Following the exciting teaser reveal of the Swarm faction in Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era, the developers at Unfrozen Studio have unveiled more intricate details about this fascinating new castle. They've delved into the inspirations behind the faction's creation, shedding light on the transformation from "Inferno" to "Swarm" (or vice versa), and the unfolding events on the continent of Jadame.
The Swarm stands out with its remarkable ability to adapt to its enemies. Some of its creatures have abilities that scale based on the level of the opposing unit—the greater the difference between a Swarm unit and its prey, the higher the damage inflicted. Other units, such as mantises, offer players the flexibility to choose from three different abilities each round. Moreover, creatures like worms and locusts can devour corpses to heal and empower themselves, a skill that heroes in the game can also master.
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 crafted the Swarm with deep respect for the original lore while infusing it with elements of body horror and occultism. This faction transcends being just a colony of insects; it forms a cult devoted to a single ruler. Each follower is intricately connected to a vast collective mind, existing solely to carry out the will of their master.
The gameplay mechanics of the Swarm are centered around the "mono-faction" concept, where players gain significant advantages by utilizing only Swarm units, as they synergize and enhance each other's abilities. Additionally, Swarm troops can summon cocoons, the health of which scales with the size of the army. Once hatched, the larvae join the fray as temporary units, providing players with the ability to adapt to diverse battlefield scenarios.
Unfrozen Studio emphasized the Swarm’s aggressive playstyle, where its creatures can not only devour corpses for healing and empowerment but also employ unique abilities that dynamically adjust based on the enemy's strength. This strategic approach positions the Swarm as a faction that thrives on direct confrontations, offering players a novel and engaging combat strategy.
