Age Of Wonders Raise Fiends From Friendly Units

2 min read 06-01-2025

Age Of Wonders Raise Fiends From Friendly Units

Age of Wonders 4 introduces a fascinating new mechanic: the ability to raise fiends from your own fallen units. This strategic gameplay element adds a layer of complexity and opens up exciting tactical possibilities. Let's delve into how this works and explore its implications.

Understanding the Fiend Raising Mechanic

Unlike simply resurrecting units, raising fiends transforms your deceased units into powerful, albeit often unpredictable, undead creatures. This process isn't a simple resurrection; it's a transmutation. The fiend retains some aspects of its former self (like its base unit type), but gains significant changes to its stats, abilities, and even allegiance.

The Process

Raising fiends requires specific conditions. You need to have a necromancer-type hero or unit with the appropriate abilities, usually found within certain factions or through specific research. Once you have the necessary tools, you'll select the fallen units you wish to transform. Note that not all units are suitable for this process. The success and outcome depend on the unit's type, level, and the necromancer's skill.

Fiend Characteristics

Fiends are powerful, often possessing higher stats than their living counterparts. However, their allegiance shifts. They are no longer directly controllable and will fight for whoever controls the necromancer who raised them. If your necromancer dies, or if the opposing force captures the necromancer, you may find your newly-created fiend army suddenly turning against you! This element of risk/reward is a key aspect of this mechanic.

Strategic Implications

The ability to raise fiends presents strategic opportunities and challenges. Let's examine some key points:

Late-Game Power Spike: Raising fiends can provide a significant late-game boost, bolstering your armies with powerful undead units even after taking substantial losses.
Tactical Sacrifice: The knowledge you can raise fiends from fallen units can influence early-game strategies. You may be more willing to sacrifice certain units in key positions knowing they can be repurposed.
Control and Risk: The crucial factor is control. Maintaining control of the necromancer is paramount. Losing your necromancer can lead to a devastating shift in the battlefield.
Enemy Exploitation: If the enemy utilizes fiend raising, you can also strategize around countermeasures. Targeting their necromancers becomes a top priority.

Mastering the Art of Fiend Raising

Mastering this mechanic requires understanding unit types and their transformations into fiends. Experimentation is key to unlocking its full potential. Pay close attention to the costs and benefits before transforming your units. Remember, while powerful, fiends are unpredictable assets that demand careful management.

Conclusion

The fiend raising mechanic adds a fascinating layer to Age of Wonders 4's strategic gameplay. It introduces both significant power and substantial risk. By carefully understanding the conditions, costs, and potential outcomes, players can leverage this mechanic to gain a substantial tactical advantage. Mastering this skill will greatly enhance your chances of victory.