Hero specialty

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Hero specialty is a characteristic of every hero that typically improves their performance in combat. Specialties can be categorized into five primary types (i.e. secondary skills, spells, creatures, war machine and resources).

Secondary skill specialties[edit | hide | hide all]

Common Secondary skill specialties[edit | hide]

Common secondary skill specialties increase the secondary skill by 5% per level. It can be visualized with the following formula: Total skill bonus = A * (1 + (0.05 * B)) where A is the Secondary skill's effect percentage and B is the Level of the hero.

For example, A level 20 Offense specialist (B = 20) with Expert Offense (A = 30) would increase creature damage by: 30 * (1 + (0.05 * 20)) = 30 * (1 + 1) = 60%.

Common Secondary skill specialties

Unique Secondary Skill specialities[edit | hide]

The secondary skill specialty of some heroes doesn't apply a 5% bonus per level.

Unique Secondary skill specialties

Hero Skill Effect
BeatriceBeatrice Beatrice Horn of the Abyss
MiriamMiriam Miriam Horn of the Abyss
WynonaWynona Wynona Horn of the Abyss
Scouting Scouting Increases the scouting radius by 1 every 6 levels.
AdrienneAdrienne Adrienne Map Editor Fire Magic Fire Magic Increases the damage of Fire spells by 50%. Horn of the AbyssStarts with Expert Fire MagicShadow of Death
MelchiorMelchior Melchior Horn of the Abyss Diplomacy Diplomacy Receives a 5% per level bonus to Diplomacy skill percentage only when surrendering.

Spell specialties[edit | hide]

All heroes who specialize in a spell start with it. In addition, any spells cast by combination artifacts are also improved by hero specialties. These include:

Combo Artifacts improved

Common spell specialty[edit | hide]

The normal/common spell specialty increases the efficiency of the spell (after spell power and base spell effect is calculated) by 10% Horn of the Abyss3% Shadow of Death per level, divided by target creature's level. It can be visualized with the following formula: C*(1+0.1 * L / nHorn of the AbyssC*(1+0.03 * L / nShadow of Death , where n is the creature's level, L is the hero's level and C is the base effect of the spell (including spell power and the appropriate magic skill's effects).

Horn of the Abyss For Meteor Shower, Chain Lightning, Resurrection and Animate Dead specialties, this effect is 5% instead (i.e. using the formula C*(1+0.05 * L / n)).

Common spell specialties

Unique spell specialty[edit | hide]

The spell specialty of some heroes changes the base spell in a unique way.

Unique spell specialties

Hero Spell Effect
AdelaAdela Adela  Bless In addition to the normal effect, the spell also increases damage of the target unit based on the following equation:
  • base damage * 0.03 * hero level / unit level

Example: At level 18 Adela will provide a 54% damage bonus to halberdiers, 27% to marksmen,
18% to royal griffins, 13.5% to crusaders, 10.8% to zealots, 9% to champions, and 7.1% to archangels.

