Units and even heroes aren't just defined by their stats, they also have classifications, flags and tags which further expands their uniqueness, widening depth and allowing for many strategies. Some of these tags and flags have quite an impact on the game, while others only allow for very specific and highly situational effects.
Race Tags[]
The race tags have the biggest impact on the game out of the tags / flags a unit has, offering both bonuses and penalties to the unit. These traits aren't very well known due to the lack of in-game information on them, with weather effects being the only exception. These tags are also used to allow certain units to deal extra damage to them. Below are all the racial tags in the game and their effects on the units that have them, as well as any units or skills that prey upon these tags.
Human[]
- -1 combat at night.
Swarm heroes and Lichelord / Deathknight classes have access to the Manslayer skill, which deals +5 damage per point invested in the skill to Human targets.
The Undead race have access to a research known as Fallen Knight which allows Slayer Knights and Doom Knights to deal triple damage to Human targets.
There are also hero items that affect Human units:
- Ogre's Blade: Gives +5 damage against Humans.
- Banesword: Gives +15 damage against Humans.
Click the button on the right to see a list of all the Human units.
Archer
Black Mage
Halberdier
Inquisitor
Knight
Knight Champion
Knight Lord
Mercenary
Peasant
Pikeman
Plague Priest
Red Mage
Sirian
Squire
Swordsman
The Lion Throne
White Mage
Dwarf[]
- -1 combat during rain.
- +5 resistance to all illnesses.
Forestguards and Dark Infantry deal triple damage to Dwarven targets. (Iceguards do not due to a source code typo.)
Dwarven heroes have access to the Brewmaster skill, which adds +2 XP per point invested in the skill to newly produced Dwarven units.
There are also hero items that affect Dwarven units:
- Dwarf on a stick: Gives +10 damage against Dwarves
- Axe of Dwarvenbane: Gives +15 damage against Dwarves.
- Dwarfkiller: Gives +15 damage against Dwarves.
Click the button on the right to see a list of all the Dwarven units.
Dwarf Berserker
Dwarf Crossbow
Dwarf Infantry
Dwarf Lord
Dwarf Runner
Engineer
Khazrimi Guard
King Khalid
Runelord
Smith
Undead[]
- Immunity to all psychological effects.
- Immunity to all illnesses.
- +2 combat during the night.
- Double HP regeneration during the night.
- No HP regeneration during the day.
- Command bonuses from heroes are halved (+2 combat and +1 speed instead of the usual +4 combat and +2 speed).
- Prior to 1.03.23, the Undead used to gain +1 combat while raining.
- In 1.03.23 they take reduced damage from critical hits and deathblows (50% reduction on the bonus damage).
Paladin class heroes have access to the Deathslayer skill, which deals +5 damage per point invested in the skill to Undead targets.
The Knight race have access to a research known as Grand Paladin which allows Knights, Knight Champions and Knight Lords deal triple damage to Undead targets.
Click the button on the right to see a list of all the Undead units.
Doom Knight
Ghoul
Guardian Skull
Liche
Lord Bane
Shadow
Skeleton
Skeleton Cavalry
Slayer Knight
Vampire
Wight
Wraith
Zombie
Barbarian[]
- -1 combat at night.
There are no slayer skills, hero items or units that deal extra damage to Barbarian units.
Click the button on the right to see a list of all the Barbarian units.
Minotaur[]
- +5 resistance to Chaos.
- Very slow recovery from Chaos (60 seconds instead of the usual 30).
Although there exists a slayer skill known as Bullslayer that deals +5 damage to Minotaur targets per point invested in the skill, there is no hero type or class that has access to this skill.
Click the button on the right to see a list of all the Minotaur units.
Orc[]
- Slow recovery from all psychological effects (duration is 50% longer than usual).
- Immunity to all illnesses.
- +2 combat during the night.
Ranger class heroes have access to the Orcslayer skill, which deals +5 damage per point invested in the skill to Orcish targets.
Woodriders deal triple damage to Orcish targets.
There are also hero items that affect Orcish units
- Theiran Axe: Gives +25 damage against Orcs.
- Hammer of Yorr: Gives +15 damage against Orcs.
Click the button on the right to see a list of all the Orcish units.
Giant
Goblin
Goblin Chief
Goblin Shaman
Gornak Elfeater
Gnoll
Kobold
Kobold Sniper
Ogre
Orc
Troll
Wolf Rider
High Elf[]
- Immunity to Fear and Terror.
- Absolutly no resistance to illnesses.
- +2 combat during the day. (Prior to 1.03.23, the High Elves only gained +1 combat during the day.)
Orc heroes and Lichelord / Summoner classes have access to the Elfslayer skill, which deals +5 damage per point invested in the skill to all 3 different Elven typed targets.
Dwarven Infantry deal triple damage to all 3 different Elven typed targets.
Click the button on the right to see a list of all the High Elven units.
Wood Elf[]
- +5 resistance to Fear and Terror.
- -5 resistance to illnesses.
- +2 combat during fine weather.
Orc heroes and Lichelord / Summoner classes have access to the Elfslayer skill, which deals +5 damage per point invested in the skill to all 3 different Elven typed targets.
