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{{towns}}
{{towns}}
'''Fortress''' is a neutral [[alignment]] [[town]] with the [[beastmaster]] and [[witch]] [[hero class]]es. Fortress represents [[Tatalia]].
'''Fortress''' is a [[alignment|neutral alignment]] [[town]] with the [[Beastmaster]] and [[Witch]] [[hero class]]es. Fortress represents [[Tatalia]].


''"Fortress towns are built at the edge of swamps and are often used as bases by the Beastmaster and Witch hero classes. Their armies are primarily made up of deadly creatures — born of the swamps, and then subdued and trained for warfare. While among them there is only one ranged attack creature, Fortress units are possessed of many special abilities to offset this deficiency."{{-}}<sup>[[Restoration of Erathia Manual Page 92|RoE manual]]''</sup>
''"Fortress towns are built at the edge of swamps and are often used as bases by the Beastmaster and Witch hero classes. Their armies are primarily made up of deadly creatures — born of the swamps, and then subdued and trained for warfare. While among them there is only one ranged attack creature, Fortress units are possessed of many special abilities to offset this deficiency."{{-}}<sup>[[Restoration of Erathia Manual Page 92|RoE manual]]''</sup>
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Fortress' [[native terrain]] is [[swamp]].
Fortress' [[native terrain]] is [[swamp]].


===Fortress creature dwellings===
__TOC__
* [[Fortress creature dwellings|Gnoll Hut]]
* [[Fortress creature dwellings|Lizard Den]]
* [[Fortress creature dwellings|Serpent Fly Hive]]
* [[Fortress creature dwellings|Basilisk Pit]]
* [[Fortress creature dwellings|Gorgon Lair]]
* [[Fortress creature dwellings|Wyvern Nest]]
* [[Fortress creature dwellings|Hydra Pond]]


===Fortress specific buildings===
==Fortress building tree==
*[[Blood Obelisk]] - (+2 [[Defense]] to heroes defending against a siege)
{| style="margin-right:20px; float:left"
*[[Cage of Warlords]] - (+1 [[Defense]] to visiting hero)
|[[File:FortressBuildingTree.png|left|600px]]
*[[Captain's Quarters]] - ([[Gnoll]] [[horde building]], +6/week)
|}
*[[Glyphs of Fear]] - (+2 [[Attack]] to heroes defending against a siege)
*[[Shipyard]] - (allows to buy [[boat]]s)
*[[Carnivorous Plant]] - ([[Grail]] building, +10 [[Attack]] and [[Defense]] to heroes defending against a siege, as well as 5000 gold/day and +50% creature growth)


==Fortress building tree==
[[file:Fortress-in.png|thumb|none|Fully upgraded Fortress|500px]]


[[File:FortressBuildingTree.png|left|600px]]
{{Town cost summary|
|common  = {{Building cost|{{W}}<br>45||{{O}}<br>40||||{{G}}<br>37000}}
|mage    = {{Building cost|{{W}}<br>15|{{M}}<br>10|{{O}}<br>15|{{S}}<br>10|{{C}}<br>10|{{Gem}}<br>10|{{G}}<br>4000}}
|dwelling = {{Building cost|{{W}}<br>105|{{M}}<br>19|{{O}}<br>50|{{S}}<br>39|||{{G}}<br>45400}}
|unique  = {{Building cost|{{W}}<br>20||||||{{G}}<br>6000}}
|total    = {{Building cost|{{W}}<br>185|{{M}}<br>29|{{O}}<br>105|{{S}}<br>49|{{C}}<br>10|{{Gem}}<br>10|{{G}}<br>92400}}
|troop    = 26660 {{G}}, 2 {{S}}
}}
{{clear|left}}
===Common Buildings and Mage Guild===
{{Fortress common buildings}}


[[file:Fortress-in.png|thumb|right|Fully upgraded Fortress|500px]]
===Creature Dwellings===
{{Fortress creature dwellings}}


