Heroes of Might and Magic III : Prima's Official Strategy Guide

Another great strategy series, the Heroes of Might and Magic games are the type that suck you in for hours on end--the sun is up when you start a game, but is inexplicably gone by the time you pull back from the PC. The third installment in the series is the most impressive so far, and Prima's guide to the game should help players battle their way to supremacy in Erathia. As the name suggests, heroes are key to success, and the book begins with a rundown of the different types of heroes and their abilities. Magic is also discussed in detail (being one of the major abilities available to heroes) and the fine art of town building is also explained. Each of the many creatures in the game is described in table form (though the images are too small to do the in-game artwork justice) and a lengthy section on combat can help you figure out how best to employ the creatures under your control. Following a brief chapter on general game strategies, you'll find a breakdown of each scenario in the game. The book does not provide step-by-step walkthroughs for these scenarios, but then again this is not the sort of game that lends itself to walkthroughs. Instead, you'll get an overview of each situation and some tips for emerging victorious. The book closes with an extensive (but difficult to read, due to the tiny type) table on magic items and artifacts.