CyraCyra Cyra
TerekTerek Terek
BrissaBrissa Brissa
 Haste Regardless of hero level, increases the effect of the spell:
  • +3 points to the effect for level 1-4 Horn of the Abyss1-2 Shadow of Death creatures
  • +2 points to the effect for level 5-6 Horn of the Abyss3-4 Shadow of Death creatures
  • +1 point to the effect for level Horn of the Abyss5-6 Shadow of Death creatures
LoynisLoynis Loynis  Prayer
CuthbertCuthbert Cuthbert
OlemaOlema Olema
MirlandaMirlanda Mirlanda
EanswytheEanswythe Eanswythe Horn of the Abyss
 Weakness Regardless of hero level, increases the effect of the spell:
  • +Horn of the AbyssShadow of Death points to the effect for level 1-2 creatures
  • +Horn of the AbyssShadow of Death points to the effect for level 3-4 creatures
  • +Horn of the AbyssShadow of Death points to the effect for level 5-6 creatures
  • Horn of the Abyss +10 points to the effect for level 7 creatures
ZubinZubin Zubin  Precision Regardless of hero level, increases the effect of the spell:
  • +10 Horn of the AbyssShadow of Death points to the effect for level 1-2 creatures
  • +Horn of the AbyssShadow of Death points to the effect for level 3-4 creatures
  • +Horn of the AbyssShadow of Death points to the effect for level 5-6 creatures
  • Horn of the Abyss +4 points to the effect for level 7 creatures
XsiXsi Xsi
DarkstornDarkstorn Darkstorn
MeristMerist Merist
LabethaLabetha Labetha
 Stone Skin
AshAsh Ash
InteusInteus Inteus
 Bloodlust
DaremythDaremyth Daremyth
MelodiaMelodia Melodia
 Fortune Always give +3 luck, regardless of the Air Magic expertise or hero level.
CieleCiele Ciele  Magic Arrow Increases the damage of the spell by 50%, regardless of hero level.
LunaLuna Luna  Fire Wall Increases the damage of the spell by 25% Horn of the Abyss100% Shadow of Death, regardless of hero level.
AenainAenain Aenain  Disrupting Ray +10 Horn of the AbyssShadow of Death points to the effect, regardless of hero level.
EovaciusEovacius Eovacius Horn of the Abyss  Clone The first time it is cast in a given battle, an extra clone appears.
CoroniusCoronius Coronius  Slayer Regardless of hero level, increases the effect of the spell:
  • +20 Horn of the AbyssShadow of Death points to the effect for level 1-2 Horn of the AbyssShadow of Death creatures
  • +16 Horn of the AbyssShadow of Death points to the effect for level 3-4 Horn of the AbyssShadow of Death creatures
  • +12 Horn of the AbyssShadow of Death points to the effect for level 5-6 Horn of the AbyssShadow of Death creatures
  • +Horn of the AbyssShadow of Death points to the effect for level Horn of the AbyssShadow of Death creatures
UlandUland Uland
AstraAstra Astra Horn of the Abyss
 Cure Casts Cure with effect increased by 10% Horn of the Abyss3% Shadow of Death for every (8 - N) Horn of the AbyssShadow of Death hero levels, where N is the level of the target creature.
ZilareZilare Zilare Horn of the Abyss  Forgetfulness Increases the number of units affected by Forgetfulness in the target stack by 10% for every N hero levels, where N is the level of the target creature.

Spells with no specialist[edit | hide]

Some spells have no hero specializing in them. Possible reasons for this include:

  1. The spell is already extremely powerful and a specialist would be too good.
  2. The spell has no obvious way of being improved by a specialist.
  3. The spell is very niche and a hero with this specialty would be very weak.

Spells with no specialty

Creature specialties[edit | hide]

There are four Horn of the Abyssthree Shadow of Death types of creature specialties: Fixed stat creature specialties (which includes the Dragon specialty), creature upgrade specialties, and standard creature specialties and creature ability specialties Horn of the Abyss.

Heroes who specialize in level 1-2 creatures (as well as GeluGelu Gelu, and DraconDracon Dracon, TarkTark Tark Horn of the Abyss and FrederickFrederick Frederick Horn of the Abyss) have their entire starting army consisting of 3 stacks of the creatures they specialize in.

Heroes who specialize in level 3 creatures (as well as BronBron Bron, IllorIllor Illor Horn of the Abyss and ToddTodd Todd Horn of the Abyss) have their specialized creature stack in their starting army instead of 2nd level creatures.

Creature specialties apply to both upgraded and unupgraded units. The only exception to this is CatherineCatherine Catherine (in The Shadow of Death Shadow of Death), who only specializes in CrusaderCrusader Crusaders and not SwordsmanSwordsman Swordsmen (fixed in Horn of the Abyss) Horn of the Abyss Shadow of Death.

Fixed stat creature specialties[edit | hide]

These specialties are only Horn of the Abyssmostly Shadow of Death present in banned-by-default campaign heroes and Planeswalkers. Fixed stat creature specialties provide a fixed bonus to attack, defense, damage, and/or speed, regardless of hero level.

