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{{Creature
{{Neutral creatures}}{{Creature
  | Neutral    = Neutral creature
  | AI_Value  = 19580</br>''(30501)''{{-wh}}
| lvl        =  
  | Growth    = 1
  | Growth    = 1
  | Name      = Faerie dragon
  | Name      = Faerie Dragon
| Image      = Faeriedragon
  | Attack    = 20
  | Attack    = 20
  | Defense    = 20
  | Defense    = 20
Line 10: Line 8:
  | Health    = 500
  | Health    = 500
  | Speed      = 15
  | Speed      = 15
  | Movement  = Flying
  | Movement  = [[Flying]]
  | Shots      = -
| Size      = 2
  | Cost      = 8 {{Gem}} + 10000
| No_shots  =
  | Special    = [[Spellcaster]] + Natural [[Magic mirror]] + Counts as [[dragon]]
| Res        = [[File: Resource Gem 20x18.gif]]
  | ResCost    = 8
  | Cost      = 10000
  | Special    = • [[Dragon]]<br>• [[Spellcaster]]<br>• Natural [[Magic Mirror]]
  | Onlyone    =
  | Onlyone    =
}}  
}}


'''Faerie dragons''' are [[neutral creature]]s recruited from the [[magic forest]] on [[adventure map]].
{{Cram|Magic Forest|Faerie Dragon|no_upg=|no_dwelling=}}
'''Faerie Dragons''' are level 7 [[neutral creature]]s recruited from the [[Magic Forest]].


== Spellcasting ==
''"Faerie Dragons are deceptively cute, but in truth, are mischievous tricksters. Little is known about these notorious troublemakers. What is known is found more in storybooks than magical tomes. Some say they are invisible. Some say they can cast spells. Some say [[Magic Mirror]] is one of their natural defensive traits."{{-}}<sup>[[Armageddon's Blade Manual Page 19|AB manual]]''</sup>
Faerie Dragons can cast up to five spells per combat. All spells are cast at advanced expertise and with a spell power equal to five times the number of dragons in the stack. Spells are chosen randomly from the following table:
<div style="clear:left;"></div>


{| border="1" cellpadding="4"
Unlike the majority of dragons, Faerie Dragons don't have breath attack, i.e. they damage only the troops directly attacked by them. Placing Faerie Dragons (as well as any living Dragons) in the [[Skeleton Transformer]] will give you [[Bone Dragon]]s instead of regular [[Skeleton]]s.
|+ '''Faerie Dragon Spell Probability'''
 
|-
== Special Ability: Spellcaster ==
! Percent Chance !! Spell
Faerie Dragons' main attack method is to cast offensive spells. A stack of faerie dragons can cast up to five spells per combat. The spells are randomly chosen for the stack, and the occurrence probabilities can be seen from the table on the left. The spells are cast with advanced expertise, and with spell power equal to five times the number of faerie dragons in the stack (N). If commanded to attack an enemy that is immune to the spell they are currently preparing, they will use a melee attack instead. However, the melee damage of this dragon is comparable to that of a level 6 creature, so don't expect them to do much damage.
 
