Duel is a template designed for 1 Hero gameplay. The addition of 3 guaranteed control scrolls gives players more freedom of movement and negates some aspects of randomness in the game, like bad roads and obstacles.
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Template author: MKC.
Special thanks to CsArOs (Pumpkin Patch creator) and DontCallMeChris (Revolt creator) without them, this version would not be possible.
Feedback channel #mkc-templates: https://discord.gg/new2ATQ
Version 3.0+ is made exclusively for Pumpkin Patch and it represents the original vision I had for Duel: players get control scrolls added to their inventory from the start. This means that Bunkers are no longer necessary. Instead of wasting movement points and days, doing the same repetitive actions, you can just start playing the game right away.
Why did I choose Pumpkin Patch instead of HotA?
Main reason behind this choice is the fact that decision makers of HotA team are not interested in giving more tools to template makers that would allow them to re-balance the game properly (instead of simply removing content), in this case I'm talking about 1 Hero mode specifically.
What's so special about 1 Hero mode that it needs a complete re-balance of the game?
Heroes need to be viable and fairly balanced (especially for All Random games), because every Hero is your main.
Many Skills are perceived as a waste of slot, while on the other hand there's several mandatory ones like: Logistics, Earth and Air Magic, Scouting. So every Hero's Skill tree ends up looking pretty much the same.
Building in Towns for Creature Growth is viable due to increased number of turns it takes to finish the game. However some build paths and building costs are simply inadequate, in comparison to the power of Units you are getting from them.
Will there be updates for HotA version?
Yes, if it's profitable for me. Originally I wanted to keep mandatory updates free. However things have changed and for various reasons I no longer wish to make templates for HotA. So as a compromise, there's an option to commission these updates. Alternatively, players can always choose to make their own project, a community version of sorts.
Check your HOTA version it must be 1.8.0, if it's not then go to: HOTA downloads
Duplicate your HOTA folder and rename the copy into Heroes 3 Pumpkin Patch.
Download Pumpkin Patch, click on install_PP.exe and select this folder for installation.
Select Duel preset in the Hex Swapper's "Home" menu (it will take some time to load, this button enables all the necessary check marks).
Optional: select preferred Hero portraits in the Skins menu.
Press Play in the HexSwapper to validate your options and launch the game.
If you aren't using the installer: copy Pumpkin Patch files directly into the new folder. Launch HexSwapper.exe (if your PC thinks it's a virus then you will need to authorize it manually). Select Duel preset, then locate h3hota 1hero.exe inside your new game folder and create desktop shortcut for it.
Recommended settings. Chill timer: 2 / 1:30 / 0:30. Competitive timer: 2 / 1:10 / 0:20.
> Fast roads only (rightmost option), water content - none, monster strength - strong, difficulty - 160%.
> Simultaneous turns 127, tournament rules - enabled, protected saves - enabled.
Restart 1x111. The Red player must be the first to say whether he keeps (+) or restarts (111). The Blue player can end the turn and wait until Red makes his decision. Road block restarts are not allowed.
(HOTA VERSION ONLY) If you have no restart and you're missing control scrolls, or you have less than 2 Schools of Magic in the Home Bunker - you can ask for technical restart. If your opponent asks for a proof, then you must present it.
In order to gain access to all external zones on the map, one of Border Guards (the ones that guard entrance to the middle zone) must be defeated or joined. It is not permitted to use Dimension Door (or Fly) to jump over the Border Guard, unless it is aimed in a way that instantly initiates the fight with it. If you see that your biome is missing one of Border Guards, due to another player's actions, in that case you also gain full access to the map.
Retreating or surrendering during the battle with your opponent is against the rules. Doing so, means you lost the game and must admit defeat.
"Poorman's TP" is allowed. You can retreat from a fight with neutral guards and buy back your Hero in a tavern.
FF242 (Final Fight on month 2 week 4 day 2). Whoever controls the central desert town by the end of this turn - wins the game. Winning the fight with only the summoned units left on the battlefield also counts as a victory.
No Draws. The player who deals the finishing blow in a final fight wins the game (reflected damage from the spells like Fire Shield and Magic Mirror also counts as a last hit dealt by the player who casted these spells).
