Stronghold

From Heroes of Might and Magic III
Jump to navigationJump to search
Town-in-box.png
Fully upgraded Stronghold

Stronghold is a Neutral alignment town, home to the Barbarian and Battle Mage hero classes.

Stronghold represents Krewlod.

The native terrain of Stronghold is Rough.

"Stronghold towns are built by alliances of tribes and are frequented by the Barbarian and Battle Mage hero types. Armies composed of Stronghold-based units have a balanced mix of ranged and hand-to-hand attackers. With the inclusion of the stronger units, these armies are particularly well-equipped to deal with attacks on other towns." Restoration of Erathia Manual

Stronghold Buildings[edit source]

Toggle Stronghold Building Tree

Stronghold Building Tree
Buildings-summary-box.png
Building Category
Cost Horn of the Abyss Shadow of Death
Common Buildings
Gold symbol for text.png

37000

Wood symbol for text.png

45

Ore symbol for text.png

40

Mercury symbol for text.png

-

Sulfur symbol for text.png

-

Crystal symbol for text.png

-

Gem symbol for text.png

-

Mage Guild
Gold symbol for text.png

4000

Wood symbol for text.png

15

Ore symbol for text.png

15

Mercury symbol for text.png

10

Sulfur symbol for text.png

10

Crystal symbol for text.png

10

Gem symbol for text.png

10

Dwellings
Gold symbol for text.png

45200

Wood symbol for text.png

87

Ore symbol for text.png

92

Mercury symbol for text.png

-

Sulfur symbol for text.png

-

Crystal symbol for text.png

4050

Gem symbol for text.png

5

Unique Buildings
Gold symbol for text.png

6000

Wood symbol for text.png

10

Ore symbol for text.png

5

Mercury symbol for text.png

-

Sulfur symbol for text.png

-

Crystal symbol for text.png

-

Gem symbol for text.png

-

Total Building Cost
Gold symbol for text.png

92200

Wood symbol for text.png

157

Ore symbol for text.png

152

Mercury symbol for text.png

10

Sulfur symbol for text.png

10

Crystal symbol for text.png

5060

Gem symbol for text.png

15

Weekly Troop Cost
Gold symbol for text.png

24530

Wood symbol for text.png

-

Ore symbol for text.png

-

Mercury symbol for text.png

-

Sulfur symbol for text.png

-

Crystal symbol for text.png

2

Gem symbol for text.png

-

Common Buildings[edit source]

Buildings-common-box.png
Halls
Village Hall
Gold symbol for text.png

-

Town Hall
Gold symbol for text.png

2500

City Hall
Gold symbol for text.png

5000

Capitol
Gold symbol for text.png

10000

Fortifications
Fort
Gold symbol for text.png

5000

Wood symbol for text.png

20

Ore symbol for text.png

20

Citadel
Gold symbol for text.png

2500

Wood symbol for text.png

-

Ore symbol for text.png

5

Castle
Gold symbol for text.png

5000

Wood symbol for text.png

10

Ore symbol for text.png

10

Miscellaneous Buildings
Tavern
Gold symbol for text.png

500

Wood symbol for text.png

5

Ore symbol for text.png

-

Marketplace
Gold symbol for text.png

500

Wood symbol for text.png

5

Ore symbol for text.png

-

Resource Silo
Gold symbol for text.png

5000

Wood symbol for text.png

-

Ore symbol for text.png

5

Blacksmith
Gold symbol for text.png

1000

Wood symbol for text.png

5

Ore symbol for text.png

-

Mage Guild
Mage Guild Level 1
Gold symbol for text.png

2000

Wood symbol for text.png Ore symbol for text.png

5

Mercury symbol for text.png Sulfur symbol for text.png Crystal symbol for text.png Gem symbol for text.png

-

Mage Guild Level 2
Gold symbol for text.png

1000

Wood symbol for text.png Ore symbol for text.png

5

Mercury symbol for text.png Sulfur symbol for text.png Crystal symbol for text.png Gem symbol for text.png

4

Mage Guild Level 3
Gold symbol for text.png

1000

Wood symbol for text.png Ore symbol for text.png

5

Mercury symbol for text.png Sulfur symbol for text.png Crystal symbol for text.png Gem symbol for text.png

