Unfrozen Studio Details Schism Faction in Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era

Discover the Schism: A Brand-New Faction for Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era

Last week, Unfrozen Studio teased the sixth faction for their upcoming title, Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era, revealing its name as the Schism. Fans eagerly awaited more information, and the developers have now delivered with a detailed video showcasing the faction's unique castle and lore.

Unfrozen Studio describes the Schism as their “most unusual innovation in the Heroes of Might & Magic universe.” This faction originated from a group of renegade Alvar elves who sought their own way to deal with the looming threat of the Hive. They settled among the snowy mountains and icy canyons, far from civilization, and established a society built on literacy, strict hierarchy, and a determination to uncover the lost ancient rituals of their Vorian ancestors.

In their quest for power, these elves stumbled upon a Rift to the Abyss—the lower layer of the water dimension, which is connected to the mysterious Dimension-Between-Dimensions (a place veterans of other Heroes and Might & Magic games will recognize). This discovery changed them forever. Through the Rift, they learned to summon enigmatic creatures: terrifying, powerful, and truly unlike anything seen before in the series. Thus, a new faction was born, combining these altered dark elves with the monstrous beings they called forth.

Unique Gameplay Mechanic: Communion with the Abyss

The Schism's unique skill is called “Communion with the Abyss.” At the start of a battle, the player's army size increases based on their current Communion level. This level naturally decreases each day, but victories in combat will help to raise it again. The developers noted that each hero has their own Communion level, making it important to choose carefully who to send into battle. Players should remember that these additional troops exist only during the fight and disappear afterward; they cannot be transferred to other heroes or used outside of combat.

Lovecraftian Horrors and Unique Units

When creating the Schism, the team at Unfrozen aimed to design a faction unlike any previously featured in a Heroes game. They found inspiration in the series’ past titles, which often hinted at creatures and monsters from other worlds. The creatures of the Schism clearly show Lovecraftian influences, with tentacles and forbidden rituals being prominent themes. The Schism army includes both more familiar cultists and worm-riding units, as well as truly bizarre creations. For example, the bloated Arbitrators cast spells from their chairs, while the four-legged Abyssal Overseers wield tentacles attached to their heads.

Upon its early access release, Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era will feature six factions: Temple, Dungeon, Necropolis, Grove, Swarm, and Schism. The studio has also hinted that more castles and factions could potentially be added to the game through future expansions. Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era is set to enter Steam Early Access before the end of 2025.