Following the teaser reveal of the Swarm faction, the developers at Unfrozen Studio have provided deeper insights into this intriguing addition to *Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era*. The team has detailed the inspirations behind the faction's creation, explaining how "Inferno" evolved into the "Swarm" and the unfolding events on the continent of Jadame.
The Swarm faction is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to its enemies. Some of its creatures' abilities scale with the level of the opposing units; the larger the disparity between the Swarm unit and its adversary, the greater the damage inflicted. Other creatures, like mantises, can dynamically choose from three different abilities each round, adding strategic depth to battles. Additionally, creatures such as worms and locusts can consume corpses to heal and gain power, a skill that heroes within the faction can also master.
In *Olden Era*, the role traditionally occupied by demonic forces has been reimagined as an insectoid race, which was only hinted at in *Might & Magic 8*. The developers have honored the original lore while infusing the Swarm with elements of body horror and occultism, transforming it into a cult-like entity devoted to a singular ruler. Each follower operates as part of a vast collective consciousness, driven solely by the will of their master.
The gameplay of the Swarm faction revolves around a unique "mono-faction" mechanic. Players who opt to use only Swarm units will find that these units synergize and enhance each other's capabilities. Furthermore, Swarm troops have the ability to summon cocoons, whose health correlates with the overall size of the army. Once hatched, the larvae from these cocoons join the battle as temporary units, offering players the flexibility to adapt to different combat scenarios.
Unfrozen Studio emphasized the aggressive playstyle of the Swarm, with its creatures capable of devouring corpses for both healing and empowerment. The faction's unique abilities, which vary based on the enemy's strength, encourage direct confrontations and provide players with a novel approach to combat strategy.
