HEROES IV · 36 SKILLS · 180 RANKS
Heroes IV: all 36 skills and 180 development ranks
Nine primary trees, original game icons and specific values from Basic to Grandmaster. Every skill explains its effect, limitations, tactical use and marked reference differences.
Base Heroes IV / Complete. Equilibris, Enhancement and Arena change some numbers; their modified values are kept out of the base rows.
A hero has five primary-tree slots. With three associated abilities per tree this allows at most twenty individual skills. Learning a school, obtaining a particular spell and meeting advanced-class conditions are separate steps.
Values describe the attained rank. Previous rows are not added again. Listed requirements do not form a complete graph of every level-up offer.
Nine trees at a glance
Each tree groups a primary skill with three associated abilities. This overview shows family membership. Established rank requirements appear in the tables below.
36
No skill matches this selection.
Nobility · Primary skill
Nobility
Increases creature growth in the town recognizing the hero as governor.
| Rank | Governed-town growth | Additional established requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | +10% | No further requirement listed here |
| Advanced | +20% | No further requirement listed here |
| Expert | +30% | Basic Estates + Basic Mining |
| Master | +40% | Advanced Estates + Advanced Mining |
| Grandmaster | +50% | Expert Estates + Expert Mining |
How the skill works
The effect needs valid assignment to a particular town. The table gives the learned rank’s resulting bonus rather than adding all five rows or automatically affecting every owned town.
When it pays off
Compare extra available creatures with recruitment money and time until the key fight. More available troops without gold do not have the immediate value of paid reinforcements already en route.
Nobility · Associated ability
Estates
Adds gold daily, with further hero-level scaling.
| Rank | Base daily gold | Additional established requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | 100 | Basic Nobility |
| Advanced | 200 | Basic Nobility |
| Expert | 300 | Basic Nobility |
| Master | 400 | Advanced Nobility |
| Grandmaster | 500 | Expert Nobility |
How the skill works
The base runs from one hundred to five hundred gold. References add ten percent per hero level to each without fully explaining indexing and rounding. Table amounts are therefore not presented as every hero’s final income.
When it pays off
For an economic assistant compare income over remaining days with recruitment and development costs. For the main fighter consider whether combat investment opens another income source sooner.
Nobility · Associated ability
Mining
Produces wood, ore and, at higher ranks, rare resources over time.
↔ Scroll wider tables sideways. The rank column remains in place.
| Rank | Wood per five days | Ore per five days | Total rare-resource units per five days | Additional established requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | 2 | 2 | 0 | Basic Nobility |
| Advanced | 2 | 2 | 2 | Basic Nobility |
| Expert | 2 | 2 | 4 | Basic Nobility |
| Master | 3 | 3 | 5 | Advanced Nobility |
| Grandmaster | 4 | 4 | 6 | Expert Nobility |
How the skill works
Listed amounts cover the reference five-day period before hero-level scaling rather than being awarded in full daily. Rare resources cycle through gems, mercury, sulfur and crystal; the column is not an amount of every rare type.
When it pays off
Plan for the actual day the missing construction resource arrives. On a map rich in accessible mines compare delayed production with capturing another source quickly.
Reference difference or incomplete value
One community inventory retains two wood and ore at Master and Grandmaster. The Polish and tested English references give three and four, used in the working table.
Nobility · Associated ability
Diplomacy
Acquires part of an eligible much weaker opposing group for a price.
↔ Scroll wider tables sideways. The rank column remains in place.
| Rank | Maximum creature share | Base XP budget | Surrender cost of normal | Additional established requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | 30% | 120 | 80% | Basic Nobility |
| Advanced | 40% | 240 | 70% | Basic Nobility |
| Expert | 50% | 360 | 60% | Basic Nobility |
| Master | 60% | 480 | 55% | Advanced Nobility |
| Grandmaster | 70% | 600 | 50% | Expert Nobility |
How the skill works
Count-share and XP-budget limits apply together. The reference requires strong army superiority and excludes opposing alignment. Joining is paid, with half the normal recruitment gold listed. Cheaper surrender is another separate effect.
When it pays off
Seek eligible remaining neutrals and keep payment available. Developing Diplomacy after important guards are cleared may leave insufficient time to repay the invested points.
Tactics · Primary skill
Tactics
Increases action speed and combat movement of led creatures.
