==
The 5 Campaigns are mainly split into 2 separate stories with an interlude between.

=== [[Cove]] Campaigns ===
[[Under the Jolly Roger]], [[Terror of the Seas]], and [[Horn of the Abyss (campaign)|Horn of the Abyss]] tell the story of [[Jeremy]] and [[Bidley]] in their quest for the [[Horn of the Abyss (artifact)|Horn of the Abyss]].

[[Jeremy]] and his [[pirate]] crew crash their ship on an unnamed island in the [[Nighon Straits]]. Making the best of a bad situation, they capture an old [[Erathia|Erathian]] fort and rename it [[Utopia]]. They are contacted by a native chief, [[Alkin]], who alerts them that the [[Kreegan|Kreegans]] are about to invade this little island. Working together, [[Jeremy]] and [[Alkin]] managed to repulse the [[Kreegan|Kreegans]]. [[Jeremy]] leaves [[Utopia]] under [[Alkin]]'s control and sails away in a stolen [[Kreegan]] vessel. When he reaches [[Evenmorn Island]], he comes to the aid of [[Casmetra]] and the [[Priestesses of the Sea]] who had come under attack from the [[Temple of the Moon]].

Meanwhile, [[Bidley]] is off on his own adventure, rescuing [[Xanthor]] from a magical prison in [[Krewlod]]. In return, [[Xanthor]] tells him of the location of the fabled [[Horn of the Abyss (artifact)|Horn of the Abyss]]. [[Bidley]] then meets up with [[Jeremy]] and [[Casmetra]] and all three decide to go on a quest to obtain the Horn. They raid [[Kreegan]]-controlled [[Fire Coast]] to fund their quest and in the process rescue [[Tark]], the prince of the [[Nix]]. [[Tark]] swims off to free his people from slavery in [[Nighon]], but not before vowing to return. [[Jeremy]], [[Bidley]], and [[Casmetra]] continue on the the [[Island of the Vengeful Serpent]], the resting place of the [[Horn of the Abyss (artifact)|Horn of the Abyss]].

Along the way, they are attacked by the [[Tatalia|Tatalian]] navy and barely escape. Upon reaching the island (which turns out to be an [[Ancient]] armory), the accidently activate the security system. [[Bidley]] is trapped inside and continues to seek the Horn, while [[Jeremy]] and [[Casmetra]] are left to fight off the pursuing [[Tatalia|Tatalians]]. [[Bidley]] finds and frees [[Dargem]], a mage who had been trapped while seeking the Horn. Together they manage to find the Horn, but at the last second, [[Dargem]] attacks [[Bidley]], knocking him unconscious and taking the Horn for himself. Not knowing how to use it, though, he takes [[Bidley]] captive sails off.

[[Tark]] returns after freeing his people, and, together with [[Jeremy]] and [[Casmetra]], sails off in pursuit of [[Dargem]]. They defeat [[Dargem]]'s forces and corner him in a tower, where he reveals [[Casmetra]]'s betrayal - she had secretly hired him to retrieve the Horn for her! In a last-ditch attempt to escape, [[Dargem]] blows the Horn while [[Casmetra]] throws a spell to attempt to stop him. The resulting magical explosion throws everyone to all corners of the globe (and beyond).

[[Jeremy]] awakes in [[Klondike]] where he lights the [[Lodestar]] to guide him to [[Bidley]]. [[Bidley]] lands in the [[Plane of Water]] and sacks [[Coralgate]] fortress to reach the portal back to [[Enroth (planet)|Enroth]]. [[Dargem]] winds up in [[Nighon]], where he recruits the [[Warlocks]] to go after the Horn with him. [[Casmetra]] ends up with the Horn and returns to [[Regna]] to experiment with it. [[Tark]] also stops near [[Casmetra]] and spies on her, awaiting the return of [[Jeremy]] and [[Bidley]]. When they return, the three of them attack [[Casmetra]] and successfully wrest the Horn from her, while she escapes into a portal, never to be heard from again.

By this time, news that the Horn has been found has gotten out. [[Bracada|Bracadan]] and [[Elemental]] forces under [[Solmyr]] and [[Regna|Regnan]] and [[Nighon|Nighonian]] forces under [[Dargem]] all try to wrest the horn from Bidley, but he successfully defends his prize. With the [[Horn of the Abyss (artifact)|Horn of the Abyss]] under his control, [[Bidley]] is now the de-facto Pirate King of [[Regna]].

=== [[Forged in Fire]] ===
This campaign occurs mostly before the story of [[Jeremy]] and [[Bidley]]. It follows the story of the [[Halflings]] from their flight from the [[Kreegan|Kreegans]] during the [[Night of Shooting Stars]] to the eventual liberation of their homeland ([[Eeofol]]) during the [[War of the Blade]].

