Unfrozen Studio, the developers behind Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era, have unveiled further details about the intriguing Swarm faction, following an initial teaser. The team delved into the faction's origins, tracing its evolution from a concept initially termed "Inferno" to the final, chillingly unique "Swarm," and its place within the unfolding narrative of the Jadame continent.
The Swarm's defining characteristic is its remarkable adaptability. Certain creatures possess abilities directly influenced by the opposing unit's level; the greater the disparity in unit levels, the more devastating the Swarm unit's attack. Others, such as mantises, strategically choose from three distinct abilities each round. A notable survival mechanism, shared by creatures like worms and locusts, and even learnable by heroes, is the ability to consume corpses for healing and power boosts.
In Olden Era, the insectoid race, previously only briefly alluded to in Might & Magic 8, takes on the mantle of the demonic threat. While respecting existing lore, the developers infused the Swarm with elements of body horror and occultism, transforming it from a simple insect colony into a terrifying cult dedicated to a singular, powerful leader. Each member is a component of a vast hive mind, existing solely to execute its master's commands.
Gameplay revolves around the Swarm's "mono-faction" mechanic, rewarding players for utilizing a purely Swarm army, as units synergistically enhance one another. Furthermore, Swarm troops can summon cocoons, whose health scales with the army's overall size. Upon hatching, these larvae provide temporary reinforcements, enabling dynamic battlefield adaptation.
The Swarm's aggressive, direct-confrontation playstyle is highlighted by its unique abilities and corpse-devouring healing/empowerment mechanic. This adaptability, coupled with abilities that shift based on enemy strength, presents players with a novel and challenging combat strategy.
