Cut content trivia
Angel
In 2018, Gregory Fulton, one of the lead designers of HoMM3, answered a question about origins of angels and archangels:
"Over the course of my time at New World, on occasion, typically when taking a break, I would wander into Paul Rattner’s office. Even though MM6 was in mid production, Paul was already thinking about MM7, so I made sure to update him on what was happening with HoMM3. When I told him about the changes to the factions, I specifically mentioned the Angels. At that point in time, Paul was essentially the lore master for the MM universe. On the topic of the Angels and Arch Angels, he proposed they be sophisticated robots created by the Ancients to hunt down and eradicate the Kreegans. I agreed, and we ran with it." [1]
This idea, however, was never clearly revealed in-game.
This might also explain how all artifact components of Angelic Alliance excluding the necklace and possibly the helmet (however, a similar helmet is worn by Angels in Might and Magic 7) are based on their equipment - breastplate, sandals, shield and sword could be examples of hyper-advanced technology of the Ancients. In Restoration of Erathia game the main menu's background depicts an Archangel in blue-tinted armor, wielding two-handed sword with blade resembling Armageddon's Blade that burns with animated fire. Restoration of Erathia loading screen also uses this picture, without animation. In-game, their armor is polished steel in unit avatar picture and matt dark gray in combat. They fight using one-handed sword with wavy blade, similar to flamberge, and shield with Erathian coat of arms.
Factory
Factory's steampunk technology and Wild West style is likely a nod to the unreleased Forge town, as in the drawing board phases both a steampunk and a sci-fi version were designed. However, the steampunk concept was abandoned by NWC due to sci-fi technology and themes appearing in the Might & Magic series, as well as the futuristic looking Heavenly Forge, that serves as the basis of the town. The only nod to a wild west steampunk theme is an obscure piece of artwork for the tavern that was quickly discarded in favour of a concrete building.
Goblin
In the lore itself, the goblins (and hobgoblins) are aliens. Their blood is also green. In one of the Armageddon's Blade teasers, the goblins were shown having bows in their hands. The reason for that is because the teaser animations were already done and were supposed to show a Forge goblin instead, which used pistols. However, due to fan backlash, they had to change the Forge creatures into "regular" creatures, and so the teaser became somewhat off-topic with ranged Goblins, a Minotaur and an Ogre guarding the so-called Varn 1904 Vault where the Armageddon's Blade was kept. Their Forge equivalent was going to be called Grunt and its upgrade Foot Soldier, being a level 1 troop.
Minotaur
In one of the Armageddon's Blade teasers, the Minotaur was shown together with an electricity-shooting Ogre and ranged Goblins. The cause for this was because the teaser was supposed to include the Forge version of these creatures, the Minotaur bearing a jetpack on his back and the Ogre a rocket launcher or bazooka. However, due to fan backlash, they had to change the Forge creatures into "regular" creatures, and so the teaser became somewhat off-topic with ranged Goblins, a Minotaur and an Ogre guarding the so-called Varn 1904 Vault where the Armageddon's Blade was kept. Their Forge equivalent was going to be called Jump Soldier and the upgrade Jump Trooper, level 5 troops.
Naga
The Forge equivalent of the Naga and Naga Queen, a level 6 Naga troop whose lower half was a tank and the upper part naked, was going to be called Tank and its upgrade Heavy Tank. It was also supposed to cost special resources and most probably bear stats similar or close to a level 7.
Ogre
In one of the Armageddon's Blade teasers, the Ogre was shown shooting a beam of energy from his club towards a Dendroid. The reason for that is because the teaser animations were already done and were supposed to show a Stinger or Bruiser instead, the Forge version of the Ogre, which bore a rocket launcher or Bazooka. However, due to fan backlash, they had to change the Forge creatures into "regular" creatures, and so the teaser became somewhat off-topic with ranged Goblins, a Minotaur and an Ogre guarding the so-called Varn 1904 Vault where the Armageddon's Blade was kept. The Ogre in one of the ab wallpapers is in fact a Stinger or Bruiser (the Forge level 4 troop), disarmed and defeated by Gelu. You can also see the laser-pointer of one of them in a wallpaper featuring Mutare in dragon-form.
Rust Dragons
In the campaign's prologue, a Rust Dragon sitting on something that looks like a mine can be seen. However, that is not the entrance to a mine, but to an Ancients' vault, the Varn 1904 Vault, where the Armageddon's Blade was originally supposed to be found in the original Armageddon's Blade campaign, which would have featured the Forge as the opposing faction.
Zombie
As a "gift" from the Necromancers, the Forge was able to create its own zombie troops, the level 2 Cyber-deads and Cyber-zombies. The base unit had only a single regular chainsaw instead of a hand, while the upgrade was going to have 2 circular saws instead of both arms.