During the [[Night of Shooting Stars]], the [[Kreegan|Kreegans]] invade and occupy the [[Halfling]] homeland of [[Eeofol]]. [[Henrietta]] and her mentor [[Frederick]] (a rogue [[Bracada|Bracadan]] mage and inventor), barely manage to rally the [[Halflings]] and escape on [[Frederick]]'s skyships. They sail to [[Jadame]] to meet [[Frederick]]'s colleague [[Sam]] at her home of [[Burton]]. [[Burton]], however, has troubles of its own, being beset by [[Zog]]'s ogres. The [[Halfling|Halflings]] settle in [[Burton]] and together they defeat [[Zog]] and turn their attention to another threa, [[Dargem]]'s pirates. Looking for allies against this new threat, [[Henrietta]] enlists [[Boyd]], a sentient skeleton and former member of [[Dargem]]'s crew. [[Dargem]] had betrayed and murdered [[Boyd]] and now [[Boyd]] only exists to enact his vengeance on [[Dargem]]. After a tough battle, [[Henrietta]] and [[Boyd]] are victorious and, as agreed, [[Henrietta]] leaves [[Dargem]] at [[Boyd]]'s mercy.

The immediate crises solved, the [[Halfling|Halflings]] work hard to improve [[Burton]]. With their help, it becomes a thriving city-state. Several years later, a series of unnatural earthquakes shake the region and [[Henrietta]], now the Scout-Master of [[Burton]], sets off to investigate. When he hears no word from her in several months, [[Frederick]] sets off to find his friend. Unexpectedly, he is joined by [[Kastore]] (the king of [[Deyja]]), who is in [[Jadame]] on his own secret purposes. As fate would have it, the "tombs" north of [[Burton]] where [[Henrietta]] went missing are actually a crashed [[Ancient]] starship. As [[Kastore]] is looking for a way to restart a [[Heavenly Forge]], he is very interested in this development. While exploring the ship, he educates [[Frederick]] on the wider universe, eventually accepting him as his apprentice. After weeks or months of searching, [[Kastore]] and [[Frederick]] solve the mystery of the earthquakes. The [[Warlock]] [[Agar]] has been modifying the local [[Sandworm|Sandworms]] into the mighty [[Olgoi-Khorkhoi]]! When he eventually creates the [[Matriarch]] (an Olgoi-Khorkhoi Queen), she wrests control of the worms away from [[Agar]]. Now she and her brood rampage through the mountains, destabilizing the whole region. [[Frederick]], [[Kastore]], and [[Agar]], now set off to find and destroy the [[Matriarch]] and after more searching find [[Henrietta]] fending her off using a salvaged [[Ancient]] power core. Together, they defeat the [[Matriarch]] and return to [[Burton]], where [[Kastore]] quietly confiscates the [[Ancient]] technology and encourages [[Burton]] into a technological revolution. This revolution leads to the improvement of [[Frederick]]'s [[Automaton|Automatons]] and the creation of the fearsome [[Dreadnought|Dreadnoughts]].

[[Burton]] is thriving and [[Kastore]] insidious schemes have not yet come to light. [[Henrietta]] sets out to explore the nearby [[Couatl Islands]] with a new friend [[Wynona]]. With the help of [[Tlamac Hundred Thoughts]], they save the [[Couatl|Couatls]] from extinction and defeat [[Pactal]] and the evil [[Nightcrawlers]] before returning to [[Burton]] (now formally the nation of [[Terra Nova]]). In her time away, however, [[Kastore]] has seized control of [[Terra Nova]], turning it into a dystopian nightmare and declaring the [[Halfling|Halflings]] enemies of the state. Once again the [[Halfling|Halflings]] are forced to flee their home, however this time they commandeer enough forces to attempt to liberate their original homeland, [[Eeofol]].

Their timing for arriving back in [[Eeofol]] was fortuitous, coinciding with the last stages of the [[War of the Blade]]. While [[Catherine]], [[Roland]], and [[Gelu]] attacked [[Eeofol]] from the west, the [[Halfling|Halflings]] attacked from the east. Ultimately, the [[Kreegan|Kreegans]] were utterly defeated and eradicated from [[Enroth (planet)|Enroth]].

=== [[All In]] ===
This campaign follows the story of [[Dargem]] following his defeat by [[Henrietta]] and [[Boyd]] up to his capture and imprisonment while searching for the [[Horn of the Abyss (artifact)|Horn of the Abyss]]. It serves as an interlude to narratively connect the story of the [[Halflings]] to the story of [[Jeremy]] and [[Bidley]].

