Ok, Black Dragons hate Titians and Titans hate Black Dragons. Even worse, fans of these creatures seem to often argue about which is better. So, to settle things once and for all, I think they should fight... and they will. There will be 50 Black Dragons fighting against 50 Titans.

The Combatants

Black Dragons were the most feared creature in Heroes II, but in Heroes III, they've got some tougher competition. Black Dragons come from the upgraded level 7 creature dwelling in the Dungeon town. Cost: 4000 Gold + 2 Sulfur Advantages: Faster than titans. Specials: Breath Attack, Hatred of Titans, Immune to Magic Quote: Grrrr... rrrrawwwrrrr... rraaarrrrggghhh!

Titans are also returning from Heroes II, and apparently developed a strong dislike of Black Dragons since then. Titans come from the upgraded level 7 creature dwelling in the Tower town. Cost: 5000 Gold + 2 Gems Advantages: higher damage than Black Dragons Specials: Ranged Attack, No Melee Penalty, Immune to Mind-Affecting Magic, Hates Black Dragons Quote: I'm big and I throw lightning bolts at people, what's not to love?

The Numbers

Based on Attack, Defense, and Damage values.

• Average damage per Black Dragon is 45
• Average damage per Titan is 50
• Black Dragons deal 105% damage versus Titans
• Titans deal 98% damage versus Black Dragons
• Hatred increases the damage dealt by 150%

Round 1

Black Dragons go first, and they immdiately attack.

• 45 damage * 50 Black Dragons = 2,250 damage
• 2,250 damage * 105% = 2,362 damage
• 2,362 damage * 150% (for hatred) = 3,543 damage

This kills 11 Titans and the top one has 57 health remaining.

The Titans retaliate.

• 50 damage * 39 Titans = 1,950 damage
• 1,950 damage * 98% = 1,911 damage
• 1,911 damage * 150% (for hatred) = 2,866 damage

9 Black Dragons die and the top one has 134 health remaining.

The Titans make their attack.

• 50 damage * 39 Titans = 1,950 damage
• 1,950 damage * 98% = 1,911 damage
• 1,911 damage * 150% (for hatred) = 2,866 damage

10 Black Dragons die and the top one has 268 health remaining.

Black Dragons retaliate.

• 45 damage * 31 Black Dragons = 1,395 damage
• 1,395 damage * 105% = 1,464 damage
• 1,464 damage * 150% (for hatred) = 2,196 damage

8 Titans die and the top one has 261 health remaining.

Comment from rogue: "Ouch!"

Round 1 Survivors (and health of top creature)

• 31 Black Dragons (268/300 health)
• 31 Titans (261/300)

Round 2

Black Dragons attack.

• 45 damage * 31 Black Dragons = 1,395 damage
• 1,395 damage * 105% = 1,464 damage
• 1,464 damage * 150% (for hatred) = 2,196 damage

This kills 7 Titans and the top one has 165 health remaining.

The Titans retaliate.

• 50 damage * 24 Titans = 1,200 damage
• 1,200 damage * 98% = 1,176 damage
• 1,176 damage * 150% (for hatred) = 1,764 damage

5 Black Dragons die and the top one has 4 health remaining.

The Titans make their attack.

• 50 damage * 24 Titans = 1,200 damage
• 1,200 damage * 98% = 1,176 damage
• 1,176 damage * 150% (for hatred) = 1,764 damage

6 Black Dragons die and the top one has 40 health remaining.

Black Dragons retaliate.

• 45 damage * 20 Black Dragons = 900 damage
• 900 damage * 105% = 945 damage
• 945 damage * 150% (for hatred) = 1,417 damage

5 Titans die and the top one has 248 health remaining.

Round 2 Survivors: (and health of top creature)

• 20 Black Dragons (40/300 health)
• 19 Titans (248/300)

Round 3

Black Dragons attack.

• 45 damage * 20 Black Dragons = 900 damage
• 900 damage * 105% = 945 damage
• 945 damage * 150% (for hatred) = 1,417 damage

4 Titans die and the top one has 31 health remaining.

The Titans retaliate.

• 50 damage * 15 Titans = 750 damage
• 750 damage * 98% = 735 damage
• 735 damage * 150% (for hatred) = 1,102 damage

4 Black Dragons die and the top one has 138 health remaining.

The Titans make their attack.

• 50 damage * 15 Titans = 750 damage
• 750 damage * 98% = 735 damage
• 735 damage * 150% (for hatred) = 1,102 damage

4 Black Dragons die and the top one has 236 health remaining.

Black Dragons retaliate.

