Warlord Master of Magic

Warlord is a retort in SimTex's cRPG of 1994, Master of Magic. Warlord is notable for increasing the level of all units under the wizard's control by one level; that is, all units gain +1 level. If the unit is Elite, it becomes Ultra Elite. If we then cast Crusade, it becomes a Champion. If our Heroes are not yet Demi-Gods, they gain +1 level. Warlord is selectable in chargen or acquired in-game.

It is best to start the game with Warlord since we won't likely acquire Warlord outside of save-scumming. In addition, spell books are easier to find than retorts and Warlord + spell books result in the most powerful combat units. For example:

• Hammerhands Master of Magic (Champion)
• Paladins Master of Magic (Champion)
• Longbowmen Master of Magic (Ultra Elite & Champion)
• War Trolls Master of Magic (Ultra Elite)

Moreover, farming the Warlord trait often denies us 2x spell book acquisitions. On top of that, Warlord is most useful in the early game.

In-game Warlord Acquisitions

These are my personal in-game acquisitions of Warlord (that is, where I found Warlord):

• Sky Drake x2 and Phantom Warriors x7 (Sorcery Node, Myrror Plane)
• Djinn x2 and Phantom Warriors x7 (Sorcery Node, Myrror Plane)
• Stone Giant x2, War Bear x7 (Dungeon, Myrror)
• Sky Drake x1, Nagas x6 (Sorcery Node, Myrror)
• Sky Drake x3, Phantom Beast x5 (Sorcery Node, Myrror)
• Shadow Demons x4, Zombies x4 (Ancient Temple, Myrror)
• Basilisk x4, War Bears x2 (Nature Node, Myrror)
• Basilisk x4, War Bears x5 (Dungeon, Myrror)

Note that Warlord can only be gained by beating encounters that reward 2x retorts, 2x spell books or 1x retort and 1x spell book. And if you gain Warlord, you won't get the other retort or spell book.

Let's say our 11 Life Book Build wants Warlord. And let's say we have an encounter zone that is "only" giving us 2x spell books. But we want Warlord from it. We can manipulate the situation by going off elsewhere and beating two encounter zones that are giving 1x spell book each. This gives us the max of 13 spell books. Now, that 2x spell book encounter zone can ONLY drop retorts (because our spell book acquisitions are maxed), and since it's now a 2x retort encounter zone, it can drop Warlord.

Back to: Turn-based Strategy Games PC.