== Features ==
;[[Town]]s
* {{town|Cove}}
* {{town|Factory}}
* {{town|Bulwark}}
* {{town|Forge|HotA}} (in development)

;[[Terrain]]s
* [[Highlands]]
* [[Wasteland]]

;[[Creature]]s
{| border cellpadding="2" class="unsortable" frame=box cellspacing=0
! style="text-align:center;" | {{town|Cove}} Creatures
! style="text-align:center;" | {{town|Factory}} Creatures
! style="text-align:center;" | {{town|Bulwark}} Creatures
! style="text-align:center;" | {{town|Neutral}} Creatures
|-
| {{CnuAlt|Nymph|Oceanid}} || {{CnuAlt|Halfling|image=Halfling (Factory)|Halfling Grenadier}} || {{CnuAlt|Kobold|Kobold Foreman}} || {{CnAlt|Leprechaun}}
|-
| {{CnuAlt|Crew Mate|Seaman}} || {{CnuAlt|Mechanic|Engineer}} || {{CnuAlt|Mountain Ram|Argali}} || {{CnAlt|Satyr}}
|-
| {{CnuAlt|Pirate|Corsair|third=Sea Dog|Pirate, Corsair, and Sea Dog}} || {{CnuAlt|Armadillo|Bellwether Armadillo}} || {{CnuAlt|Snow Elf|Steel Elf}} || {{CnAlt|Steel Golem}}
|-
| {{CnuAlt|Stormbird|Ayssid}} || {{CnuAlt|Automaton|Sentinel Automaton}} || {{CnuAlt|Yeti|Yeti Runemaster}} || {{CnAlt|Fangarm}}
|-
| {{CnuAlt|Sea Witch|Sorceress}} || {{CnuAlt|Sandworm|Olgoi-Khorkhoi}} || {{CnuAlt|Shaman|Great Shaman}} ||
|-
| {{CnuAlt|Nix|Nix Warrior}} || {{CnuAlt|Gunslinger|Bounty Hunter}} || {{CnuAlt|Mammoth|War Mammoth}} ||
|-
| {{CnuAlt|Sea Serpent|Haspid}} || {{CnuAlt|Couatl|Crimson Couatl}} || {{CnuAlt|Jotunn|Jotunn Warlord}} ||
|-
| || {{CnuAlt|Dreadnought|Juggernaut}} || ||
|}
* [[Pirate]]s can be upgraded twice, similar to Green Dragons in ''Heroes of Might and Magic II''.
* [[Factory]] has access to two tier 7 creatures, both of which can be built in the same town.
* [[Halfling]]s changed from {{town|Neutral}} creatures to {{town|Factory}} creatures.

;[[Hero]]es
{| border cellpadding="2" class="unsortable" frame=box cellspacing=0
! colspan=2 style="text-align:center;" | {{town|Cove}} Heroes
! colspan=2 style="text-align:center;" | {{town|Factory}} Heroes
! colspan=2 style="text-align:center;" | {{town|Bulwark}} Heroes
|- style="text-align:center;"
! {{Cl|Captain}}s
! {{Cl|Navigator}}s
! {{Cl|Mercenary|name=Mercenaries}}
! {{Cl|Artificer}}s
! {{Cl|Chieftain}}s
! {{Cl|Elder}}s
|-
| {{H|Corkes|0=}} || {{H|Casmetra|0=}} || {{H|Henrietta|0=}} || {{H|Celestine|0=}} || {{H|Dhuin|0=}} || {{H|Kriv|0=}}
|-
| {{H|Jeremy|0=}} || {{H|Eovacius|0=}} || {{H|Sam|0=}} || {{H|Todd|0=}} || {{H|Oidana|0=}} || {{H|Glacius|0=}}
|-
| {{H|Illor|0=}} || {{H|Spint|0=}} || {{H|Tancred|0=}} || {{H|Agar|0=}} || {{H|Neia|0=}} || {{H|Sial|0=}}
|-
| {{H|Derek|0=}} || {{H|Andal|0=}} || {{H|Melchior|0=}} || {{H|Bertram|0=}} || {{H|Eikthurn|0=}} || {{H|Dalton|0=}}
|-
| {{H|Elmore|0=}} || {{H|Manfred|0=}} || {{H|Floribert|0=}} || {{H|Wrathmont|0=}} || {{H|Creyle|0=}} || {{H|Biarma|0=}}
|-
| {{H|Leena|0=}} || {{H|Zilare|0=}} || {{H|Wynona|0=}} || {{H|Ziph|0=}} || {{H|Spadum|0=}} || {{H|Haugir|0=}}
|-
| {{H|Anabel|0=}} || {{H|Astra|0=}} || {{H|Dury|0=}} || {{H|Victoria|0=}} || {{H|Kynr|0=}} || {{H|Akka|0=}}
|-
| {{H|Cassiopeia|0=}} || {{H|Dargem|0=}} || {{H|Morton|0=}} || {{H|Eanswythe|0=}} || {{H|Ergon|0=}} || {{H|Vehr|0=}}
|-
| {{H|Miriam|0=}} || || {{H|Tavin|0=}} {{withmapedhota}} || {{H|Frederick|0=}} {{withmapedhota}} || || {{H|Allora|0=}}
|-
| {{H|Bidley|0=}} {{withmapedhota}} || || {{H|Murdoch|0=}} {{withmapedhota}} || || ||
|-
| {{H|Tark|0=}} {{withmapedhota}} || || || || ||
|}

