The Gathering Storm (TGS) was the first of two expansion packs that 3DO released for HoMM4.
TGS comes with new campaigns, single maps, artifacts, heroes, creatures, and map locations. It adds yet more depth to HoMM4, as well as many more hours of gameplay.
Features
- 6 new massive Heroes campaigns with more than 20 new maps.
- 4 original fantastic creatures.
- 16 brand new artifacts.
- New skillful heroes for the campaigns.
- All new music track.
- Includes Heroes of Might and Magic IV Multiplayer Update.
- Requires installed original Heroes IV to play.
Story
The main story behind this expansion pack starts with a wizard named Hexis. He is gaining more power by manipulating nature and death. As his power grows, so does the negative effect on nature, causing earthquakes, floods, storms, and more across the land of Lodwar. To prevent Hexis destroying nature, 5 brave heroes set out from Devonshire to stop him.
Heroes
 |
| Agraynel |
Sex: |
Female |
Race: |
Human |
| Born in a small woodland village, Agraynel lost both of her parents in an attack by a neighboring kingdom. She chose to become a bard both to honor her parents by keeping their memory alive through song, and to record history from the perspective of the common people. Featured in the "Another Bard's Tale" campaign; must be enabled to appear on user-made maps. |
|
 |
| Alita Eventide |
Sex: |
Female |
Race: |
Human |
| Raised as a priestess, Alita Eventide had always been intrigued by the mysteries of death. Despite the ever-present risk of succumbing to darkness' temptation, she secretly dabbled in Death magic, all the while maintaining a hold on her skills with Life magic. When her dual studies were discovered, however, she was disowned by her family and cast out of the priesthood. She left her home to start a new life in Devonshire, but has never given up on her training in the ways of Life and Death. Featured in the "A Matter of Life and Death" campaign; must be enabled to appear on user-made maps. |
|
 |
| Bohb |
Sex: |
Male |
Race: |
Human |
| Bohb spent his younger years voraciously studying anything and everything magical. Though lacking a natural affinity for magic, he willed himself to master every school of magic. His hard work and success have created self-confidence that he can accomplish anything he sets his mind to. Featured in the "Masters of Magic" campaign; must be enabled to appear on user-made maps. |
|
 |
| Dogwoggle |
Sex: |
Male |
Race: |
Human |
| Dogwoggle is a hapless hero who has a way of getting into trouble. He often brags about his abilities (which are questionable) and exhibits unflagging confidence no matter how often he fails. However, with his mindless persistence, he always manages to stumble out of trouble and come out on top. Featured in the "Might Makes Right" campaign; must be enabled to appear on user-made maps. |
|
 |
| Kozuss |
Sex: |
Male |
Race: |
Human |
| Having never received any formal training in the magical arts, Kozuss is a "wild" wizard, one of a rare few somehow capable of wielding both Chaos and Order magic without destroying himself. Though young and sometimes reckless, he is loyal to a fault, happily (and some say, stupidly) volunteering for whatever task comes along. Featured in the "Opposites Attract" campaign; must be enabled to appear on user-made maps. |
|
Troops
 |
 |
| Goblin Knight |
Level 3 (not in town) |
Growth: |
4 |
| Cost: |
1,000 Gold |
Shots: |
0 |
Damage: |
16-30 |
| Speed: |
7 |
Movement: |
27 |
Magic Resistance |
| Hit Points: |
120 |
Spell Points: |
0 |
Stone Skin |
| Melee Attack: |
20 |
Melee Defense: |
26 |
Negate First Strike |
| Ranged Attack: |
0 |
Ranged Defense: |
26 |
|
| The heavy armor of the Goblin Knight grants a resistance to both magic and physical attacks, but allows enough freedom of movement for the Goblin's natural quickness to overcome the fastest of opponents. |
|
 |
 |
| Dark Champion |
Level 4 (not in town) |
Growth: |
2 |
| Cost: |
4,000 Gold, 4 Ore |
Shots: |
0 |
Damage: |
30-42 |
| Speed: |
6 |
Movement: |
30 |
Charge |
| Hit Points: |
127 |
Spell Points: |
18 |
Undead |
| Melee Attack: |
40 |
Melee Defense: |
40 |
Terror |
| Ranged Attack: |
0 |
Ranged Defense: |
40 |
Regeneration |
