HoF Ships, Mac H5 on the Way

Angelspit · Unread postby **Angelspit** » 15 Nov 2006, 02:52

<a href="/http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000 ... FZ9E"><img border="0" src="/https://www.celestialheavens.com/images ... oxShot.jpg" align=right vspace=10 hspace=10></a><img src="/http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=ce ... B000JSFZ9E" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />Ubisoft sends word that the first Heroes of Might and Magic V expansion has shipped to retail: "Today Ubisoft, one of the world's largest video game publishers, announces that Heroes of Might & Magic® V: Hammers of Fate, a Heroes of Might and Magic® V expansion pack, has released and will be at North American retailers this week." The dates of availability vary greatly from one location to another, so give your favorite store a phone call before you drive to the mall. <a href="/http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JG ... JGVC48">Or shop online.</a><img src="/http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cele ... B000JGVC48" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />

Meanwhile, Inside Mac Games posted an <a href="/http://www.insidemacgames.com/previews/ ... 228">early preview of the base game</a> for the Macintosh. We learn that the Mac version is going to use Cider, "a sophisticated portability engine that allows Windows games to be run on Intel Macs without any modifications to the original game source code." That decision will allow Freeverse able to ship this year, at the expense of a couple of performance issues. Other concerns include the availability of the map editor, the changes introduced by the recent PC patches and the fact that custom maps don't work on the Mac at the moment. IMG will have a final review following the game shipping.

If you would like to take a look at the original page visit this link:
https://www.celestialheavens.com/1163559139

evilp · Unread postby **evilp** » 15 Nov 2006, 10:09

http://www.heroworld.net/spaces/?1/acti ... id_17.html

I like pwl screen image....

Marzhin · Unread postby **Marzhin** » 15 Nov 2006, 10:18

So Freyda survived after all...

addicted · Unread postby **addicted** » 15 Nov 2006, 12:32

Yes, last evening, I had started a thread about the release on the CH forums along with the HOF specs it gave.

http://www.celestialheavens.com/forums/ ... php?t=4659

Cleanpea · Unread postby **Cleanpea** » 15 Nov 2006, 14:58

On the "new mapsubjects" I like the flesh eating treants!!!

Elvin · Unread postby **Elvin** » 15 Nov 2006, 15:00

Thanks evilp!

So there will be some dungeon action.Interesting.

Angelspit · Unread postby **Angelspit** » 15 Nov 2006, 15:05

Wow, I love those screenshots evilp.

Marzhin · Unread postby **Marzhin** » 15 Nov 2006, 15:11

@ Cleanpea : "flesh eating treants" ??

Cleanpea · Unread postby **Cleanpea** » 15 Nov 2006, 15:46

Yeah:)

http://www.maps4heroes.com/heroes5/expa ... te_eng.php

its on the list!

1979 · Unread postby **1979** » 15 Nov 2006, 22:23

lol. I'm waiting for the sales.

infael · Unread postby **infael** » 15 Nov 2006, 23:29

Sigh. I preordered and EBGames said they'd have it today and they didn't.

kingcranium14 · Unread postby **kingcranium14** » 15 Nov 2006, 23:41

Well, it seems like it'll be pretty awesome. I thought It was going to be released on November 14, not that one day matters that much.

Caradoc · Unread postby **Caradoc** » 15 Nov 2006, 23:51

I have just downloaded and installed HOF. I generated a map using the RMG and saved it in the Maps folder, but it does not appear on the list. Also a good many others in the Maps directory are no longer displayed. It could be that I will have the honor of submitting the first support request for HOF as there were none others listed.

UPDATE: I located my random map -- it was in the Multiplayer list. Looks like MP maps will not by default appear on the SP list. I've played a week and the map is about like the ones that came in the box. Just random stuff everywhere. I have a 5 player game and although my color is blue, I am identified as 'red player'. My opponents include 'red player 1' and 'red player 2', who is yellow. I think we should gang up on those other non-red players.

