Lets make an Academy for Olden Era: Tier 2 revote

Greetings estemed Heroes of this Olden Era. We now return once more to our series of polls where we try to make our own take on how Olden Era's Academy faction should look like, currently going through revotes for the lower tiers. Last week we had one of the closest polls we had had so far, with almost all options being in a head to head for the top spot. A nice break of pace from H3 Tower's roster just absolutely dominating. But in the end the Familiar managed to pull through and secure the tier 1 spot. So without further ado let us turn our attention to the tier 2.

Olden Era's Academy so far:

Tier 1: Familiar

Tier 2: ???

Tier 3: ???

Tier 4: Mage

Tier 5: Djinn

Tier 6: Naga

Tier 7: Titan

Tier 2 Options:

Halfling: The Halflings are one of those units that is already in the game as a neutral creature, but which absolutely could be worked into a future faction with no issue, and no complaints from me personally either. I do see why some might not be as fond of that idea though. Regardless the Halfling is a Merry little folk that serves the Wizards as a numerous and capable ranged troop, as well as a classic Lord of the Rings reference. The version currently in the game would probably serve as the basis, though they might be able to do something interesting with the upgrades.

Boar: The Boar was the original tier 2 Wizard unit, though they were absent from the original tier 2 poll either because I forgot them or didn't think they fit the faction super well, can't remember which. Though regardless I do still think they aren't particular fitting for the Wizards, being more at home in something like Stronghold or (mountain) Fortress. Still they are now and option for all the pork lovers out there.

Apprentice: The crushing weight of student debt still hovers over the head of many a young mage, so the apprentices are back for another attempt at getting military service. The general idea of them should be pretty clear by now, they are a lighter earlier tier version of the mages, filling a similar role to that of Schism's cultists. They would of course be unique from both the mages and cultists in different ways, but hopefully it helps illustration their role as a low tier caster unit well.

Owl: You read it right, not Great Owl, just a regular Owl. We are still a tier too low for them to be anything other than large normal Birds. Overall they would probably function the most similar to Gargoyles of all the options here, but likely with some of their own unique flair. In general I am fond of the idea of one of the faction's just having a normal bird as a low tier unit, be it these, vultures for Stronghold, or parrots for Cove.

Animated weapon: Being masters of magic the Wizards need not get their own hands dirty, instead being able to enchant their weapons to fight for them. Animated weapons are a straight forward idea, being a sword enchanted to fight without a wielder and possibly being upgraded into different weapon types like a bow or an axe. They could of course function as just a summon, but imagining a whole army of enchanted blades bearing down on the enemy is an amazing mental image and highlights the Wizards' arcane might.

View Poll