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First answers to frequently asked questions from the Heroes 6 development team
The Heroes 6 demonstration videos raised many questions from true fans of the series. Here are the first answers from the developers to your questions.
What can you tell us regarding the area of control in Heroes 6?
Mines are still present on the adventure map. You must still capture them to obtain resources. A new feature is that all mines are now located within the "area of control" of a city or fort. A mine brings you resources only if it is located in the area of control of your fort/city. The only way to capture a mine is to take control of the city/fort that manages that area.
Will there be a city screen in Heroes 6?
YES, there will be. In the demonstration video shown in Cologne, testers used a test city screen. In the final version, the city screen will look more like its counterparts from H3 and H4, and not as complex as in H5. Erwan Le Breton, producer of Heroes 6, said separately: "The final version of Heroes 6 will have a two-dimensional animated city screen"
What is the new mechanism for creature reproduction in Heroes 6?
Captured creature dwellings will work like resource production mines. Immediately after capturing a creature dwelling, you can hire all the creatures currently there, who will immediately join your army. Subsequently, this building will act as a resource production mine, meaning it will increase the weekly spawn of creatures in your city, just as a gold mine would add gold to your resources. These creatures can be hired through the cities and forts you control. Thus, there is no need for caravans.
What unique buildings will appear in Heroes 6 Cities?
2 slots, 4 buildings in each city, each with different capabilities (increasing city income, increasing creature spawn, providing a special ability on the adventure map or during battle). Having several such unique buildings in various cities of your empire improves their overall efficiency (similar to markets in Heroes 3).
What are the general principles of the new RPG system in Heroes 6?
A hero can be male or female, a Warrior or a Mage. Each Hero belongs to some faction and has a certain set of unique abilities. Heroes receive skill points upon leveling up, which the player can independently spend on any "general" abilities collected in skill trees. The player has full control over the hero's development; random distribution of skills is a thing of the past. Heroes can unlock specialized skill classes only if they change their essence.
What innovations await us on the battlefields in Heroes 6?
The combat arena changes depending on the terrain (various sizes and shapes for battle arenas). Dynamic topography (battles on coasts involve periodic random flooding of nearby areas). Various combat objects on the arena (which can force you to stand still for a certain number of turns, a holy shrine in the center of the arena healing your warriors, a structure destroying a specific enemy stack, etc.). Boss fights!
What about the turn order of combat units in Heroes 6?
We decided to return to the Initiative system as in Heroes 3, but with the interface from Heroes 5.
Up to what class can Creatures be upgraded in Heroes 6?
Basic, Elite, Champion (as in Clash of Heroes).
Can creatures in Heroes 6 deal damage to castle walls?
Creatures can now deal damage to fortifications (but much less effectively than catapults).
What is known regarding the viewing camera in Heroes 6? Will it be fixed or movable?
On the adventure map, you need to rotate the viewing camera to find some hidden treasures and resources. We tried to make the map convenient for players and map designers — two-dimensional, but with all the advantages of three-dimensional.
What can you tell us regarding creatures in Heroes 6?
There will be alternative upgrades; everything else is in the best traditions of the Heroes series.
What can you tell us regarding set artifacts in Heroes 6?
Nothing new — you collect the necessary artifacts and receive an additional bonus to the artifacts' capabilities.
What can you tell us about possible types of terrain on the adventure map in Heroes 6?
Jungles, Plains (Summer and Autumn), Lava, Wasteland (Graveyard), Dungeon.
What can you tell us about secondary creatures that can be encountered on the adventure map in Heroes 6?
You will find turtles, dolphins, birds, etc.
What structure will the Campaign have in Heroes 6?
Five campaigns with four maps each, one campaign for each faction; they can be played in any order, with an additional tutorial map and a mandatory introductory map.
What is known about the map editor in Heroes 6?
Marzhin has already talked about this in his announcement. The goal is to make the map editor for Heroes 6 easy to use; it will definitely be on the game disc, but it's quite possible that if this map editor is high-quality enough, it will be released BEFORE the game itself.
Frequently asked questions about Heroes 6 from Ubisoft HEROES 6 MAP EDITOR
Will there be an option to configure the area of control for forts and cities?
Yes
Will there be a way to convert maps from Heroes 5 to the new game Heroes 6?
No. The engines of these games are very different. The software code differs, and with the new features of Heroes 6, any conversion will be impossible.
