Following the teaser reveal of the Swarm faction, the developers at Unfrozen Studio have delved deeper into the intricacies of this unique castle in Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era. They shed light on the inspirations behind the faction's creation, detailing the transformation from "Inferno" to "Swarm" and vice versa, alongside the unfolding events on the continent of Jadame.
The Swarm’s defining characteristic is its remarkable adaptability to the enemy. Some creatures within the Swarm have abilities that scale with the level of the opposing unit; the greater the disparity between the Swarm unit and its prey, the higher the damage inflicted. Others, such as mantises, possess the ability to select one of three different abilities each round, offering strategic flexibility. 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 role traditionally filled by demonic forces is now occupied by an insectoid race, which was 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. This transforms the faction from a mere insect colony into a cult dedicated to a singular ruler, where each follower is part of a vast collective consciousness, driven solely by the will of their master.
The gameplay of the Swarm is centered around its "mono-faction" mechanic, where players gain advantages by exclusively using Swarm units, which synergize and enhance each other. A unique feature is the ability to summon cocoons, whose health is contingent on the overall size of the army. Once hatched, the larvae join the fray as temporary units, enabling players to adapt dynamically to various battlefield scenarios.
The developers emphasized the Swarm’s aggressive playstyle, where its creatures can devour corpses for healing and empowerment, and employ unique abilities that adjust based on the enemy's strength. This approach positions the Swarm as a faction that thrives on direct confrontations, providing players with a novel and engaging combat strategy.
