Combat System
Overview
Battles in Heroes of Might and Magic take place on rectangular battlefields, with individual hex spaces representing spaces a unit can occupy. Your army is positioned on one side, with the enemy army on the opposite. Most battles will have various objects strewn about which represent hex spaces that may not be occupied by unit stacks. These obstacles can act as choke points to funnel enemy units though, or as natural walls for ranged units to position to protect themselves from enemy melee units. When besieging an enemy city, roughly half of the battlefield will be taken up by the defender's city walls which must be destroyed before becoming passable by ground troops.
Turn order & Movement speed
Combat is divided into rounds. During each round, unit stacks take turns moving across the battlefield and attacking enemy units. A round ends once all units from both sides have acted or used their abilities.
Across the top of the battlefield interface, there will be a row of icons representing every creature stack in the battle and the order in which they will be taking their turns during the current round. This order is mostly determined by a creature's initiative (
) & speed (
) values.
Initiative determines how soon a creature can act during battle, while speed indicates how far a creature is able to move during its turn. Most units will have their initiative and speed values be fairly close to each other, but there are some examples of creatures who are able to act very soon in combat but cannot move very far, and creatures with low initiative but very high speed.
If there is a tie in initiative, turn priority will go to creatures with the higher speed value. If multiple creature stacks have equal initiative & speed values, the turn order will shift back and forth between either side. With regard to allied troops that are first to act, the move order will additionally be sorted by how they appear in the order they appear in the hero's army slots, from left to right. This applies even if units are arranged differently on the battlefield during the Tactics phase. After all unit stacks on both sides have had an opportunity to move, attack, or take another action, the battle will move on the next round.
| Note: In the first round of battle, if both sides have creatures with identical initiative and speed values, the tie break for moving first will go to the attacker. It appears that odd numbered rounds will give initiative priority to the attacker, while defenders are given priority on even-numbered rounds. |
| Considering the previous example, if the attacker also had another creature with higher initiative, that creature would take the first action, and then the next action would go to the defending side, and then back to the attacker, and so on. It appears that the game tries to give equal opportunity to act to both sides as much as possible. If the stack of Griffins were to die, then the round order would change to have the attacker's Guard Captains take the first action. |
Waiting & Skipping turns
Other than Attacking or using Abilities, unit stacks also have two additional options to take when it is their turn.
- Wait: The 'Wait' option will push that unit's action to the end of the turn order. Once a unit has taken this option, their initiative will essentially be flipped, with the highest Initiative units taking their turn after everything else has acted. Having your units wait during battles can be very advantageous, as you can force lower initiative to take their turn first, either having to stay in place or move towards you, allowing you to take the first attack.
- Skip Turn: This option will simply end your unit's turn without them having taken an action or moving. While it is generally a good idea to always be maneuvering your units into better position or attacking your enemy's units, it is sometimes the best move to do nothing. Sometimes you will want your weaker units to not attack a powerful enemy stack because the retaliation will greatly hurt or kill them, or perhaps you have a small stack of a weak unit positioned next to an enemy ranged unit to prevent them from shooting at your more powerful stack of creatures. Other times you may be blocking your ranged units from being attacked by having small stacks of weaker creatures standing in the way of the enemy, and you want them to waste their actions killing off them instead of attacking the ranged units behind them.
Attacking
Units can use one of three basic attack types on the battlefield:
- Melee Attacks: Used against units in adjacent hexes. Will trigger a counterattack, in most cases.
- Long Reach Attacks: Target enemy units exactly one hex away. These attacks do not provoke a counterattack. Units with Long Reach attacks can often also engage in melee if needed.
- Ranged Attacks: Can target any enemy on the battlefield, except when an enemy is in an adjacent hex; in that case, the unit may only move or perform a melee attack. Ranged attacks deal reduced damage if the target is more than three hexes away: damage decreases by 10% per additional hex, up to a maximum of 50% reduction.
Damage
When a creature attacks another, the damage inflicted is increased by the attacker's Attack (
ATK) value and reduced by the defender's Defense (
DEF) value.
The Attack and Defense of the hero is added to the Attack and Defense of the creatures under their command.
The damage is multiplied by (1 + 5% × attacker's ATK), then divided by (1 + 5% × defender's DEF). An other equivalent formula is: (20 + ATK) / (20 + DEF).