Is it actually possible to place a boss on the map via the map editor?
Yes. It will be possible to use a boss like any creature to guard a treasure.
What will the map editor look like? Will there be "modules" like for the Warcraft 3 map editor? etc...
The map editor will use mechanisms similar to Warcraft 3. There will be an option to create a map by adding your own scripts.
Heroes 6 MODS
Will it be easy to create mods for Heroes 6?
That is our goal!
In what way can mods be added to Heroes 6? Will it be easier than for Heroes 5 (improved file structure, ability to modify 3D models, etc...)?
First, we want the game to have a simplified interface for adding/removing mods. Additionally, Heroes 6 includes many "cleaner" programs compared to Heroes 5 when it comes to preserving file structure.
Heroes 6 OPTIONS
Will there be an option to deactivate the dynamic camera (which automatically focuses the image on creatures dealing a critical hit)?
Yes.
You recently mentioned travel points on the adventure map. Will there be an option to deactivate them? Will it be possible to enable them after we have started the game?
Yes, there will be an option to deactivate them. So far, no one has thought about enabling them back, but that is an interesting idea!
Will it be possible to change hotkeys?
Yes.
Heroes 6 GAMEPLAY
How do you explain that some creatures from Heroes 5 will not appear in Heroes 6 — for example Juggernauts?
Sheogh is a world of Chaos; it has 1000 faces, which we are gradually uncovering. A creature may be in Heroes 5 but absent in Heroes 6, but these creatures constantly exist in the world of Ashan. Over time, some creatures may also evolve and gain new abilities.
Will heroes have additional skills?
Yes, but additional information will be published later.
Will there be beta testing for Heroes 6? Open or closed?
We cannot answer you right now.
What other new "features" await us in Heroes 6?
We will announce them later.
Heroes 6 TECHNICAL INFORMATION:
Say, if my opponent captured my city and started its conversion, but I took it back. What happens?
The conversion will be automatically stopped.
Will there be an option to load/save the game during a battle?
Loading, yes. Saving, no (although this may be implemented closer to the release date).
How will multiplayer work in Heroes 6? Still on ubi.com? Or a simplified interface similar to Heroes 3?
We will talk about the multiplayer mode later.
Will battle logs be kept?
Yes
CITIES IN Heroes 6
Will there be an option to delay building construction by 2 turns to lower the construction cost (as in Heroes Kingdoms)?
No.
Will it be possible to destroy one of the unique buildings in your cities to build another?
No, unique buildings will only be destroyed when your city is converted by an opponent.
Will external structures (speeding up creature growth) act only on basic creatures, or on upgraded ones as well?
The increase will affect all creatures. The player can choose the creature they want to buy.
Will cities still have specializations?
Yes.
Will there be a Graal?
Yes, Tears of Asha.
Heroes 6 ADVENTURE MAP
Will the speed of army creatures affect the hero's movement speed on the adventure map (as in Heroes 4)?
No, the number of hero movement points will not depend on their army.
You said you wanted to preserve the spirit of Heroes, although one of your first changes was intended to reduce the role of resources in the game (which caused strong indignation among long-time fans of the game). Why did you take this step? How will the new resource system affect the gameplay?
Resources are not the most important thing in Heroes; they are just one of the features. It is important to understand the difference between the soul of the game on one hand (turn-based strategy, RPG component, kingdoms and city management) and its features on the other (resources, for example). We will talk about this in more detail later.
In one of the Gamescon interviews, Erwan spoke about espionage and reconnaissance in enemy territory. Does this mean there will be a real fog of war? If so, does that mean it will be possible to create fog and hinder the opponent's view of the map (like the Shroud of own from Heroes 3)?
The fog of war is static. Once the fog disappears, it does not reappear. Abilities, artifacts, and buildings can help you clear the fog.
What can you tell us about "Dragonblood" mines? What are they for?
YES. During the war of the Ancient races, the Dragon Gods shed blood in the world of Ashan, which transformed into energy sources called Dragon Veins. The inhabitants of Ashan learned to extract the blood using special mines.
Will an external creature dwelling be linked to a specific creature or a category (basic, elite, champion)?
They will be linked to categories.
HEROES - Heroes 6
How can we customize our hero?
You will be able to choose your hero's name, gender, and whether they are inclined toward the sword or magic. Advanced classes will depend on abilities.