↔ Scroll wider tables sideways. The rank column remains in place.
| Rank | Additional creature speed | Additional creature combat movement | Additional established requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | +1 | +1 | No further requirement listed here |
| Advanced | +2 | +1.5 | No further requirement listed here |
| Expert | +3 | +2 | Basic Offense + Basic Defense |
| Master | +4 | +2.5 | Advanced Offense + Advanced Defense |
| Grandmaster | +5 | +3 | Expert Offense + Expert Defense |
How the skill works
Speed and reachable movement are distinct. The table retains the tested English reference’s fractional movement: Advanced adds one and a half, Master two and a half. The Polish source writes thirds instead; the discrepancy remains marked.
When it pays off
Before investing identify the important stack that newly reaches a target or acts in time. Personal hero defense needs Combat and positioning rather than assuming the troop bonus provides it.
Reference difference or incomplete value
Advanced and Master movement are one-and-a-third and two-and-a-third in Polish versus one-and-a-half and two-and-a-half in the tested English reference.
Tactics · Associated ability
Offense
Raises melee and ranged Attack of led creatures.
↔ Scroll wider tables sideways. The rank column remains in place.
| Rank | Creature melee Attack | Creature ranged Attack | Additional established requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | +10% | +10% | Basic Tactics |
| Advanced | +20% | +20% | Basic Tactics |
| Expert | +30% | +30% | Basic Tactics |
| Master | +40% | +40% | Advanced Tactics |
| Grandmaster | +50% | +50% | Expert Tactics |
How the skill works
This modifies the attack statistic rather than adding fixed HP to every hit. Results depend on the target’s corresponding defense and further abilities. Each learned rank replaces lower rows.
When it pays off
For a large ranged or melee stack compare the new attack value with enemies removed. If a surviving target still responds just as strongly, sequencing or control can matter more.
Tactics · Associated ability
Defense
Raises melee and ranged Defense of led creatures.
↔ Scroll wider tables sideways. The rank column remains in place.
| Rank | Creature melee Defense | Creature ranged Defense | Additional established requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | +10% | +10% | Basic Tactics |
| Advanced | +20% | +20% | Basic Tactics |
| Expert | +30% | +30% | Basic Tactics |
| Master | +40% | +40% | Advanced Tactics |
| Grandmaster | +50% | +50% | Expert Tactics |
How the skill works
Defense percentages enter the applicable combat ratio. Fifty percent more Defense does not directly halve every damage value. Melee and ranged protection do not automatically solve direct spells.
When it pays off
Assess whether main-stack survival buys another attack or saves permanent recruits. Against threats bypassing ordinary defense compare a protective spell, immunity or removing the attacker.
Tactics · Associated ability
Leadership
Adds Morale and Luck to led creatures.
↔ Scroll wider tables sideways. The rank column remains in place.
| Rank | Creature Morale | Creature Luck | Additional established requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | +1 | +1 | Basic Tactics |
| Advanced | +2 | +2 | Basic Tactics |
| Expert | +3 | +3 | Basic Tactics |
| Master | +4 | +4 | Advanced Tactics |
| Grandmaster | +5 | +5 | Expert Tactics |
How the skill works
Each rank adds one point to both statistics. Morale and defensively acting Luck have different Heroes IV roles; do not import another entry’s offensive luck. Account for creature eligibility and actual caps.
When it pays off
For mixed armies inspect each stack’s resulting stats. Composition penalties can change the benefit rather than the skill number alone. With troops lacking ordinary morale assess the remaining Luck separately.
Combat · Primary skill
Combat
Sets the hero’s base personal melee and ranged Defense.
| Rank | Base melee Defense | Base ranged Defense |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | 15 | 15 |
| Advanced | 20 | 20 |
| Expert | 30 | 30 |
| Master | 40 | 40 |
| Grandmaster | 60 | 60 |
How the skill works
Fifteen through sixty are the learned rank’s base, not increments added across lower rows. Equipment and further effects then modify hero protection. The tested English reference requires neither Melee nor Archery to reach Grandmaster Combat.
When it pays off
A caster or commander can develop personal defense without investing in direct offense. Before continuing identify melee, shooting or magic threats; the last needs the separate Magic Resistance skill.
Combat · Associated ability
Melee
Raises personal melee Attack and reduces struck creatures’ natural defense.