For example, if a Swordsman (4 Attack, 4 Defense) were to attack a Skeleton (4 Attack, 1 Defense), the modifier would be (20 + 4) / (20 + 1), for a result of 1.14. This means that when the Swordsman attacks the Skeleton, it will deal 2-3 Damage (its Damage value on its stats page) multiplied by 1.14. This results in a final damage calculation of 2.28 - 3.42 (Damage is rounded up to next whole number if over .5, and rounded down if under .5).
| DEF \ ATK | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 35 | 40 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0% | +5% | +10% | +15% | +20% | +25% | +50% | +75% | +100% | +125% | +150% | +175% | +200% |
| 1 | -5% | 0% | +5% | +10% | +14% | +19% | +43% | +67% | +90% | +114% | +138% | +162% | +186% |
| 2 | -9% | -5% | 0% | +5% | +9% | +14% | +36% | +59% | +82% | +105% | +127% | +150% | +173% |
| 3 | -13% | -9% | -4% | 0% | +4% | +9% | +30% | +52% | +74% | +96% | +117% | +139% | +161% |
| 4 | -17% | -12% | -8% | -4% | 0% | +4% | +25% | +46% | +67% | +88% | +108% | +129% | +150% |
| 5 | -20% | -16% | -12% | -8% | -4% | 0% | +20% | +40% | +60% | +80% | +100% | +120% | +140% |
| 10 | -33% | -30% | -27% | -23% | -20% | -17% | 0% | +17% | +33% | +50% | +67% | +83% | +100% |
| 15 | -43% | -40% | -37% | -34% | -31% | -29% | -14% | 0% | +14% | +29% | +43% | +57% | +71% |
| 20 | -50% | -48% | -45% | -43% | -40% | -38% | -25% | -12% | 0% | +12% | +25% | +38% | +50% |
| 25 | -56% | -53% | -51% | -49% | -47% | -44% | -33% | -22% | -11% | 0% | +11% | +22% | +33% |
| 30 | -60% | -58% | -56% | -54% | -52% | -50% | -40% | -30% | -20% | -10% | 0% | +10% | +20% |
| 35 | -64% | -62% | -60% | -58% | -56% | -55% | -45% | -36% | -27% | -18% | -9% | 0% | +9% |
| 40 | -67% | -65% | -63% | -62% | -60% | -58% | -50% | -42% | -33% | -25% | -17% | -8% | 0% |
Below is a Table showing common Attack Modifiers and how they impact the resulting Damage:
| Damage Modifiers | Damage Formula | ||||||
| Basic Modifier | (20 + ATK) / (20 + DEF) = (1 + 5% × ATK) / (1 + 5% × DEF) | ||||||
Basic Modifier +  Offense (15%/20%/25% Dmg Bonus)
|
BASIC MODIFIER × [1.15;1.20;1.25] | ||||||
Basic Modifier + Defending Creature has  Defense (15%/20%/25% Dmg Reduction)
|
BASIC MODIFIER × [0.85;0.80;0.75] | ||||||
| Overall Formula for Damage Calculations | (20 + ATK) / (20 + DEF) × Bonus1 × Bonus2 × ... × BonusN × Crit = (1 + 5% × ATK) × Bonus1 × Bonus2 × ... × BonusN × Crit / (1 + 5% × DEF) | ||||||
As more and more modifiers get added into the mix, however, calculating damage can be more complicated, as bonuses to specific kinds of damage (Tag-based Damage) are grouped differently than bonuses that affect all types of damage (All-type Damage).
The full formula is:
| (Unit Count) x (Unit Damage) x (Attack / Defense Modifier) x (All-type Damage Modifiers) x (Tag-based Damage Modifiers) x (Other independent Modifiers) x (Luck Modifier) = Damage Range. |
- All-Type Damage Modifiers: The parameters are inAllDmgMod or outAllDmgMod in the data files.
- Examples of All-Type Damage Modifiers: Radiant Armor, Naira's Way, Adaptation: Attack / Defense (Scorpion Ability)
- Tag-Based Damage: The parameters are inDmgMods or outDmgMods in the data files.