{| class="wikitable sortable" style="white-space:nowrap; text-align: center; float:right"
===Unique Buildings===
! class="unsortable" | <span title="The type of resource required.">Resource</span>
{{Fortress unique buildings}}
! <span title="Cost of building the Citadel, the Castle, and all base creature dwellings, including any associated prerequisites.">Basic</span>
! <span title="Cost of upgrading all creature dwellings, including any associated prerequisites.">Upgrades</span>
! <span title="All buildings built and fully upgraded.">All</span>
|-
|{{Gold}}||28900||25500||91400
|-
|{{Wood}}||70||50||175
|-
|{{Ore}}||45||20||105
|-
|{{Crystal}}||0||0||10
|-
|{{Gem}}||0||0||10
|-
|{{Mercury}}||7||12||29
|-
|{{Sulfur}}||17||22||49
|-
!colspan=2| Troop cost/week: !!colspan=2| 26660 {{Gold}} + 2 {{Sulfur}}
|}
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
===Common buildings===
{{Common buildings|Fortress|First aid tent|+1 {{W}} & +1 {{O}}|bs1={{-}}[[file:Curse.png|Curse|link=Curse]]|bs2=[[file:Death Ripple.png|Death Ripple|link=Death Ripple]] [[file:Disguise.png|Disguise|link=Disguise]]|bs3=[[file:Animate Dead.png|Animate Dead|link=Animate Dead]] [[file:Protection from Earth.png|Protection from Earth|link=Protection from Earth]]| no_4 = | no_5 = }}


{{clear|left}}
==Heroes==
==Heroes==
{{switch|tag1=sod|tag2=hota|switch1=[Switch to Horn of the Abyss]|switch2=[Switch to Shadow of Death]|style1=color:blue;|style2=color:blue;}}
{{Hero table}}
{{{{PAGENAME}} hero table}}
|}
{{showwithhota|Note: [[Kinkeria]] replaces [[Voy]] on maps without water.}}


{{switch_content|tag1=sod|tag2=hota|content1= {{hero table|bgc=#{{Green 2,5}}|head=!+ colspan = 14 style="background-color:#{{Green 1}}; font-size: 120%; color:white; height:28px; text-align:center;" {{!}} Fortress heroes (Shadow of Death)}}
'''Banned secondary skills:'''
{{Fortress hero table}}
{{T!}}|content2= {{hero table|bgc=#{{Green 2,5}}|head=!+ colspan = 14 style="background-color:#{{Green 1}}; font-size: 120%; color:white; height:28px; text-align:center;" {{!}} Fortress heroes (Horn of the Abyss)}}
{{Fortress hero table (HotA)}}
{{T!}}}}


===Banned secondary skills===
Some skills are not available for certain hero classes, which means they can only acquire them from [[Scholar (Adventure Map)|Scholar]]s, [[Witch Hut]]s (except for [[Necromancy]] and [[Leadership]], if not allowed by a map-maker), [[Seer's Hut]]s, [[Event]]s or [[Pandora's Box]]es.
Some skills are not available for certain hero classes, which means they can only acquire them from [[Scholar (Adventure Map)|Scholar]]s, [[Witch Hut]]s (except for [[Necromancy]] and [[Leadership]], if not allowed by a map-maker), [[Seer's Hut]]s, [[Event]]s or [[Pandora's Box]]es.


{{SS|Necromancy}} and {{SS|Fire Magic}} are not available for [[beastmaster]]s.
{{ss|Necromancy}} and {{ss|Fire Magic}} are not available for [[beastmaster]]s.


{{SS|Necromancy}}, {{SS|Resistance}} and {{SS|Interference}}{{-wh}} are not available for [[witch]]es.
{{ss|Necromancy}}{{swh|,| and|noicon=}} {{ss|Resistance}}{{showwithhota| and {{ss|Interference}}{{-wh}}}} are not available for [[witch]]es.


==Creatures==
==Creatures==
{{creature table|bgc=#{{Blue 1b}}|head=!+ colspan = 14 style="background-color:#{{Blue 0}}; font-size: 120%; color:white; height:28px;" {{!}} Fortress creatures}}
{{Creature table}}
{{Fortress creature table}}
{{{{PAGENAME}} creature table}}
|}
|}


== Strategy ==
==Town names==
{{fanopinion}}
Unless specified by the mapmaker, towns will generate with a random name. Fortress towns will use one of these following names:
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="white-space:nowrap; text-align: left;"
|-
| width=80px | Backwater || width=80px | Coolmire || width=80px | Deadfall || width=80px | Deadwood
|-
| Drakenmoor || Edgewater || Hermit Cove || Lostmoor
|-
| Marshank || Marshchoke || Marshwall || Mossden
|-
| Mosswood || Mudshire || Silt || Stillbog
|-
|}
 
If there are more Fortress towns on the map than possible names, they will use names taken from other towns.
 
