Castle Faction

“Erathia's banner must be respected, never disgraced. Erathia must not fall to its enemies.” – Queen Catherine Gryphonheart-Ironfist

After a short break, we’re back with another dose of updates! We understand the lack of recent news might have raised questions, but rest assured—everything happens for a reason. Work on the game continues steadily and has now entered the advanced playtesting and balancing phase.
In today’s blog post, we’re officially unveiling the two factions that will be featured in the core set. Drumroll, please: Necropolis and Castle!

These are two of the most recognizable and beloved factions in the entire Heroes universe. Join Sandro in his last attempt to reclaim a position of power in Deyja after necromancer Vidomina and vampire lord Vokial liberated him from prison, and before he travels to Jadame. Facing him are the armies of Queen Catherine, more powerful than ever since the end of the Restoration Wars, trying to establish a foothold in the Contested Lands on their way to invade Eeofol.
Today, we’ll focus on the general concept behind the Castle faction and the units you’ll find in the core set. We’ll describe their role on the battlefield and the defining traits of this noble army.

Castle Faction

The Castle faction revolves around high morale. In the core gameplay mechanics, a successful morale check allows a unit to take an additional action—something that can turn the tide of battle or seal your victory.

Halberdiers

The first Castle unit is the Halberdier. Thanks to their tight formation, they can neutralize the effects of enemy charges and hold their ground even when outnumbered.

Crossbowmen

No army is complete without ranged support! The second unit in the set is the Crossbowmen. With their reliable crossbows—easy to use and deadly accurate—they can strike enemies from afar without penalty, providing essential support to any formation.

Griffins

The Gryphonheart family is renowned for their griffins—so naturally, they’re part of the Castle roster! These majestic flying beasts roam the battlefield freely, making them ideal for flanking maneuvers. Their relentless spirit ensures they always retaliate when attacked, making them formidable foes.

Cavaliers

Looking for something heavily armored and devastating? The Cavaliers is your answer. Once they gain momentum, they become a sledgehammer on the battlefield. Hold the enemy in place with your Halberdiers and smash through with your Cavaliers—an almost guaranteed path to victory… unless the luck and the dice have other plans. ;-)

Heroes

No army is complete without a leader. The core set includes two heroes:
Edric – A Might hero, he specializes in empowering griffins and can dish out powerful blows himself.
Adelaide – A Magic hero, she supports her allies with spells but can also obliterate enemies with a devastating Ice Ring when needed.

That’s all for today’s spotlight on the Castle faction in Heroes of Might and Magic: Battles. Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter so you don’t miss any updates from the world of Might & Magic. See you on the fantastic battlefields!

- Sławomir Aftarczuk – Game Designer, Archon Studio