T+ specific rules.
Players are allowed to hire one additional Hero at the start of the game and take his army. However at the end of turn 111, one of the two Heroes must be removed. Buying more than 1 Hero is strictly forbidden.
Players can choose any of the three available Heroes (1 they started with and 2 in the tavern) as their main Hero that they want to keep.
Competitive timer: 3 / 1:10 / 0:20.
Restarts 2x111 or 1x112.
Complete 1 Hero gaming ruleset is available on this page: Hota Online Rules (1 Hero edition).
Full changelog can be found here: Pumpkin Overhaul.
Extensive re-balance of Heroes, Units, Skills and Spells. Changes are focused on making underwhelming things more viable, more interesting, while at the same time nerfing the stuff that was banned before in order to bring it back into the game. Highly valued bonuses that are provided by Logistics and Scouting were partially transferred to all Heroes, thus making these skills less oppressive. So you don't feel like you have to get them every time or you will lose the game.
Luck and Morale now range from -5 to +5. Luck, in addition to its standard effect, now affects the chance of random on-hit attacks (such as Stone Gaze, Aging, etc.). You can now refuse unwanted Secondary Skills. If you receive a level-up, and don't want to take either of the offered skills, simply skip the hero level-up window (by clicking the Accept button, Escape, Space or Enter) without choosing any of the options.
Control spells are no longer dependent on Air and Earth Magic. Any Magic School will give you Expert TP, DD and Fly. Mana cost of certain battle spells were re-designed in order to better reflect the actual value and impact of these spells. For example single target Slow costs 5 mana, while its mass cast is 20 mana. Duration of powerful spells like Blind, Berserk, Anti-Magic and Forgetfulness were hard-capped to last only a few turns. While Slow and Haste are now capped at 1 round duration.
Buildings re-balance includes nerfs to some popular go-to builds and buffs to the ones that are often seen as nonoptimal or too slow. Build paths have been changed in some cases too. For example Hydras now only require Serpent Fly Hive and the building's cost has been reduced. I tried to preserve the Unit / Town identity whenever I can and in this case: Hydras are meant to be these slow, bulky units, not really T7 but somewhere in between T6 and T7. So now that they have become much cheaper, it should properly reflect that identity.
This version must be played with Pumpkin Patch.
Version 3.1
Variants reworked: Fast, Slow and T7.
❖ Fast variant.
Frequency of all randomly generated boxes in the biome has been increased to 50.
Old Fort (400% cost for T7 upgrade) is guaranteed in the Side Bunkers.
Home Bunker is removed.
❖ Slow variant.
Frequency of all randomly generated boxes in the biome has been reduced to 3.
Guaranteed boxes were reduced to 1 or 2 of each tier (T1 - T5).
Start with 2 towns (1 topside, 1 in the bunker).
❖ T7 variant.
Frequency of all randomly generated boxes in the biome is 25.
T6 and T7 boxes are guaranteed. More T5 boxes.
x1 Guaranteed Relic in the biome.
Start with 2 towns (both topside).
Biome Bunker changes: the entrance is now guarded by 9000 value guards, inside the Bunker all joins are free (75%). Secondary entrance guard is average strength, Gold Mine guard is weak. The faction of joins is random.
❖ Added Bulwark's Dwellings and Boxes.
❖ Pendant of Reflection can now be assembled.
❖ Various changes to the numbers of Pandora's Boxes.
Biome.
❖ Ancient Lamps will now spawn on Tower and Factory biomes.
❖ Pirate Caverns will now spawn on Stronghold, Cove and Fortress biomes.
❖ Red Tower will only spawn on Conflux biomes.
❖ Experimental Shop will only spawn on Tower biomes.
❖ Wolf Rider Picket will now spawn on Stronghold biomes only.
❖ Underground Factory, creature bank that spawns on Factory biomes only (reward: Dreadnoughts).
❖ Mountain Caverns, creature bank that spawns on Dungeon biomes only (reward: Manticores).
Biome.