{{user commentary|
* While among them there is only one ranged-attack creature, Fortress units possess many special abilities to offset this deficiency.
* While among them there is only one ranged-attack creature, Fortress units possess many special abilities to offset this deficiency.


* [https://www.celestialheavens.com/viewpage.php?id=443 Strategy Guide for Fortress from Jolly Joker on Celestial Heavens]
'''Pros:'''
 
===Pros===
*High defense (Defense themed town)
*High defense (Defense themed town)
*With a two-hex [[moat]] and several buildings which increase the stats of the defending hero, a Fortress castle is a real pain to attack.
*With a two-hex [[moat]] and several buildings which increase the stats of the defending hero, a Fortress castle is a real pain to attack. So the Fortress moat is considered as the best moat in the game due to usefulness thanks to two-hex wide that make harder to attack a Fortress castle without support of shooters, flyers and spells.
*Hand-to-hand troops with excellent specials ([[Dispel]], [[Death Stare]], [[Petrify]], [[Poison]]).
*Hand-to-hand troops with excellent specials ([[Dispel]], [[Death Stare]], [[Petrify]], [[Poison]]).
*[[Serpent Fly and Dragon Fly|Dragon Flies]] are extremely fast. They share 8th place by speed among town units with [[Efreet and Efreet Sultan|Efreet Sultans]] (not including 7 level creatures, these two are fastest in the game), being faster than ''all'' creatures in [[Tower]] and [[Stronghold]] - and it's on level 3! For early development, it rocks, since the hero may simply rush through the map having Dragon Flies only (even basic Serpent Flies are ok, as their speed 9 is decent); and in a big battle, they are a major problem since they [[Dispel|remove]] positive spells casted on enemy units and cast [[Weakness]], making them less effective.
*[[Serpent Fly and Dragon Fly|Dragon Flies]] are extremely fast. They share 8th place by speed among town units with [[Efreet and Efreet Sultan|Efreet Sultans]] (not including 7 level creatures, these two are fastest in the game), being faster than ''all'' creatures in [[Tower]] and [[Stronghold]] - and it's on level 3! For early development, it rocks, since the hero may simply rush through the map having Dragon Flies only (even basic Serpent Flies are ok, as their speed 9 is decent); and in a big battle, they are a major problem since they [[Dispel|remove]] positive spells casted on enemy units and cast [[Weakness]], making them less effective. They are also good creatures in terms of speed per cost ratio for scouting heroes at early game and/or towns with slow armies.
*Their swamp native terrain makes them move much faster than any hero (without [[pathfinding]]) in the swamp.
*Their swamp native terrain makes them move much faster than any hero (without [[pathfinding]]) in the swamp.
*The [[Wyvern Nest]] is very cheap and has very low requirements compared to the other level 6 dwellings, allowing the Fortress town to get level 6 units in their army early even on impossible difficulty.
*The [[Wyvern Nest]] is very cheap and has very low requirements compared to the other level 6 dwellings, allowing the Fortress town to get level 6 units in their army early even on impossible difficulty.
*[[Bron]] is the only hero in the game to bring level 4 units - [[Basilisks]] - with him at the start of the game. (Except [[Illor]] in HotA.) {{withhota}}
*[[Bron]] is the only hero in the game to bring level 4 units - [[Basilisks]] - with him at the start of the game. (Except [[Illor]] and [[Todd]] in HotA.) {{withhota}}


