Greetings,

As a HOMM fan I was looking forward to playing Etherlords I (altho I am not familiar with card-based games). I heard about its similarities to HOMM and that it was turn-based strategy. Unfortunately (and it may just be me) I am finding it almost impossible to get too far even in "Normal" difficulty mode. Campaign eventually grinded me down, so I tried a single player game ("Beatdown") and will discuss my problems in terms of Beatdown and playing as a Vitality hero. I was eventually able to best the Grass Snake (guarding Lotus Garden), Mecho Wurm (guarding Summoner's Hall) and Giant Fingus (guarding Healer's Citadel) ... this took me to level 3 (with advanced concentration/regeneration) and 10% Healer's Citadel bonus boosted my life points to 18. That leaves only 3 mobs I have access to, a Pteros Lvl 4 and 2x Lake Snakes Lvl 4. Though the Pteros also wasted me, it is the Lake Snakes I need to get by (esp. the one blocking the Teacher, Trader's Wagon, Green Ether Node and Poison Emerald Resource). I tried many times, but was always slaughtered by the Lake Snake -- it has envenoming which knocks of 2 hit points per round and quickly calls up 3 to 4 mobs and can have them group attack. As stated, my hero was quickly disposed of (I also tried two heroes, thinking one would force the mob to use up spells/cards, then get the mob with my second hero before it regenerated, but it seems to regenerate completely ... thus two heroes continuously bite the dust.)

Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong in the context of the Beatdown campaign with the Vitality hero? Is there a way I am missing to get more exp? I also tried getting treant etc spells in the Summoner's Hall, but they never activated though I though I had all the necessary resources for the spells I chose).

Anyway I am at a loss. I tried trolling the web but the game is so old most of the forums are gone and there does not seem to be any helpful hints or walkthrus I could find. So if someone knows how to develop a hero in this game (and can give me pointers on where I am going wrong) I would be very grateful! :)

Also, the GOG version of the game is 1.0.0.0 -- however there was version information that the English version of Etherlords 1 went up to at least 1.0.7.0 -- if there is a secure/reliable site one knows where patches can be downloaded that works with GOG version I would really like to know that too (hopefully GOG is working on providing the patch -- I will contact them about that in the next day or two.) Thank you!

I think that GOG version of Etherlords is the latest one. In the install directory you can find readme files from patches ( up to 1.0.7.0).

Sadly I no longer can play this game till I buy it again (trying to wait for sale boo hoo as I am out of work). I had the original CD copy but am now missing 1 disk so cannot install to get more specific information regarding Beatdown so some info could be off.

First off, In Etherlords 1 you need "Runes" to cast any new "Spells" in your Deck. Otherwise you only have access to the basic starting spells they give you and for Vitality that's the Tick Warriors, 0/2 Fingus, Sharp Claws, Forest spell etc... To use any other spells you got from that Summoners Hut you need to buy some Runes for them.

This is one reason they have the "Bargainer" special as it reduces New Spell AND Rune costs. Each time you cast a non basic spell you use up a Rune and you can only carry a certain number with you at any time. Also the reason for the "Resources" Skill that lets you carry more.

I am not sure if Beatdown auto starts you with a Hero or if you have to Summon one. If you are allowed to Summon one then save just before the turn before the spell completes. Check the special ability of the new Hero. If it sucks reload and try for a better one.

Also you may be able to cast a Summon Level 3 right off to get some free exp.