↔ Scroll wider tables sideways. The rank column remains in place.
| Rank | Melee Attack | Creature natural-defense divisor | Additional personal ability | Additional established requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | 15 | ÷1.5 | No additional listed ability | Basic Combat |
| Advanced | 20 | ÷2 | No additional listed ability | Basic Combat |
| Expert | 30 | ÷3 | First Strike | Basic Combat |
| Master | 40 | ÷4 | First Strike | Advanced Combat |
| Grandmaster | 40 | ÷4 description / ÷6 technical report | First Strike + second attack | Expert Combat |
How the skill works
Division does not affect an opposing hero’s defense or lower creature natural defense below ten. Expert adds First Strike; Grandmaster a second attack after the response. Grandmaster’s historical divide-by-four description conflicts with a technical report identifying actual vanilla divide-by-six.
When it pays off
The same personal attack therefore resolves differently against creatures and heroes. Compare melee with a safe personal shot and remember that the second attack follows the relevant response.
Reference difference or incomplete value
A technical analysis reports vanilla Grandmaster division by six while tooltips and historical tables show four. The catalogue does not simulate a specific installation.
Original game icon; game artwork rights · Image source ↗
Jaskinia Behemota ↗ · Might Skills · tested guide ↗ · Arena · original and changed values ↗
Combat · Associated ability
Archery
Gives the hero a ranged attack and raises personal ranged Attack.
↔ Scroll wider tables sideways. The rank column remains in place.
| Rank | Ranged Attack | Creature-defense divisor | Special shooting | Additional established requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | 10 | No listed division | Hero can shoot | Basic Combat |
| Advanced | 15 | ÷1.5 | Removed penalty · disputed type | Basic Combat |
| Expert | 20 | ÷2 | No distance or obstacle penalties | Basic Combat |
| Master | 30 | ÷2 | Ranged First Strike | Advanced Combat |
| Grandmaster | 30 | ÷2 table / ÷6 technical report | Ranged First Strike + two shots | Expert Combat |
How the skill works
Defense reduction applies to creatures with a minimum of ten, not opposing heroes. From Expert the references agree on removing distance and obstacle penalties. They disagree on which penalty Advanced removes. Grandmaster additionally differs between descriptions and technical defense-division reports.
When it pays off
Check sight and ranged retaliation before forecasting damage. Master adds Ranged First Strike and Grandmaster a second shot in the attack; the hero’s ordinary action still has an opportunity cost.
Reference difference or incomplete value
Advanced removes distance penalties in one table and obstacle penalties in another. A technical report gives vanilla Grandmaster defense division by six; historical tables give two.
Original game icon; game artwork rights · Image source ↗
Jaskinia Behemota ↗ · Might Skills · tested guide ↗ · Arena · original and changed values ↗
Combat · Associated ability
Magic Resistance
Gives the hero a chance to resist a hostile spell.
| Rank | Hero magic resistance | Additional established requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | 30% | Basic Combat |
| Advanced | 50% | Basic Combat |
| Expert | 70% | Basic Combat |
| Master | 80% | Advanced Combat |
| Grandmaster | 100% | Expert Combat |
How the skill works
Thirty through one hundred percent represent magic resistance rather than melee Defense or a reduction to every physical hit. For items and targeted Wards use the applicable combination rule rather than adding all percentages.
When it pays off
Valuable against relevant hostile spells, especially when losing the hero collapses the army’s plan. Strong ordinary attacks still require Combat, equipment or safer positioning.
Scouting · Primary skill
Scouting
Expands sight and reveals information about the map and hidden opponents.
↔ Scroll wider tables sideways. The rank column remains in place.
| Rank | Additional sight | New information | Detected Stealth rank | Additional established requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | 1 | Adventure-object properties | Basic | No further requirement listed here |
| Advanced | 2 | Exact enemy creature counts | Advanced | Scouting Basic |
| Expert | 3 | Indicative battle forecast | Expert | Basic Pathfinding |
| Master | 4 | Enemy heroes’ skills | Master | Advanced Pathfinding |
| Grandmaster | 5 | Town and army inspection | Grandmaster | Expert Pathfinding |
How the skill works
Each rank adds sight radius and information types. Stealth detection also depends on opposing rank and adjacency; this is not whole-map revelation. Expert’s battle forecast is indicative rather than a calculation of every spell and ability.