===Cons===
'''Cons:'''
*Fortress creatures have the lowest attack ratings of all towns.
*Fortress creatures have the lowest attack ratings of all towns.
*The heavy focus on Defense can be disadvantageous in many cases, as a hero with high attack can kill their enemies before they have a chance to attack back. Attack can therefore be used as a type of defense, while defense cannot be used as offense.
*The heavy focus on Defense can be disadvantageous in many cases, as a hero with high attack can kill their enemies before they have a chance to attack back. Attack can therefore be used as a type of defense, while defense cannot be used as offense.
**The heavy focus on Defense combined with the fact that fortress only have got one shooter makes it more difficult for fortress to win battles without casualities than the other factions.
**The heavy focus on Defense combined with the fact that fortress only have got one shooter makes it more difficult for fortress to win battles without casualities than the other factions.
*Magic, [[Mage Guild]] is limited to level 3.
*Magic, [[Mage Guild]] is limited to level 3.
*Some creatures have poor stats (in {{sod}} some stats for [[Lizardman]]/[[Lizard Warrior]] and [[Serpent Fly]]/[[Dragon Fly]] were increased, but overall they are still relatively weak. In wake of gods, this can be fixed by use of some settings making Fortress creatures better).
*Some creatures have poor stats (in {{sod}}, as well as {{roe}} patch 1.3 and {{ab}} patch 2.1, some stats for [[Lizardman]]/[[Lizard Warrior]] and [[Serpent Fly]]/[[Dragon Fly]] were increased, but overall they are still relatively weak).
*Very slow 7 level creature, especially the basic version (with speed 5, [[Hydra]] is slower than six lvl 1 creatures, and there is no upgraded lvl 1 creature slower than Hydra; among lvl 2 melee units, only [[Dwarf]], [[Walking Dead]], and [[Zombie]] are slower).
*Very slow 7 level creature, especially the basic version (with speed 5, [[Hydra]] is slower than six lvl 1 creatures, and there is no upgraded lvl 1 creature slower than Hydra; among lvl 2 melee units, only [[Dwarf]], [[Walking Dead]], and [[Zombie]] are slower). Moreover, Chaos Hydras are more expensive than [[Behemoth and Ancient Behemoth|Ancient Behemoths]] who are stronger, faster and more resilient.
*With two fragile fliers (lvl 3 with 20 hp, lvl 6 with 70 hp) and one very weak shooter, the Fortress has a very hard time invading other towns properly. So Expert [[Ballistics]], Expert [[Teleport]] and/or Expert [[Earthquake]] are a must.
*[[Wyvern and Wyvern Monarch|Wyverns]] are on the bottom of the 6th level, have low HP, and are too expensive for their strength (Monarchs cost as much as [[Efreeti and Efreet Sultan|Efreet Sultans]], and more than [[Unicorn and War Unicorn|War Unicorns]]).
*With two fragile fliers (lvl 3 with 20 hp, lvl 6 with 70 hp) and one low-level shooter, the Fortress has a very hard time invading other towns properly. So Expert [[Ballistics]], Expert [[Teleport]] and/or Expert [[Earthquake]] are a must.
 
The fortress is a "Defense" themed town. It's evident all throughout the design of this faction. The castle itself has a double-thickness moat, and many tough, resilient creatures such as Basilisks, Gorgons, and the immovable Hydra which can make fortress hypothetically the hardest town to [[siege]]. Even the native terrain of [[swamp]] plays into this theme because many opposing heroes will be severely hindered in the area around your town.
 
Unfortunately, having a tough defense is usually not ideal strategy in Heroes III as it is a game that favors aggression and outward expansion. Most players rank the fortress as among the weakest towns, and typically if you don't expand to other towns in the first few weeks, you'll most likely be outpaced by other players or NPCs. Pick a strong beastmaster as your hero and begin pounding on [[wandering creatures]] as early as possible (you'll suffer losses, but fortress creatures are hard to wipe out).
}}{{end of user commentary}}


== See also ==
{{Town 'see also'}}
* [[List of creatures]]
* [[List of creatures (HotA)]]
* [[List of heroes]]
* [[List of heroes (HotA)]]


[[Category: Fortress]]
[[Category: Fortress]]
__notoc__
__notoc__

Latest revision as of 15:01, 1 October 2024

Towns
Castle Castle
Rampart Rampart
Tower Tower
Inferno Inferno
Necropolis Necropolis
Dungeon Dungeon
Stronghold Stronghold
Fortress Fortress
Conflux Conflux Armageddon's Blade
Cove Cove Horn of the Abyss
Factory Factory Horn of the Abyss

Fortress is a neutral alignment town with the Beastmaster and Witch hero classes. Fortress represents Tatalia.