Castle: Archer 5 / Griffin 10 / Swordsman 6 / Monk 9 / Cavalier 7 / Angel 2
Rampart: Leprechaun 2 / Wood Elf 5 / Pegasus 8 / Dendroid 10 / Unicorn 8 / Green Dragon 5
Tower: Golem 6 / Mage 8 / Genie 6 / Naga 7 / Giant 3
Inferno: Gog 5 / Hell Hound 10 / Demon 6 / Pit Fiend 12 / Efreeti 5 / Devil 4
Necropolis: Vampire 3 / Lich 8 / Black Knight 6 / Bone Dragon 4
Dungeon: Beholder 7 / Medusa 8 / Minotaur 10 / Manticore 7 / Red Dragon 2
Stronghold: Orc 10 / Ogre 9 / Roc 4 / Cyclops 7 / Behemoth 2
Fortress: Lizardman 5 / Serpent Fly 8 / Basilisk 8 / Gorgon 7 / Wyvern 4 / Hydra 5
Conflux: Fire Elemental 4 / Earth Elemental 8 / Elemental Conflux 2 / Psychic Elemental 9 / Firebird 4
Cove: Pirate 6 / Stormbird 4 / Sea Witch 9 / Nix 5 / Sea Serpent 4
Factory: Armadillo 8 / Automaton 8 / Sandworm 4 / Gunslinger 7 / Couatl 4 / Dreadnought 5
Bulwark: Snow Elf 6 / Yeti 5 / Shaman 9 / Mammoth 5 / Jotunn 5
Treasure Zones (for side zones the number is halved, with exceptions*).
Castle: Cavalier 26 / Angel 6 (2)*
Rampart: Unicorn 30 / Green Dragon 16
Tower: Naga 26 / Giant 8
Inferno: Efreeti 14 / Devil 8
Necropolis: Black Knight 18 / Bone Dragon 10
Dungeon: Manticore 26 / Red Dragon 14
Stronghold: Cyclops 26 / Behemoth 6 (2)*
Fortress: Wyvern 16 / Hydra 22
Conflux: Psychic Elemental 34 / Firebird 12
Cove: Nix 18 / Sea Serpent 12
Factory: Gunslinger 26 / Couatl 12 (4)* / Dreadnought 22
Bulwark: Mammoth 18 / Jotunn 14
Special thanks to TieuLinh_HOTA and mTrenky for sponsoring the development of this version.
Castle. 2 Pikemen, 1 Archers, 3 Griffins, 1 Swordsmen, 1 Monks, 1 Zealots.
Rampart. 2 Centaurs, 1 Dwarves, 2 Grand Elves, 1 Silver Pegasi, 2 Dendroid Guards, 1 Dendroid Soldiers.
Tower. 1 Gremlins, 4 Obsidian Gargoyles, 2 Stone Golems, 1 Arch Magi, 1 Master Genies.
Inferno. 2 Imps, 1 Gogs, 2 Hellhounds, 1 Demons, 1 Pit Fiends.
Necropolis. 2 Skeletons, 2 Walking Dead, 4 Wraiths, 1 Power Liches.
Dungeon. 2 Troglodytes, 1 Beholders, 1 Medusa Queens, 1 Minotaurs, 1 Minotaur Kings.
Stronghold. 1 Goblins, 1 Wolf Riders, 5 Orcs, 3 Ogres, 1 Roc.
Fortress. 2 Gnolls, 1 Lizardmen, 3 Serpent Flies, 3 Basilisks, 1 Gorgons.
Conflux. 1 Pixies, 1 Storm Elementals, 1 Ice Elementals, 1 Fire Elementals, 2 Magma Elementals.
Cove. 2 Oceanids, 2 Crew Mates, 1 Pirates, 1 Ayssids, 2 Sea Witches, 1 Sorceresses.
Factory. 2 Halflings, 3 Mechanics, 3 Armadillos, 1 Sandworms.
Bulwark. 3 Kobolds, 2 Mountain Rams, 2 Snow Elves, 1 Yeti, 1 Shamans, 1 Great Shamans.
Castle. 2 Marksmen, 1 Crusaders.
Rampart. 1 Wood Elves, 2 Pegasi.
