You are a wizard with the ability to cast magical spells. Your goal is to kill the enemy wizard(s) before he kills you. (Note 1)
After you've started a game, right-click with your mouse, then click "EoHS dialog". You should see the "Training" tab where you can spend 11 'Skill Points' on your wizard's abilities: The spells he can cast, the armies he can recruit and any other specialization. (Note 2)
TIP: Don't select more than two Alliances and one Talent. Stick to just one of the three Schools of Magic (Nature is ideal for a beginner), getting some 'Rank 3' spells and ideally also a 'Rank 4' spell.
Once you've selected some spells, you can cast them using the right-click menu and switching to the "Actions" tab. To cancel casting a spell, right-click outside the edge of the map. Please continue reading below ...
Mana[]
Most spells cost Mana. Wizards earn 5 mana each turn. Wizards can spend gold in place of mana when they have no mana left.
Action points[]
Wizards spending time on tasks is represented by "Action points". A wizard's turn is 11 AP long. Attacking costs 6 AP. Spells have their own AP costs, and usually don't take away your moves. (Some Talents make the wizard spend less AP)
Range[]
Spells have limited range. For most it is 1, indicating adjacent tiles. (Range is counted in jumps between adjacent tiles from your wizard to your target, excluding impassable terrain)
Wizards protections[]
- Wizards are immune to direct damage from spells.
- Wizards can only lose a quarter of their maximum hitpoints each time they're defending from an attack. (Once that limit is breached, combat stops immediately, so the affected wizard won't strike back.) (Note 3)
Upkeep and experience[]
- By default, all units' upkeep is 0.
- Some spells can damage units, and you gain experience from killing units that way, but not your own units.
- Wizards earn 100 % of the experience earned by their units
You are now ready to play, and only need to start your game!
- See also: Customization
Notes[]
Only here for completeness, you don't need to bother reading those
Note: EoHS dialog[]
On other player's turn, you can invoke the dialog by double-clicking your wizard; any changes made at that time will only take effect at the beginning of your next turn.
Note 1[]
Era of High Sorcery is also suitable for game-types other than standard Player-vs-Player deathmatch, like "Survival", or RPG-style games. For such games, select "EoHS: Alternative Settings" "Era" or "Modification" on the 'Create Game' screen. (See: Customization)
Note 2[]
You can choose to postpone assigning some or all 'Skill Points' for as many turns as you wish
Note 3[]
Applies to wizards of level 2 and above. Level 1 wizards may only lose one third of max hitpoints.