"Fortress towns are built at the edge of swamps and are often used as bases by the Beastmaster and Witch hero classes. Their armies are primarily made up of deadly creatures — born of the swamps, and then subdued and trained for warfare. While among them there is only one ranged attack creature, Fortress units are possessed of many special abilities to offset this deficiency." RoE manual

Fortress' native terrain is swamp.

Fortress building tree[edit | hide | hide all]

Fully upgraded Fortress
Building Category Cost
Common
 Wood
45 		   Ore
40 		       Gold
37000
Mage Guild
 Wood
15 		 Mercury
10 		 Ore
15 		 Sulfur
10 		 Crystal
10 		 Gem
10 		 Gold
4000
Dwellings
 Wood
105 		 Mercury
19 		 Ore
50 		 Sulfur
39 		     Gold
45400
Unique
 Wood
20 		           Gold
6000
Total Building Cost:
 Wood
185 		 Mercury
29 		 Ore
105 		 Sulfur
49 		 Crystal
10 		 Gem
10 		 Gold
92400
Troop Cost / Week: 26660 Gold, 2 Sulfur

Common Buildings and Mage Guild[edit | hide]

Halls Fortifications Miscellaneous Mage Guilds Banned spells
Village Hall Village Hall
(existing) 		Fort Fort
Wood
20 		Mercury
 Ore
20 		Sulfur
 Crystal
 Gem
 Gold
5000
Tavern Tavern
 Wood
5 		           Gold
500
Mage Guild level 1 Mage Guild level 1
 Wood
5 		   Ore
5 		       Gold
2000
 Curse
Town Hall
Wood
 Mercury
 Ore
 Sulfur
 Crystal
 Gem
 Gold
2500
Citadel Citadel
Wood
 Mercury
 Ore
5 		Sulfur
 Crystal
 Gem
 Gold
2500
Marketplace Marketplace
 Wood
5 		           Gold
500
Mage Guild level 2 Mage Guild level 2
 Wood
5 		 Mercury
4 		 Ore
5 		 Sulfur
4 		 Crystal
4 		 Gem
4 		 Gold
1000
Death Ripple Disguise
City Hall City Hall
Wood
 Mercury
 Ore
 Sulfur
 Crystal
 Gem
 Gold
5000
Castle Castle
Wood
10 		Mercury
 Ore
10 		Sulfur
 Crystal
 Gem
 Gold
5000
Resource Silo Resource Silo (1 Wood, 1 Ore)
     Ore
5 		       Gold
5000
Mage Guild level 3 Mage Guild level 3
 Wood
5 		 Mercury
6 		 Ore
5 		 Sulfur
6 		 Crystal
6 		 Gem
6 		 Gold
1000
Animate Dead Protection from Earth
Capitol Capitol
Wood
 Mercury
 Ore
 Sulfur
 Crystal
 Gem
 Gold
10000
Blacksmith
Blacksmith
Wood
5 		Mercury
 Ore
 Sulfur
 Crystal
 Gem
 Gold
1000
Total Common Buildings:
 Wood
45 		   Ore
40 		       Gold
37000 
Total Mage Guild:
 Wood
15 		 Mercury
10 		 Ore
15 		 Sulfur
10 		 Crystal
10 		 Gem
10 		 Gold
4000

Creature Dwellings[edit | hide]

Structure Base Cost Upgrade Cost Creature Max
Grw 		Upg Cr
Cost 		Cost/
Week
 Gnoll Hut 
 Wood
10 		           Gold
400
 Wood
10 		           Gold
1000
Gnoll Gnoll
Gnoll Marauder Gnoll Marauder 		30 70 Gold 2100 Gold
 Lizard Den 
 Wood
5 		           Gold
1000
 Wood
5 		           Gold
1000
Lizardman Lizardman
Lizard Warrior Lizard Warrior 		18 140 Gold 2520 Gold
 Serpent Fly Hive 
 Wood
5 		 Mercury
2 		   Sulfur
2 		     Gold
1000
   Mercury
2 		   Sulfur
2 		     Gold
1000
Serpent Fly Serpent Fly
Dragon Fly Dragon Fly 		16 240 Gold 3840 Gold
 Basilisk Pit 
 Wood
5 		   Ore
10 		       Gold
2000
 Wood
5 		   Ore
5 		       Gold
2000
Basilisk Basilisk
Greater Basilisk Greater Basilisk 		8 400 Gold 3200 Gold
 Gorgon Lair 
 Wood
10 		 Mercury
5 		 Ore
10 		 Sulfur
5 		     Gold
2500
 Wood
5 		   Ore
5 		       Gold
2000
Gorgon Gorgon
Mighty Gorgon Mighty Gorgon 		6 600 Gold 3600 Gold
 Wyvern Nest 
 Wood
15 		           Gold
3500
 Wood
10 		 Mercury
10 		         Gold
3000
Wyvern Wyvern
Wyvern Monarch Wyvern Monarch 		4 1100 Gold 4400 Gold
 Hydra Pond 
 Wood
10 		   Ore
10 		 Sulfur
10 		     Gold
10000
 Wood
10 		   Ore
10 		 Sulfur
20 		     Gold
15000
Hydra Hydra
Chaos Hydra Chaos Hydra 		2 3500 Gold
1 Sulfur 		7000 Gold
2 Sulfur
  