Fixed stat creature specialties

Hero Creature Attack Defense Damage Speed
Sir MullichSir Mullich Sir Mullich Horn of the Abyss (Campaign/Custom) Shadow of Death All creatures +2
MutareMutare Mutare Map Editor
Mutare DrakeMutare Drake Mutare Drake Map Editor
Green DragonGreen Dragon Gold DragonGold Dragon Bone DragonBone Dragon Ghost DragonGhost Dragon Red DragonRed Dragon Black DragonBlack Dragon Faerie DragonFaerie Dragon Rust DragonRust Dragon Crystal DragonCrystal Dragon Azure DragonAzure Dragon  Dragons +10 Horn of the AbyssShadow of Death +10 Horn of the AbyssShadow of Death
XeronXeron Xeron Map Editor DevilDevil Arch DevilArch Devil Devil and Arch Devil +10 Horn of the AbyssShadow of Death +10 Horn of the AbyssShadow of Death +1
Haart LichHaart Lich Haart Lich Horn of the Abyss (Campaign/Custom)Lord HaartLord Haart Lord Haart Armageddon's Blade Shadow of Death Black KnightBlack Knight Dread KnightDread Knight Black Knight and Dread Knight +10 Horn of the AbyssShadow of Death +10 Horn of the AbyssShadow of Death +10
KilgorKilgor Kilgor Map Editor BehemothBehemoth Ancient BehemothAncient Behemoth Behemoth and Ancient Behemoth +10 Horn of the AbyssShadow of Death +10 Horn of the AbyssShadow of Death +10
LacusLacus Lacus
KaltKalt Kalt
Water ElementalWater Elemental Ice ElementalIce Elemental Water Elemental and Ice Elemental +12 Horn of the AbyssShadow of Death
IgnissaIgnissa Ignissa
FiurFiur Fiur
Fire ElementalFire Elemental Energy ElementalEnergy Elemental Fire Elemental and Energy Elemental +Horn of the AbyssShadow of Death +Horn of the AbyssShadow of Death +2
ThunarThunar Thunar
ErdamonErdamon Erdamon
Earth ElementalEarth Elemental Magma ElementalMagma Elemental Earth Elemental and Magma Elemental +Horn of the AbyssShadow of Death +Horn of the AbyssShadow of Death +5
PasisPasis Pasis
MonereMonere Monere
Psychic ElementalPsychic Elemental Magic ElementalMagic Elemental Psychic Elemental and Magic Elemental +Horn of the AbyssShadow of Death +Horn of the AbyssShadow of Death

Creature-upgrade specialties[edit | hide]

These specialties are only present in banned-by-default campaign heroes. Creature-upgrade specialties allow the hero to upgrade specific creatures into the creature they specialize in, as long as they are placed in their army. The cost is equal to the difference in costs between the owned creature and the "upgrade".

Creature-upgrade specialties

Standard creature specialties[edit | hide]

Standard creature specialties, regardless of hero level, provide +1 speed to the creatures they specialize in. This bonus applies outside of combat and can therefore increase hero's Movement (unlike the native terrain speed increase). They also increase the creature's Attack and Defense by 20% Horn of the Abyss5% Shadow of Death every n levels, where n is the level of the creature they specialize in (Horn of the Abyss with the exception of level 1 creatures, whose stats grow by 10% every level, starting at level 2). Thus heroes who specialize in: level 1 creatures double their Attack and Defense at level 11 Horn of the Abyss21 Shadow of Death, level 2 creature at level 10 Horn of the Abyss40 Shadow of Death, and level 3 creatures at level 15 Horn of the Abyss60 Shadow of Death, etc.

Standard/Fixed stat creature specialties

NOTE: Orange cells mean the specialty is only available to banned-by-default heroes.

NOTE: Sir Mullich is excluded from this table as his specialty applies to all creatures.

NOTE1: Hero has a fixed stat creature specialty.