The Dwarves have a sort of uber-Peasant called a Defender at level one, and I am using these to carve a path through the randomness. Level 2 is a yellow bearded spear chucker. I have six of these and they can't even kill an Imp. For some reason my hero started with one Level 4 guy called a Rune Priest. I got excited when I saw he was a spell caster, but it turned out he only has Deflect Arrows. My Fortress has a second magic guild that promises to let me use runes, whatever those are. There seem to be misspelled words everywhere, but otherwise no problems.

I've made two runs with the Dwarves and had my ass kicked both times. I never got to the Magma Dragons (the resource costs are out of sight) but the other creatures pretty much suck. You get virtually no ranged attack and the creatures are really slow. Maybe I have not yet got the hang of it, but this looks to be the weakest faction ever. I had a four week army chewed up by 120 Skeleton Archers and a few elementals. Runic Magic is a big disappointment, at least at the lower levels. It chews up your scarcest resources for only a minimal one-time benefit.

The 'documentation' covers Caravans but that's it. There is no mention of new heroes, skills, spells, artifacts, or creatures.
Edited on Wed, Nov 15 2006, 22:20 by Caradoc

infael · Unread postby **infael** » 16 Nov 2006, 04:04

Sigh. I preordered and EBGames said they'd have it today and they didn't.

Campaigner · Unread postby **Campaigner** » 16 Nov 2006, 15:06

LOL! I would feel scammed if I was Caradoc now

Red player 1, Red player 2....

About the balance I can't believe they screwed it up THAT heavily (though I must remind myeslf who we're talkinga about here....). And you aren't a competetive player so let's see what some HC multiplayer pros have to say about the Dwarves

Documentation....

I'm a little curious though. What did you REALLY exspect from Nival?

The Mad Dragon · Unread postby **The Mad Dragon** » 16 Nov 2006, 16:06

Hmmm....that doesn't seem too good there, but I'll have to get the game for myself and see.

Wulf · Unread postby **Wulf** » 16 Nov 2006, 17:23

I too just spent a couple of hours playing with the dwarves.

First level unit is quite the tank-unit. High defense+ HP.(like H3 dwarf)

Second level unit is a spear thrower who isn't too bad. Sub average i'd say.

Third level Bear rider is pretty good. Upgraded units gets a (high) chance to make a paw attack that throws the enemy back 1 tile and therefore negating their retaliation. The chance is based on how far you've walked before you attack. (like jousting bonus.)

Fourth level berserker is okay. Good growth.

Fifth level Priest is ranged attack with 2 spells when upgraded. Upgraded unit also gets multi hex attack.

Sixth level is my favorite. Teleporting axeswinger with additional lightning strike which travels to all adjacent enemies. (no damage dropoff!) Upgraded unit gets to ability to use the special attack as a ranged attack once every battle. (handy!)

Seventh level Dragon has fire shield + breath attack and fire immunity.

Runed ability is pretty good. I use "haste" a lot which doubles your unit speed for 1 turn at the cost of 1 wood! So you click on the rune, then travel across the map and attack.

All in all, they're definitely not the weakest group. It is important that you upgrade your units though. They're not slow at all too, since you get 3 ranged attacks the first turn and can use runes to speed up your team.

I've noticed a lot of typo errors in the descriptions though, but we've gotten used to that haven't we? :p
Edited on Thu, Nov 16 2006, 13:10 by Wulf

The Mad Dragon · Unread postby **The Mad Dragon** » 16 Nov 2006, 17:36

Mmmmmm, sexy dwarves. I can't wait to use em. I'm lovin that Magma Dragon

Elvin · Unread postby **Elvin** » 16 Nov 2006, 18:13

Hey Wulf! What about cost requirements?I hope they are not insane..?

PlanesWalker · Unread postby **PlanesWalker** » 16 Nov 2006, 18:37

The Random Map Generator Sucks. It dosnt create 'allied maps'? WTF!
Edited on Thu, Nov 16 2006, 11:51 by PlanesWalker

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