- Examples of Tag-Based Damage: Offense / Defense skills, Blessing spell, Favorable Wind / Optical Illusion
- Basically, if the spell / effect / skill calls out specific kinds of damage, then it is Tag-based. If it does not specify a particular source, then it should fall under the "All-type" category.
- Other independent Modifiers: Other parameters, such as range penalty, walls reducing ranged damage taken, and extra damage against summoned units, Apex Predator (Reaver), Jousting Bonus (Cavalry), Luck is also part of this.
Other notes:
- The Attack / Defense Modifier has no upper limit, with a lower limit of 0.
- Damage Reduction from the All-type Damage Reduction category has no upper limit.
- Tag-based damage bonuses/reductions categorized by tags are added within the same category and then multiplied across different categories, with the minimum result being at least 10%.
- Tag-based modifiers for attackers and defenders are calculated separately.
- Regardless of damage adjustments, the final result will deal at least 1 point of damage.
Some calculation Examples:
 | ||||||
| Unit count | Unit Damage | A/D Modifier | All-type Modifiers | Attacker Tag-based | Defender Tag-based | Other independent Modifiers |
| 100 | * (3~4) | * (9+20)/(8+20) | * ((1 + 0.1) * (1 - 0.1)) | * ((1 + 0.2) * (1 + 0.15)) | * ((1 - 0.25)*(1 - 0.2 - 0.3)) | * 0.5 * 0.7 |
| - | - | 1.035714 | Fields of Serenity: +10% / -10% | Basic Damage: +20% (Advanced Offense) Ranged Damage: +15% (Archery) |
Basic Damage: -25% (Expert Defense) Ranged Damage: -20% (Cover) -30% (Ranged Defense I) |
Wall: -50% Attack range: -30% (7 tiles) |
| 100 * (3 ~ 4) * (9+20)/(8+20) * ((1 + 0.1) * (1 - 0.1)) * ((1 + 0.2) * (1 + 0.15)) * ((1 - 0.25)*(1 - 0.2 - 0.3)) * 0.7 * 0.5 = 55.71532838 ~ 74.28710451 → 56 ~ 74 | ||||||
 | ||||||
| Unit count | Unit Damage | A/D Modifier | All-type Modifiers | Attacker Tag-based | Defender Tag-based | Other independent Modifiers |
| 100 | * 4 | * (9+20)/(8+20) | * ((1 + 0.1) * (1 - 0.1 - 0.3)) | * ((1 + 0.20)*(1 + 0.35)*(1 + 0.15 + 0.5)) | * ((1 - 0.25)*(1 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.25)) | * 0.5 * 0.7 |
| - | Masterful Blessing | 1.035714 | Fields of Serenity: -10% / -10% Radiant Armor: -30% |
Basic Damage: +20% (Advanced Offense) Normal Damage:+35% (Blessing) Ranged Damage: +15% (Archery) +50% (Favorable Wind) |
Basic Damage: -25% (Expert Defense) Ranged Damage: -20% (Cover) -30% (Ranged Defense I) -25% (Optical Illusion) |
Wall: -50% Attack range: -30% (7 tiles) |
| 100 * 4 * (9+20)/(8+20) * ((1 + 0.1) * (1 - 0.1 - 0.3)) * ((1 + 0.20)*(1 + 0.35)*(1 + 0.15 + 0.5)) * ((1 - 0.25)*(1 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.25)) * 0.7 * 0.5 = 47.96364375 → 48 | ||||||
An edge case that triggers the Tag-based damage cap:
Below is an image of a battle between two heroes with attack and defense bonuses listed on the screen.
Initial Attack / Defense Damage modifier: ( (36 + 20) / (12 + 20) ) → (56 / 32) = 1.75
Tag-Based Damage Modifiers:
- Ranged Mastery: Friendly creatures deal +10% and take -10% Ranged and Long Reach Damage.
- Cover (Defense Subskill): Friendly creatures take —20% Damage from Ranged and Long Reach attacks.
- Expert Defense: Friendly creatures take —25% Damage from basic attacks.
- Aegis: This creature and adjacent friendly creatures take —30% Ranged Damage.
- Ranged Defense III (Creature Passive): Takes —60% Ranged Damage.
- Optical Illusion: -50% Ranged Damage taken.