• 45 damage * 12 Black Dragons = 540 damage
• 540 damage * 105% = 567 damage
• 567 damage * 150% (for hatred) = 850 damage

3 Titans die and the top one has 81 health remaining.

Round 3 Survivors (and health of top creature)

• 12 Black Dragons (236/300 health)
• 12 Titans (81/300)

Round 4

Black Dragons attack.

• 45 damage * 12 Black Dragons = 540 damage
• 540 damage * 105% = 567 damage
• 567 damage * 150% (for hatred) = 850 damage

3 Titans die and the top one has 131 health remaining.

The Titans retaliate.

• 50 damage * 9 Titans = 450 damage
• 450 damage * 98% = 441 damage
• 441 damage * 150% (for hatred) = 661 damage

2 Black Dragons die and the top one has 175 health remaining.

The Titans make their attack.

• 50 damage * 9 Titans = 450 damage
• 450 damage * 98% = 441 damage
• 441 damage * 150% (for hatred) = 661 damage

2 Black Dragons die and the top one has 114 health remaining.

Black Dragons retaliate.

• 45 damage * 8 Black Dragons = 360 damage
• 360 damage * 105% = 378 damage
• 378 damage * 150% (for hatred) = 567 damage

2 Titans die and the top one has 164 health remaining.

Round 4 Survivors (and health of top creature)

• 8 Black Dragons (114/300 health)
• 7 Titans (164/300)

Round 5

Black Dragons attack.

• 45 damage * 8 Black Dragons = 360 damage
• 360 damage * 105% = 378 damage
• 378 damage * 150% (for hatred) = 567 damage

2 Titans die and the top one has 197 health remaining.

The Titans retaliate.

• 50 damage * 5 Titans = 250 damage
• 250 damage * 98% = 245 damage
• 245 damage * 150% (for hatred) = 367 damage

1 Black Dragon dies and the top one has 47 health remaining.

The Titans make their attack.

• 50 damage * 5 Titans = 250 damage
• 250 damage * 98% = 245 damage
• 245 damage * 150% (for hatred) = 367 damage

2 Black Dragons die and the top one has 280 health remaining.

Black Dragons retaliate.

• 45 damage * 5 Black Dragons = 225 damage
• 225 damage * 105% = 236 damage
• 236 damage * 150% (for hatred) = 354 damage

1 Titan dies and the top one has 143 health remaining.

Round 5 Survivors (and health of top creature)

• 5 Black Dragons (280/300 health)
• 4 Titans (143/300)

Round 6

Black Dragons attack.

• 45 damage * 5 Black Dragons = 225 damage
• 225 damage * 105% = 236 damage
• 236 damage * 150% (for hatred) = 354 damage

1 Titan dies and the top one has 89 health remaining.

The Titans retaliate.

• 50 damage * 3 Titans = 150 damage
• 150 damage * 98% = 147 damage
• 147 damage * 150% (for hatred) = 220 damage

0 Black Dragons die and the top one has 60 health remaining.

The Titans make their attack.

• 50 damage * 3 Titans = 150 damage
• 150 damage * 98% = 147 damage
• 147 damage * 150% (for hatred) = 220 damage

1 Black Dragon dies and the top one has 140 health remaining.

Black Dragons retaliate.

• 45 damage * 4 Black Dragons = 180 damage
• 180 damage * 105% = 189 damage
• 189 damage * 150% (for hatred) = 283 damage

1 Titan dies and the top one has 106 health remaining.

Round 6 Survivors: (and health of top creature)

• 4 Black Dragons (140/300 health)
• 2 Titans (106/300)

Conclusion

At this point, it becomes obvious that the Black Dragons will win. The Dragon's next attack will kill 1 Titan, and then the Black Dragons will kill the remaining Titan when they retaliate to the Titan's attack. I'll award the trophy now, instead of getting all of the Titans killed. The Black Dragons win because of their speed advantage which lets them hit first. If this was Heroes IV (where creatures retaliate at full stregnth) the Titans would win.

This does not mean that Black Dragons are better than Titans, (but personally, I like them better). There are many ways the Titans could win this battle. For example, if Bless was cast on the Titans, they would win, while the Black Dragons cannot be blessed, because they're immune to magic. On the other hand, Titans are vulnerable to spells such as Weakness and Curse, plus the opposing hero can hurt them with Implosion, Armageddon, Lightning Bolt, etc. I'd say that Titans shouldn't cost 1,000 gold more than Black Dragons, but they're still a very good creature, but Black Dragons are the better value because of the cost.

Neither of these creatures gets to take advantage of their special attacks in this battle. The Dragons don't get to hit two creatures with their breath attack as they often might in an actual battle, and the Titans didn't get to use their ranged attack. In a real battle, these creatures will be more versatile than they were shown to be here.