Dwarven Infantry deal triple damage to all 3 different Elven typed targets.
Click the button on the right to see a list of all the Wood Elven units.
Dark Elf[]
- Immunity to Fear.
- Very slow recovery from Awe (60 seconds instead of the usual 30).
- +2 combat during the night.
Orc heroes and Lichelord / Summoner classes have access to the Elfslayer skill, which deals +5 damage per point invested in the skill to all 3 different Elven typed targets.
Click the button on the right to see a list of all the Dark Elven units.
Fey[]
- +2 combat during fine weather.
There are no slayer skills, hero items or units that deal extra damage to Fey units.
Click the button on the right to see a list of all the Faerie units.
Daemon[]
- +5 resistance to Fear.
- Immunity to Awe.
- Immunity to Chaos.
- +1 combat while raining.
- -50% mana regeneration for non-hero units (1 point per 6 seconds instead of 1 point per 3 seconds).
- -0.2 seconds on mana regeneration per level for non-hero units (instead of the usual -0.1 seconds).
Daemonslayer class heroes have access to the Daemonslayer skill, which deals +5 damage per point invested in the skill to Daemonic targets.
Click the button on the right to see a list of all the Daemonic units.
Lizard[]
- +5 resistance to Poison.
- +1 combat during the day.
Empire heroes have access to the Serpentslayer skill, which deals +5 damage per point invested in the skill to lizards.
There are also hero items that affect lizards:
- Serpantslayer Axe: Gives +15 damage against Lizards.
Click the button on the right to see a list of all the Lizard units.
Insect[]
- +5 resistance to Poison.
- +5 resistance to Chaos.
There are no slayer skills, hero items or units that deal extra damage to insects.
Click the button on the right to see a list of all the Insect units.
Dragon[]
- None
Dragonslayer class heroes have access to the Dragonslayer skill, which deals +5 damage per point invested in the skill to Draconian targets.
The game tallies each Dragon killed for each hero and can be viewed through the stats page when selecting a hero to play with.
Ssrathi heroes and Dragonslayer classes have access to the Dragonmaster skill, which adds +3 XP per point invested in the skill to newly produced Dragons.
There are also hero items that affect Dragon untis:
- Dragonstones: Gives +6 XP to newly produced Dragons.
- Dragon Banner: Gives +5 damage against Dragons.
- Dragonbane: Gives +30 damage against Dragons.
Click the button on the right to see a list of all the Draconian units.
Celestial Dragon
Dragonliche
Faerie Dragon
Fire Dragon
Frost Dragon
Pterodactyl
Storm Dragon
Swamp Dragon
Wyvern
Monster[]
- None
Chieftain class heroes have access to the Beastslayer skill, which deals +5 damage per point invested in the skill to monstrous targets.
Ranger class heroes have access to the Taming skill, which adds +2 XP per point invested in the skill to newly produced Monsters (+5 XP in 1.03).
There are also hero items that affect monstrous units:
- Griffon Cloak: Gives +4 XP to newly produced Monsters.
Click the button on the right to see a list of all the Monstrous units.
Ancient Wisp
Basilisk
Bat
Dragonfly
Eagle
Firebat
Griffon
King Lunarion
Lightning Hawk
Pegasus
Phoenix
Unicorn
War Dog
Mechanical[]
- Immunity to all psychological effects.
- Immunity to all illnesses.
- Immunity to transformation spells (Transform, Mutate and Strip Flesh).
- In 1.03.23 they take reduced damage from critical hits and deathblows (50% reduction on the bonus damage).
- Cannot be offered as a new recruit after a battle is over.
There are no slayer skills, hero items or units that deal extra damage to Mechanical constructs.
Click the button on the right to see a list of all the Mechanical units.
Ballista
Battering Ram
Bone Catapult
Bronze Golem
Catapult
Dancing Sword
Firebomb
Flame Cannon
Gobshooter
Grond
Hellbore
Iron Golem
Manticore
Stone Golem
Extra-Planar[]
- Are removed from existence when they are hit with the Banish spell.
Extra-Planar is an additional tag that can be added to a unit along side any other race tag they may have, but cannot be used along side the Titan tag.
The Daemon race can research Binding which prevents Extra-Planar tagged units from being affected by the Banish spell.
There are also a hero item that can cast Banish:
- Key of Closing: Gives a 5% chance to cast Banish at level 2 per melee strike.
Click the button on the right to see a list of all the Extra-Planar units.
Air Elemental
Archon
Daemon
Earth Elemental
Eye of Oros
Fire Elemental
Imp
Nightmare
Quasit
Succubus
Water Elemental
Titan[]
- Immunity to all psychological effects.
- Immunity to all illnesses.
- Immunity to transformation spells (Transform, Mutate and Strip Flesh).
- Immunity to Chaos Plague.
- Ignore all armor.
- Ignore 50 points of resistance.
- In 1.03.1+ they have a 33% resistance to all forms of damage.
- In 1.03.1+ they cannot be healed.
- Cannot be offered as a new recruit after a battle is over.
- Cannot gain XP nor level up.
