Heroes 3 wiki - User contributions [en]

War Machine

2024-01-25T01:40:20Z

Mislic: Some useful spell info

'''War machine''' is a common term used for referring to either an Ammo Cart, Ballista, Cannon{{-wh}}, First Aid Tent or Catapult. Basically they are all special combat units which are available in most of the battles. The only exceptions are [[creature bank]]s and [[shipwreck]]s, where none of the war machines are used. Furthermore, Catapults are only used in siege combats. All war machines have a special [[Artifacts#Artifact_slots|slot]] reserved just for that particular war machine.

Typically, war machines except the Catapult are bought from [[Blacksmith]]s, which sell different war machine depending on the [[town]]. Additionally, war machines can be bought from an Adventure Map location called the [[War Machine Factory]], which sell all war machines (except Catapults and Cannons{{-wh}}). Cannons{{-wh}} can be purchased from a [[Cannon Yard]]{{-wh}}. [[Stronghold]] has the special building [[Ballista Yard]], where a visiting hero can buy a Ballista. All heroes have the Catapult with them, and if one is destroyed in the combat, a new one is automatically added to hero's catapult slot.

All war machines are immobile and unaffected by [[morale]] ([[Ballista]] and [[Cannon]]{{-wh}} can have a [[luck]]y strike, and in the [[Horn of the Abyss]] they both can have bad luck). Additionally, war machines do not affect the hero's [[movement]]. On the battlefield AI considers [[Catapult]], [[Ballista]] and [[Cannon]]{{-wh}} as ranged units, ignoring the moment they can not be blocked.

War machines can be traded between heroes, but can not be dismissed or put in the hero's backpack. In {{hota}}{{-wh}}, war machines (except the catapult) can be dismissed.

'''War machines are immune to:'''
{|
! style="text-align:left;"|Spells !! colspan=2 style="text-align:left;"|Abilities
|-
| • {{Sn|Implosion}}|| • [[Aging]]||{{cn|Ghost Dragon}}
|-
| • {{Sn|Clone}}|| • [[Death cloud]]||{{cn|Lich|noname=}}{{cn|Power Lich|name=Liches}}
|-
| • {{Sn|Bloodlust}}|| • [[Death stare]]||{{cn|Mighty Gorgon}}
|-
| style="padding-right:20px;|• [[Mind spell]]s - ([[Berserk]], [[Blind]], [[Forgetfulness]], [[Frenzy]], [[Hypnotize]], [[Mirth]], [[Sorrow]])|| • [[Disease]]||{{cn|Zombie}}
|-
| style="padding-left:20px;"|• ''{{Sn|Berserk}} can be cast without any effect.''|| • [[Fear]]||{{cn|Azure Dragon}}
|-
| style="padding-left:20px;"|• ''{{Sn|Frenzy}} can be cast by the {{an|Orb of Vulnerability}} owner.''|| • [[Life drain]]||{{cn|Vampire Lord}}
|-
| • {{Sn|Death Ripple}} and {{Sn|Destroy Undead}}|| • [[Paralyze]]||{{cn|Scorpicore}}
|-
| • {{Sn|Slow}} and {{Sn|Haste}}|| • [[Petrify]]||{{cn|Medusa|noname=}}{{cn|Medusa Queen|name=Medusas}} {{cn|Basilisk|noname=}}{{cn|Greater Basilisk|name=Basilisks}}
|-
| • {{Sn|Teleport}}|| • [[Poison]]||{{cn|Wyvern Monarch}} {{cn|Sea Serpent|noname=}}{{cn|Haspid|name=Sea Serpent and Haspid}}
|-{{cn|
| • {{Sn|Resurrection}} and {{Sn|Sacrifice}}|| style="padding-right:20px;"| • [[Summon demons]]||{{cn|Pit Lord}}
|-
| • {{Sn|Counterstrike}}|| • [[Accurate shot]]{{-wh}}||{{cn|Sea Dog}}
|-
| {{-}}|| • [[Repair]]{{-wh}}||{{cn|Mechanic|noname=}}{{cn|Engineer|name=Mechanic and Engineer}}
|}

'''War machines are affected by these spells:''' 
''Note that damage dealing related buffs are effective for [[Ballista]] and [[Cannon]]{{-wh}} only:''
{|
| • {{Sn|Cure}}
|-
| • {{Sn|Anti-Magic}} and {{Sn|Dispel}}
|-
| • {{Sn|Fortune}} and {{Sn|Misfortune}}
|-
| • {{Sn|Bless}} and {{Sn|Curse}}
|-
| • {{Sn|Slayer}}, {{Sn|Prayer}} and {{Sn|Precision}}
|-
| • {{Sn|Shield}} and {{Sn|Stone Skin}}
|-
| • {{Sn|Air Shield}} and {{Sn|Magic Mirror}}
|-
| • {{Sn|Protection from Air}} and [[Protection from Earth|ot]][[Protection from Fire|he]][[Protection from Water|rs]]
|-
| • {{Sn|Fire Shield}}
|}

=== Ammo Cart ===
{| border=0 style="float:right; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px;"
|-
| {{War machine
| Image = [[Image: Ammo cart.png]]
| Name = Ammo cart
| No_attack =
| Defense = 5
| No_damage =
| Health = 100
| Cost = 1000 {{G}}
| No_shots =
}}
|}
Ammo Сart provides unlimited [[shots]] for creatures and War Machines with [[ranged attack]]s. The shots start to decrease right after the Ammo Cart is destroyed. Despite the fact that the Ammo Cart is not used during a creature bank or shipwreck battle, it still provides unlimited ammo. In damage calculations, Ammo Cart goes as level 1 unit, its [[AI Value]] is 400. For the Map Editor its an [[artifact]] equipped in the War Machine 2 slot.

