This city was arguably the most powerful faction in Heroes of Might and Magic, without exception. In competitive play, if two players were of equal skill, the one playing Conflux had a 70% chance of winning.
The city was fundamentally broken. While other factions produced one Level 7 unit per week (two with a castle), the Phoenix started at two, potentially reaching four with a castle, and six with a Grail building. Though a Phoenix was statistically weaker than a Black Dragon, it was superior to a Ghost Dragon, boasted a breath attack, and possessed a resurrection ability.
Then there were the Level 6 Magic Elementals—magic-immune, area-of-attack dealers nicknamed "Mini Black Dragons." At a mere 800 gold, they were absurdly cheap compared to the Dungeon's Scorpicore, which cost 1,050 gold.
Even the Level 1 Pixies (upgraded to Sprites) were game-changers. Despite their low health, they had a speed of 9 and the "No Retaliation" trait.
In the hands of a master, a swarm of Sprites could clear neutral camps without taking a single scratch. The Level 2 Storm Elementals were essentially Level 3 units in terms of stats, and they were ranged attackers. While the Water, Fire, and Earth elementals varied in utility, their presence in the real world was invaluable due to their permanence.
Beyond the units, the Conflux offered broken structures. The Magic Academy solved Rhodes's immediate crisis; since he was already on the mage path with skills like Necromancy, Earth Magic, and Intelligence, he could now simply buy Water and Fire magic instead of gambling on level-up RNG.
Once he upgraded his City Hall to a Capitol, he'd have a steady income of 6,500 gold per day. The Artifact Merchant would allow him to buy powerful gear, and the "Magic Rainbow" Grail building would grant him knowledge of every spell in existence.
For now, Rhodes planned to focus on Conflux for his public-facing army, while leaving the Graveyard faction to Stronk, who was finishing his training under the Lich King's shadow to begin converting Knights into Death Knights.
"The big guy's self-destruct was no joke," Rhodes muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. He had lost several Golems, three Dendroid Guards, and one Angel. His mana had been depleted twice; without his potions, he wouldn't have lasted.
Minutes later, the Night Elves brought over the bodies of their fallen comrades—about two hundred in total. Rhodes first used his own Redemption skill to revive thirty Sentinels whose bodies were mostly intact.
Then, he summoned his two new Holy Light Archangels. In reality, their resurrection ability was limited to twice per day each, providing enough healing to restore 150 health per charge. Since a Night Elf's health was relatively low, Rhodes coordinated the Angels to perform "mass resurrections" by grouping the bodies.
"Welcome back, sister." "I... I'm alive! Praise Elune!" "Thank you for your help, Lord Rhodes!" The Sentinel Captain bowed deeply, performing the highest ritual of Night Elf respect.
"It was nothing," Rhodes smiled. "Just a small gesture."
"Lord Rhodes, we will send word immediately. The High Priestess will surely wish to meet you soon," the Sentinel said. According to Cenarius, this man had fought in the War of the Ancients and knew Tyrande Whisperwind personally.
Rhodes then turned to the corpse of Grommash Hellscream. He stored it away, intending to return it to Thrall. He had no intention of reviving the old Orc; a living Grommash served no benefit to the Alliance, though his sacrifice was necessary for the coming Battle of Mount Hyjal.
"Ten thousand years ago, I met a creature called an Orc," Cenarius remarked, looking at the spot where Grommash had fallen. "He was a warrior of peerless courage. I will never forget how he leapt into the portal of the Well of Eternity to face Sargeras, wounding a god with a mortal blade."
Rhodes realized Cenarius was talking about Broxigar the Red, the veteran Orc who had been sent back in time alongside Ronin. Broxigar was the only one who didn't return alive, yet his feat of wounding the Dark Titan was legendary—even if modern Orcs knew nothing of it.
"Teacher Cenarius, please don't tell me too much about what happened ten thousand years ago. It might cause issues with the timeline," Rhodes cautioned.
"I know, Rhodes. But Azeroth owes that Orc a debt. You, ten thousand years ago, specifically told me that the Orcs are vital to this world. You told me to pressure them, but never to let them be wiped out, and never to stop the founding of Durotar."
Rhodes nodded. He knew the Orcs were needed for the future of the planet.
"I understand, Teacher. I won't forget the warrior who sacrificed himself for Azeroth."
"Who told you that Orc warrior sacrificed himself?" Cenarius asked, his voice tinged with mystery.