6

Banned Spells
Curse.png
Death Ripple.png
Animate Dead.png

Creature Dwellings[edit source]

Buildings-dwellings-box-7.png
Building
Cost Horn of the Abyss Shadow of Death
Creature
Max/Wk
Cost/Wk
Goblin Barracks
Upg. Goblin Barracks
Wolf Pen
Upg. Wolf Pen
Orc Tower
Upg. Orc Tower
Ogre Fort
Upg. Ogre Fort
Cliff Nest
Upg. Cliff Nest
Cyclops Cave
Upg. Cyclops Cave
Behemoth Lair
Upg. Behemoth Lair
Gold symbol for text.png

200

Wood symbol for text.png

5

Ore symbol for text.png

5

Mercury symbol for text.png

-

Sulfur symbol for text.png

-

Crystal symbol for text.png

-

Gem symbol for text.png

-

Gold symbol for text.png

1000

Wood symbol for text.png

5

Ore symbol for text.png

5

Mercury symbol for text.png

-

Sulfur symbol for text.png

-

Crystal symbol for text.png

-

Gem symbol for text.png

-

Gold symbol for text.png

1000

Wood symbol for text.png

10

Ore symbol for text.png

5

Mercury symbol for text.png

-

Sulfur symbol for text.png

-

Crystal symbol for text.png

-

Gem symbol for text.png

-

Gold symbol for text.png

1000

Wood symbol for text.png

5

Ore symbol for text.png

5

Mercury symbol for text.png

-

Sulfur symbol for text.png

-

Crystal symbol for text.png

-

Gem symbol for text.png

-

Gold symbol for text.png

1000

Wood symbol for text.png

5

Ore symbol for text.png

5

Mercury symbol for text.png

-

Sulfur symbol for text.png

-

Crystal symbol for text.png

-

Gem symbol for text.png

-

Gold symbol for text.png

1000

Wood symbol for text.png

2

Ore symbol for text.png

2

Mercury symbol for text.png

-

Sulfur symbol for text.png

-

Crystal symbol for text.png

-

Gem symbol for text.png

-

Gold symbol for text.png

2000

Wood symbol for text.png

20

Ore symbol for text.png

-

Mercury symbol for text.png

-

Sulfur symbol for text.png

-

Crystal symbol for text.png

-

Gem symbol for text.png

-

Gold symbol for text.png

2000

Wood symbol for text.png

5

Ore symbol for text.png

5

Mercury symbol for text.png

-

Sulfur symbol for text.png

-

Crystal symbol for text.png

-

Gem symbol for text.png

5

Gold symbol for text.png

2500

Wood symbol for text.png

-

Ore symbol for text.png

10

Mercury symbol for text.png

-

Sulfur symbol for text.png

-

Crystal symbol for text.png

-

Gem symbol for text.png

-

Gold symbol for text.png

2000

Wood symbol for text.png

5

Ore symbol for text.png

5

Mercury symbol for text.png

-

Sulfur symbol for text.png

-

Crystal symbol for text.png

-

Gem symbol for text.png

-

Gold symbol for text.png

3500

Wood symbol for text.png

-

Ore symbol for text.png

20

Mercury symbol for text.png

-

Sulfur symbol for text.png

-

Crystal symbol for text.png

-20

Gem symbol for text.png

-

Gold symbol for text.png

3000

Wood symbol for text.png

5

Ore symbol for text.png

5

Mercury symbol for text.png

-

Sulfur symbol for text.png

-

Crystal symbol for text.png

10-

Gem symbol for text.png

-

Gold symbol for text.png

10000

Wood symbol for text.png

10

Ore symbol for text.png

10

Mercury symbol for text.png

-

Sulfur symbol for text.png

-

Crystal symbol for text.png

10

Gem symbol for text.png

-

Gold symbol for text.png

15000

Wood symbol for text.png

10

Ore symbol for text.png

10

Mercury symbol for text.png

-

Sulfur symbol for text.png

-

Crystal symbol for text.png

20

Gem symbol for text.png

-