'''Ammo Cart can be purchased at:'''
*{{town|Tower}} - [[Blacksmith]]
*{{town|Inferno}} - [[Blacksmith]]
*{{town|Stronghold}} - [[Blacksmith]]
*{{town|Factory}} - [[Blacksmith]]
*[[file:War Machine Factory.gif|War Machine Factory|50px]] [[War Machine Factory]]
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

=== First Aid Tent ===
{| border=0 style="float:right; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px;"
|-
| {{War machine
| Image = [[Image:First aid tent.png]]
| Name = First aid tent
| No_attack =
| No_defense =
| No_damage =
| Health = 75
| Cost = 750 {{G}}
| No_shots =
}}
|}
'''First Aid Tent''' heals 1-25{{-wr}} (20-25{{-wh}}) [[Health|hit points]] of the top creature in target allied stack. The amount of health restored is affected by [[First aid|First Aid secondary skill]], which also gives the player control over the tent rather than being chosen by computer. First Aid Tents act last at the combat round. In damage calculations, First Aid Tent goes as level 1 unit, its [[AI Value]] is 300. For the Map Editor its an [[artifact]] equipped in the War Machine 3 slot. Oddly enough, [[Necropolis]]' heroes cannot learn [[First Aid]], even though their blacksmith produces First Aid Tents.

'''First Aid Tent can be purchased at:'''
*{{town|Rampart}} - [[Blacksmith]]
*{{town|Necropolis}} - [[Blacksmith]]
*{{town|Fortress}} - [[Blacksmith]]
*[[file:War Machine Factory.gif|War Machine Factory|50px]] [[War Machine Factory]]

'''Heroes with First Aid specialty:'''

(88% ''(100%{{-wh}})'' chance to start with a First Aid Tent)
* {{H2|Rion|Cleric}}
* {{H2|Gem|Druid}}
* {{H2|Verdish|Witch}}

<div style="clear:both;"></div>

=== Catapult ===
{| border=0 style="float:right; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px;"
|-
| {{War machine
| Name = Catapult
| float = left
| Image = [[Image: Catapult.png]]
| Align = left
| Attack = 10
| Defense = 10
| No_damage =
| Health = 1000
| Cost = N/A
| Shots = 24
}}
|}
The Catapult only appears on the battlefield when [[siege attack]]ing enemy towns with [[wall]]s, which requires the town to have a [[fort]], [[citadel]], or [[Castle (structure)|castle]]. Its main use is to attack and destroy the walls in order to enable ground troops to attack the defenders. The Catapult can also attack and destroy the [[arrow tower]]s of citadels and castles. The [[ballistics]] secondary skill enhances the performance of the Catapult. Basic ballistics gives the player control over the Catapult making it possible to aim at particular parts of the siege structures. During a siege, the Catapult shoots after the arrow towers, but before any other troop. In damage calculations Catapult goes as level 1 unit, its [[AI Value]] is 500.

<div style="clear:both;"></div>

=== Ballista ===
{| border=0 style="float:right; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px;"
|-
| {{War machine
| Image = [[Image: Ballista.png]]
| Align = left
| Name = Ballista
| Attack = 10
| Defense = 10
| Damage = 2–3
| Health = 250
| Cost = 2500 {{G}}
| Shots = 24
}}
|}
A ballista is a missile weapon that, like ranged units, shoots projectiles toward enemy troops, but is unable to [[retaliation|retaliate]] against attacks. It can shoot even if one or several enemy stacks are adjacent to it. It has a basic damage range (of 2–3) like creatures, but the damage calculation is different. The formula for the calculation of damage is (2–3)*(hero's attack + 1). The [[Artillery]] and [[Archery]] secondary skills increase this damage. The ballista acts at the end of every combat round, followed only by the [[First Aid Tent]], and can be controlled when a hero has learned any level of Artillery. Contrary to what its in-game statistics indicate, a ballista has unlimited shots (fixed in {{hota}}){{-wh}}.

In damage calculations Ballista goes as level 5 unit, its [[AI Value]] is 600. For the Map Editor its an [[artifact]] equipped in the War Machine 1 slot.

'''Ballista can be purchased at:'''
*{{town|Castle}} - [[Blacksmith]]
*{{town|Dungeon}} - [[Blacksmith]]
*{{town|Stronghold}} - [[Ballista Yard]]
*{{town|Conflux}} - [[Blacksmith]]
*[[file:War Machine Factory.gif|War Machine Factory|50px]] [[War Machine Factory]]

'''Heroes with Ballista specialty:'''

(88% ''(100%{{-wh}})'' chance to start with a Ballista)
* {{H2|Christian|Knight}}
* {{H2|Torosar|Alchemist}}
* {{H2|Pyre|Demoniac}}
* {{H2|Arlach|Overlord}}
* {{H2|Gurnisson|Barbarian}}
* {{H2|Gerwulf|Beastmaster}}
* {{H2|Ranloo|Death Knight}}{{-wh}}
* {{H2|Morton|Mercenary}}{{-wh}}

<div style="clear:both;"></div>

=={{hota}}==
===Cannon===
{| border=0 style="float:right; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px;"
|-
| {{War machine
| Name = Cannon
| float = left
| Image = [[Image: Cannon.png]]
| Align = left
| Attack = 20
| Defense = 10
| Damage = 4–7
| Health = 250
| Cost = 4000 {{G}}
| Shots = 8
}}
|}
Cove War Machine. The formula for the calculation of damage is (4–7)*(hero's attack + 1). It costs 4000 gold.

* Is put in the Ballista (War Machine 1) slot of a hero. It cannot be put in a backpack.
* Assault battle machine. Only attacks by shooting. Is not blocked by standing next to an enemy unit. Can attack enemy troops and fortifications. One does not need to destroy the cannon to win the battle. No experience is given for its destruction.
* Is put in place of Ballista during battle. Does not participate in the battle on the side of the defender during the siege, as well as the battles in vaults and banks. Moves at the same time as Ballista (before the First Aid Tent). Controlled by the AI.
* In damage calculations, Cannon goes as level 6 unit, its [[AI Value]] is 825.

'''Effect of Artillery skill'''
* None. All features work as described above.
* Basic. Gives you control of the cannon. Aimed shot with increased damage on the fortifications.
* Advanced. Gives you control of the cannon. Double damage on unit, aimed shot with increased damage on the fortifications.
* Expert. Gives you control of the cannon. Triple damage on unit, aimed shot with maximum damage on the fortifications.