{| cellpadding=2 cellspacing=0 style="background-color:#{{Teal 3}}; color:#{{Teal 1}}; text-align: center;"
|+ Faerie Dragon's Spells:
|- style="background-color:#{{Teal 2}}"
! {{---}}Spell{{---}}
! {{---}}Lvl{{---}}
! {{---}}%{{---}}
! {{---}}School{{---}}
! {{---}}Damage{{---}}
|-
|-
| 22% || Ice Bolt
| style="text-align:left;" | {{Sn|Magic Arrow}} || 1 || 10% || all || 20+50*N
|-
|-
| 22% || Lightning
| style="text-align:left;" | {{Sn|Ice Bolt}} || 2 || 22% || Water || 20+100*N
|-
|-
| 21% || Fireball
| style="text-align:left;" | {{Sn|Lightning Bolt}} || 2 || 22% || Air || 20+125*N
|-
|-
| 10% || Magic Arrow
| style="text-align:left;" | {{Sn|Fireball}} || 3 || 21% || Fire ||30+50*N
|-
|-
| 10% || Frost Ring
| style="text-align:left;" | {{Sn|Frost Ring}} || 3 || 10% || Water || 30+50*N
|-
|-
| 5% || Inferno
| style="text-align:left;" | {{Sn|Inferno|spell_link=Inferno (spell)}} || 4 || 5% || Fire || 40+50*N
|-
|-
| 5% || Meteor Shower
| style="text-align:left;" | {{Sn|Meteor Shower}} || 4 || 5% || Earth || 50+125*N
|-
|-
| 5% || Chain Lightning.
| style="text-align:left;" | {{Sn|Chain Lightning}} || 4 || 5% || Air || 50+200*N
|}
|}
[[Magic Arrow]], [[Ice Bolt]] and [[Lightning Bolt]] are not affected by damage bonuses from the hero's [[Sorcery]] secondary skill or elemental orbs equipped.
While fighting on [[Cursed ground]], Faerie Dragons can cast all the spells, but they cause no damage. The only effective spell is [[Magic Arrow]].
Faerie Dragons have a 20% chance to reflect targeted spells with Magic Mirror. Faerie Dragons ignore the Orb of Inhibition in some stances of combat i.e. they cast offensive spells despite the presence of the orb.
== Heroes with a specialty ==
*{{H|Mutare|Overlord}} {{withmaped}} and
*{{H|Mutare Drake|Overlord}} {{withmaped}} have dragons as a [[Specialty#Creature_specialties|specialty]]. All dragons receive +5 Attack and +5 Defense.
== Appearance ==
Faerie Dragons were added in {{ab}}, so there are no Faerie Dragons or [[Magic Forest]]s in {{roe}}. They also prominently appear in the [[Faerie Dragons]] scenario from the [[Dragon Slayer]] campaign in {{ab}}.
{{video|AB CD-Heroes3-DATA-Heroes3 vid-H3ABds3-smk-H3ABds3|550px}}
== {{hota}} ==
Faerie Dragons have a fixed big portrait and can now select between moving/attacking and casting:
[[File:Faerie_Dragon_portrait.gif]]{{-}}[[File:ArrowL-R.gif]]{{-}}[[File:Faerie_Dragon_portrait_(HotA).gif]]{{---}}[[File:Cast spell.png]] [[File:Melee attack.png]]
== Official Renders ==
<gallery mode="packed-hover">
Faerie Dragon render.gif
</gallery>
{{user commentary|
Even though in the game files themselves, the Faerie Dragon and other neutral dragons are considered to be level 7, the official editor shows they are level 8 (10 for the other neutral dragons). This is either due to code limitations and impossibility of creating a unit with tier higher than 7, either because the developers didn't have time, motivation or reason to add a new creature level in the game code and invest time in that, just telling us they are level 8, respectively 10. As such, even now their levels are still being debated.
=== Toughness ===
While boasting lower defense than most living dragons, they totally excel in health, which is a value of 500. Against lower level units their defense will still be good, backed by the hero's defense and a large health pool. In early and mid-game, they are very good as tanks.
=== Offense and special ability ===
See "[[Faerie Dragon#Special ability|Special ability]]" section.
Take into account that if you use the "wait" command with a Faerie Dragon, their spell will change (be rerolled) when their turn comes again. This is handy for having a chance of getting rid of weak spells like Magic Arrow, but it does have a cost of opportunity (it's best to cast before the enemy creature can act).
=== Efficiency and cost ===
For their relatively low cost for a neutral dragon, Faerie Dragons are worth the money {{g}} and gems {{gem}}, unless playing with [[Titans]] and/or [[Archangel|Archangels]]. Even then, you might want to buy a few, since they are a solid addition to an army, and are almost surely going to annoy the enemy by destroying their ranged troops. Unlike the other neutral dragons, the 3 Faerie Dragons guarding the dwelling are easier to get rid of if you hit them hard in the beginning, but shouldn't be confronted if losses are high.
=== Tactics ===
The strategy of a Faerie Dragon is very simple: strike where it hurts the most from afar, dealing full damage with spells. They can endure some damage, but don't let them be overwhelmed by strong attacks since they will easily perish then. They can also be used for the first cast in the battle, due to their high speed, and are far more effective in greater numbers.
Against Faerie Dragons, you should try to overwhelm them with attacks, and don't worry because of the retaliation, since they will use a weak melee attack. Spells can be reflected by [[Magic Mirror]], and they won't be that effective in front of the dragons' health pool. However, beware that the enemy might have a strong army besides the dragons at that point, so you will want to plan your strategy well. If there are only a few of these dragons, you might want to concentrate on the rest of the enemies then. This isn't a problem against neutral stacks, though.
=== Skill bonuses ===
Under control of [[Sorcery]] specialist, Faerie Dragons pose a great threat to enemy troops, since Sorcery increases damage of their level 3 and 4 spells.
----
According to Jennifer Bullard's development documents for Heroes of Might and Magic 4, they joined the [[Rampart]] armies after almost all other kinds of dragons went extinct (including [[Green and Gold Dragon|Green and Gold Dragons]]), the [[Dwarves]] joined [[Bracada]] and the [[Centaur|Centaurs]] started complaining about 'tree-hugging wimpy druids' and left too. It should also be mentioned that the [[Druids]] altered the dragons' colors, so they would fit in with the rest of the army.
----
* [https://legacy.lib.utexas.edu/taro/utcah/03496/cah-03496.html A Guide to the Jennifer Bullard Papers, 1999-2003]
* [https://www.celestialheavens.com/homam-iv/jennifer-bullard-lost-manuscript-files?showall{{=}}&start{{=}}3 Jennifer Bullard - Lost manuscript files (Celestial Heavens)]
----
This is relevant to their place in the Preserve (Nature) town of Heroes of Might and Magic 4 (where they are present as one of the max level units, along with Phoenixes).
}}{{end of user commentary}}
{{creature 'see also'|up=*[[Dragon]]
* [[Neutral creature]]}}
* [[Comparison of Level 7 Creatures]]