{| border cellpadding="2" class="unsortable" frame=box cellspacing=0
! colspan=2 style="text-align:center;" | Other Heroes
|-
! Hero
! Notes
|-
| {{H|Lord Haart|0=}} || Re-enabled and replaces [[Sir Mullich]] by default
|-
| {{H|Beatrice|0=}} || Replaces [[Sylvia]] on maps without water
|-
| {{H|Giselle|0=}} || Replaces [[Thorgrim]] by default
|-
| {{H|Ranloo|0=}} || Replaces [[Galthran]] by default
|-
| {{H|Haart Lich|0=}} || Renamed from "Lord Haart"
|-
| {{H|Kinkeria|0=}} || Replaces [[Voy]] on maps without water
|}

{| border cellpadding="2" class="unsortable" frame=box cellspacing=0
! colspan=4 style="text-align:center;" | Hero [[Hero portraits|Portrait]]s (available in [[Map Editor]])
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{H|Boyd|0=}} || {{H|Maximus|0=}} || {{H|Athe|0=}} || {{H|Kydoimos|0=}}
|-
| {{H|Miseria|0=}} || {{H|Gruezak|0=}} || {{H|Zog|0=}} || {{H|Areshrak|0=}}
|-
| {{H|Pactal|0=}} || {{H|Balfour|0=}} || {{H|Stina|0=}} || {{H|Umender|0=}}
|-
| {{H|Elderian|0=}} || {{H|Valquest|0=}} || {{H|Jangaard|0=}} || {{H|Winzells|0=}}
|-
| {{H|Tarnum (Knight)|0=}} || {{H|Tarnum (Ranger)|0=}} || {{H|Tarnum (Wizard)|0=}} || {{H|Tarnum (Overlord)|0=}}
|-
| {{H|Tarnum (Beastmaster)|0=}} || {{H|Tarnum (Barbarian)|0=}} || ||
|}

;[[Secondary Skill]]s
* Balance changes to [[Artillery]], [[Ballistics]], [[Eagle Eye]], [[Estates]], [[First Aid]], [[Intelligence]], [[Learning]], [[Logistics]], [[Mysticism]], [[Necromancy]], [[Pathfinding]], and [[Scouting]].
* [[Resistance]] is disabled by default.
* New skill: {{ss|Interference}}
* New skill: {{ss|Runes}}

;[[Campaign]]s
* [[Under the Jolly Roger]]
* [[Terror of the Seas]]
* [[Horn of the Abyss (campaign)|Horn of the Abyss]]
* [[Forged in Fire]]
* [[All In]]
* Into Aeon of Frost (in development)

;Miscellaneous
* Dozens of new [[List of adventure map objects|map objects]].
* Several new [[artifact|artifacts]]. See [[list of artifacts]] for more information.
* Many [[Creature|Creatures]] and [[Hero|Heroes]] received updated portraits. See [[hero portraits#HotA portrait fixes|hero portraits]] and [[creature portraits#HotA portrait fixes|creature portraits]] for more information.
* Improved [[Map Editor]] and [[Campaign Editor]] functionality.
* [[Conflux]]'s [[native terrain]] changed to [[highlands]].
* External [[Creature dwelling|dwellings]] now accumulate creatures cumulatively, as long as they're captured.
* Various changes to town balance.
* [[Spell research]] system.
* New Conflux building: [[Vault of Ashes]].
* New [[war machine]]: [[Cannon]].
* New adventure map vehicle: [[Airship]].
* New [[Keybinds]].
* Many bug fixes and graphical improvements.
* Full compatibility with [[Heroes 3 HD]].
* [[Template Editor]].