'''Cannon can be purchased at:'''
*{{town|Cove}} - [[Blacksmith]]
*[[file:Cannon Yard.gif|Cannon Yard|46px]] [[Cannon Yard]]

'''Heroes with Cannon specialty:'''

(always starts with a Cannon)
* {{H2|Jeremy|Captain}}

== Ballista vs. Cannon ==
Here a table showing the average damage of a Ballista and Cannon with and without Artillery skill. Note that the Cannon has 20 Attack and 8 shots while the Ballista has only 10 Attack but 24 shots:
{| class="wikitable" style="vertical-align:bottom;"
|- style="font-weight:bold; text-align:center;"
! rowspan="4" style="font-weight:normal;" | Hero Attack
! colspan="8" | Average damage
! colspan="8" | Average damage against creature with 10 defense (including bonus from attack)
|- style="font-weight:bold; text-align:center;"
| colspan="4" style="background-color:#FCE4D6;" | Ballista (10 Attack)
| colspan="4" style="background-color:#D9E1F2;" | Cannon (20 Attack!)
| colspan="4" style="background-color:#FCE4D6;" | Ballista (10 Attack)
| colspan="4" style="background-color:#D9E1F2;" | Cannon (20 Attack!)
|- style="text-align:center;"
| rowspan="2" style="background-color:#FCE4D6;" | Base
| colspan="3" style="background-color:#FCE4D6;" | Artillery
| rowspan="2" style="background-color:#D9E1F2;" | Base
| colspan="3" style="background-color:#D9E1F2;" | Artillery
| rowspan="2" style="background-color:#FCE4D6;" | Base
| colspan="3" style="background-color:#FCE4D6;" | Artillery
| rowspan="2" style="background-color:#D9E1F2;" | Base
| colspan="3" style="background-color:#D9E1F2;" | Artillery
|-
| style="background-color:#FCE4D6;" | Basic
| style="background-color:#FCE4D6;" | Advanced
| style="background-color:#FCE4D6;" | Expert
| style="background-color:#D9E1F2;" | Basic
| style="background-color:#D9E1F2;" | Advanced
| style="background-color:#D9E1F2;" | Expert
| style="background-color:#FCE4D6;" | Basic
| style="background-color:#FCE4D6;" | Advanced
| style="background-color:#FCE4D6;" | Expert
| style="background-color:#D9E1F2;" | Basic
| style="background-color:#D9E1F2;" | Advanced
| style="background-color:#D9E1F2;" | Expert
|-
| 0 || 2.5 || 3.75 || 8.75 || 10 || 5.5 || 5.5 || 11 || 16.5 || 2.5 || 3.75 || 8.75 || 10 || 8.25 || 8.25 || 13.75 || 19.25
|-
| 1 || 5 || 7.5 || 17.5 || 20 || 11 || 11 || 22 || 33 || 5.25 || 7.75 || 18 || 20.5 || 17.05 || 17.05 || 28.05 || 39.05
|-
| 2 || 7.5 || 11.25 || 26.25 || 30 || 16.5 || 16.5 || 33 || 49.5 || 8.25 || 12 || 27.75 || 31.5 || 26.4 || 26.4 || 42.9 || 59.4
|-
| 3 || 10 || 15 || 35 || 40 || 22 || 22 || 44 || 66 || 11.5 || 16.5 || 38 || 43 || 36.3 || 36.3 || 58.3 || 80.3
|-
| 4 || 12.5 || 18.75 || 43.75 || 50 || 27.5 || 27.5 || 55 || 82.5 || 15 || 21.25 || 48.75 || 55 || 46.75 || 46.75 || 74.25 || 101.75
|-
| 5 || 15 || 22.5 || 52.5 || 60 || 33 || 33 || 66 || 99 || 18.75 || 26.25 || 60 || 67.5 || 57.75 || 57.75 || 90.75 || 123.75
|-
| 10 || 27.5 || 41.25 || 96.25 || 110 || 60.5 || 60.5 || 121 || 181.5 || 41.25 || 55 || 123.75 || 137.5 || 121 || 121 || 181.5 || 242
|-
| 15 || 40 || 60 || 140 || 160 || 88 || 88 || 176 || 264 || 70 || 90 || 200 || 220 || 198 || 198 || 286 || 374
|-
| 20 || 52.5 || 78.75 || 183.75 || 210 || 115.5 || 115.5 || 231 || 346.5 || 105 || 131.25 || 288.75 || 315 || 288.75 || 288.75 || 404.25 || 519.75
|-
| 25 || 65 || 97.5 || 227.5 || 260 || 143 || 143 || 286 || 429 || 146.25 || 178.75 || 390 || 422.5 || 393.25 || 393.25 || 536.25 || 679.25
|-
| 30 || 77.5 || 116.25 || 271.25 || 310 || 170.5 || 170.5 || 341 || 511.5 || 193.75 || 232.5 || 503.75 || 542.5 || 511.5 || 511.5 || 682 || 852.5
|-
| 35 || 90 || 135 || 315 || 360 || 198 || 198 || 396 || 594 || 247.5 || 292.5 || 630 || 675 || 643.5 || 643.5 || 841.5 || 1039.5
|-
| 40 || 102.5 || 153.75 || 358.75 || 410 || 225.5 || 225.5 || 451 || 676.5 || 307.5 || 358.75 || 768.75 || 820 || 789.25 || 789.25 || 1014.75 || 1240.25
|-
| 50 || 127.5 || 191.25 || 446.25 || 510 || 280.5 || 280.5 || 561 || 841.5 || 446.25 || 510 || 1083.75 || 1147.5 || 1122 || 1122 || 1402.5 || 1683
|-
| 60 || 152.5 || 228.75 || 533.75 || 610 || 335.5 || 335.5 || 671 || 1006.5 || 610 || 686.25 || 1448.75 || 1525 || 1342 || 1342 || 1677.5 || 2013
|-
| 70 || 177.5 || 266.25 || 621.25 || 710 || 390.5 || 390.5 || 781 || 1171.5 || 710 || 798.75 || 1686.25 || 1775 || 1562 || 1562 || 1952.5 || 2343
|-
| 80 || 202.5 || 303.75 || 708.75 || 810 || 445.5 || 445.5 || 891 || 1336.5 || 810 || 911.25 || 1923.75 || 2025 || 1782 || 1782 || 2227.5 || 2673
|-
| 90 || 227.5 || 341.25 || 796.25 || 910 || 500.5 || 500.5 || 1001 || 1501.5 || 910 || 1023.75 || 2161.25 || 2275 || 2002 || 2002 || 2502.5 || 3003
|-
| 99 || 250 || 375 || 875 || 1000 || 550 || 550 || 1100 || 1650 || 1000 || 1125 || 2375 || 2500 || 2200 || 2200 || 2750 || 3300
|}

{{user commentary|
In general, the importance of War Machines is decreasing throughout the game, as you have big army and powerful damage spells.

