Terrain

Terrain is a crucial element on both the strategic and tactical level. Terrain should not be confused with climate or corruption.

There are two types of terrain: campaign terrain, on the campaign map, and battle terrain in battles.

Campaign

The most important impact terrain has is how it affects movement of armies. Even the most powerful army can be undone if it's outmaneuvered by a more powerful adversary. Additionally, some kinds of terrain cause attrition.

Land

Terrain type	Movement cost	Ambush bonus
Dense forest	240
Desert	112
Grassland	80
Hills	144
Hilly light forest	176
Jungle	192
Light forest	112
Marsh	192
Mountain	240
Plains	80
River	2160
Swamp	240
Tundra	96
Wasteland	112

Water

Terrain type	Movement cost	Ambush bonus
Coast	64
Lake	60
Maelstrom	64
Ocean	128
Reef	192
River	64

Battlefield

Terrain features on the battlefield can play a decisive role in any battle. Hills, mountains, forests and rivers can be used to conceal troops or funnel an enemy’s advance.

• Most troop-types can be hidden in forests, as long as they walk or remain stationary.

• Units with the high ground enjoy a significant advantage when fighting on sloped terrain.

• Steep slopes are impassable, and may be used to cover the flank of an army.
• Hills and other terrain features can obscure visibility, allowing units to be hidden from the enemy’s line of sight.

Battle mode Battles Set piece battles · Advanced controls · Armies · Ambush battles · Intercept battles · Battlefield · Flanking · Fortifications · Siege battles · Terrain · Visibility · Winds of Magic Units Lords · Leadership · Spells · Vigour · Weapon types · Unit abilities · Unit movement · Unit selection