Resource
Resource is a common name for all basic and magical resources. Basic resources include wood, ore and gold; while magic resources include mercury, sulfur, crystal and gems. Wood and ore are required to build town structures, along with gold. Wood is also needed to build boats. Several town structures require magical resources for construction, and they are also needed to hire some 7th level creatures. Gold is basically needed for everything from hiring heroes and troops to constructing buildings and ships. Also some Adventure Map locations (e.g. School of War) require gold in exchange for their services. Tree of Knowledge is the exception among adventure map locations, because it can require a resource other than gold (10 gems) to give an experience level.
Resources may be acquired in many ways, but perhaps the most typical means are flagging mines, which provide a steady income, or gathering resource piles from the Adventure Map. Additional resources may be acquired from Adventure Map locations such as Windmills, Mystical Gardens or creature banks. Typically it is possible to construct Resource Silos in towns, which will produce extra resources depending on the town they are built. Additionally, Rampart's Mystic Pond will produce additional weekly income. Freelancer's Guild and Artifact merchants may exchange creatures or artifacts for gold and/or resources, respectively. Additionally, resources can be given/received from other players through Marketplace.
Gold
Gold is one of the seven resources, and one of three basic resources. It is arguably the most important resource of all, because it is needed basically for everything. The largest expenditure is troops. Another large expenditure is town structures. But gold is also needed to hire heroes, learn primary and secondary skills and to buy artifacts.
Gold can be recieved from:
- Town buildings
- Secondary skill
- Adventure map
The following heroes generate 350 gold per day:
- Aine the Wizard
- Caitlin the Cleric
- Clavius the Death Knight
- Damacon the Overlord
- Gelare the Elementalist
- Grindan the Elementalist
- Jenova the Ranger
- Nagash the Necromancer
- Octavia the Demoniac
Lord Haart the Knight (but not the Death Knight) starts with Basic Estates, and receives a 5% bonus to it per level
Wood
Resource_wood.png Wood is one of the three basic resources in Heroes (along with Gold and Ore). Wood is needed for most buildings, and thus, it is vital to claim a source of Wood as early in the game as possible. The primary source of Wood is the Sawmill, which brings its owner 2 units of Wood per day. You can also find Wood scattered around the land in small amounts (5-10 units of Wood per resource stack).
In Fortress, Castle, Necropolis and Stronghold towns you can also build the Resource Silo which will bring you 1 Wood and 1 Ore per day. Any hero equipped with the Inexhaustible Cart of Lumber gives you 1 Wood every day.
Ore
Ore is one of the three basic resources in Heroes (along with Gold and Wood). Ore is needed for most buildings, and thus, it is vital to claim a source of ore as early in the game as possible. The primary source of ore is the Ore Pit, which brings its owner 2 units of ore per day. Typically basic resources can be found scattered around the adventure map in small amounts (5-10 units of ore per resource stack).
In Fortress, Castle, Necropolis and Stronghold towns you can also build the Resource Silo which will bring you 1 Wood and 1 Ore per day. Any hero equipped with the Inexhaustible Cart of Ore gives you 1 ore every day.
Mercury
Mercury is one of the four magical resources (along with Crystal, Gems and Sulfur). Mercury is required to construct several buildings and to hire Devils and Arch Devils, Ghost Dragons, Phoenixes and Azure Dragons. The primary source of mercury is the Alchemist's lab, which produces 1 mercury per day for its owner. You can also find mercury scattered around the land in small amounts (3-6 units of mercury per resource stack).
In Inferno and Conflux towns, you can build a resource silo, which will bring you 1 unit of mercury per day.
Rissa the Alchemist is able to produce 1 additional unit of mercury per day for the kingdom she serves. Also, any hero equipped with the Everpouring Vial of Mercury produces 1 unit of mercury per day (Rissa would produce 2).
Sulfur
Sulfur is one of the four magical resources (along with Crystal, Gems and Mercury). Its symbol is 
. Sulfur is required to construct several buildings and to hire Red Dragons, Black Dragons, Chaos Hydras and Rust Dragons.
The primary source of sulfur is the Sulfur dune, which produces 1 unit of sulfur per day for its owner. Sulfur may also be scattered around the adventure map in small piles typically containing 3-6 units of sulfur per resource stack. Resource Silos of Dungeon towns produces 1 unit of sulfur per day for the kingdom. Additionally, Calid the Heretic has specialty that produces 1 unit of sulfur per day. Also, any hero equipped with the Eversmoking Ring of Sulfur produces 1 additional unit of sulfur per day.
Crystal
Crystal is one of the four magical resources (along with Gems, Mercury and Sulfur). Crystal is needed to construct several buildings and to hire Green Dragons, Gold Dragons, Ancient Behemoths and Crystal Dragons. The primary source of crystal is the Crystal Cavern, which produces 1 unit of crystal per day for its owner. You can also find crystal scattered around the land in small amounts (3-6 units of crystal per resource stack).
In Rampart towns, you can also build a Resource Silo which will bring you 1 unit of crystal per day.
Sephinroth the Warlock is able to produce 1 additional unit of crystal per day for the Kingdom she serves. Also, any hero equipped with the Everflowing Crystal Cloak gives you 1 unit of crystal per day (Sephinroth would produce 2)
Gems
Gems are one of the four magical resources (along with Crystal, Mercury and Sulfur). Gems are required to build several buildings and to hire Giants, Titans, Angels, Archangels and Faerie Dragons. The primary source of gems is the Gem pond, which produces 1 unit of gems per day for its owner. You can also find gems scattered around the land in small amounts (3-6 units of gems per resource stack). Visiting a Mystical Garden once a week is a good idea, with a 50% chance of getting 5 gems
In Tower towns, you can build a Resource Silo which will bring you 1 unit of gems per day.
Saurug the Battle Mage is able to produce 1 additional unit of gems per day for the Kingdom he serves. Also, any hero equipped with the Ring of Infinite Gems produces 1 unit of gems per day (Saurug would produce 2).