The Ballista is a war machine of some limited use, however it requires a high (25+) Attack skill before it starts dealing enough damage to justify its 2500 Gold cost. The [[Artillery]] skill can offset this somewhat, but comes with the high opportunity cost of omitting a potentially more useful [[secondary skill]] such as [[Offense]] or [[Armorer]]. The above restrictions generally limit the Ballista to might heroes with high Attack skill. Of the four towns that sell Ballistae, Barbarians from [[Stronghold]] are most likely to reach this skill - more defensive heroes such as those from [[Fortress]] will not be able to make use of the Ballista as efficiently. Note that if you don't have [[Artillery]] skill, Ballista can spoil the battle if you want to [[blind]] the only remaining enemy stack and [[Resurrection|resurrect]]/[[Animate Dead|animate]] your whole army. It will shoot and unblind the enemy. Most of this applies to the Cannon{{-wh}} as well.

The First Aid tent is most often useless, even with the (also nearly useless) [[First Aid]] skill at its top level. Its main limitation is that it cannot resurrect killed creatures, so it's useless for low-level creatures. The only case in which a First Aid Tent is useful is when a player obtains a high-level creature early in the game. Setting a hero up with 1-2 high level creatures and a first-aid tent ensures that the healing is not wasted and allows the player to clear wandering monsters from the map more easily. You may start with a hero with First Aid tent, even if your blacksmith doesn't produce it, and rush through the map using 1-2 sixth level creatures.

The Ammo Cart's unlimited ammunition is usually unnecessary besides a very long battle, but is extremely useful in the few situations when it is needed. Most shooters in the game have enough ammunition to attack 12 times, with many carrying more. The few exceptions are [[Master Gremlin]]s and [[Medusa Queen]]s (8 shots), and Medusas, [[Pirate]]s, and Corsairs (only 4 shots!). With good Morale, these creatures run the risk of quickly depleting their ammunition over the course of a battle. This can be the difference between defeat and victory, particularly in a bloody castle siege. If the enemy Catapult can be destroyed and their flying units killed, even a single shooter with an ammunition cart can eventually drive of the enemy if the walls are still intact.

As every hero gets a Catapult free of cost which is only deployed for siege warfare, there is little choice involved in catapult usage other than targeting with the [[Ballistics]] skill.
}}{{end of user commentary}}

[[Category: Combat]]
__NOTOC__

Disrupting Ray

2024-01-24T02:19:04Z

Mislic:

{{Air spells}}{{Spell|35|25|46|35|47|24|35|35|35|37|25|{{unk}}
| school = Air Magic
| level = 2nd
| cost = 10/8
| duration = until end of combat
| b_effect = Reduces the selected enemy unit's defense strength by 3. A single enemy may be targeted multiple times by this spell.
| a_effect = Reduces the selected enemy unit's defense strength by '''4'''. A single enemy may be targeted multiple times by this spell.
| e_effect = Reduces the selected enemy unit's defense strength by '''5'''. A single enemy may be targeted multiple times by this spell.
}} It reduces target, enemy creature stack's [[Primary skill#Defense_skill|defense]]. Disrupting Ray may be cast on same stack repeatedly, making it the only cumulative spell in {{homm3}}. The effect of each cast stays until combat ends. It is immune to [[dispel]]/[[cure]], and even if the target was killed and resurrected the disrupting ray effect still remains. Usually, the overall effect is limited by zero defense level, but if the target's defense was buffed by spells or a defensive stance, it will go negative after the buffs expire.

'''Heroes starting with Disrupting Ray:'''
* {{Hn|Aenain|Elementalist}}
'''Heroes specialising in Disrupting Ray:'''
* {{Hn|Aenain|Elementalist}}
'''Creatures immune to Disrupting Ray:'''
{{immune|spell123=1|spell1234=1|spell12345=1}}
'''Creatures capable of casting Disrupting Ray:'''
* {{Cn|Sea Witch}} (Basic level){{-wh}}
* {{Cn|Sorceress}} (Advanced level){{-wh}}

{{user commentary|
The advantage of this spell is that effects are cumulative over the duration of the first casting, for as many times as you can cast it. The most typical use is on a [[Blind]]ed stack, dropping defense down to zero before all friendly troops attack, making for an easy and quick kill of an otherwise tough opponent.
}}{{end of user commentary}}

[[Category:Spells]]
__NOTOC__

Tavin

2024-01-13T16:30:36Z

Mislic:

{{inhota}}
{{Factory heroes}}{{Hero
| town = Factory
| class = Mercenary
| gender = Male
| race = Halfling
| biography = Tavin is barely the only halfling who joined the army of Erathia. Other halflings disapprove his way of living as these creatures do not like adventures. however, his folks respect Tavin, even if they fear a bit and tend to avoid him. When Kreegans invaded Eeofol, Tavin quickly became a leader of local resistance, and is still ready to defend his homeland.
| specialty = Offense
| s_text = Receives a 5% per level bonus to Offense skill percentage.
| skill_1 = Basic Offense
| skill_2 = Basic Scouting
| troop_1 = Halfling (Factory)
| troop_2 = Mechanic
| troop_3 = Armadillo
| nmb_1 = 15-25
| nmb_2 = 6-8
| nmb_3 = 4-6
| nowar =
| nospell =
| chance_2 = Always
| chance_3 = Always
| no_hota_starting_troops =
| s_hota_mp =
| s_hota2_mp = 1630
}}

Tavin is typically only available in the campaigns, unless the map-maker has enabled him in custom scenarios.