| Dark Champions are powerful, twisted undead Paladins. Those facing the charge of a Dark Champion will often flee in terror, while the few remaining to fight discover that the wounds inflicted upon a Dark Champion rapidly fade away. |
|
 |
 |
| Evil Sorceress |
Level 4 (not in town) |
Growth: |
2 |
| Cost: |
4,000 Gold, 2 Mercury |
Shots: |
0 |
Damage: |
20-34 |
| Speed: |
7 |
Movement: |
30 |
Teleport |
| Hit Points: |
100 |
Spell Points: |
50 |
Spellcaster |
| Melee Attack: |
28 |
Melee Defense: |
28 |
Magic Mirror |
| Ranged Attack: |
0 |
Ranged Defense: |
28 |
|
| The Evil Sorceress combines powerful spellcasting with a natural defense against enemy spells and the ability to teleport on the battlefield. |
|
 |
 |
| Gargantuan |
Level 4 (not in town) |
Growth: |
2 |
| Cost: |
4,000 Gold, 2 Crystal |
Shots: |
16 |
Damage: |
28-40 |
| Speed: |
4 |
Movement: |
21 |
Ranged |
| Hit Points: |
127 |
Spell Points: |
0 |
Shoots Twice |
| Melee Attack: |
32 |
Melee Defense: |
32 |
Area Attack |
| Ranged Attack: |
32 |
Ranged Defense: |
32 |
Normal Melee |
| A large earth elemental, resembling a behemoth, the Gargantuan attacks with the very earth in a devastating barrage of rocks. In melee, the Gargantuan pounds its opponents with its massive fists. |
|
Artifacts
 |
| Aiffe's Mandolin |
Type: |
Relic |
Position: |
Left Hand |
| Grants the hero the ability to cast Song of Peace, Unholy Song, and Mass Fervor when worn. |
|
 |
| Angelfeather Cloak |
Type: |
Major |
Position: |
Shoulders |
| Hero gains +10 spell points and is granted the effects of Flight and Heavenly Shield spells. |
|
 |
| Archmage's Hat |
Type: |
Major |
Position: |
Head |
| Hero gains +10 spell points and regenerates 2 spell points per day and is granted the effects of Blur. |
|
 |
| Cloak of Darkness |
Type: |
Major |
Position: |
Shoulders |
| Increases the hero's Melee and Ranged Defense by 10, increases the effect of Death spells cast by the hero, and grants the hero Life Ward. |
|
 |
| Flame of Chaos |
Type: |
Major |
Position: |
Right Hand |
| Grants the hero Order Ward and Cold Resistance and reduces the spell point cost of Chaos spells by 2. |
|
 |
| Frost Hammer |
Type: |
Major |
Position: |
Right Hand |
| Increases the hero's Melee Attack by 25, and opponents struck in combat have a chance to be frozen for 2 turns. |
|
 |
| Harmonic Chainmail |
Type: |
Major |
Position: |
Torso |
| Increases the hero's Melee and Ranged Defense by 15, and grants the hero Mirth. |
|
 |
| Ice Scales |
Type: |
Relic |
Position: |
Left Hand |
| Grants the hero Chaos Ward and Fire Resistance and reduces the spell point cost of Order spells by 2. |
|
 |
| Necklace of Balance |
Type: |
Major |
Position: |
Neck |
| Increases the effect of Order and Chaos spells by 25%. |
|
 |
| Necklace of Muses |
Type: |
Major |
Position: |
Neck |
| Increases the hero's spell points by 15 and regenerates 5 spell points per day. |
|
 |
| Ring of Flares |
Type: |
Major |
Position: |
Ring |
| Hero gains +10 spell points and all spells cost -2 spell points to cast. |
|
 |
| Ring of Light |
Type: |
Major |
Position: |
Ring |
| Increases the hero's Melee and Ranged damage by 10, increases the effect of Life spells cast by the hero, and grants the hero Death Ward. |
|
 |
| Staff of Disruption |
Type: |
Major |
Position: |
Right Hand |
| Hero gains +10 spell points and ignores all 'Ward' limitations caused by creature abilities and spells. |
|
 |
| Tiger Armor |
Type: |
Major |
Position: |
Torso |
| Increases the hero's Melee and Ranged Defense by 25, increases the hero's speed by 2, and increases the hero's movement by 2. |
|
 |
| Tiger Helm |
Type: |
Major |
Position: |
Head |
| Increases the hero's Melee and Ranged Defense by 5, increases the hero's Melee and Ranged Damage by 5, and grants the hero the Negate First Strike ability. |
|
 |
| Wayfaring Boots |
Type: |
Major |
Position: |
Feet |
| Hero gains +10 spell points, gains a 25% movement bonus, and ignores all terrain penalties. |
|
Combination Artifacts
Those who have played HoMM3:Shadow of Death may be familiar with combination artifacts. When a hero collects certain artifacts, they combine into one, giving an extra bonus on top of the bonuses provided by each single artifact. All the component artifacts must be equipped to gain the special bonus. Combination artifacts in HoMM4 are similar; they differ in that they do not combine into one artifact. Otherwise, they act the same.