[[File: Creature portrait small.gif link=]] [[|]]
[[File: Creature portrait small.gif		 link=]] [[|]]
Total Dwelling Cost:
 Wood
105 		 Mercury
19 		 Ore
50 		 Sulfur
39 		     Gold
45400
Weekly Troop Cost: 26660 Gold
2 Sulfur

Unique Buildings[edit | hide]

Structure Effect Cost
Glyphs of Fear Gives +2 attack to defending Hero temporarily.
             Gold
1000
Blood Obelisk Gives +2 defense to defending Hero temporarily.
             Gold
1000
Cage of Warlords Gives +1 defense to visiting Hero.
             Gold
1000
Captain's Quarters Horde Building. Growth +6/week for Gnoll Gnoll / Gnoll Marauder Gnoll Marauder
             Gold
1000
Shipyard Allows building boats if the town has access to water.
 Wood
20 		           Gold
2000
Carnivorous Plant Grail Structure. +5000 Gold/day, +50% creature growth
Gives +10 attack and +10 defense to defending Hero temporarily. 		n/a
Total Cost:
 Wood
20 		           Gold
6000

Heroes[edit | hide]

Name Class Expansion Source Specialty Skill 1 Skill 2 Spell
BronBron Bron  Beastmaster   1 - Restoration of Erathia  Basilisks Basic Armorer  Basic Armorer   Basic Resistance  Basic Resistance  
BronBron Bron  Beastmaster   1 - Restoration of Erathia  Basilisks Basic Armorer  Basic Armorer   Basic Interference  Basic Interference 
DrakonDrakon Drakon  Beastmaster   1 - Restoration of Erathia  Gnolls Basic Armorer  Basic Armorer   Basic Leadership  Basic Leadership  
WystanWystan Wystan  Beastmaster   1 - Restoration of Erathia  Lizardmen Basic Armorer  Basic Armorer   Basic Archery  Basic Archery  
TazarTazar Tazar  Beastmaster   1 - Restoration of Erathia  Armorer Advanced Armorer  Advanced Armorer    
AlkinAlkin Alkin  Beastmaster   1 - Restoration of Erathia  Gorgons Basic Armorer  Basic Armorer   Basic Offense  Basic Offense  
KorbacKorbac Korbac  Beastmaster   1 - Restoration of Erathia  Serpent Flies Basic Armorer  Basic Armorer   Basic Pathfinding  Basic Pathfinding  
GerwulfGerwulf Gerwulf  Beastmaster   1 - Restoration of Erathia  Ballista Basic Armorer  Basic Armorer   Basic Artillery  Basic Artillery  
BroghildBroghild Broghild  Beastmaster   1 - Restoration of Erathia  Wyverns Basic Armorer  Basic Armorer   Basic Scouting  Basic Scouting  
MirlandaMirlanda Mirlanda  Witch   1 - Restoration of Erathia  Weakness Advanced Wisdom  Advanced Wisdom      Weakness 
RosicRosic Rosic  Witch   1 - Restoration of Erathia  Mysticism Basic Wisdom  Basic Wisdom   Basic Mysticism  Basic Mysticism    Magic Arrow 
VoyVoy Voy  Witch   1 - Restoration of Erathia  Navigation Basic Wisdom  Basic Wisdom   Basic Navigation  Basic Navigation    Slow 
KinkeriaKinkeria Kinkeria  Witch   4 - Horn of the Abyss  Learning Basic Wisdom  Basic Wisdom   Basic Learning  Basic Learning    Slow 
VerdishVerdish Verdish  Witch   1 - Restoration of Erathia  First Aid Basic Wisdom  Basic Wisdom   Basic First Aid  Basic First Aid    Protection from Fire 
MeristMerist Merist  Witch   1 - Restoration of Erathia  Stone Skin Basic Wisdom  Basic Wisdom   Basic Learning  Basic Learning    Stone Skin 
StygStyg Styg  Witch   1 - Restoration of Erathia  Sorcery Basic Wisdom  Basic Wisdom   Basic Sorcery  Basic Sorcery    Shield 
AndraAndra Andra  Witch   1 - Restoration of Erathia  Intelligence Basic Wisdom  Basic Wisdom   Basic Intelligence  Basic Intelligence   Dispel 
TivaTiva Tiva  Witch   1 - Restoration of Erathia  Eagle Eye Basic Wisdom  Basic Wisdom   Basic Eagle Eye  Basic Eagle Eye    Stone Skin 
AdrienneAdrienne Adrienne Map Editor  Witch   2 - Armageddon's Blade  Fire Magic Basic Wisdom  Basic Wisdom   Expert Fire Magic  Expert Fire Magic    Inferno 