{{hero 'see also'}}

[[Category: Mercenaries]]
__NOTOC__

Murdoch

2024-01-13T16:30:32Z

Mislic:

{{inhota}}
{{Factory heroes}}{{Hero
| town = Factory
| class = Mercenary
| gender = Male
| race = Human
| biography = Murdoch is a man to call a professional soldier of fortune. He barely likes anything more than money and fame. That is why Murdoch gathered a company of daredevils of his own kind and went to seek adventures on the landscapes of Jadame. Who knows where his fate will take him next time?
| specialty = Archery
| s_text = Receives a 5% per level bonus to Archery skill percentage.
| skill_1 = Basic Archery
| skill_2 = Basic Tactics
| troop_1 = Halfling (Factory)
| troop_2 = Mechanic
| troop_3 = Armadillo
| nmb_1 = 15-25
| nmb_2 = 6-8
| nmb_3 = 4-6
| nowar =
| nospell =
| chance_2 = Always
| chance_3 = Always
| no_hota_starting_troops =
| s_hota_mp =
| s_hota2_mp = 1630
}}

Murdoch is typically only available in the campaigns, unless the map-maker has enabled him in custom scenarios.

{{hero 'see also'}}

[[Category: Mercenaries]]
__NOTOC__

Elementals

2024-01-11T01:09:12Z

Mislic: Changed redirect target from Non-living to Non-living#Elementals

#REDIRECT [[Non-living#Elementals]]

Melchior

2024-01-06T16:45:51Z

Mislic: 90% cap info

{{inhota}}
{{Factory heroes}}{{Hero
| town = Factory
| class = Mercenary
| gender = Male
| race = Human
| biography = Melchior can see everything that is going on in the deepest recesses of someone else's mind. This secret talent provides a crucial advantage when assessing the foe's strength and intentions and convincing him to agree to terms. Any prince who enlists Melchior's services can be certain of never having to plead for a disgraceful peace.
| specialty = Diplomacy
| s_text = Receives a 5% per level bonus to Diplomacy skill percentage when surrendering.
| skill_1 = Basic Leadership
| skill_2 = Basic Diplomacy
| troop_1 = Halfling (Factory)
| troop_2 = Mechanic
| troop_3 = Armadillo
| nmb_1 = 15-25
| nmb_2 = 6-8
| nmb_3 = 4-6
| nowar =
| nospell =
| chance_2 = Always
| chance_3 = Always
| no_hota_starting_troops =
| s_hota_mp =
| s_hota2_mp = 1760
}}

Note that there is a 90% cap on cost reduction when surrendering.

{{hero 'see also'}}

[[Category: Mercenaries]]
__NOTOC__

Sandworm and Olgoi-Khorkhoi

2024-01-05T21:00:44Z

Mislic: Removed wrong info, added more clarifications

{{inhota}}
{{Factory creatures}}{{Creature
| AI_Value = ?
| Name = Sandworm
| Attack = 13
| Defense = 12
| Speed = 8
| Growth = 3
| Damage = 12–16
| Health = 50
| Movement = [[Flying|Burrowing]]
| Size = 2
| Cost = 575
| Special = • [[Immunity|Immune]] to [[blind]]ing • Immune to [[Petrify|petrification]]
| U_AI_Value= ?
| U_name = Olgoi-Khorkhoi
| U_attack = '''15'''
| U_speed = '''10'''
| U_health = '''60'''
| U_movement = [[Flying|Burrowing]]
| U size = 2
| U_cost = 650
| U_special = • [[Immunity|Immune]] to [[blind]]ing • Immune to [[Petrify|petrification]] • '''Devours corpses for additional strikes'''
| No_shots =
| No_ushots =
}}

'''Sandworms and Olgoi-Khorkhois''' are level 5 creatures of [[Factory]]. They are recruited from the [[Catacombs]].

== Heroes with a specialty ==

*{{H|Agar|Artificer}} has Sandworms as a [[Specialty#Creature_specialties|specialty]], which increases the attack and defense skills of any Sandworms or Olgoi-Khorkhois for each level attained after 5th level, and gives them a [[speed]] bonus of 1.

== Special abilities==
====Immune to [[blind]] and [[petrification]]====
Like [[Troglodyte]]s, Sandworms and Olgoi-Khorkhois are immune to vision-based abilities.

====Burrowing====
Burrowing is a special movement type. In most cases, it is functionally identical to [[Flying]]. However, on certain battlefields - namely combat on a [[Boat]] or [[Airship]] - Sandworms and Olgoi-Khorkhois cannot burrow. In this case, they instead act like regular walking creatures, alhough they suffer no [[speed]] penalty.

====Devour Corpses====
Olgoi-Khorkhois can be ordered to devour any corpse ([[Undead]]/[[Unliving]] included) on the battlefield in range of regular movement instead of a regular attack/move, receiving a bonus strike on their next attack after this and preventing the devoured corpse from being interacted with (for [[Resurrection]] or [[Summon demons]]). Olgoi-Khorkhois can stack up an unlimited number of additional strikes. After a normal Olgoi-Khorkhois' attack, if the target is still alive it retaliates (if possible), and then bonus strikes start (spending them one by one). If target dies soon enough leftover of bonus strikes stays unspent.

Olgoi-Khorkhois' multiple retaliations (with [[Counterstrike]]) don't spend bonus strikes.

It is possible to devour multiple corpses at once if they happen to stack on one hex. The mouse hover interface will show how many corpses will be devoured on that specific hex.

If the Olgoi-Khorkhoi dies, the bonus strikes count does not reset. If the stack is Resurrected, all accumulated bonus strikes will still be available.

{{creature 'see also'}}

[[Category: Creatures]]
__NOTOC__

Sandworm and Olgoi-Khorkhoi

2024-01-05T05:21:30Z

Mislic: And sort of description is missing for such an interesting ability, even this will be better than nothing

{{inhota}}
{{Factory creatures}}{{Creature
| AI_Value = ?
| Name = Sandworm
| Attack = 13
| Defense = 12
| Speed = 8
| Growth = 3
| Damage = 12–16
| Health = 50
| Movement = [[Flying|Burrowing]]
| Size = 2
| Cost = 575
| Special = • [[Immunity|Immune]] to [[blind]]ing • Immune to [[Petrify|petrification]]
| U_AI_Value= ?
| U_name = Olgoi-Khorkhoi
| U_attack = '''15'''
| U_speed = '''10'''
| U_health = '''60'''
| U_movement = [[Flying|Burrowing]]
| U size = 2
| U_cost = 650
| U_special = • [[Immunity|Immune]] to [[blind]]ing • Immune to [[Petrify|petrification]] • '''Devours corpses for additional strikes'''
| No_shots =
| No_ushots =
}}

'''Sandworms and Olgoi-Khorkhois''' are level 5 creatures of [[Factory]]. They are recruited from the [[Catacombs]].

