Swarm Faction Details Unveiled by Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era Developers

Following the teaser reveal of the Swarm faction, the developers of Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era from Unfrozen Studio have delved deeper into the intricacies of this unique castle. They've shared insights into their creative process, detailing how the "Inferno" faction evolved into the "Swarm," and vice versa, while also shedding light on the unfolding events on the continent of Jadame.

The Swarm faction is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to enemy forces. Some of its creatures possess abilities that scale with the level of the opposing unit, dealing higher damage the greater the disparity between the Swarm unit and its target. Other creatures, such as mantises, have the flexibility to select one of three abilities each round, adding a strategic layer to gameplay. Additionally, creatures like worms and locusts can consume corpses to heal and bolster their strength, a skill that heroes can also master.

In Olden Era, the traditional demonic threat has been reimagined as an insectoid race, a concept only hinted at in Might & Magic 8. The developers have honored the original lore while infusing the Swarm with elements of body horror and occultism, transforming it from a mere insect colony into a cult devoted to a singular ruler. Each member of the Swarm is part of a collective consciousness, driven solely by the will of their master.

A key gameplay feature of the Swarm is its "mono-faction" mechanic, which rewards players for deploying only Swarm units, as they synergize and enhance each other's capabilities. Moreover, Swarm troops have the ability to summon cocoons, the health of which scales with the army's overall size. Once hatched, the larvae emerge as temporary units, providing players with the flexibility to adapt to diverse battlefield scenarios.

The developers have emphasized the Swarm's aggressive playstyle, where its creatures can devour corpses to heal and empower themselves, and employ unique abilities that adjust based on the enemy's strength. This dynamic approach positions the Swarm as a faction that thrives on direct confrontations, offering players a novel and engaging combat strategy.