Overview
A quick start guide to the basics of Highborn. Learn how to select and move units, use spells and other basic controls.
Unit selection, movement and attacking
* Left-click any unit to select it. You’ll notice the unit’s movement grid will display when the unit is selected.
* Right-click anywhere in the unit’s movement grid to move your unit.
* If a capturable structure is in range, it will display a red targeting ring. Right-clicking a structure will attempt to capture it.
* If an enemy unit is in range, it will be highlighted with a red targeting ring. Right-clicking a highlighted enemy will start combat. Notice the archer can attack from two squares away; however the enemy knight can only attack from one square away. This gives the archer a powerful advantage as the knight will not be able to counterattack.
* You can see a unit’s attack range by clicking on the little up-arrow attached to their portraits. You can see both your units’ and the enemy units’ stats this way.
* In Highborn, each unit will do either PHYSICAL or MAGICAL damage. Some units are more vulnerable to certain types of damage. For example, Wizards do a lot of magical damage, but are very vulnerable to physical damage. Be sure to check your units’ strengths and weaknesses for the greatest success in Highborn.
Action points
* Each unit gets one “action point” per round. Most units’ action points are denoted by the little sword icon to the left of the unit’s health bar. Monks’ action points are shown as little blue crosses.
* Action points get used when a unit attacks an enemy unit or structure. Monks, of course, will use their action points when they heal other units.
Using spells
* Highborn hero units (Archie, Trillian or Enzo) have powerful spells you can use to help ensure victory. Some, like Archie’s Holy Protection, are instant spells and all you need to do is press the button. To activate Holy Protection just click its icon located by Archie’s portrait in the bottom left of the screen.
* Notice each spell has a cool-down timer which gets displayed on the spell icon after use. You will have to wait for the specified number of turns before you can use the spell again.
* Archie’s other spell, Healing Light, is a targeted spell. Once you click its icon you will see its area-of-effect overlay displayed. Move the spell overlay to the units you want to heal by moving the mouse. When you are ready AND IF the overlay is green just left-click to use the spell.
* If the spell overlay is red you are either trying to use it on an invalid target (e.g. healing an enemy) or the unit trying to cast the spell is out of range.
* You can acquire other spells from the various Monoliths in the missions. All monolith spells are targetable, but both LIGHTNING and METEOR STRIKE are also combat spells. You can only use them to initiate combat. So, if you are trying to use Lightning with a knight, the knight will need to be right next to the enemy unit since knights only have an attack range of one. Archers, on the other hand, have an attack range of two, so both Lightning and Meteor Strike can be used from two squares away.
Forests
* Forests can be used to hide your units from the enemy. Your units will be hidden from the enemy if they are in a forest with no enemy units in the same forest. If there is an enemy unit also in the forest, your unit will be exposed and vulnerable to attack. You can tell if your unit is in a forest by the little tree icon located to the right of the health bar.
Combat rules
* Highborn combat favors the attacker. When you attack an enemy unit you will get the first strike; if you defeat the enemy unit it will not have a chance to counter-attack. Likewise when the AI attacks first, it gains a significant advantage.
* Some units come in squads of three. As the squads take damage they will lose individual members. Squads with fewer members will do less damage. You can always replenish your diminished squads by healing them with a monk.
* If you use a combat spell (like Lightning or Meteor Strike) the order of combat is as follows:
- The combat spell will damage the enemy unit.
- If you control a nearby castle, keep, or wizard’s tower it will fire its support fire at the enemy unit.
- If the enemy controls a nearby castle, keep, or wizard’s tower, it will launch its support fire at your unit.
- Your unit will directly attack the enemy unit.
- The enemy unit will then counter-attack your unit if able.
- NOTE: Combat will, of course, end when either unit gets defeated. For best results you should always try to be the attacker rather than the attacked.
* Don’t forget to use your spells. Many of the monolith spells can greatly protect or strengthen your units enabling them to survive an otherwise sure defeat.
Mac Multi-Touch User Guide
* Selection: Single click (Left-click) to select any unit. Selecting units will also allow you to check a unit’s movement range via the movement grid.
* Movement: With a unit selected, 2-Finger click (Right-click) anywhere in the unit’s movement grid to move your unit.
* Attacking: If a unit is in range, a red targeting ring will be displayed. 2-Finger click (Right-click) on the unit to start combat. This also aplies to attacking structures.
* Capturing: If a capturable structure is in range, it will display a red targeting ring. 2-Finger clicking (Right-clicking) on the structure will attempt to capture it.
* Using Spells: Select a spell by Single clicking (Left-clicking) the button. For targeted spells, once the icon is clicked, you’ll see the area-of-effect overlay displayed. Move the spell overlay with the Trackpad. If the overlay is red, 2-Finger click (Right-click) it to dismiss the spell. If the overlay is white, Single click (Left-click) over the units you want to use the spell on.
* Camera Controls: To move the camera around on the map, Single click (Left-click) and hold, then drag your finger on the Trackpad. To zoom the camera close, 2-Finger Drag Up. To zoom the camera out, 2-Finger Drag Down.