== Heroes with a specialty ==

*{{H|Agar|Artificer}} has Sandworms as a [[Specialty#Creature_specialties|specialty]], which increases the attack and defense skills of any Sandworms or Olgoi-Khorkhois for each level attained after 5th level, and gives them a [[speed]] bonus of 1.

== Special Ability: Devours corpses for additional strikes ==
Olgoi-Khorkhoi can be ordered to devour any (your own as well) corpse on the battlefield (in range of regular movement) instead of a regular attack/move. Olgoi-Khorkhoi receives a bonus strike after this. Just like [[Crusader]], [[Wolf Raider]] or alike with their [[Double attack]]. But with a twist. Good thing: devouring additional corpses will grant more bonus strikes. Bad thing: actually delivering those additional strikes spends them, they do not "stick" for the rest of the combat. Olgoi-Khorkhoi can only potentially deliver as many additional strikes as many corpses it devoured. 
It is possible to devour multiple corpses at once if they happen to stack on one hex. Especially easy to do with your own creatures obviously. ''Idea of sacrificing several Halflings was never planted in my brain by the God Emperor of Dune, no.'' On mouse hover interface will show you how many corpses will be devoured on that specific hex. 
Count of additional strikes is not visible during other creatures turns, only when Olgoi-Khorkhoi's turn comes again hovering over some target will show that in the tip. 
Special tactics should most likely be applied to get the most out of this ability. Like raiding corpses behind the main battle to later unleash a devastating one-round assault upon some heavy retaliator. Just striking every round instead of spending action for devour might be more beneficial. Some things to factor in: retaliation risks vs leaving more enemies alive for longer; preventing a valuable enemy corpse from being resurrected/demon-summoned without body-blocking. 
Death of Olgoi-Khorkhoi stack does not reset the bonus strikes count. After [[Resurrection]] it'll be there.

{{creature 'see also'}}

[[Category: Creatures]]
__NOTOC__

Sacrifice

2024-01-05T02:39:01Z

Mislic:

{{Fire spells}}{{Spell|0|0|0|0|20|16|12|0|0|0|0
| school = Fire Magic
| level = 5th
| cost = 25/20
| duration = permanent
| b_effect = Target, non-undead troop is sacrificed (destroyed). Then another target dead troop has ((power + destroyed troop's base health + 3) x # of creatures sacrificed) in health total of creatures returned to life.
| a_effect = Target, non-undead troop is sacrificed (destroyed). Then another target dead troop has ((power + destroyed troop's base health + 6) x # of creatures sacrificed) in health total of creatures returned to life.
| e_effect = Target, non-undead troop is sacrificed (destroyed). Then another target dead troop has ((power + destroyed troop's base health + 10) x # of creatures sacrificed) in health total of creatures returned to life.
}} The spell destroys (sacrifices) the target [[Non-living|living]] troop in order to resurrect creatures of another stack back to life. The other stack must be receptive to the [[Resurrection]] spell. A sacrificed stack leaves an empty hex on the battlefield without anything to be [[Resurrection|resurrected]] or [[Pit Fiend and Pit Lord#Special ability|summoned]] as Demons.

'''Creatures immune to Sacrifice (or resurrection via Sacrifice):'''
* [[Undead]]
* [[Golems]]
* [[Elementals]]
* {{Cn|Stone Gargoyle|noname=}}{{Cn|Obsidian Gargoyle|name=Stone and Obsidian Gargoyles}}
* {{Cn|Gold Dragon}}{{-}}*''can be sacrificed but not resurrected NOTE: In HotA{{-wh}}, Gold Dragons can be resurrected with Sacrifice as both parts of the spell are now considered level 5.
{{immune|spell12345=1|fire=1}}

{{user commentary|
Typically, it is better to sacrifice a troop with a greater number of creatures than a troop with the same total health but fewer units.
}}{{end of user commentary}}

[[Category: Spells]]
__NOTOC__

Grail

2024-01-04T22:36:06Z

Mislic: Actually I did see that building-count bug in action again - so had 175 (not 168) damage at some point, but that's just a bug probably. Wanted to give people some useful info on overall effectiveness

{| 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: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 [[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]]s. 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]]s, [[surrender]]s or is defeated in battle, the Grail is lost forever. But when he is ''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.

== Grail Buildings and their special bonuses ==
{{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. Also, Grail can be built in an allied town, which can be helpful if you don't have your own [[Tower]] or [[Conflux]]. All unique Grail building features will be effective for allies (except [[Castle]], [[Rampart]] and [[Necropolis]] buildings).

{| border cellpadding="4" style="border:1 solid; text-align:left; background-color:lightyellow; margin-right:20px; margin-bottom:10px;"
| '''Town''' || '''Picture''' || '''Name''' || '''Effect''' || '''Notes'''

|-
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Adventure Map Castle fort.gif|x75px|Castle|link=Castle]]
| [[File:Grail Castle Colossus.gif|border|150px]]
| '''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;" | [[File:Adventure Map Rampart fort.gif|x75px|Rampart|link=Rampart]]
| [[File:Grail Rampart Spirit Guardian.gif|border|150px]]
| '''Spirit Guardian'''
| Increases all owners heroes' [[luck]] by 2.
|

|-
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Adventure Map Tower fort.gif|x75px|Tower|link=Tower]]
| [[File:Grail Tower Skyship.gif|border|150px]]
| '''Skyship'''
| Reveals the entire map for the player who owns it Increases the [[spell points]] of the defending hero by 150, replenishing immediately after the battle.
| Does not cancel out [[Cover of Darkness]].