When it pays off
Compare actual creature counts with type and reachable routes. For the main commander Scouting can reveal a better plan than another blind detour; wider sight itself adds no daily movement.
Scouting · Associated ability
Pathfinding
Reduces terrain penalties and adds daily movement at higher ranks.
↔ Scroll wider tables sideways. The rank column remains in place.
| Rank | Terrain penalty | Additional movement | Additional established requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | Reduced by 0.25 points · source difference | — | Basic Scouting |
| Advanced | Reduced by 0.5 points · source difference | — | Basic Scouting |
| Expert | Removed | — | Basic Scouting |
| Master | Removed | +25% | Advanced Scouting |
| Grandmaster | Removed | +50% | Expert Scouting |
How the skill works
Expert already removes terrain penalties. Master and Grandmaster add movement. For Basic and Advanced the tested English reference gives flat quarter and half points while the Polish table uses percentages; these interpretations are not equivalent on every terrain.
When it pays off
Recalculate through actual terrain and remaining movement. Direct extra movement matters even on easy ground; another reachable tile is valuable when it opens a useful objective.
Reference difference or incomplete value
The first two ranks differ between flat points and percentage wording. The working rows retain the tested English source’s unit.
Scouting · Associated ability
Seamanship
Increases sea movement and provides corresponding Tactics, Offense and Defense in sea combat.
↔ Scroll wider tables sideways. The rank column remains in place.
| Rank | Sea movement | Sea-combat command rank | Additional established requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | +25% | Basic | Basic Scouting |
| Advanced | +50% | Advanced | Basic Scouting |
| Expert | +100% | Expert | Basic Scouting |
| Master | +150% | Master | Advanced Scouting |
| Grandmaster | +200% | Grandmaster | Expert Scouting |
How the skill works
Combat support applies at sea rather than every land encounter. Boarding and landing retain their movement costs; later Equilibris changes are separate. Check resulting stats when combining already learned command skills.
When it pays off
On a water map compare transport benefit with the decisive battle’s location. A strong seaman may prefer intercepting an enemy afloat; an entirely landlocked scenario offers no use for it.
Scouting · Associated ability
Stealth
Conceals the hero from appropriate opponents on the adventure map.
↔ Scroll wider tables sideways. The rank column remains in place.
| Rank | Full concealment against neutrals | Further neutral tier outside adjacency | Highest opposing Scouting hidden from at distance | Additional established requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | — | 1 | No Scouting | Basic Scouting |
| Advanced | 1 | 2 | Basic | Advanced Scouting |
| Expert | 1–2 | 3 | Advanced | Expert Scouting |
| Master | 1–3 | 4 | Expert | Master Scouting |
| Grandmaster | 1–4 | — | Master | Grandmaster Scouting |
How the skill works
The skill does not itself conceal other army members. Account for their abilities, guard strength, opposing Scouting and proximity. An adjacent opponent can expose a hero otherwise hidden at a distance; this is not in-combat invisibility.
When it pays off
Check the route before entering a guard’s adjacency. A lone scout can collect rewards and sneaking experience; ordinary reinforcements or a new daily summon can change what passes safely.
Reference difference or incomplete value
References describe adjacency or a two-square control zone. The exact boundary against a guard is not inferred from a generic distance diagram.
Life Magic · Primary skill
Life Magic
Allows Life spells up to the corresponding tier.
| Rank | Maximum spell tier |
|---|---|
| Basic | 1 |
| Advanced | 2 |
| Expert | 3 |
| Master | 4 |
| Grandmaster | 5 |
How the skill works
Basic through Grandmaster corresponds to spell tiers one through five. Learning the school does not replace obtaining the actual spell. Skill advancement also needs its subskill dependencies; the tier table does not bypass them.
When it pays off
Higher Life prepares stronger healing and support. Before investing in a town guild check that the hero can reach the required rank and has mana and a safe casting opportunity.
Life Magic · Associated ability
Healing
Expands mana capacity and daily recovery for a Life caster.
| Rank | Additional maximum mana | Additional daily regeneration |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | 10 | 2 |
| Advanced | 20 | 4 |
| Expert | 30 | 6 |
| Master | 40 | 8 |
| Grandmaster | 50 | 10 |
How the skill works
Ranks give the learned level’s total contribution; lower-rank values are not added together. Capacity and daily recovery are distinct; a higher maximum does not promise immediate full restoration of current mana.
