might-and-magic-heroes-6
The main menu of Heroes VI is innundated with information about Dynasties. Dynasty Hero this, Dynasty Weapon that, Dynasty Abilities here, Dynasty Level there… etc.
I'd like to back up a second – what exactly is a Dynasty? Does it apply in the campaign, or is it multiplayer only?
There are preset heroes, but only if you play Heroes VI offline. When you aren't connected to the Conflux, you can choose from a list that contains a single Might and a single Magic hero from each faction.
When you are connected to the Conflux, you are restricted to your dynasty heroes and the factions they represent. However, as you finish the campaigns, you gain the heroes from those campaigns. I'm guessing (hoping?) that once you have finished all the campaigns you will have a might and a magic hero from every faction in your dynasty.
If I'm wrong, or if you want to play online skirmish or multi-player games right now (and be able to choose the faction you start with), you have to create your own hero for each faction.
There's two factors at work here:
In the campaigns, only Main heroes can change classes. In this case, it refers to reaching 250 points on the tears / blood path. Non main heroes don't have blood / tears, and so are never eligible to change class.
While each hero has their own specialization, they also get an ability from their class. All Knights, for instance, get "Mark of the Heretic" which makes their attacks cause the target to take increased damage. Inquisitors, on the other hand, have "Holy Blades" which makes their troops deal a small amount of additional holy damage with each of their attacks.
Best Answer
A Dynasty tracks your progress throughout the game, both single and multi-player, and allows you to gain some benefits from earlier achievements. It is made up of a bunch of pieces that are all inter-related.
Heroes - Dynasty heroes include your main heroes from the campaign missions, as well heroes you have created for multi-player. Dynasty heroes are able to benefit from other pieces of your dynasty (traits and weapons) and also help build up your dynasty by earning experience and building up your Dynasty weapons.
Weapons - A few items in the game are considered "Dynasty Weapons". These items are available to all your dynasty heroes, and also gain experience whenever the hero wielding them does. They can level-up, giving them additional powers.
Traits - Dynasty traits are some passive bonuses that you can earn. At the beginning of each game, you can select the dynasty trait that you want your dynasty hero to get for that game. You can unlock additional traits by earning achievements, and you can unlock additional slots for traits (allowing you to select multiple ones per game) at the Altar of wishes.
Altar of Wishes - Earning achievements for your dynasty earns you dynasty points. You can spend these at the altar of wishes to unlock new options. Some are cosmetic, like new portraits for your heroes, while others have gameplay impact, like new dynasty weapons or additional dynasty trait slots.
Dynasty Rank - All experience earned by all your dynasty heroes contributes towards your dynasty rank. Increasing your dynasty rank opens up new things to purchase at the Altar of Wishes.