For the Mysterious dark priest
A hero wearing both the Cloak of Darkness and the Ring of Light is granted one Guardian Angel at the start of every combat.
For the mighty Barbarian
A hero wearing the Tiger Armor and the Tiger Helm, and wielding the Frost Hammer, is granted Regeneration and Dragon Strength.
For the discriminating bard
Targets of a hero wearing the Harmonic Chainmail and the Necklace of Muses, and wielding Aiffe's Mandolin, are affected by the Song of Peace spell.
For the busy wizard
A hero wearing the Necklace of Balance, the Flame of Chaos, and the Ice Scales is granted Magic Mirror.
For the archmage who has everything
A hero wearing the Archmage's Hat, the Staff of Disruption, the Wayfaring Boots, the Ring of Flares, and the Angelfeather Cloak is granted the ability to ignore an enemy hero's or creature's magic resistance.
Map Locations
 |
| Conservatory of Chaos |
| Sells parchments that teach spells from the school of Chaos Magic. |
|
 |
| Conservatory of Death |
| Sells parchments that teach spells from the school of Death Magic. |
|
 |
| Conservatory of Life |
| Sells parchments that teach spells from the school of Life Magic. |
|
 |
| Conservatory of Nature |
| Sells parchments that teach spells from the school of Nature Magic. |
|
 |
| Conservatory of Order |
| Sells parchments that teach spells from the school of Order Magic. |
|
 |
| Coliseum of Magic |
| The selected hero will fight a number of Faerie Dragons based on his level. If the hero wins, he gains a level. If he loses, he returns to the army as a tombstone and must be resurrected. |
|
 |
| Coliseum of Might |
| The selected hero will fight a number of Black Dragons based on his level. If the hero wins, he gains a level. If he loses, he returns to the army as a tombstone and must be resurrected. |
|
Campaigns
This is an overview of each of the campaigns in TGS. For more detailed information, including pictures and walkthroughs, go to the Campaigns page.
Another Bard's Tale
This campaign tells the tale of Agraynel the Bard, who goes in search of three artifacts once belonging to Aiffe, a bard of legendary wit and skill. Shadowy forces will stand in her way, but are they just coincidence or are they part of some plot to prevent the artifacts' recovery?
The Masters of Magic
Bohb the Archmage goes on a quest to reunite the five legendary items once worn by the greatest of archmages, Nevar. Each of the five items has long since been taken by five mages, each of whom proclaims himself to be the Master of their magical college. Bohb must defeat them all to assemble Nevar's items and unlock their secret power.
Opposites Attract
The wizard, Kozuss, must travel first to the jungles of Aldamar and then into the kingdom of Merlion in search of three artifacts forged during an ancient war. These extremely rare items allow for proper use of the opposing schools of Order and Chaos.
A Matter of Life and Death
This campaign follows the tale of the Dark Priest, Alita Eventide. Her quest is to recover the Ring of Life and the Cloak of Darkness, but two powerful cults possess these items, and won't be willing to part with them without a fight.
Might Makes Right
Brash and overconfident, Dogwoggle sets out in search of the fabled Armor of the Tiger. He is able to learn that the various parts are in the hands of three mad brothers who rule small kingdoms nearby, and this campaign follows Dogwoggle's struggle against the three.
The Gathering Storm
Once the five now-powerful heroes have completed their individual quests, they will reunite in Devonshire and set out together toward Hexis' stronghold in the south. The way will be fraught with peril, as the heroes must battle their way through the tainted and twisted forces of nature. The battle against Hexis awaits!
Screenshots
