Heroes of Might and Magic V: Hammers of Fate

Heroes of Might and Magic V: Hammers of Fate
Developer(s)	Nival Interactive
Publisher(s)	Ubisoft Entertainment
Version	2.1
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows
Release date(s)	NA November 14, 2006 AUS November 18, 2008 EU November 17, 2006
Genre(s)	Turn-based strategy game
Mode(s)	Single player, single-system multiplayer, and network play
Rating(s)	ESRB: Teen OFLC: Mature PEGI: 12+
Media/distribution	CD or DVD

Heroes of Might and Magic V: Hammers of Fate is the first expansion pack to the turn-based strategy game Heroes of Might and Magic V. Like the original game, it was developed by Nival Interactive, under the guidance of Ubisoft. It was released on November 7, 2006.

Features

The expansion pack features numerous additions over the base game. The expansion pack adds:

• The Fortress faction, which are Dwarves who can use runic magic (which requires resources instead of mana for casting).
• Three new campaigns, which continue the original game's storyline.
• A selection of standalone scenarios.
• Fourteen new artifacts.
• Four new creatures and additional campaign heroes.
• A map and campaign editor.
• Caravans (originally seen in Heroes of Might and Magic IV).
• Simultaneous turns in the multiplayer mode.
• A random map generator.
• A sub-faction of seven non-recruitable creature types, known as the Renegades, which feature prominently in the storyline.

Factions

Fortress

An underground kingdom of fire-worshiping dwarves that are rivals of the Dark Elves. Dwarven units can be enhanced with various runes at the cost of some resources.

Fortress' units: Defenders, Spearwielders, Bear Riders, Brawlers, Rune Priests, Thanes & Fire Dragons.

Racial skill: Rune Magic

Hero: Runemage

Simultaneous Turns

Simultaneous Turns works only until the first conflict. Because of the definition of a conflict (see below), it is possible for the simultaneous turns feature to end on the first turn of the game. As the manual states :

A "conflict" is a situation where players can affect each other. Since the game is essentially turn-based, any encounter between two or more players can cause a game mechanics failure. Conflict probability is estimated at the beginning of each turn. If conflict is possible, the game is permanently switched to the basic turn-based mode. All players receive a message confirming this.

Campaigns

Map view

Freyda's Dilemma

• The Rebels

Godric has been stripped of his command, and his daughter is put in command. Freyda has doubts about Queen Isabel's decisions, such as promotions of several soldiers who seem more interested in killing than preserving the law. Isabel orders Freyda to quash a rebellion within the Griffin empire. The rebels see Isabel as unfit because of her change in behavior after her return from Sheogh. Freyda tries to talk to Archbishop Randell and Lord Caldwell, but Laszlo and Alaric interrupt and force Freyda to fight. Freyda and Laszlo discover that elves and villagers have been helping the rebels and that Queen Isabel's reinforcements have been trapped by a party of elves. After helping the reinforcements, Freyda and Laszlo destroy the two rebel camps.

• The Suspicion

Freyda still has her doubts, and her loyalty is put to the test when Isabel threatens to hand her father (who has been locked away in a prison) over to zealous inquisitors if she does not fall into line. Freyda and Laszlo are ordered to seek out rebels and investigate reports that demons have been appearing. The two might be connected.

• Duncan

Freyda is ordered to take care of Lord Duncan of the Stag Duchy. There have been reports that he has the young prince hidden away. It is also rumored that he has an alliance with a Dwarven outpost. Freyda decides to let him go to rally troops against Isabel.

• Negotiations

Following the information from Duncan, Freyda must negotiate with the Dwarves who have custody of the prince. Freyda manages to contact Wulfstan, captain of the Dwarven garrison and a friend of Duncan. But Laszlo is impatient with being ordered to stay behind and attacks the garrison.

• The Choice

After escaping from the frozen lands of the Dwarves, Freyda sets out to free Duncan from the Red Haven prison and acquire a ship to take her to the city of Talonguard. Once there, she can free her father, Godric, before word of her betrayal reaches the Red Queen.

Wulfstan's Defiance

• The Border Zone

War has erupted between the Griffin Empire and their former allies, the Dwarves. Wulfstan is in charge of the garrison defending the border and is slowly losing. Wulfstan's brother blames him for the war, saying that it was because he gave sanctuary to the young prince that Isabel is attacking them. Wulfstan manages to hold off the Griffin empire for a short time.

• The Ambush

Wulfstan's brother has taken the young prince by force, killing soldiers protecting him. He goes to the King of the Stone Halls and declares Wulfstan a traitor.

• The Guerrillas

An alliance has been made between the Stone Halls and the Griffin empire, based on Isabel's promise to cancel the treaty she has with the dark elves and to let the dwarves attack them. Elsewhere, Wulfstan plans to disrupt the Stone Halls by cutting off supply lines and eliminating any incoming reinforcements.

• The Brothers

Wulfstan has to face his own brother, who has managed to worm his way into the king's favor. Wulfstan's brother has lied, telling the King that Wulfstan still has the young prince in his company.

• Laszlo

It is finally time to take care of Laszlo the Butcher. Wulfstan has the aid of Duncan, who wants to take back his home. This will be sweet revenge for Wulfstan as it was really Laszlo who started the war in the first place.

Ylaya's Quest

• The Spy

The clans that were once united by Raelag have split into many warring factions. But what is more disturbing is that old rituals are being practiced once again. Ylaya, who is the keeper of the law for the Shadowbrand clan, is charged by the Daughter of Malassa to find out what she can about these dark rituals which threaten all.

• The Break

Ylaya has been discovered and must head for Shadowbrand territory where she will be safe. She is chased by those of the Soulscar clan who have been allied with demons for ages.

• The Meeting

After consulting with the Daughter of Malassa, Ylaya searches for Raelag who has been missing since the war. She must find him so he can reunite the clans and put an end to the old rituals. However she finds an unexpected ally.

• The Dragons

Ylaya has discovered that it is Biara, disguised as Isabel, who leads the Griffin Empire. The real Isabel has been with Raelag in his home within the caves of the dark elves. The dragons have abandoned the dark elves after hearing that their followers have gone over to the old ways. The only way to seek their help is to accompany a black dragon to the dragons' mating grounds.

• The Decoupling

The time has come to put an end to the Alliance based on the workings of Biara, the usurper. All the heroes will need to settle differences to stop a common threat. While Tieru's ghost leads Raelag to the orc lands of Ranaar, Biara and Alaric are hiding there in an ambush, waiting to kill trespassers and enemies. Raelag is never seen again and was probably killed.

Patches

Patch 2.1 was released on January 30, 2007 and contained fixes to various bugs, balance changes and improvements to the map editor.

External links

• Forum
• Heroes of Might and Magic V: Hammers of Fate at MobyGames
• Age Of Heroes