How to install Heroes 3 Horn of the Abyss v1.7 with Factory (HotA)
What is Horn of the Abyss mod?
HotA is a global add-on for Heroes of might and magic III that extends classical gameplay elements and adds some of its own. On a more conceptual level – HotA is an attempt to continue legendary series RoE-AB-SoD as close to the original as it could have been done by NWC team, if only they had more desire, resources or even understanding of their own game.
The expansion features a completely new Cove and Factory town with campaign, new artifacts, neutral creatures, adventure map objects etc.
Where can I download Horn of the Abyss mod?
To download the modification, you can use the official site of the modification, where there are enough mirror download links. Alternatively, you can use the direct download from Mega.nz.
How do I install the mod?
You will of course need the full version of Heroes 3, ideally from GOG.COM (This version also fits all other Heroes 3 mods and is on sale for €2.49 most of the year.)
1. Install Heroes 3 Complete. Do not install the game in “Program Files” folder. Use the C: or D: drive directly (or D:\Games\).
2. Download Horn of the Abyss mod to your Desktop.
3. If the installer is downloaded directly from the author’s site, the file looks like this: HotA_1.7.1_setup.exe.
4. Run it and on the install screen select the folder where GOG Heroes 3 Complete is installed. Then click “Next >”.
5. On this screen, choose the localization of the game, and the choice is English or Russian. Then click “Next >”.
6. This screen allows you to set up automatic mod updates and create a Desktop shortcut, which I definitely recommend. Then click “Next >”.
7. Everything is ready to install, click on “Install” button.
8. Great, the installation is complete. Click the “Finish” button. Alternatively, you can see what’s new in version 1.7 by checking “Open chngelog”.
9. A HotA HD shortcut has been added to your desktop. Run it.
10. If the update was successful, the HoMM3 HD Launcher screen will appear. If you click the “Play” button right away, the game will start immediately in a window. You can then switch it to full screen with the F4 key. Feel free to experiment with resolution settings and different filters until you get the best result.
11. Before the first run, update the HD mod by clicking the Update button. Set your resolution and you can play.
12. BONUS: Heroes 3 HD mod also includes an HotA Online Lobby, so you can easily play with your friends.
Core Horn of the Abyss features:
A lot fixes and additions, check it out in an adapted list
- New fully playable town — Cove and Factory
- New war machine — Cannon. Available at Cove’s Blacksmith
- New artifacts and artifact sets
- New banks and conservatories
- New types of map objects
- New heroes
- New terrain for Conflux town — Highlands and Wastelands for Factory
- Towns change their appearance, depending on Fort level
- Map editor
- RMG template editor as well as extended RMG template format
- Support for bigger map sizes (Huge, XHuge and Giant)
- A lot of balance fixes (like finally nerfing the necromancers or making life easier for Tower and Inferno)
- A lot of RMG fixes (for example, removing all sea elements from non-sea random maps)
- A lot of graphical fixes (like, really a lot… original game had plenty of graphical bugs)
| You can still support me in creating content and videos about Heroes 🙂 |
| Donate via PayPal and get access to WoG_Folder* and Heroes 3 postcard** |
| or buy GOG games via this link 🙂 |
*I send access to the folder manually, please also check SPAM. If you do not receive access within 24 hours, please contact me at admin@heroes3wog.net.
**I also send a postcard to everyone who donates $/€ 10 or more
WoG Folder – All HoMM mods, one cloud
When I try to update HoTA for first time (HOMM3 HD ver to 5.5 R40 or higher) it starts updating and after “Getting files list… part” it gives me an error in which I can’t launch HD3_Update.exe and says that I try to do it manually. After it gives me the folder in which I have HD3_Update.exe, I try to start it, but it says it has a virus or is potentially dangerous for my PC and delets it automatically. How do I fix this problem?
Hi, this sometimes happens, your antivirus blocks the update. The only option is to deactivate the antivirus for 10 minutes and update the HD mod. And then possibly invest in a better antivirus solution. Are you using a free version of AVG, Avast?
Right now I have HoMM 3 Complete installed in Program Files. I guess I have to uninstall it and reinstall in a new folder. Is there a way I can do that without losing all of my saves?
You can easily copy the entire Heroes 3 Complete folder wherever you want. The game will work without any problems.
For those of you just installing this mod for the first time I have a suggestion to fix the “does not contain” error message. When you install HOMM 3 from GOG the program will create an extra subfolder “HOMM 3 Complete” and install the game there. Move all of the installed files back into the folder you create “HOMM III Complete”. I hope this solves it for you.
I’ve installed Homm3 Complete form GOG i d:\games. I installed hota in the same directory. Everything ran ok. When I try to run h3hota hd.exe nothing happens. When I ran h3hota.exe it shows: “Unable to initialize resources – possible disk problem”. I think my SSD is ok. Everything in Win10 is ok. Homm3 works fine. Any suggestions or solutions?
try installing the modification via Heroes Launcher: https://heroes3wog.net/heroes-launcher-download/
Hello, I’ve the same problem Nicky met.
I try with the GOG folder, then with I download the complete game on a different folder, but the launcher keep saying
“HotA must be installed on Heroes of Might and Magic III SoD or Complete.
Selected folder does not contain required Heroes of Might and Magic III files, so installation is impossible.”
Did you find where the problem was ?
Hi Johnnn, please write where you installed Heroes 3 Complete, did you install via GOG Galaxy?
It would be ideal if you write to me at admin@heroes3wog.net and we will solve the problem.
I’m trying to install HotA on top of SoD that I installed from the CD, yet the installer claims there’s no game to install HotA on top.
Help pls.
You have to use the GOG version of the game, the CD version is a little different, that’s why the installation file won’t find it.
I have downloaded HoMM3 via the GOG.com link in the beginning of the article. I also made sure to locate that download in a folder on my C:\Desktop called “Games” and avoided using the “Program Files” as directed.
However, when trying to run HotA 1.7.1 setup I’m still encountering issue saying:
“HotA must be installed on Heroes of Might and Magic III SoD or Complete.
Selected folder does not contain required Heroes of Might and Magic III files, so installation is impossible.”
I am able to play the HoMM3 that I purchased from GOG.com, so I know that file is not corrupt. Is there something else I can do to troubleshoot?
Hi, that’s strange. Did you install Heroes 3 through GOG galaxy or separately through the installation file? Email me at amin@heroes3wog.net and we’ll sort it out.
Vine version for Mac, please?
It is called Wine, and if you do a little research you can find how to run. Guess its not that hard