Advanced Classes mod v1.9 update with 18 additional commander classes

Author: Liso1 December 20, 2023 8 Comments

Yesterday the crew who maintains the Heroes 3 ERA launcher released a new update that, among many fixes, also contains an update for the Advanced Classes Mod. In the core, the mod features a new secondary skill system, that allows learning skills to Master and Grandmaster level, based on your hero class. It gives the game a more RPG-like touch and is great for long single-player games.

Advanced Classes mod v1.9 changelog:

New:
– added 18 additional commander classes, including a new secret class that must be unlocked with an in-game riddle
– transferred class pictures of heroes from pcx to png images, meaning no more half-transparent pictures in the advanced class screen
– changed hero secondary skills or spells will now show correctly when selecting a random map and viewing the hero (thanks to Daemon for the plugin)
– Heroes with commander speciality now the values will show in the commander bonus list
– Summoner Specialists (Alamar and Thunar) now have a new and more fitting icon
– Removed Eagle Eye skill ability to visit objects from a distance. Restored possibility to use Sorcery I WoG option. The remade version from Daemon is much better. Still, the option seems OP
– added extended artifact set descriptions (thanks to Kongsuni)
– Alternative Necro Option. Implemented native Necromancy mechanic, Alternative Necromancy option will now only raise the given value, ignoring all other sources like specializations, artifacts or skill. (thanks to Archer)
– When selecting a new commander class it will not give additional information about special perks in the info bar of that dialogue.
– changed code to apply additional damage during combat and how it is shown: for Sniper, Paladin, Dragonslayer commander. For Grandmaster Adventurer Stand united ability, Gnolls Fail, Drakshard sword and that Cherry Bow. Damage will now be indicated in mouse hover

Balance:
– Ignissa free Firebird starts from level 5 instead from level 1
– slightly lowered Heal Capacity
– Dragon Fire Set +1 att and +1 def set bonus
– Dif Mod: increased computer player starting units if the neutral stack size is enabled
– increased Fire Shield return damage to 20% (from 10%). Like with basic fire magic in SoD
– Druids Adv class Concentration perk now has increased duration of buffs taken to the next battle round
– balance changes to commander skills. Strikes All Enemies around reduces commander damage by 15%. Block ability changed to reduce damage by only 50% instead of 100%.
– Regeneration ability’s regenerates 50+5% of max commander health
– slightly reduced commander specialist power (Pasis, Vey, Torosar)
– Scout com class now only generates res and no more gold, because that is Brute stuff
– Commanders can now gain kill count when casting buffs/debuffs, to not only rely on damage to advance
– reduced caster commander damage scaling in early and late-game

Fix:
– Bonus damage from the Improved Magic Arrow M/GM perk now not counted as extra damage
– spell trainer max level up now does not reset when replay battle
– Mystic/Intelligence specialists fix for dropping below zero mana
– Fire Mage cannot deal negative damage at level 1 (thanks to aldzzz)
– fixed missing extra shield bonus from Dragon Scale Shield (thanks to stonem)
– fixed Defender Commander passive now works as intended
– fixed wrong passive calculation for Brute Commander in battle
– fixed rare bug that commanders could get zero speed at new battle round with Hunter perk
– fixed visual glitch in hero advanced level screen (thanks to polebeer)
– with Eagle Eye pre damage creatures cannot drop below zero health
– Emblem of Cognizance now protects from damage and makes battle log entry
– digging for Grail now works better with M/GM Logistics
– corrected HP bonus from Adv Ballistics skill (thanks to TymanDyrman)
– Hunter Magic Block perk corrected description (+50MR in First Battle Round)
– corrected Hunter First Shot ability not working for first unit
– ACM now checks for newest ERA 3 version
– Casting Fireball with commander only reduces spell points once, instead of for every target
– small fix for First Aid tent erm error (thanks to wafs)
– disabled Land Navigation option
– more multiplayer improvements
– selecting the commander class in MP matches now should work better (thx to Yosh for the hint)
– fixed Master Quicksand spell now is placed before two hex shooters also
– fixed wrong placement of mines from master teleport spell if more than 10 creatures are standing on the battlefield