Creature portrait Goblin small.gifCreature portrait Goblin small.gif
Creature portrait Hobgoblin small.gifCreature portrait Hobgoblin small.gif
Creature portrait Wolf Rider small.gifCreature portrait Wolf Rider small.gif
Creature portrait Wolf Raider small.gifCreature portrait Wolf Raider small.gif
Creature portrait Orc (HotA) small.gifCreature portrait Orc small.gif
Creature portrait Orc Chieftain (HotA) small.gifCreature portrait Orc Chieftain small.gif
Creature portrait Ogre small.gifCreature portrait Ogre small.gif
Creature portrait Ogre Mage small.gifCreature portrait Ogre Mage small.gif
Creature portrait Roc small.gifCreature portrait Roc small.gif
Creature portrait Thunderbird small.gifCreature portrait Thunderbird small.gif
Creature portrait Cyclops small.gifCreature portrait Cyclops small.gif
Creature portrait Cyclops King small.gifCreature portrait Cyclops King small.gif
Creature portrait Behemoth small.gifCreature portrait Behemoth small.gif
Creature portrait Ancient Behemoth small.gifCreature portrait Ancient Behemoth small.gif
38
18
14
8
6
4
2
1520 Gold symbol for text.png
1900 Gold symbol for text.png
1800 Gold symbol for text.png
2520 Gold symbol for text.png
2100 Gold symbol for text.png
2310 Gold symbol for text.png
2400 Gold symbol for text.png
3200 Gold symbol for text.png
3600 Gold symbol for text.png
4200 Gold symbol for text.png
3000 Gold symbol for text.png
4400 Gold symbol for text.png
3000 Gold symbol for text.png
- Crystal symbol for text.png
6000 Gold symbol for text.png
2 Crystal symbol for text.png

Unique Buildings[edit source]

Buildings-unique-box-6.png
Building
Cost Horn of the Abyss Shadow of Death
Description
Escape Tunnel
Freelancer's Guild
Hall of Valhalla
Ballista Yard
Mess Hall
Warlords' Monument
Gold symbol for text.png

2000

Wood symbol for text.png

5

Ore symbol for text.png

5

Mercury symbol for text.png

-

Sulfur symbol for text.png

-

Crystal symbol for text.png

-

Gem symbol for text.png

-

Gold symbol for text.png

1000

Wood symbol for text.png

-

Ore symbol for text.png

-

Mercury symbol for text.png

-

Sulfur symbol for text.png

-

Crystal symbol for text.png

-

Gem symbol for text.png

-

Gold symbol for text.png

1000

Wood symbol for text.png

-

Ore symbol for text.png

-

Mercury symbol for text.png

-

Sulfur symbol for text.png

-

Crystal symbol for text.png

-

Gem symbol for text.png

-

Gold symbol for text.png

1000

Wood symbol for text.png

5

Ore symbol for text.png

-

Mercury symbol for text.png

-

Sulfur symbol for text.png

-

Crystal symbol for text.png

-

Gem symbol for text.png

-

Gold symbol for text.png

1000

Wood symbol for text.png

-

Ore symbol for text.png

-

Mercury symbol for text.png

-

Sulfur symbol for text.png

-

Crystal symbol for text.png

-

Gem symbol for text.png

-

Gold symbol for text.png

-

Wood symbol for text.png

-

Ore symbol for text.png

-

Mercury symbol for text.png

-

Sulfur symbol for text.png

-

Crystal symbol for text.png

-

Gem symbol for text.png

-

Allows a garrisoned hero to retreat while defending in siege combat.
Allows a visiting hero to sell creatures.
Gives visiting allied heroes +1 Attack permanently.
Allows a visiting hero to purchase a Ballista.
Horde Building. +8 Goblin and Hobgoblin growth per week.
Grail Structure. +5000 Gold/day. +50% creature growth. Gives a garrisoned hero +20 Attack while defending in siege combat.

