Unlike many 4X games where leaders are just stat-boosters, your Leader and Heroes in Age of Wonders III are active units on the battlefield.
: As they level up, you assign skill points to unique abilities, spells, and passive buffs. Age-of-Wonders-III--Deluxe-Edition-Repack-Games-Mechanics
Units have a "facing" direction. If you attack a unit from the side or back, you bypass their shield/defense bonuses and deal massive extra damage. Unlike many 4X games where leaders are just
Effective play involves using "sticky" units (those with high health or Zone of Control) to lock enemies in place while your mobile units circle around for the kill. 3. The Layered World Map Age-of-Wonders-III--Deluxe-Edition-Repack-Games-Mechanics
Your actionsālike razing cities or migrating populationsāshift your (Good, Neutral, or Evil).