Note: Kinkeria replaces Voy on maps without water.

Banned secondary skills:

Some skills are not available for certain hero classes, which means they can only acquire them from Scholars, Witch Huts (except for Necromancy and Leadership, if not allowed by a map-maker), Seer's Huts, Events or Pandora's Boxes.

Necromancy Necromancy and Fire Magic Fire Magic are not available for beastmasters.

Necromancy Necromancy, and Resistance Resistance and Interference Interference Horn of the Abyss are not available for witches.

Creatures[edit | hide]

 Name   Town   Lvl   Att   Def   Dmg-   Dmg+   HP   Spd   Grw   AI Val   Cost   Special 














Gnoll Gnoll Gnoll Gnoll 1 3 5 2 3 6 4 12 56 50 Gold  
Gnoll Marauder Gnoll Marauder Gnoll Marauder Gnoll Marauder 1+ 4 6 2 3 6 5 12 90 70 Gold  
Lizardman Lizardman Lizardman Lizardman 2 5 6 2 3 14 4 9 126 110 Gold   Ranged (12 shots)
Lizard Warrior Lizard Warrior Lizard Warrior Lizard Warrior 2+ 6 8 2 5 15 5 9 156 140 Gold   Ranged (24 shots)
Serpent Fly Serpent Fly Serpent Fly Serpent Fly 3 7 9 2 5 20 9 8 268 220 Gold   Flying, Dispel
Dragon Fly Dragon Fly Dragon Fly Dragon Fly 3+ 8 10 2 5 20 13 8 312 240 Gold   Flying, Dispel, Weakness
Basilisk Basilisk Basilisk Basilisk 4 11 11 6 10 35 5 4 552 325 Gold   Petrify
Greater Basilisk Greater Basilisk Greater Basilisk Greater Basilisk 4+ 12 12 6 10 40 7 4 714 400 Gold   Petrify
Gorgon Gorgon Gorgon Gorgon 5 10 14 12 16 70 5 3 890 525 Gold  
Mighty Gorgon Mighty Gorgon Mighty Gorgon Mighty Gorgon 5+ 11 16 12 16 70 6 3 1028 600 Gold   Death stare 10% chance/unit
Wyvern Wyvern Wyvern Wyvern 6 14 14 14 18 70 7 2 1350 800 Gold   Flying
Wyvern Monarch Wyvern Monarch Wyvern Monarch Wyvern Monarch 6+ 14 14 18 22 70 11 2 1518 1100 Gold   Flying, Poison
Hydra Hydra Hydra Hydra 7 16 18 25 45 175 5 1 4120 2200 Gold   No enemy retaliation, Attack all adjacent enemies
Chaos Hydra Chaos Hydra Chaos Hydra Chaos Hydra 7+ 18 20 25 45 250 7 1 5931 3500 Gold 1 Sulfur  No enemy retaliation, Attack all adjacent enemies

Town names[edit | hide]

Unless specified by the mapmaker, towns will generate with a random name. Fortress towns will use one of these following names:

Backwater Coolmire Deadfall Deadwood
Drakenmoor Edgewater Hermit Cove Lostmoor
Marshank Marshchoke Marshwall Mossden
Mosswood Mudshire Silt Stillbog

If there are more Fortress towns on the map than possible names, they will use names taken from other towns.