When it pays off
The Healing skill increases mana rather than itself adding healed HP to every cast. Plan Life support through learned spells, reserves and recovery.
Life Magic · Associated ability
Spirituality
Strengthens applicable Life spell formulas.
| Rank | Applicable school effect |
|---|---|
| Basic | +20% |
| Advanced | +40% |
| Expert | +60% |
| Master | +80% |
| Grandmaster | +100% |
How the skill works
The bonus runs from twenty to one hundred percent. A rank replaces lower ranks rather than adding all five rows. Separate a spell’s scaling budget from fixed conditions, target immunities and other modifiers.
When it pays off
Compare actual healing or another applicable Life effect with creatures saved. A fixed Ward does not automatically become twice as protective through Grandmaster Spirituality.
Life Magic · Associated ability
Resurrection
After a victorious battle recovers a share of eligible fallen creatures.
| Rank | Eligible losses recovered |
|---|---|
| Basic | 20% |
| Advanced | 30% |
| Expert | 40% |
| Master | 45% |
| Grandmaster | 50% |
How the skill works
The skill does not recover constructs, undead or elementals. Recovery belongs to the battle result and differs from cast healing. The short inventory does not establish exact rounding or combination with equipment and Cardinal.
When it pays off
Use the actually recovered army for the next encounter. For valuable living troops compare recovery with winning safely; the listed percentage does not rescue an unwinnable plan.
Reference difference or incomplete value
Exact rounding and combination with additional bonuses are not established in the short reference.
Nature Magic · Primary skill
Nature Magic
Allows Nature spells up to the corresponding tier.
| Rank | Maximum spell tier |
|---|---|
| Basic | 1 |
| Advanced | 2 |
| Expert | 3 |
| Master | 4 |
| Grandmaster | 5 |
How the skill works
Basic through Grandmaster corresponds to spell tiers one through five. Learning the school does not replace obtaining the actual spell. Skill advancement also needs its subskill dependencies; the tier table does not bypass them.
When it pays off
Compare higher Nature with the summon that changes the next battle. A new rank is not permanent recruitment; combat summons and daily Summoning have separate rules.
Nature Magic · Associated ability
Herbalism
Expands mana capacity and daily recovery for a Nature caster.
| Rank | Additional maximum mana | Additional daily regeneration |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | 10 | 2 |
| Advanced | 20 | 4 |
| Expert | 30 | 6 |
| Master | 40 | 8 |
| Grandmaster | 50 | 10 |
How the skill works
Ranks give the learned level’s total contribution; lower-rank values are not added together. Capacity and daily recovery are distinct; a higher maximum does not promise immediate full restoration of current mana.
When it pays off
Use reserves for summons that screen the hero or add a useful action. Nature spell strength comes from the separate Meditation skill.
Nature Magic · Associated ability
Meditation
Strengthens applicable Nature spell formulas.
| Rank | Applicable school effect |
|---|---|
| Basic | +20% |
| Advanced | +40% |
| Expert | +60% |
| Master | +80% |
| Grandmaster | +100% |
How the skill works
The bonus runs from twenty to one hundred percent. A rank replaces lower ranks rather than adding all five rows. Separate a spell’s scaling budget from fixed conditions, target immunities and other modifiers.
When it pays off
Use the greater budget when choosing a summon. Rounding to whole creatures can leave the count unchanged after another rank; actual creature experience is part of the calculation.
Nature Magic · Associated ability
Summoning
Adds creatures daily using a creature-experience budget.
| Rank | Daily XP budget | Reference creature pool |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | 10 | Wolf / Sprite / Leprechaun |
| Advanced | 20 | Wolf / Sprite / Leprechaun |
| Expert | 30 | White Tiger / Elf / Satyr |
| Master | 40 | White Tiger / Elf / Satyr |
| Grandmaster | 50 | Griffin / Unicorn / Fire / Air / Water / Earth Elemental |
How the skill works
This is not an in-battle cast. Two mod authors independently identify the original-game ten-to-fifty-XP baseline. The Polish table conflicts on Basic and assigns the second pool prematurely to Advanced. Summoning selects an eligible type for its rank rather than producing any mixture each day.