== [[List of maps|Maps]] ==
{{Map table}}
{{Horn of the Abyss map table}}
|}

== Gallery ==
<gallery mode="packed-hover">
Horn of the Abyss Menu.png
Horn of the Abyss Menu no buttons.png
HotA Loading Screen.png|Art by [[Rusha]]
Horn of the Abyss Couatl.png
Horn of the Abyss Couatl no buttons.png
Horn of the Abyss Streamfest 2019 Menu.png|Streamfest 2019 Demo Menu (art by [[Nosferatu (Artist)|nosferatu]] and [[Docent Picolan]])
Dargem Ship Wallpaper.png| [[Dargem]]
Dargem Casmetra Wallpaper.png| [[Dargem]] and [[Casmetra]]
Dargem Doom Castle Wallpaper.png| [[Dargem]] and [[Gunnar]] at [[Doom Castle]]
Dargem Cave Wallpaper.png| [[Dargem]] at the [[Island of the Vengeful Serpent]]
Cmap hota nomap 4.png|Common Campaign Map Background
Cmap hota nomap 1.png|Cove Campaign Map Background 1
Cmap hota nomap 2.png|Cove Campaign Map Background 2
Cmap hota nomap 3.png|Cove Campaign Map Background 3
Horn of the Abyss GOG Cover.png|GOG cover art (full size)
Polish.jpg|Polish menu
spain.png|Spanish menu
Creature portraits SoD-HotA.gif| Creature portrait updates
Hero portraits SoD-HotA.gif| Hero portrait updates
</gallery>

== External Links ==
;English Links
* [https://h3hota.com/en/documentation Documentation (h3hota.com)]
* [https://h3hota.com/en/download Downloads (h3hota.com)]
* [https://www.gog.com/en/game/heroes_of_might_and_magic_iii_horn_of_the_abyss GOG.com store page]
* [http://heroescommunity.com/viewthread.php3?TID=39830 Official Heroes Community Thread]
* [https://www.facebook.com/pg/h3hotaofficial/posts Official Facebook Account]
* [https://h3hota.com/en/faq Official FAQ]

;Russian Links
* [https://h3hota.com/ru/documentation Documentation (h3hota.com)]
* [https://h3hota.com/ru/download Downloads (h3hota.com)]
* [http://forum.df2.ru/index.php?showforum=90 Official DF2 Thread]
* [https://vk.com/h3hota Official VK Account]
* [https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroes_of_Might_and_Magic_III:_Horn_of_the_Abyss Wikipedia]

; Polish Links
* [http://www.hota.acidcave.net Acid Cave]
* [https://heroes.net.pl/ Jaskinia Behemota]
* [https://h3.heroes.net.pl/uploaded/download/HotA-173-pl.zip Polish translation (1.7.3 version; 15 June 2025)]

;Spanish Links
* [https://www.torredemarfil.es/foro/fuentes-de-la-revelacion-general-sobre-clasicos-homm-y-mm/homm3-horn-of-the-abyss-hd-mod-en-espanol! Torre de Marfil]
* [https://www.mediafire.com/file/p2cewhp61ax1vs8/H3_HotA_Spanish_1.8.0_%252830-mar-2026%2529.rar/file Spanish translation (1.8.0. version; 30 April 2026)]

;French Links
* [https://www.archangelcastle.com/acforum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=10457 Archangel Castle]
* [https://www.mediafire.com/file/9a6gxugp9jycmmy/HotA.FR.v1.7.1_full.setup.exe/file French translation (1.7.1 version; 7 May 2024)]

;German Links
* [https://github.com/heroesiiifan/HoMM3-German German translation (1.7.1 version; 06 October 2024)]

;Bulwark
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uM--UyP-Kg Bulwark]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnxFSrRPwS0 Bulwark: Into Aeon of Frost]

;Factory
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTXUglrxUQc Factory]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTSsek0wIEY Factory Demo trailer]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYDFyyS_5uw Factory Demo townscreen]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQQSPcn_TwE Wasteland soundtrack by Docent Picolan]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbgJ3ZgUPV8 Wasteland stroll]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZ7K5zc6af4 Wasteland 3D-art by Wit Olszewski]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paYKKlAO0ck Kastore's Cabin]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImPyEKr3bj8 Couatl Evolution]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qae5lCCyIgk Couatl in the Jungle]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQWzHjz4Cs4 Factory: the Rally]

== See Also: ==
* [[Credits]]
* [[Horn of the Abyss (artifact)]]
* [[Horn of the Abyss (Changelog)]]
* [[HotA pre-release content]]

[[Category:Expansions]][[Category:Horn of the Abyss|*]]