[[Category: Creatures]]
[[Category: Creatures]]

Revision as of 01:32, 18 June 2024

Neutral creatures
Level 1
Peasant Peasant
Halfling Halfling
Level 2
Rogue Rogue
Boar Boar
Leprechaun Leprechaun Horn of the Abyss
Level 3
Nomad Nomad
Mummy Mummy
Level 4
Sharpshooter Sharpshooter
Satyr Satyr Horn of the Abyss
Steel Golem Steel Golem Horn of the Abyss
Level 5
Troll Troll
Gold Golem Gold Golem
Fangarm Fangarm Horn of the Abyss
Level 6
Diamond Golem Diamond Golem
Enchanter Enchanter
Level 7
Faerie Dragon Faerie Dragon
Rust Dragon Rust Dragon
Crystal Dragon Crystal Dragon
Azure Dragon Azure Dragon
Towns
Castle Rampart Tower
Inferno Necropolis Dungeon
Stronghold Fortress Conflux
Cove Factory
Neutral
Statistics
Faerie Dragon
 Cost per troop 

10000
8
Attack 20
Defense 20
Damage 20–30
Health 500
Speed 15
Movement Flying
Size 2
Growth 1
AI Value 19580
(30501) Horn of the Abyss
 Special abilities:
• Dragon
• Spellcaster
• Natural Magic Mirror
Portraits
[[File:{{{U_name}}} portrait.png]] [[File:{{{U_name}}} portrait (HotA).png]]
Shadow of Death   Horn of the Abyss Shadow of Death [[File:Mini Portrait {{{U_name}}}.png]]  Horn of the Abyss
Magic Forest  

Faerie Dragons are level 7 neutral creatures recruited from the Magic Forest.

"Faerie Dragons are deceptively cute, but in truth, are mischievous tricksters. Little is known about these notorious troublemakers. What is known is found more in storybooks than magical tomes. Some say they are invisible. Some say they can cast spells. Some say Magic Mirror is one of their natural defensive traits." AB manual

Unlike the majority of dragons, Faerie Dragons don't have breath attack, i.e. they damage only the troops directly attacked by them. Placing Faerie Dragons (as well as any living Dragons) in the Skeleton Transformer will give you Bone Dragons instead of regular Skeletons.

Special Ability: Spellcaster

Faerie Dragons' main attack method is to cast offensive spells. A stack of faerie dragons can cast up to five spells per combat. The spells are randomly chosen for the stack, and the occurrence probabilities can be seen from the table on the left. The spells are cast with advanced expertise, and with spell power equal to five times the number of faerie dragons in the stack (N). If commanded to attack an enemy that is immune to the spell they are currently preparing, they will use a melee attack instead. However, the melee damage of this dragon is comparable to that of a level 6 creature, so don't expect them to do much damage.