Tag-Based Damage Modifier total: ( 1 - 25%) * (1 - 10% - 20% - 30% - 60% - 50%) = -52.5% → 10% (-90% damage, result has to be 10% at minimum)
All-Type Damage Modifiers:
- Radiant Armor: Takes -40% Damage from all sources.
So, we have 100 Archangels attacking the Animated Armor
- Archangel attack / defense modifier against Animated Armor is 1.75. Archangel damage range is 50 - 75.
- Multiplied with damage modifier we get a range of 5,000 - 7,500. That damage range gets multiplied with the modifier to come out to 8,750 - 13,125.
- Next comes all-type damage modifiers. All modifiers get added together and then multiplied with the damage range. There are no all-type Damage bonuses, with one all-type damage reduction of 40% (radiant armor), so that becomes 5,250 - 7,875
- Next is the tag-based bonuses and reductions. There are no tag-based bonuses, and a combined -180% from tag-based damage reductions, which gets capped at 90% damage reduction. Multiplying by .10 we get 525 - 787.5 (which becomes 788), which is our final damage result on the screen.
Full Formula written out with numbers from example:
(100) x (50 - 75) x (1.75) x (0.6) x (0.1) = 525 - 787.5 (which is rounded up to 788).
Spells & Hero abilities
Moving and attacking with your units is not the only thing you can do while in Combat. Your Heroes are also able to cast powerful spells which can alter the flow of battle in your favor. Spells can damage enemy units directly, bestow positive effects on your units and negative effects on enemies, create obstacles on the battlefield itself, and more. Spells require spell points in order to cast them, which are determined based on your Hero's Knowledge stat. Spells can range in tiers from 1 - 5, and each tier of magic has increasingly more effective spells belonging to it. As spells rise in tier, their cost in spell points also rises, meaning that unless you have a very knowledgeable Hero, you are going to have to weigh your choices in combat. Individual spells also have their own levels of effectiveness that cause them to become more powerful depending on how skilled your hero is at magic. A full breakdown of spellcasting may be found here.
Creature abilities
Aside from Spellcasting, Heroes & Creatures may also have access to several different Abilities they may use during battle. An Ability is similar to a Spell in that it is another way to interact with the battlefield, directly or indirectly, but they are powered by something called Focus Points instead. Focus is generated through the course of a battle by attacking and being attacked by enemy creatures, by certain Sub-Skills heroes can learn, and through certain kinds of Spells.
Morale
Morale is a combat modifier from your hero that can impact how effective your creatures are on the battlefield. Positive Morale will give your units a chance to act twice in combat, while creatures with negative Morale may lose their chance to act at all that round. Each point of positive Morale will grant a 4% chance to act twice during their turn, while each point of negative Morale will have a 4% chance for that creature to lose their action.
There are many different Creature Types in the game. Each one will have its own potential range of Morale, with some types being completely unaffected by it, while others can never go below zero. While you can theoretically stack up Morale bonuses from many different sources, the effective cap for any creature is limited by its type. These extra bonuses are not necessarily wasted, however. Enemy heroes can have negative effects from Artifacts and other sources that reduce the Morale of your army, and having extra sources of Morale can help to counteract these effects.
Another thing that can influence creature morale is the number of different factions in your army. Having all of your creatures belong to one faction will give you +1 to their morale, while each additional faction present in your army will reduce morale by -1.
Luck
Luck is the potential for a unit to deal extra damage (or reduced damage for bad luck) during combat. Each point of luck will give a 8% chance to get a Lucky or Unlucky strike during battle. Creatures deal 50% more damage on a Lucky strike, and 50% less damage on an unlucky strike. For a full description of the combat formula, visit Combat System.
There are many different Creature Types in the game. Each one will have its own potential range of Luck, with some types being completely unaffected by it, while others can never go below zero. While you can theoretically stack up Luck bonuses from many different sources, the effective cap for any creature is limited by its type. These extra bonuses are not necessarily wasted, however. Enemy heroes can have negative effects from Artifacts and other sources that reduce the Luck of your army, and having extra sources of Luck can help to counteract these effects.
There are many gameplay modifiers that can influence Morale & Luck, such as Hero Skills, Faction Laws, & Artifacts. You may also receive temporary effects from Map Objects that can increase or decrease these stats.