When it pays off
On a long route value successive reinforcements and available army slots. For a stealth scout check whether a newly gained creature changes concealment. Today’s fight cannot use tomorrow’s growth.
Reference difference or incomplete value
The Polish table conflicts on Basic and shifts a creature pool. The working ten-step progression and pools use independent references; a community doubled table is not adopted.
Original game icon; game artwork rights · Image source ↗
Jaskinia Behemota ↗ · Enhancement · original and changed values ↗ · Arena · original and changed values ↗ · Heroes IV · skill reference ↗
Chaos Magic · Primary skill
Chaos Magic
Allows Chaos spells up to the corresponding tier.
| Rank | Maximum spell tier |
|---|---|
| Basic | 1 |
| Advanced | 2 |
| Expert | 3 |
| Master | 4 |
| Grandmaster | 5 |
How the skill works
Basic through Grandmaster corresponds to spell tiers one through five. Learning the school does not replace obtaining the actual spell. Skill advancement also needs its subskill dependencies; the tier table does not bypass them.
When it pays off
Choose higher Chaos through available control or damage and eligible targets. Across many fights track repeat casting costs as well as the strongest spell.
Chaos Magic · Associated ability
Conjuration
Expands mana capacity and daily recovery for a Chaos caster.
| Rank | Additional maximum mana | Additional daily regeneration |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | 10 | 2 |
| Advanced | 20 | 4 |
| Expert | 30 | 6 |
| Master | 40 | 8 |
| Grandmaster | 50 | 10 |
How the skill works
Ranks give the learned level’s total contribution; lower-rank values are not added together. Capacity and daily recovery are distinct; a higher maximum does not promise immediate full restoration of current mana.
When it pays off
Compare more mana with the cost of additional damage or control casts. Conjuration itself does not add Pyromancy’s percentage to each hit.
Chaos Magic · Associated ability
Pyromancy
Strengthens applicable Chaos spell formulas.
| Rank | Applicable school effect |
|---|---|
| Basic | +20% |
| Advanced | +40% |
| Expert | +60% |
| Master | +80% |
| Grandmaster | +100% |
How the skill works
The bonus runs from twenty to one hundred percent. A rank replaces lower ranks rather than adding all five rows. Separate a spell’s scaling budget from fixed conditions, target immunities and other modifiers.
When it pays off
Strengthens applicable Chaos spells rather than only their fire-based subset. Against fire protection compare other available damage or control.
Chaos Magic · Associated ability
Sorcery
Increases applicable offensive spell damage of the hero.
| Rank | Offensive spells |
|---|---|
| Basic | +20% |
| Advanced | +40% |
| Expert | +60% |
| Master | +80% |
| Grandmaster | +100% |
How the skill works
Targets offensive casting across eligible schools. The bonus alone does not establish combination with school strength or class modifiers; evaluate the actual spell formula separately.
When it pays off
Choose another point through whether greater damage removes a key target sooner. For support based on fixed protective states, damage has a different value from mana or higher-tier access.
Death Magic · Primary skill
Death Magic
Allows Death spells up to the corresponding tier.
| Rank | Maximum spell tier |
|---|---|
| Basic | 1 |
| Advanced | 2 |
| Expert | 3 |
| Master | 4 |
| Grandmaster | 5 |
How the skill works
Basic through Grandmaster corresponds to spell tiers one through five. Learning the school does not replace obtaining the actual spell. Skill advancement also needs its subskill dependencies; the tier table does not bypass them.
When it pays off
Higher Death opens the corresponding spells. Evaluate Necromancy and post-battle recovery separately; high school mastery alone guarantees neither new undead numbers nor hero survival.
Death Magic · Associated ability
Occultism
Expands mana capacity and daily recovery for a Death caster.
| Rank | Additional maximum mana | Additional daily regeneration |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | 10 | 2 |
| Advanced | 20 | 4 |
| Expert | 30 | 6 |
| Master | 40 | 8 |
| Grandmaster | 50 | 10 |
How the skill works
Ranks give the learned level’s total contribution; lower-rank values are not added together. Capacity and daily recovery are distinct; a higher maximum does not promise immediate full restoration of current mana.
When it pays off
Separate Death-casting mana from Necromancy returns. On a long route check how many recovery days remain between planned encounters.
