Following the teaser reveal of the Swarm faction, the developers at Unfrozen Studio have delved deeper into the unique castle mechanics of Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era. The team has provided insights into their creative process, detailing how the "Inferno" faction evolved into the "Swarm" and the narrative developments on the continent of Jadame.
The Swarm faction is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to enemies. Some of its creatures have abilities that scale based on the level difference between them and their opponents, dealing higher damage the greater the disparity. Other units, such as mantises, can dynamically choose from three different abilities each round. Additionally, creatures like worms and locusts have the gruesome ability to consume corpses, not only healing themselves but also gaining empowerment. This ability can be learned by your heroes, adding a strategic depth to your gameplay.
In Olden Era, the traditional demonic threat has been reimagined as an insectoid race, a concept only briefly touched upon in Might & Magic 8. The developers have approached the creation of the Swarm with a deep respect for the original lore, while infusing elements of body horror and occultism. This transformation elevates the faction from a mere insect colony to a cult-like society devoted to a single ruler. Each member is part of a collective consciousness, dedicated entirely to executing the will of their master.
A key gameplay feature of the Swarm is its "mono-faction" mechanic. Players are incentivized to use only Swarm units, as they synergize and enhance each other's effectiveness. Moreover, Swarm troops can create cocoons on the battlefield, the health of which scales with the army's total size. Once hatched, these cocoons release larvae that join the fray as temporary units, offering players flexible tactical options to adapt to different combat scenarios.
The developers emphasized the Swarm's aggressive playstyle, focusing on direct confrontations. The faction's creatures can consume enemy corpses to heal and gain strength, and their unique abilities adjust based on the enemy's power level. This dynamic approach provides players with a novel and engaging combat strategy within the Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era universe.