Heroes[edit source]

Name Class Expansion Source Specialty Skill 1 Skill 2 Spell
YogYog Yog    Barbarian Barbarian   1 - Restoration of Erathia Specialty Cyclopes small.png  Cyclopes Basic Offense  Basic Offense   Basic Ballistics  Basic Ballistics  
GurnissonGurnisson Gurnisson    Barbarian Barbarian   1 - Restoration of Erathia Specialty Ballista small.png  Ballista Basic Offense  Basic Offense   Basic Artillery  Basic Artillery  
JabarkasJabarkas Jabarkas    Barbarian Barbarian   1 - Restoration of Erathia Specialty Orcs small.png  Orcs Basic Offense  Basic Offense   Basic Archery  Basic Archery  
ShivaShiva Shiva    Barbarian Barbarian   1 - Restoration of Erathia Specialty Rocs small.png  Rocs Basic Offense  Basic Offense   Basic Scouting  Basic Scouting  
GretchinGretchin Gretchin    Barbarian Barbarian   1 - Restoration of Erathia Specialty Goblins small.png  Goblins Basic Offense  Basic Offense   Basic Pathfinding  Basic Pathfinding  
KrellionKrellion Krellion    Barbarian Barbarian   1 - Restoration of Erathia Specialty Ogres small.png  Ogres Basic Offense  Basic Offense   Basic Resistance  Basic Resistance  Shadow of Death 
KrellionKrellion Krellion    Barbarian Barbarian   1 - Restoration of Erathia Specialty Ogres small.png  Ogres Basic Offense  Basic Offense   Basic Interference  Basic Interference Horn of the Abyss 
Crag HackCrag Hack Crag Hack    Barbarian Barbarian   1 - Restoration of Erathia Specialty Offense small.png  Offense Advanced Offense  Advanced Offense    
TyraxorTyraxor Tyraxor    Barbarian Barbarian   1 - Restoration of Erathia Specialty Wolf Riders small.png  Wolf Riders Basic Offense  Basic Offense   Basic Tactics  Basic Tactics  
GirdGird Gird    Battle Mage Battle Mage   1 - Restoration of Erathia Specialty Sorcery small.png  Sorcery Basic Wisdom  Basic Wisdom   Basic Sorcery  Basic Sorcery   Bloodlust small.png Bloodlust 
VeyVey Vey    Battle Mage Battle Mage   1 - Restoration of Erathia Specialty Ogres small.png  Ogres Basic Wisdom  Basic Wisdom   Basic Leadership  Basic Leadership   Magic Arrow small.png Magic Arrow 
DessaDessa Dessa    Battle Mage Battle Mage   1 - Restoration of Erathia Specialty Logistics small.png  Logistics Basic Wisdom  Basic Wisdom   Basic Logistics  Basic Logistics   Stone Skin small.png Stone Skin 
TerekTerek Terek    Battle Mage Battle Mage   1 - Restoration of Erathia Specialty Haste small.png  Haste Basic Wisdom  Basic Wisdom   Basic Tactics  Basic Tactics   Haste small.png Haste 
ZubinZubin Zubin    Battle Mage Battle Mage   1 - Restoration of Erathia Specialty Precision small.png  Precision Basic Wisdom  Basic Wisdom   Basic Artillery  Basic Artillery   Precision small.png Precision 
GundulaGundula Gundula    Battle Mage Battle Mage   1 - Restoration of Erathia Specialty Offense small.png  Offense Basic Wisdom  Basic Wisdom   Basic Offense  Basic Offense   Slow small.png Slow 
OrisOris Oris    Battle Mage Battle Mage   1 - Restoration of Erathia Specialty Eagle Eye small.png  Eagle Eye Basic Wisdom  Basic Wisdom   Basic Eagle Eye  Basic Eagle Eye   Protection from Air small.png Protection from Air 
SaurugSaurug Saurug    Battle Mage Battle Mage   1 - Restoration of Erathia Specialty Gems small.png  Gems Basic Wisdom  Basic Wisdom   Basic Resistance  Basic Resistance  Shadow of Death  Bloodlust small.png Bloodlust 
SaurugSaurug Saurug    Battle Mage Battle Mage   1 - Restoration of Erathia Specialty Gems small.png  Gems Basic Wisdom  Basic Wisdom   Basic Interference  Basic Interference Horn of the Abyss  Bloodlust small.png Bloodlust 

Creatures[edit source]

 Name   Town   Lvl   Att   Def   Dmg-   Dmg+   HP   Spd   Grw   AI Val   Cost   Special 