Death Magic · Associated ability
Demonology
Strengthens applicable Death spell formulas.
| Rank | Applicable school effect |
|---|---|
| Basic | +20% |
| Advanced | +40% |
| Expert | +60% |
| Master | +80% |
| Grandmaster | +100% |
How the skill works
The bonus runs from twenty to one hundred percent. A rank replaces lower ranks rather than adding all five rows. Separate a spell’s scaling budget from fixed conditions, target immunities and other modifiers.
When it pays off
Alongside Death strength check the special Nature-related prerequisites of demon summons. The skill name alone does not immediately grant Summon Devils.
Death Magic · Associated ability
Necromancy
After combat raises undead from eligible enemy casualties.
↔ Scroll wider tables sideways. The rank column remains in place.
| Rank | Maximum casualty share | Base XP budget | Available types |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | 10% | 40 | Skeleton |
| Advanced | 15% | 80 | Skeleton |
| Expert | 20% | 120 | Skeleton / Ghost |
| Master | 25% | 160 | Skeleton / Ghost |
| Grandmaster | 30% | 200 | Skeleton / Ghost / Vampire |
How the skill works
Both a percentage cap and a hero-level-adjusted XP budget apply. Constructs, undead and elementals are not ordinary eligible casualties. Raised count cannot exceed eligible dead and the budget is not in HP.
When it pays off
Before another battle distinguish available undead type from count. Grandmaster allows Vampires, but a small XP budget or few enemy casualties does not guarantee a large vampire stack.
Order Magic · Primary skill
Order Magic
Allows Order spells up to the corresponding tier.
| Rank | Maximum spell tier |
|---|---|
| Basic | 1 |
| Advanced | 2 |
| Expert | 3 |
| Master | 4 |
| Grandmaster | 5 |
How the skill works
Basic through Grandmaster corresponds to spell tiers one through five. Learning the school does not replace obtaining the actual spell. Skill advancement also needs its subskill dependencies; the tier table does not bypass them.
When it pays off
Connect higher Order with available illusions, movement and control. Identify the needed action first: another expensive rank does not help if the actual spell is unavailable.
Order Magic · Associated ability
Enchantment
Expands mana capacity and daily recovery for a Order caster.
| Rank | Additional maximum mana | Additional daily regeneration |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | 10 | 2 |
| Advanced | 20 | 4 |
| Expert | 30 | 6 |
| Master | 40 | 8 |
| Grandmaster | 50 | 10 |
How the skill works
Ranks give the learned level’s total contribution; lower-rank values are not added together. Capacity and daily recovery are distinct; a higher maximum does not promise immediate full restoration of current mana.
When it pays off
Mana supports repeat control and illusion casts. Resolve illusion-creature counts through the actual spell, hero level and Wizardry.
Order Magic · Associated ability
Wizardry
Strengthens applicable Order spell formulas.
| Rank | Applicable school effect |
|---|---|
| Basic | +20% |
| Advanced | +40% |
| Expert | +60% |
| Master | +80% |
| Grandmaster | +100% |
How the skill works
The bonus runs from twenty to one hundred percent. A rank replaces lower ranks rather than adding all five rows. Separate a spell’s scaling budget from fixed conditions, target immunities and other modifiers.
When it pays off
For illusions distinguish the HP budget and resulting whole copies. Wizardry belongs to Order; a mistaken Nature label in an old inventory is not used in the school filter.
Order Magic · Associated ability
Charm
Before combat acquires part of an eligible much weaker opposing army.
↔ Scroll wider tables sideways. The rank column remains in place.
| Rank | Maximum creature share | Base XP budget | Surrender cost of normal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | 15% | 60 | 90% |
| Advanced | 20% | 120 | 80% |
| Expert | 25% | 180 | 75% |
| Master | 30% | 240 | 70% |
| Grandmaster | 35% | 300 | 65% |
How the skill works
Both count share and hero-level-adjusted XP budget apply. The reference describes an approximately one-third relative-strength threshold. Reduced surrender cost is a separate effect; stronger stacks are not acquired without restriction.
When it pays off
On the route assess whether eligible neutrals supply a useful creature and whether army space exists. Value surrender through saved equipment and troops in the actual situation.
Rule references
Base Heroes IV / Complete. Equilibris, Enhancement and Arena change some numbers; their modified values are kept out of the base rows.
English game names are retained for lookup and comparison. Czech subtitles on the Czech page explain meaning without claiming identical terminology across localized editions.