|-
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Adventure Map Inferno fort.gif|x75px|Inferno|link=Inferno]]
| [[File:Grail Inferno Deity of Fire.gif|border|150px]]
| '''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;" | [[File:Adventure Map Necropolis fort.gif|x75px|Necropolis|link=Necropolis]]
| [[File:Grail Necropolis Soul Prison.gif|border|150px]]
| '''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;" | [[File:Adventure Map Dungeon fort.gif|x75px|Dungeon|link=Dungeon]]
| [[File:Grail Dungeon Guardian of Earth.gif|border|150px]]
| '''Guardian of Earth'''
| Increases [[spell power]] skill of the defending hero by 12.
|

|-
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Adventure Map Stronghold fort.gif|x75px|Stronghold|link=Stronghold]]
| [[File:Grail Stronghold Warlords' Monument.gif|border|150px]]
| '''Warlords' Monument'''
| Increases the [[Attack]] of the defending hero by 20.
|

|-
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Adventure Map Fortress fort.gif|x75px|Fortress|link=Fortress]]
| [[File:Grail Fortress Carnivorous Plant.gif|border|150px]]
| '''Carnivorous Plant'''
| Increases the [[Attack]] and [[Defense]] of the defending hero by 10.
|

|-
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Adventure Map Conflux fort.gif|x75px|Conflux|link=Conflux]]
| [[File:Grail Conflux Aurora Borealis.gif|border|150px]]
| '''Aurora Borealis'''
| Fills the town's [[Mage Guild]] with all [[spell]]s {{withhota}} Allows learning spells up to the level of the currently built [[Mage Guild]] only and doesn't allow learning spells that are never available in Conflux.
| In earlier versions, any hero that enters the town learns all spells that are in the game, including [[Titan's Lightning Bolt]][[Talk: Titan's Lightning Bolt#Titan's Lightning Bolt from Aurora Borealis|*]], and not considering the [[Wisdom]] level. Fixed in the [[4.0|complete edition]], {{ab}} patch [[2.2]] and {{sod}} patch [[3.2]].

|- style="background-color: #{{gold 0}};"
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Adventure Map Cove fort (HotA).gif|x75px|Cove|link=Cove]]
| [[File:Grail Cove Lodestar.gif|border|150px]]
| '''Lodestar'''
| Makes any terrain [[Native terrain|native]] to all [[Cove]] units (No [[movement penalty]], +1 to [[attack]]/[[defense]]/[[speed]], ability to see and ignore [[land mine]]s and see [[quicksand]]).
|
|- style="background-color: #{{gold 0}};"
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Adventure Map Factory fort (HotA).gif|x75px|Factory|link=Factory]]
| [[File:Grail Factory Lightning Rod.gif|border|150px]]
| '''Lightning Rod'''
| Strikes all enemies with lightning at the first round of every battle. (Damage is based on town building count).
| Effect happens on the first round of the controller's turn, not the first round of combat. Does not affect creatures immune to [[Lightning Bolt]]. Deals reduced damage to creatures with [[Spell damage reduction]]. Damage is increased by [[Sorcery]].
|}

{{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. It is generically useful and should be picked over any defensive or faction-restricted grail buildings available to you if you're looking to end the game.
*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: The problem with Inferno's Deity of Fire is that 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's 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 powerful and annoying abilities) and allows them to achieve a powerful 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: Is global, not in-town only. 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's best built in your main town. See [[Arrow tower#Damage calculation]] to see how the damage works. Keep in mind that the effect does not happen until your turn, meaning the opponent will have a chance to cast [[Protection from Air]] on their troops if they have a faster creature.
}}

[[Category: Adventure Map]]
__NOTOC__

Dreadnought and Juggernaut

2024-01-04T22:27:13Z

Mislic: Me being silly, you don't have to check the melee damage, Heat Stroke itself - while chosen - shows the correct damage value on hover

{{inhota}}
{{Factory creatures}}{{Creature
| AI_Value = ?
| Name = Dreadnought
| Attack = 18
| Defense = 20
| Speed = 6
| Growth = 1
| Damage = 40-50
| Health = 200
| Size = 2
| Res = [[File: Resource Crystal 20x18.gif]]
| ResCost = 1
| Cost = 2500
| Special = • [[Mechanical]] • [[Heat stroke]]
| U_AI_Value= ?
| U_name = Juggernaut
| U_attack = '''23'''
| U_defense = '''23'''
| U_speed = '''7'''
| U_health = '''300'''
| U_ResCost = 2
| U_cost = 4000
| U_special = • [[Mechanical]] • [[Heat stroke]]
| No_shots =
| No_ushots =
}}

'''Dreadnoughts and Juggernauts''' are level 7 creatures of [[Factory]]. They are recruited from the [[Gantry]].

== Special Ability: Heat Stroke ==
Heat Stroke can be activated instead of moving or attacking for the turn. It fires a laser that deals damage to all units with the targeted semi-circular area, hitting 7-8 hexes; 3 hexes adjacent and 4-5 hexes behind that. The damage is based on the number of Dreadnoughts/Juggernauts in the stack and is affected by Dreadnoughts/Juggernauts' [[Attack]], target's [[Defense]] and other usual melee modifiers (like [[Offense]]). Damage dealt is practically same per target stack as would be from usual Dreadnought/Juggernaut attack to corresponding stack. Heat Stroke can damage friendly creatures in the area. Enemies do not retaliate against a Heat Stroke.

{{creature 'see also'}}

[[Category: Creatures]]
__NOTOC__

Dreadnought and Juggernaut

2024-01-04T22:20:27Z

Mislic: Basic attack math explanations added after tests

{{inhota}}
{{Factory creatures}}{{Creature
| AI_Value = ?
| Name = Dreadnought
| Attack = 18
| Defense = 20
| Speed = 6
| Growth = 1
| Damage = 40-50
| Health = 200
| Size = 2
| Res = [[File: Resource Crystal 20x18.gif]]
| ResCost = 1
| Cost = 2500
| Special = • [[Mechanical]] • [[Heat stroke]]
| U_AI_Value= ?
| U_name = Juggernaut
| U_attack = '''23'''
| U_defense = '''23'''
| U_speed = '''7'''
| U_health = '''300'''
| U_ResCost = 2
| U_cost = 4000
| U_special = • [[Mechanical]] • [[Heat stroke]]
| No_shots =
| No_ushots =
}}

'''Dreadnoughts and Juggernauts''' are level 7 creatures of [[Factory]]. They are recruited from the [[Gantry]].