Goblin Goblin Goblin Goblin   Town portrait Stronghold small.png 1 4 2 1 2 5 5 15 60 40 Gold    
Hobgoblin Hobgoblin Hobgoblin Hobgoblin   Town portrait Stronghold small.png 1+ 5 3 1 2 5 7 15 78 50 Gold    
Wolf Rider Wolf Rider Wolf Rider Wolf Rider   Town portrait Stronghold small.png 2 7 5 2 4 10 6 9 130 100 Gold    
Wolf Raider Wolf Raider Wolf Raider Wolf Raider   Town portrait Stronghold small.png 2+ 8 5 3 4 10 8 9 203 140 Gold   Double attack 
Orc Orc Orc Orc   Town portrait Stronghold small.png 3 8 4 2 5 15 4 7 192 150 Gold   Ranged (12 shots) 
Orc Chieftain Orc Chieftain Orc Chieftain Orc Chieftain   Town portrait Stronghold small.png 3+ 8 4 2 5 20 5 7 240 165 Gold   Ranged (24 shots) 
Ogre Ogre Ogre Ogre   Town portrait Stronghold small.png 4 13 7 6 12 40 4 4 416 300 Gold    
Ogre Mage Ogre Mage Ogre Mage Ogre Mage   Town portrait Stronghold small.png 4+ 13 7 6 12 60 5 4 672 400 Gold   Cast Bloodlust x3 
Roc Roc Roc Roc   Town portrait Stronghold small.png 5 13 11 11 15 60 7 3 1027 600 Gold   Flying 
Thunderbird Thunderbird Thunderbird Thunderbird   Town portrait Stronghold small.png 5+ 13 11 11 15 60 11 3 1106 700 Gold   Flying, Lightning strike 
Cyclops Cyclops Cyclops Cyclops   Town portrait Stronghold small.png 6 15 12 16 20 70 6 2 1266 750 Gold   Ranged (16 shots), Can attack siege walls 
Cyclops King Cyclops King Cyclops King Cyclops King   Town portrait Stronghold small.png 6+ 17 13 16 20 70 8 2 1443 1100 Gold   Ranged (24 shots), Can attack siege walls 
Behemoth Behemoth Behemoth Behemoth   Town portrait Stronghold small.png 7 17 17 30 50 160 6 1 3162 1500 Gold   Defense -40% to enemy target 
Ancient Behemoth Ancient Behemoth Ancient Behemoth Ancient Behemoth   Town portrait Stronghold small.png 7+ 19 19 30 50 300 9 1 6168 3000 Gold 1 Crystal  Defense -80% to enemy target 

Town Names[edit source]

Unless specified by the mapmaker, towns will generate with a random name. Stronghold towns will use one of these following names:

Battlement Bocc Cragmoor Dolere
Drago Breach Dragonspire Hartgrim Kragg
Kruber Morganheim Rockwarren Rovener
Sandflash Slau Strongglen Tormina

If there are more Stronghold towns on the map than possible names, they will use names taken from other towns.

User Commentary

Show User Commentary
Hide User Commentary
Some may find the information in this section subjective or irrelevant.