Tower. 2 Master Gremlins, 2 Iron Golems, 0 Genies.
Inferno. 1 Magogs, 2 Horned Demons, 0 Pit Lords.
Necropolis. 0 Vampires, 0 Vampire Lords, 0 Liches.
Dungeon. 1 Harpies, 1 Harpy Hags, 3 Evil Eyes.
Stronghold. 0 Thunderbirds.
Fortress. 3 Lizard Warriors, 0 Mighty Gorgons.
Conflux. 1 Sprites, 0 Air Elementals, 0 Water Elementals, 2 Energy Elementals, 0 Earth Elementals.
Cove. 2 Corsairs, 1 Sea Dogs, 0 Stormbirds.
Factory. 2 Halfling Grenadiers, 0 Ogloi-Khorkhoi.
Bulwark. 2 Steel Elves, 1 Yeti Runemasters.
Biome.
Castle: Swordsman 6 / Monk 16 / Cavalier 10 / Angel 1
Rampart: Elf 5 / Pegasus 8 / Dendroid 18 (red & tan biomes) / Unicorn 13 (blue & green biomes) / Green Dragon 5
Tower: Golem 6 / Genie 10 / Naga 10 / Giant 2
Inferno: Pit Fiend 12 / Efreeti 4 / Devil 4
Necropolis: Vampire 2 / Lich 8 / Black Knight 9 / Bone Dragon 8
Dungeon: Minotaur 12 / Manticore 11 / Red Dragon 2
Stronghold: Roc 3 / Cyclops 13 / Behemoth 2
Fortress: Gorgon 7 / Wyvern 3 / Hydra 9
Conflux: Elemental Conflux 2 / Psychic Elemental 14 / Firebird 5
Cove: Pirate 5 / Stormbird 3 / Sea Witch 16 / Nix 5 / Sea Serpent 5
Factory: Sandworm 3 / Gunslinger 12 / Couatl 4 / Dreadnought 7
Bulwark: Snow Elf 6 / Yeti 5 / Shaman 10 / Mammoth 5 / Jotunn 5
Biome.
Castle: Swordsman 6 / Monk 16 / Cavalier 12 / Angel 2
Rampart: Elf 5 / Pegasus 8 / Dendroid 22 (red & tan biomes) / Unicorn 16 (blue & green biomes) / Green Dragon 6
Tower: Golem 6 / Genie 12 / Naga 12 / Giant 3
Inferno: Pit Fiend 15 / Efreeti 5 / Devil 5
Necropolis: Vampire 2 / Lich 11 / Black Knight 10 / Bone Dragon 10
Dungeon: Minotaur 15 / Manticore 14 / Red Dragon 3
Stronghold: Roc 5 / Cyclops 16 / Behemoth 3
Fortress: Gorgon 9 / Wyvern 5 / Hydra 12
Conflux: Elemental Conflux 3 / Psychic Elemental 17 / Firebird 6
Cove: Pirate 5 / Stormbird 3 / Sea Witch 20 / Nix 6 / Sea Serpent 6
Factory: Sandworm 5 / Gunslinger 15 / Couatl 5 / Dreadnought 10
Bulwark: Snow Elf 6 / Yeti 5 / Shaman 13 / Mammoth 6 / Jotunn 6
Treasure Zones (for sides the number is halved, with exceptions*).
Castle: Cavalier 34 / Angel 5 (1)*
Rampart: Unicorn 44 / Green Dragon 16
Tower: Naga 32 / Giant 8
Inferno: Efreeti 12 / Devil 8
Necropolis: Black Knight 20 / Bone Dragon 18
Dungeon: Manticore 46 / Red Dragon 16
Stronghold: Cyclops 42 / Behemoth 6 (2)*
Fortress: Gorgon 22 / Wyvern 16 / Hydra 28
Conflux: Psychic Elemental 50 / Firebird 14
Cove: Nix 14 / Sea Serpent 12
Factory: Gunslinger 42 / Couatl 14 (3)* / Dreadnought 24
Bulwark: Mammoth 18 / Jotunn 14
Click here to see changelogs.