Following the exciting teaser reveal of the Swarm faction, the developers at Unfrozen Studio behind Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era have delved deeper into the creation and unique aspects of this castle. They've shared the inspirations behind the faction's design, the fascinating transformation from "Inferno" to "Swarm" and vice versa, and detailed the events unfolding on the continent of Jadame.
The Swarm stands out with its remarkable ability to adapt to any enemy: certain creatures' abilities are scaled based on the level difference between them and their foes, dealing more damage the larger the gap. Other units, like mantises, have the flexibility to select one of three different abilities each round. Meanwhile, creatures such as worms and locusts can feast on corpses to heal and bolster their strength—a technique heroes can also master.
In the world of Olden Era, the Swarm takes on the mantle of the demonic threat, evolving from a mere insectoid race briefly mentioned in Might & Magic 8. The developers have carefully woven the original lore with new elements of body horror and occultism, crafting the Swarm into not just a collective of insects but a cult devoted to a singular ruler. Each follower is an integral part of a vast collective consciousness, driven solely by the will of their master.
The gameplay mechanics of the Swarm revolve around the "mono-faction" concept, where players gain advantages by fielding only Swarm units, which synergize to enhance each other's capabilities. Additionally, Swarm troops have the ability to summon cocoons, with the health of these cocoons tied to the army's overall size. The larvae that emerge from these cocoons join the fray as temporary units, enabling players to dynamically adapt to the evolving battlefield.
Unfrozen Studio also emphasized the Swarm's distinctive playstyle: its creatures can consume corpses to heal and empower themselves, and they boast unique abilities that shift in response to the enemy's strength. This aggressive approach positions the Swarm as a faction geared towards direct confrontations, providing players with an invigorating new combat strategy.