  • Armies composed of stronghold-based units have a balanced mix of ranged and hand-to-hand attackers. With the inclusion of the stronger units, these armies are particularly well-equipped to deal with attacks on other towns.
  • Hobgoblins are excellent 1st level creatures due to their high speed. Giving them to secondary heroes they will give them a lot more movement points (only Sprites and Centaur Captains are faster). With 70-80 Hobgoblins, you can already take down 3 Behemoths and conquer a Behemoth Crag in the first week. Similar for other tough but slow monsters that are a single stack. This is possible due to their speed. Make 6 stacks of one Hobgoblin and the last stack has all remaining. This big stack is in the last slot (on the bottom when fighting). The strategy is as follows: The Behemoths are in reach of the Hobgoblins but the Hobgoblins are just outside the Behemoths reach. The big stack of Hobgoblins waits. One single Hobgoblin attacks the Behemoths to take the retaliation. Then, the Behemoths approach but can't attack because nothing is in range. After the Behemoths moved, the big stack attacks on the side where they have more space to run away. The round ends. In the next round, everyone runs out of reach in one direction, only one Hobgoblin stays behind in reach of the Behemoths to lure them away. Then, you get the same situation as before and repeat until the Behemoths are dead. You should get ~4 hits before they retaliated once against you. That is sufficient to take down the rest in melee 1v1.
  • Be aware that Tactics and Haste are incredibly important to get the rather slow Stronghold units engaged into combat.
  • Always have your Wolf Riders strike not as the first one so they won't receive the retaliation. They deal an immense amount of damage but are very fragile.
  • Expert Teleport and Earthquake are your spells when besieging a town with a castle (Teleport is hard to get though). Expert Teleport lets you teleport troops behind walls. You have only two mediocre damage-dealing shooters and one expensive flier. You need to get the Behemoths and/or Ogres involved. Consider splitting your Cyclops Kings into 2-4 stacks so you can take down the walls effectively. After 18 hits, all defensive structures are destroyed. With Expert Ballistics and two stacks of Cyclops Kings you can get 2 + 2*2 Template:= 6 attacks onto walls per round this way. After 3 rounds, you have destroyed everything. In Round 2, some towers will already be destroyed. If you additionally have Expert Earthquake, you can take down the entire defensive structures in only two rounds. With four Cyclops King stacks and neither Ballistics nor Earthquake you will still destroy all defensive structures within two rounds.
  • Don't be fooled by the low AI value of Behemoths. Yes, they don't have a 2-hex breath attack, they can't resurrect dead allies and they are not immune to spells. However, they defeat all other level 7 units in 1v1 combat, except Haspids, and are also the cheapest level 7 unit. Because they are not immune to spells, they *can* get resurrected. Their only downside is that they are slow - but that's what you can fix with Tactics and Haste. Their building has the fewest prerequisites of all level 7 buildings so you can start amassing them early. In late-game their defense-reducing ability scales very well and they deal absurd amounts of damage.
  • Beware of saving lives of your Thunderbirds. The more Thunderbirds is in a stack, the more additional damage will their lightning strike do. Cure them if necessary.

Pros:

  • Stronghold is the cheapest town to fully build up.
  • Hero classes. Battle Mage is one of the most balanced classes in the game with a host of useful specials. Barbarians are the best fighter class available, expect attack ratings to rise fast and keep on rising. With great specials like Offense, a high-level Barbarian is a tough opponent.
  • Escape Tunnel: it is great to be able to retreat from a siege, so that you don't lose your best hero this way. However, it doesn't allow surrender and thus won't save your army.
  • Cyclopes and Cyclops Kings can attack castle walls with their ranged attack. This is a vastly underestimated special that can tip the scale in an attacking force's favor very quickly, especially when combined with a fast initiative-giving unit and Haste (Expert level for best effect). If you have the room in your army, every additional stack gives additional shots at the wall! A stack of 1 Cyclops King 'sieges' as well as a stack of 1,000 (and twice as well as a stack of Cyclops).
  • Ancient Behemoth can win a 1vs1 against most 7th level creatures.
  • Crag Hack is one of the best Heroes in the game, at later stages, he will deal incredible amounts of damage thanks to his Offense specialty.
  • Least expensive town as far as weekly troop cost is concerned for gold, though the Rampart town will often have a better economy in general by making use of the Treasury.
  • Possible to get Behemoths on third day, provided sufficient resources.
  • Barbarians have great chances to get combat-based skills(primary and secondary ones) in order to do pure combat-based and/or anti-magic skill builds, that would be good synergize with the Orb of Inhibition and would be useful especially against heroes with pure magic-based skill builds.
  • Freelancer's Guild may be helpful to get resources you need by getting rid of units which aren't very important (being weak, slow, and/or not from Stronghold).
  • Opportunity to get two war machines.
  • Gurnisson with his artillery ability and high attack, can quickly take many mines, artifacts, enemy heroes, and artifacts quite easily in early-game. The ballista doesn't phase out with a high attack Barbarian until way later in late-game, so this is a great strategy to get a fast start on Stronghold, and get Behemoths quickly.

Cons:

  • Stronghold creatures have the lowest defense rating of all towns.
  • Slow units, the fastest is the Thunderbird with a Speed of 11. Ancient Behemoth has 9.
  • Magic, Mage Guild is limited to level 3.
  • Only one flying unit, namely the Thunderbird.
  • Cyclops and Behemoth lairs both require a lot of crystal to build. This competition makes it hard to have them both out in the earlier times - you have to choose between one of them, while both are very useful.

See also[edit source]