User commentary

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Some may find the information in this section subjective or irrelevant.
  • While among them there is only one ranged-attack creature, Fortress units possess many special abilities to offset this deficiency.

Pros:

  • High defense (Defense themed town)
  • With a two-hex moat and several buildings which increase the stats of the defending hero, a Fortress castle is a real pain to attack. So the Fortress moat is considered as the best moat in the game due to usefulness thanks to two-hex wide that make harder to attack a Fortress castle without support of shooters, flyers and spells.
  • Hand-to-hand troops with excellent specials (Dispel, Death Stare, Petrify, Poison).
  • Dragon Flies are extremely fast. They share 8th place by speed among town units with Efreet Sultans (not including 7 level creatures, these two are fastest in the game), being faster than all creatures in Tower and Stronghold - and it's on level 3! For early development, it rocks, since the hero may simply rush through the map having Dragon Flies only (even basic Serpent Flies are ok, as their speed 9 is decent); and in a big battle, they are a major problem since they remove positive spells casted on enemy units and cast Weakness, making them less effective. They are also good creatures in terms of speed per cost ratio for scouting heroes at early game and/or towns with slow armies.
  • Their swamp native terrain makes them move much faster than any hero (without pathfinding) in the swamp.
  • The Wyvern Nest is very cheap and has very low requirements compared to the other level 6 dwellings, allowing the Fortress town to get level 6 units in their army early even on impossible difficulty.
  • Bron is the only hero in the game to bring level 4 units - Basilisks - with him at the start of the game. (Except Illor and Todd in HotA.) Horn of the Abyss

Cons:

  • Fortress creatures have the lowest attack ratings of all towns.
  • The heavy focus on Defense can be disadvantageous in many cases, as a hero with high attack can kill their enemies before they have a chance to attack back. Attack can therefore be used as a type of defense, while defense cannot be used as offense.
    • The heavy focus on Defense combined with the fact that fortress only have got one shooter makes it more difficult for fortress to win battles without casualities than the other factions.
  • Magic, Mage Guild is limited to level 3.
  • Some creatures have poor stats (in Shadow of Death, as well as Restoration of Erathia patch 1.3 and Armageddon's Blade patch 2.1, some stats for Lizardman/Lizard Warrior and Serpent Fly/Dragon Fly were increased, but overall they are still relatively weak).
  • Very slow 7 level creature, especially the basic version (with speed 5, Hydra is slower than six lvl 1 creatures, and there is no upgraded lvl 1 creature slower than Hydra; among lvl 2 melee units, only Dwarf, Walking Dead, and Zombie are slower). Moreover, Chaos Hydras are more expensive than Ancient Behemoths who are stronger, faster and more resilient.
  • Wyverns are on the bottom of the 6th level, have low HP, and are too expensive for their strength (Monarchs cost as much as Efreet Sultans, and more than War Unicorns).
  • With two fragile fliers (lvl 3 with 20 hp, lvl 6 with 70 hp) and one low-level shooter, the Fortress has a very hard time invading other towns properly. So Expert Ballistics, Expert Teleport and/or Expert Earthquake are a must.

The fortress is a "Defense" themed town. It's evident all throughout the design of this faction. The castle itself has a double-thickness moat, and many tough, resilient creatures such as Basilisks, Gorgons, and the immovable Hydra which can make fortress hypothetically the hardest town to siege. Even the native terrain of swamp plays into this theme because many opposing heroes will be severely hindered in the area around your town.

Unfortunately, having a tough defense is usually not ideal strategy in Heroes III as it is a game that favors aggression and outward expansion. Most players rank the fortress as among the weakest towns, and typically if you don't expand to other towns in the first few weeks, you'll most likely be outpaced by other players or NPCs. Pick a strong beastmaster as your hero and begin pounding on wandering creatures as early as possible (you'll suffer losses, but fortress creatures are hard to wipe out).

See also[edit | hide]

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