== Special Ability: Heat Stroke ==
Heat Stroke can be activated instead of moving or attacking for the turn. It fires a laser that deals damage to all units with the targeted semi-circular area, hitting 7-8 hexes; 3 hexes adjacent and 4-5 hexes behind that. The damage is based on the number of Dreadnoughts/Juggernauts in the stack and is affected by Dreadnoughts/Juggernauts' [[Attack]], target's [[Defense]] and other usual melee modifiers (like [[Offense]]). Damage dealt is practically same per target stack as would be from usual Dreadnought/Juggernaut attack to corresponding stack. When it's Dreadnought/Juggernaut's turn you can mouse-hover targets nearby that you're interested in damaging to see what damage a normal melee attack would inflict - that same damage range will be dealt with Heat Stroke. Heat Stroke can damage friendly creatures in the area. Enemies do not retaliate against a Heat Stroke.

{{creature 'see also'}}

[[Category: Creatures]]
__NOTOC__

Grail

2024-01-04T14:39:34Z

Mislic:

{| 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: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 [[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]]s. 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]]s, [[surrender]]s or is defeated in battle, the Grail is lost forever. But when he is ''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.

== Grail Buildings and their special bonuses ==
{{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. Also, Grail can be built in an allied town, which can be helpful if you don't have your own [[Tower]] or [[Conflux]]. All unique Grail building features will be effective for allies (except [[Castle]], [[Rampart]] and [[Necropolis]] buildings).

{| border cellpadding="4" style="border:1 solid; text-align:left; background-color:lightyellow; margin-right:20px; margin-bottom:10px;"
| '''Town''' || '''Picture''' || '''Name''' || '''Effect''' || '''Notes'''

|-
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Adventure Map Castle fort.gif|x75px|Castle|link=Castle]]
| [[File:Grail Castle Colossus.gif|border|150px]]
| '''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;" | [[File:Adventure Map Rampart fort.gif|x75px|Rampart|link=Rampart]]
| [[File:Grail Rampart Spirit Guardian.gif|border|150px]]
| '''Spirit Guardian'''
| Increases all owners heroes' [[luck]] by 2.
|

|-
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Adventure Map Tower fort.gif|x75px|Tower|link=Tower]]
| [[File:Grail Tower Skyship.gif|border|150px]]
| '''Skyship'''
| Reveals the entire map for the player who owns it Increases the [[spell points]] of the defending hero by 150, replenishing immediately after the battle.
| Does not cancel out [[Cover of Darkness]].

|-
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Adventure Map Inferno fort.gif|x75px|Inferno|link=Inferno]]
| [[File:Grail Inferno Deity of Fire.gif|border|150px]]
| '''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;" | [[File:Adventure Map Necropolis fort.gif|x75px|Necropolis|link=Necropolis]]
| [[File:Grail Necropolis Soul Prison.gif|border|150px]]
| '''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;" | [[File:Adventure Map Dungeon fort.gif|x75px|Dungeon|link=Dungeon]]
| [[File:Grail Dungeon Guardian of Earth.gif|border|150px]]
| '''Guardian of Earth'''
| Increases [[spell power]] skill of the defending hero by 12.
|

|-
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Adventure Map Stronghold fort.gif|x75px|Stronghold|link=Stronghold]]
| [[File:Grail Stronghold Warlords' Monument.gif|border|150px]]
| '''Warlords' Monument'''
| Increases the [[Attack]] of the defending hero by 20.
|

|-
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Adventure Map Fortress fort.gif|x75px|Fortress|link=Fortress]]
| [[File:Grail Fortress Carnivorous Plant.gif|border|150px]]
| '''Carnivorous Plant'''
| Increases the [[Attack]] and [[Defense]] of the defending hero by 10.
|

|-
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Adventure Map Conflux fort.gif|x75px|Conflux|link=Conflux]]
| [[File:Grail Conflux Aurora Borealis.gif|border|150px]]
| '''Aurora Borealis'''
| Fills the town's [[Mage Guild]] with all [[spell]]s {{withhota}} Allows learning spells up to the level of the currently built [[Mage Guild]] only and doesn't allow learning spells that are never available in Conflux.
| In earlier versions, any hero that enters the town learns all spells that are in the game, including [[Titan's Lightning Bolt]][[Talk: Titan's Lightning Bolt#Titan's Lightning Bolt from Aurora Borealis|*]], and not considering the [[Wisdom]] level. Fixed in the [[4.0|complete edition]], {{ab}} patch [[2.2]] and {{sod}} patch [[3.2]].

|- style="background-color: #{{gold 0}};"
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Adventure Map Cove fort (HotA).gif|x75px|Cove|link=Cove]]
| [[File:Grail Cove Lodestar.gif|border|150px]]
| '''Lodestar'''
| Makes any terrain [[Native terrain|native]] to all [[Cove]] units (No [[movement penalty]], +1 to [[attack]]/[[defense]]/[[speed]], ability to see and ignore [[land mine]]s and see [[quicksand]]).
|
|- style="background-color: #{{gold 0}};"
| style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Adventure Map Factory fort (HotA).gif|x75px|Factory|link=Factory]]
| [[File:Grail Factory Lightning Rod.gif|border|150px]]
| '''Lightning Rod'''
| Strikes all enemies with lightning at the first round of every battle. (Damage is based on town building count).
| Effect happens on the first round of the controller's turn, not the first round of combat. Does not affect creatures immune to [[Lightning Bolt]]. Deals reduced damage to creatures with [[Spell damage reduction]]. Is increased by [[Sorcery]].
|}

{{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. It is generically useful and should be picked over any defensive or faction-restricted grail buildings available to you if you're looking to end the game.
*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: The problem with Inferno's Deity of Fire is that 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's 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 powerful and annoying abilities) and allows them to achieve a powerful 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: ?????
}}

[[Category: Adventure Map]]
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