How did you balance Strength vs Magic in Heroes 6? In Heroes 5, a Strength-oriented hero could kill 1-2 seventh-level creatures with one blow or, at best, a dozen first-level creatures, while a wizard hero could kill hundreds with one blow).
Balance between heroes will be discussed later.
What can you tell us about Magic in Heroes 6?
There will be 7 schools. Schools: Air, Fire, Earth, Water, Light and Darkness, and Primal Magic (linked to Asha and Argesh)
Will the skill system be similar to King's Bounty (e.g., energy tree, magic tree, and trade tree)?
There will be a tree system like in King's Bounty, but there will be MUCH more trees. We will talk about this in detail later.
It turns out we get full control over our hero's development; what about the fact that all heroes will look alike? Will there be "intermediate" skills to avoid a "perfect match"?
Each hero will have a class with a unique ability, and each faction has restrictions on access to certain types of magic or skills. Also, each faction has a unique ability.
BATTLES in Heroes 6
If the arena is larger than its predecessors from Heroes 5, will it be possible to have more than 7 creature stacks on the battlefield?
No.
How will morale and luck work?
Morale can grant you an additional action (or conversely pass the turn to the opponent with bad morale) and a chance to deal maximum damage (or minimum damage with bad luck).
We will have the ability to place shooters in a tower, but what happens if the tower is destroyed?
If the tower is destroyed, any stack of shooters inside will be completely destroyed.
Will weather affect the course of battle, for example: slowing creatures, casting magic, or reducing the effective distance for archer fire (rain, fog, snowstorm)?
Yes it does, but it will be applied randomly (i.e., either it is there or not).
How does terrain affect the course of battle? Will floods stop creatures or only slow them down?
Flooded squares cannot be crossed at all. There will be many different effects depending on the type of arena.
CREATURES - Heroes 6
How many squares does the largest creature of a faction occupy?
Still 2x2. Bosses will be larger (can occupy 4x4).
Will basic creature abilities differ from their modified version?
Modification is not mandatory. Modification is a real strengthening of the creature compared to the basic creature. Also, a modified creature will contain all the abilities of the basic one.
How many neutral units will there be compared to faction creatures?
I cannot give you an exact percentage, but neutral creatures will definitely be there. One of them was depicted on Gamescon t-shirts.
We saw that 5 of the Necropolis creatures use only one square. How many squares will other "Large creatures" of the faction occupy?
It depends on the faction, in the range of 2 to 3 squares.
CAMPAIGNS Heroes 6
Can we learn more about Svetlana? Is she the chosen one of Asha (also known as Aranthir)? Is she really a Dragon Knight? Does she belong to the Blind Brothers?
"My name is Sveltana, Slava's aunt. I left my home to dedicate my life to Asha, the goddess of Death. I was loved by all and even affectionately called the 'Flower of the North,' but now people fear me and call me an 'Outcast, Heretic or Necromancer...'"
The daughter of Duke Griffin, who hoped for a son, Svetlana was an unwanted child and was forced to live in constant loneliness. At the age of 15, after the birth of her brother Pavel, everyone forgot about her, while he was named heir to the throne. She became disillusioned with the world around her and her father, and decided to leave her home to study the world of Spirits, first with Angels and then with the mages of the Seven Cities. She was an excellent student, and Necromancer Aguirre became her mentor. Since nothing bound her to her family, she decided to join the recently emerged Cult of Asha, the spider goddess. She became Aguirre's assistant and his right hand.
She traveled through the Jade Sea islands with her teacher to free Mother Nemteru, the true embodiment of the Spider Goddess. Aguirre was killed during the expedition, and Sveltana alone returns this creature to the Silver Cities. She became a legend among all Necromancers. But she was not given much time to rest on her laurels. Shortly after her triumphant return, she was called upon to help Pavel stop the demon invasion. Unfortunately, she arrived too late and could not save her brother. She became regent of the Duchy of Griffin until her nephew Pavel comes of age to rule.
Will Dragon Knights and Blind Brothers be present in the campaign?
Yes.
The Wars of the Ancients were wars between Angels and Faceless, correct?
Yes, exactly.
Why 400 years before Heroes 5?
The main storyline after Dark Messiah is revealed in Heroes Kingdoms. The authors wanted to return to the past and show the events that lead us to Heroes 5.
