Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era Tier List and All Factions Guide

Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era officially entered early access on April 30, 2026, bringing a fresh take on the classic turn-based formula. Set in the unexplored continent of Jadame, the game introduces six playable factions, each with its own playstyle, units, and mechanics.

With so many options available, choosing the right faction can make a big difference, especially in the early stages. This guide breaks down every town, ranks each faction, and explains what makes them strong or weak based on early access gameplay.

HoMM Olden Era Faction Tier List

After testing all six factions, the current balance in early access looks like this:

• S Tier: Dungeon
• A Tier: Necropolis, Grove
• B Tier: Temple, Hive
• C Tier: Schism

Each faction includes seven unit tiers with two upgrade paths, giving you multiple ways to build your army. However, not all factions perform equally, especially when comparing early-game strength and late-game scaling.

All Best Faction in Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era

6. Schism – High Risk, Late Power

Schism sits at the bottom of the tier list, but that doesn’t mean it’s useless. The faction is designed around scaling through victories, which makes the early game much harder than usual.

Its unique mechanic increases your army size during combat based on a resource called Communion. The catch is that this value decreases over time and only increases when you win battles. This creates a cycle where losing momentum can hurt your progress heavily.

Schism units lean into an eerie, eldritch theme, with strange creatures and corrupted designs. While the faction can become powerful later on, the early struggle makes it less reliable compared to others.

5. Hive – Aggressive Swarm Playstyle

Hive is one of the new factions and focuses entirely on overwhelming enemies with numbers. Instead of balanced combat, it pushes aggressive melee pressure and constant engagement.

The biggest downside is the lack of ranged options. Most of your units need to get close to deal damage, which can lead to higher losses if not managed properly. However, Hive has a passive ability that boosts power based on how many different unit types you bring into battle, encouraging varied army setups.

This faction works best for players who prefer fast, aggressive gameplay rather than careful positioning.

4. Grove – Safe and Beginner-Friendly

Grove is one of the easiest factions to use, especially if you’re just starting out. It focuses heavily on ranged combat, allowing you to deal damage while keeping your units safe.

One of its standout features is a teleportation system that connects your towns, making map control much easier. This adds a strategic layer that helps with movement and defense.

The unit lineup includes nature-themed creatures like druids, spirits, and powerful late-game options like the Phoenix. Overall, Grove offers a smooth and consistent experience, making it a strong choice for both casual and competitive play.

3. Temple – Balanced and Flexible

Temple represents the classic human faction, offering a mix of melee, ranged, and support units. It doesn’t excel in one specific area but performs well in almost every situation.

You’ll have access to ranged units early and consistently throughout the game, along with strong cavalry and flying units. This flexibility allows you to adapt your strategy depending on the opponent.

The main limitation is slower resource generation for abilities, which can affect how often you use skills in battle. Still, Temple remains a reliable option for players who want a balanced playstyle.

2. Necropolis – Slow Start, Strong Scaling

Necropolis is all about endurance and long-term growth. Instead of focusing on quick wins, it builds power over time through its necromancy system.

After each battle, fallen enemies can be turned into new units, allowing your army to grow steadily. Combined with life-draining abilities from certain units, this creates a strong sustain-focused playstyle.

The early game can feel difficult due to limited ranged options, but once you unlock stronger units like Liches and Vampires, the faction becomes much harder to deal with.

1. Dungeon – Best Overall Faction

Dungeon currently stands at the top due to its flexibility and strong early-game potential. What makes it unique is that every unit can switch between two attack styles, giving you more tactical options than any other faction.

The early game is especially strong thanks to units like the Onyx Dancer, which can deal high damage before enemies even react. As you progress, you gain access to powerful creatures like Medusas and Dragons, including variants that are resistant to magic.

Because of its strong start, high damage, and versatile units, Dungeon is considered the most reliable faction in early access.

Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era brings back the classic strategy feel while adding new mechanics and factions to explore. Each faction has its own strengths, but not all of them perform equally in the current early access version. If you want the strongest overall option, Dungeon is the clear choice. For a more balanced or beginner-friendly experience, Grove and Temple are solid picks. Meanwhile, factions like Schism require more patience and careful planning to reach their full potential. As the game continues to evolve, balance changes may shift these rankings. For now, choosing the right faction based on your playstyle will make your progression much smoother.