The mechanic of obtaining the Grail has been completely reworked. Unlike the third installment, where you first had to find obelisks, then locate the spot where the Grail was buried, and then build a special structure in the chosen castle.

Now it's different. You just need to find a building on the map - the Mirage, then get there before other heroes and defeat the defender. The defender is interestingly designed - it's a copy of your hero with the same army, but slightly larger (+20%) and the same set of spells. After victory, you get the Grail.

These improvements are clearly aimed, like much in the gameplay, at increasing the game's dynamics. Well, it definitely succeeded. Now the Grail can be found faster; it's not hidden on the map but visible to everyone.

Another feature worth noting is that the buildings and bonuses provided by the Grail can be seen immediately - the building is displayed in the available constructions right at the start of the game.

And keep in mind that the mechanic remains the same - if an enemy captures the castle, all bonuses transfer to them.

Mechanics of Defeating the Mirror Opponent

The Mirage will have an army and hero stats 20-30% higher, with roughly the same set of spells. So you can't rely solely on your army; this isn't the AI from Heroes III that chased a fairy across the map. You need to focus mainly on magic. Since the enemy hero will have a larger army anyway, don't multiply losses; give your main army to a secondary hero and keep only the stack you need with the main hero. It's best to use various forms of debuffs, control, and summoning.

If your hero is not a mage, it's better to use an additional hero or find the necessary set of scrolls and spells for the main one.

Users are discussing many different tactics to defeat the mirror enemy; here are some of them:

Berserk spell and archers

Step 1 - have access to level 4 nightshade magic (via skill, tome, or bottled spells). Step 2 - learn Berserk (or be a necromancer hero who starts with it).

Step 3 - split your ranged unit into two and make it the only unit in your army.

Step 4 - cast Berserk and watch the Mirage take itself out.

Anti-magic

Use one small unit and cast the "anti-magic" spell on it, making it immune to powerful spells, then attack the enemy with stronger spells.

Mass destruction

Take several stacks of level 1 creatures, equip all spell power artifacts, then in battle use spells for mass attacks against all enemy units.

Bonuses for Building the Grail by Faction

Dungeon, Spy Network: Completely dispels the fog of war. Increases weekly growth of all creatures in the city by +100%.

Rift, Abyssal Firmament: Building a mage guild in this city unlocks all spells of the corresponding tier. Increases weekly growth of all creatures in the city by 100%.

Swarm, Choir Conductor: All friendly creatures gain +10 attack in battle. Their critical hits, as well as your heroes' critical hits (including magic), deal +50% damage. Increases weekly growth of all creatures in the city by 100%.

Grove, Fountain of Life: +1 to growth of all creatures in all your cities. Increases weekly growth of all creatures in the city by 100%.

Temple, Golden Calf: Your cities produce 1000 gold and 1 of each other resource daily. Increases weekly growth of all creatures in the city by 100%.

Necropolis, Immortal Serpent: All friendly creatures gain +10 defense in battle and -50% damage from critical hits (including magic). Increases weekly growth of all creatures in the city by 100%.