Faerie Dragon's Spells:
   Spell       Lvl       %       School       Damage   
 Magic Arrow 1 10% all 20+50*N
 Ice Bolt 2 22% Water 20+100*N
 Lightning Bolt 2 22% Air 20+125*N
 Fireball 3 21% Fire 30+50*N
 Frost Ring 3 10% Water 30+50*N
 Inferno 4 5% Fire 40+50*N
 Meteor Shower 4 5% Earth 50+125*N
 Chain Lightning 4 5% Air 50+200*N

Magic Arrow, Ice Bolt and Lightning Bolt are not affected by damage bonuses from the hero's Sorcery secondary skill or elemental orbs equipped.

While fighting on Cursed ground, Faerie Dragons can cast all the spells, but they cause no damage. The only effective spell is Magic Arrow.

Faerie Dragons have a 20% chance to reflect targeted spells with Magic Mirror. Faerie Dragons ignore the Orb of Inhibition in some stances of combat i.e. they cast offensive spells despite the presence of the orb.

Heroes with a specialty

Appearance

Faerie Dragons were added in Armageddon's Blade, so there are no Faerie Dragons or Magic Forests in Restoration of Erathia. They also prominently appear in the Faerie Dragons scenario from the Dragon Slayer campaign in Armageddon's Blade.

Horn of the Abyss

Faerie Dragons have a fixed big portrait and can now select between moving/attacking and casting:

File:Faerie Dragon portrait.gif  File:Faerie Dragon portrait (HotA).gif   

Official Renders

User commentary

[Show user commentary]
[Hide user commentary]
Some may find the information in this section subjective or irrelevant.

Even though in the game files themselves, the Faerie Dragon and other neutral dragons are considered to be level 7, the official editor shows they are level 8 (10 for the other neutral dragons). This is either due to code limitations and impossibility of creating a unit with tier higher than 7, either because the developers didn't have time, motivation or reason to add a new creature level in the game code and invest time in that, just telling us they are level 8, respectively 10. As such, even now their levels are still being debated.

Toughness

While boasting lower defense than most living dragons, they totally excel in health, which is a value of 500. Against lower level units their defense will still be good, backed by the hero's defense and a large health pool. In early and mid-game, they are very good as tanks.

Offense and special ability

See "Special ability" section.

Take into account that if you use the "wait" command with a Faerie Dragon, their spell will change (be rerolled) when their turn comes again. This is handy for having a chance of getting rid of weak spells like Magic Arrow, but it does have a cost of opportunity (it's best to cast before the enemy creature can act).

Efficiency and cost

For their relatively low cost for a neutral dragon, Faerie Dragons are worth the money Gold and gems Gem, unless playing with Titans and/or Archangels. Even then, you might want to buy a few, since they are a solid addition to an army, and are almost surely going to annoy the enemy by destroying their ranged troops. Unlike the other neutral dragons, the 3 Faerie Dragons guarding the dwelling are easier to get rid of if you hit them hard in the beginning, but shouldn't be confronted if losses are high.

Tactics

The strategy of a Faerie Dragon is very simple: strike where it hurts the most from afar, dealing full damage with spells. They can endure some damage, but don't let them be overwhelmed by strong attacks since they will easily perish then. They can also be used for the first cast in the battle, due to their high speed, and are far more effective in greater numbers.

Against Faerie Dragons, you should try to overwhelm them with attacks, and don't worry because of the retaliation, since they will use a weak melee attack. Spells can be reflected by Magic Mirror, and they won't be that effective in front of the dragons' health pool. However, beware that the enemy might have a strong army besides the dragons at that point, so you will want to plan your strategy well. If there are only a few of these dragons, you might want to concentrate on the rest of the enemies then. This isn't a problem against neutral stacks, though.

Skill bonuses

Under control of Sorcery specialist, Faerie Dragons pose a great threat to enemy troops, since Sorcery increases damage of their level 3 and 4 spells.

According to Jennifer Bullard's development documents for Heroes of Might and Magic 4, they joined the Rampart armies after almost all other kinds of dragons went extinct (including Green and Gold Dragons), the Dwarves joined Bracada and the Centaurs started complaining about 'tree-hugging wimpy druids' and left too. It should also be mentioned that the Druids altered the dragons' colors, so they would fit in with the rest of the army.

This is relevant to their place in the Preserve (Nature) town of Heroes of Might and Magic 4 (where they are present as one of the max level units, along with Phoenixes).

See also:

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