Following the exciting teaser reveal of the Swarm faction, the creative minds at Unfrozen Studio behind Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era have delved deeper into the intricacies of this captivating castle. They’ve shared insights into the inspirations fueling the faction’s development, the intriguing transformation from "Inferno" to "Swarm" (or vice versa), and the compelling narrative unfolding on the continent of Jadame.
The Swarm faction is distinguished by its remarkable ability to adapt to its adversaries. Some of its creatures have abilities that scale with the level of the opposing unit—the larger the disparity between the Swarm unit and its target, the greater the inflicted damage. Meanwhile, versatile creatures like mantises can select from three distinct abilities each round, providing tactical flexibility. Moreover, creatures such as worms and locusts possess the chilling ability to consume corpses, not only to heal but also to empower themselves—a skill that your heroes can master as well.
In the world of Olden Era, the traditional demonic threat has been reimagined as an insectoid race, a concept briefly touched upon in Might & Magic 8. The developers have paid homage to the original lore while infusing elements of body horror and occultism, transforming the Swarm into more than just a collection of insects. It's a cult dedicated to a singular ruler, with each member part of a vast collective mind, driven solely by the will of their master.
The gameplay mechanics of the Swarm revolve around its "mono-faction" strategy—players reap significant benefits from deploying only Swarm units, as they synergize and enhance one another. Another unique feature is the ability to summon cocoons, whose durability correlates with the army's total size. Once these cocoons hatch, the emerging larvae join the fray as temporary units, enabling players to dynamically respond to different combat scenarios.
The developers emphasized the Swarm’s aggressive playstyle, where its creatures can feast on fallen foes to heal and grow stronger, while leveraging unique abilities that adjust based on the enemy’s power level. This approach positions the Swarm as a faction that thrives on direct confrontations, offering players an innovative and dynamic combat strategy.