Town Creature Level
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Castle PikemanPikeman HalberdierHalberdier  ArcherArcher MarksmanMarksman  GriffinGriffin Royal GriffinRoyal Griffin  SwordsmanSwordsman CrusaderCrusader  MonkMonk ZealotZealot  CavalierCavalier ChampionChampion  AngelAngel ArchangelArchangel 
(none) ValeskaValeska Valeska EdricEdric Edric SorshaSorsha Sorsha
CatherineCatherine Catherine Map Editor
RolandRoland Roland Map Editor
InghamIngham Ingham TyrisTyris Tyris (none)
Rampart CentaurCentaur Centaur CaptainCentaur Captain  DwarfDwarf Battle DwarfBattle Dwarf  Wood ElfWood Elf Grand ElfGrand Elf  PegasusPegasus Silver PegasusSilver Pegasus  Dendroid GuardDendroid Guard Dendroid SoldierDendroid Soldier  UnicornUnicorn War UnicornWar Unicorn  Green DragonGreen Dragon Gold DragonGold Dragon 
(none) UfretinUfretin Ufretin IvorIvor Ivor AerisAeris Aeris RylandRyland Ryland ClancyClancy Clancy MutareMutare Mutare1 Map Editor
Mutare DrakeMutare Drake Mutare Drake1 Map Editor
Tower GremlinGremlin Master GremlinMaster Gremlin  Stone GargoyleStone Gargoyle Obsidian GargoyleObsidian Gargoyle  Stone GolemStone Golem Iron GolemIron Golem  MageMage Arch MageArch Mage  GenieGenie Master GenieMaster Genie  NagaNaga Naga QueenNaga Queen  GiantGiant TitanTitan 
(none) PiquedramPiquedram Piquedram JosephineJosephine Josephine TheodorusTheodorus Theodorus IonaIona Iona
ThaneThane Thane
FafnerFafner Fafner (none)
Inferno ImpImp FamiliarFamiliar  GogGog MagogMagog  Hell HoundHell Hound CerberusCerberus  DemonDemon Horned DemonHorned Demon  Pit FiendPit Fiend Pit LordPit Lord  EfreetEfreet Efreet SultanEfreet Sultan  DevilDevil Arch DevilArch Devil 
IgnatiusIgnatius Ignatius CalhCalh Calh FionaFiona Fiona MariusMarius Marius NymusNymus Nymus RashkaRashka Rashka XeronXeron Xeron1 Map Editor
Necropolis SkeletonSkeleton Skeleton WarriorSkeleton Warrior  Walking DeadWalking Dead ZombieZombie  WightWight WraithWraith  VampireVampire Vampire LordVampire Lord  LichLich Power LichPower Lich  Black KnightBlack Knight Dread KnightDread Knight  Bone DragonBone Dragon Ghost DragonGhost Dragon 
GalthranGalthran Galthran Horn of the Abyss (Campaign/Custom) GalthranGalthran Galthran StrakerStraker Straker CharnaCharna Charna VokialVokial Vokial MoandorMoandor Moandor TamikaTamika Tamika
Haart LichHaart Lich Haart Lich1 Horn of the Abyss (Campaign/Custom)Lord HaartLord Haart Lord Haart1 Armageddon's Blade Shadow of Death
MutareMutare Mutare1 Map Editor
Mutare DrakeMutare Drake Mutare Drake1 Map Editor
Dungeon TroglodyteTroglodyte Infernal TroglodyteInfernal Troglodyte  HarpyHarpy Harpy HagHarpy Hag  BeholderBeholder Evil EyeEvil Eye  MedusaMedusa Medusa QueenMedusa Queen  MinotaurMinotaur Minotaur KingMinotaur King  ManticoreManticore ScorpicoreScorpicore  Red DragonRed Dragon Black DragonBlack Dragon 
ShaktiShakti Shakti LoreleiLorelei Lorelei AjitAjit Ajit (none) DaceDace Dace SyncaSynca Synca MutareMutare Mutare1 Map Editor
Mutare DrakeMutare Drake Mutare Drake1 Map Editor
Stronghold GoblinGoblin HobgoblinHobgoblin  Wolf RiderWolf Rider Wolf RaiderWolf Raider  OrcOrc Orc ChieftainOrc Chieftain  OgreOgre Ogre MageOgre Mage  RocRoc ThunderbirdThunderbird  CyclopsCyclops Cyclops KingCyclops King  BehemothBehemoth Ancient BehemothAncient Behemoth 
GretchinGretchin Gretchin TyraxorTyraxor Tyraxor JabarkasJabarkas Jabarkas VeyVey Vey
KrellionKrellion Krellion
BoragusBoragus Boragus Map Editor
ShivaShiva Shiva YogYog Yog KilgorKilgor Kilgor1 Map Editor
Fortress GnollGnoll Gnoll MarauderGnoll Marauder  LizardmanLizardman Lizard WarriorLizard Warrior  Serpent FlySerpent Fly Dragon FlyDragon Fly  BasiliskBasilisk Greater BasiliskGreater Basilisk  GorgonGorgon Mighty GorgonMighty Gorgon  WyvernWyvern Wyvern MonarchWyvern Monarch  HydraHydra Chaos HydraChaos Hydra 
DrakonDrakon Drakon WystanWystan Wystan KorbacKorbac Korbac BronBron Bron AlkinAlkin Alkin BroghildBroghild Broghild (none)
Conflux PixiePixie SpriteSprite  Air ElementalAir Elemental Storm ElementalStorm Elemental  Water ElementalWater Elemental Ice ElementalIce Elemental  Fire ElementalFire Elemental Energy ElementalEnergy Elemental  Earth ElementalEarth Elemental Magma ElementalMagma Elemental  Psychic ElementalPsychic Elemental Magic ElementalMagic Elemental  FirebirdFirebird PhoenixPhoenix 
(none) (none) LacusLacus Lacus1
KaltKalt Kalt1
IgnissaIgnissa Ignissa1
FiurFiur Fiur1
ThunarThunar Thunar1
ErdamonErdamon Erdamon1
PasisPasis Pasis1
MonereMonere Monere1
(none)
Cove Horn of the Abyss NymphNymph OceanidOceanid  Crew MateCrew Mate SeamanSeaman  PiratePirate CorsairCorsair Sea DogSea Dog  StormbirdStormbird AyssidAyssid  Sea WitchSea Witch SorceressSorceress  NixNix Nix WarriorNix Warrior  Sea SerpentSea Serpent HaspidHaspid 
CassiopeiaCassiopeia Cassiopeia DerekDerek Derek AnabelAnabel Anabel IllorIllor Illor CasmetraCasmetra Casmetra TarkTark Tark Horn of the Abyss (Campaign/Custom) (none)
Factory Horn of the Abyss Halfling (Factory)Halfling (Factory) Halfling GrenadierHalfling Grenadier  MechanicMechanic EngineerEngineer  ArmadilloArmadillo Bellwether ArmadilloBellwether Armadillo  AutomatonAutomaton Sentinel AutomatonSentinel Automaton  SandwormSandworm Olgoi-KhorkhoiOlgoi-Khorkhoi  GunslingerGunslinger Bounty HunterBounty Hunter  CouatlCouatl Crimson CouatlCrimson Couatl       DreadnoughtDreadnought JuggernautJuggernaut 
HenriettaHenrietta Henrietta SamSam Sam CelestineCelestine Celestine ToddTodd Todd AgarAgar Agar TancredTancred Tancred (none)
Neutral PeasantPeasant HalflingHalfling  BoarBoar RogueRogue LeprechaunLeprechaun  MummyMummy NomadNomad  SharpshooterSharpshooter SatyrSatyr Steel GolemSteel Golem  TrollTroll Gold GolemGold Golem FangarmFangarm  Diamond GolemDiamond Golem EnchanterEnchanter  Faerie DragonFaerie Dragon Rust DragonRust Dragon Crystal DragonCrystal Dragon Azure DragonAzure Dragon 
(none) (none) (none) (none) (none) (none) MutareMutare Mutare1 Map Editor
Mutare DrakeMutare Drake Mutare Drake1 Map Editor