Titan is an additional tag that can be added to a unit along side any other race tag they may have, but cannot be used along side the Extra-Planar tag.
The game tallies each Titan killed for each hero and can be viewed through the stats page when selecting a hero to play with.
Such is the impact that Titans have on the game, they have their own page with more details.
Alignment[]
Alignment determines whether a unit is considered good or evil. Units can even be neutral - neither good nor evil. Every unit is given an alignment but the effects are limited and do not directly effect the unit. Instead, a unit's alignment is checked by enemy units and spells to decide what effects are to take place. As such the list below shows what other units, spells and skills work off these values.
Good[]
- Take double damage from the Dragonliche's breath attack.
- Take double damage from the elite Daemon unit.
- Deathknight class heroes have access to a skill known as Smite Good, which deals +10 damage per point invested in the skill to good units.
Neutral[]
- None
Evil[]
- Take double damage from the Celestial Dragon's breath attack.
- Take double damage from Archons.
- Take double damage from an Inquisitor's melee attack.
- Can be targeted and harmed by the Purify spell.
- Can be targeted and harmed by the Cathedral's and Tower of the Moon's Holy Word attack.
- Paladin class heroes have access to a skill known as Smite Evil, which deals +10 damage per point invested in the skill to evil units.
Size[]
Every unit in the game is assigned a size value - a value that does very little. It has no affect on the unit's actual physical presence in game and instead is used only for references by certain enemy spells and skills. As such, each size value has no direct effect on the unit and the list below instead shows what other units, spells and skills work off these values.
Small[]
- Take double damage from Elephants.
- There exists a hero skill known as Trample that deals +5 damage per point invested in the skill to small targets. However, no hero class has access to this skill.
Medium[]
- None.
Large[]
- Take triple damage from Reavers.
- Immunity to Transform and Strip Flesh spells.
- Barbarian heroes have access to a skill known as Reave, which deals +5 damage per point invested in the skill to large (and huge) targets.
Huge[]
- Take triple damage from Reavers.
- Immunity to Transform and Strip Flesh spells.
- Barbarian heroes have access to a skill known as Reave, which deals +5 damage per point invested in the skill to huge (and large) targets.
There are also hero items that affect units based on their size:
- Slayer's Blade: Gives +20 damage against large and huge units.
Unit Types[]
The more obvious and well known characteristics of any unit is their type. However, their types are split up across multiple flags, allowing for a variety of combinations. Below is a list of all flags that build up a unit's type and what effects they have on the game beyond normal handling.
The following three flags are not cumulative and each unit must have one:
Land[]
- None
Air (Flier)[]
- Can only be hit by units that have been specifically set to be able to hit air units.
- Ignores ground-based obstructions and are not affected by elevation-movement penalties or bonuses.
- Counts as being at +1 elevation to what ever terrain cell they are above.
- Are not affected by the damage bonuses from Weaponsmith, Mithril or Dark Mithril researches.
Floater[]
- Are not affected by elevation-movement penalties or bonuses.
- Except for Wraiths, Shadows and the Eye of Oros, all other floating units treat water as being passable terrain.
Each unit can also be given one of the following in addition to the above, but can only have one of the two available but are not required to have any at all:
Infantry[]
- When garrisoned into a tower, they add +1 speed and +3 combat to the tower (unless they have the Missile Unit tag).
Cavalry[]
- Cannot be put into a tower.
- Are effected by the Phantom Steed spell.
- Take triple damage from Pikemen, Halberdiers and Dwarf Berserkers.
- Chieftain class heroes have access to a skill known as Riding, which adds +2 XP per point invested in the skill to newly produced cavalry units.
And finally, each unit can have any of the following flags:
Advanced[]
- If the unit lacks the Missile Unit tag, then it changes their garrisoned tower bonus to +6 combat and +2 speed.
- If the unit has the Missile Unit tag, then it changes their garrisoned tower bonus to +20 damage and +1 range.
Missile Unit[]
- Are not affected by the damage bonuses from Weaponsmith, Mithril or Dark Mithril researches.
- When garrisoned into a tower, they add +10 damage and +1 range to the tower. This replaces the bonuses given from an Infantry tag.
- Will also change a tower's attack type to their own if they are the most powerful missile unit garrisoned in that tower.
General[]
- Gives the unit the Convert ability with a range of 2 (but a range of 4 if the unit belongs to an AI side).
- If no generals are selected for the New Recruits window after a battle, then the game will try and force one in there based on your hero's race, but otherwise ignoring normal restrictions. These generals will have 1 XP.
Trivia[]
- Gnolls are tagged as Orc and Evil, despite being neither.
- All Titans have internal hacks to assign their race tag, titan flag and other classifications, completing ignoring these entries in the army.cfg file.
- Daemon heroes have the default alignment of "good" when they clearly should be evil.
- Empire heroes have the default alignment of "neutral" despite the rest of the race (except Black Mages) being tagged as good.
- There is no mechanical difference between large and huge sizes.
- The hero skills "Bullslayer" and "Trample" are not available to any hero nor are they used on any item, making these 2 skills completely unused.