Creature Ability specialties Horn of the Abyss[edit | hide]

These specialties are only present in banned-by-default heroes in Horn of the Abyss.

Unique Creature specialties

Hero Creature Effect
FrederickFrederick Frederick Horn of the Abyss (Campaign/Custom) AutomatonAutomaton Sentinel AutomatonSentinel Automaton Automaton and Sentinel Automaton Increases the damage dealt by the detonation at death ability by 5% per level.

War Machine specialties[edit | hide]

These specialties increase the effectiveness of specific war machines.

War Machine specialties

Hero War Machine Effect
TorosarTorosar Torosar
ArlachArlach Arlach
ChristianChristian Christian
GerwulfGerwulf Gerwulf
GurnissonGurnisson Gurnisson
PyrePyre Pyre
RanlooRanloo Ranloo Horn of the Abyss
MortonMorton Morton Horn of the Abyss
BallistaBallista Ballista Increases the Attack and Defense skills of the Ballista by 30% Horn of the Abyss5% Shadow of Death for every 5 levels (rounded up).
JeremyJeremy Jeremy Horn of the Abyss CannonCannon Cannon Increases the Attack and Defense skills of the Cannon by 20% for every 6 levels (rounded up).

Resource specialties[edit | hide]

Some heroes' specialties increase a kingdom's daily income of gold or magical resources. No hero produces the resource needed to recruit the level 7 creature of their native town. These specialties do not improve with the hero's level, and thus their usefulness may decrease over the course of the game as the impact of other specialties becomes greater.

This effect remains in place even when the hero in question is garrisoned in a town and no longer counts towards the limit of 8 adventuring heroes. As hiring a hero only costs 2500 gold, depending on the situation, this way of collecting magical resources may be preferable to building resource silos for the cost of 5000 gold and 5 ore.

Resource specialties

Hero Bonus
RissaRissa Rissa +1 Mercury
CalidCalid Calid +1 Sulfur
SephinrothSephinroth Sephinroth
AndalAndal Andal Horn of the Abyss
+1 Crystal
SaurugSaurug Saurug +1 Gem
AineAine Aine
CaitlinCaitlin Caitlin
ClaviusClavius Clavius
DamaconDamacon Damacon
GelareGelare Gelare
GrindanGrindan Grindan
JenovaJenova Jenova
NagashNagash Nagash
OctaviaOctavia Octavia
BertramBertram Bertram Horn of the Abyss
LeenaLeena Leena Horn of the Abyss
+350 Gold

NOTE: For a comparison between Lord HaartLord Haart Lord Haart's Estates specialty and the +350 Gold specialty, see Lord Haart#Specialty.

See also[edit | hide]