From what I can see ferns are randomly placed on tiles, dont matter which: swamp, ground, hills. Questions, of course, are:

1. Is that truly random placing? or if the ground are trod on often it's not possible to have ferns. because I once got ferns from roads.

2. what determine the amount of ferns from each tiles? character skills? time since last army trod on there? global amount of fern placing? etc and etc...

3. Is there any consistent way to harvest ferns? Can you mod it in like cultivating them in swamp like we did with mandrakes?

(1) I do believe it is. I've once picked fern in one of my cities.

(2) and (3) - the admin will be able answer these better.

Interesting~

You are less likely to find it on easily accessible locations like roads and plains. But it can be found everywhere except water tiles, thats true.
Also Zeps and Heroes without troops have a lower chance to stumble upon it.


Max amount is 10. If you gather it very often you will get 1-2 per "visit".


No you can't cultivate it in any way.

Sheesh! It's even worse than blood gathering. At least you can hunt orcs in forests.

I've never had much trouble stumbling onto it. (Even once in the arena, where I spent my 1 AP and didn't get the actual fern.) Check the market; people who don't want it will sell it reasonably cheaply, as it's only good for one thing.

Think 20 and upwards ferns here. 15gp apiece is frankly too ruinous to purchase. I got a substantial stock of it before I start brewing and they were all gone just a third of a cauldron's lifetime.

Really wish there's a reliable way to harvest it. Like mandrakes, for example. 13 returns from an investment of 39 in 5 day. If I go into mandrake cultivating business in a big way I *may* have sufficient stock to mess with Alpha potion. Beta? Double that business.

I've been playing for 8 days, with a steadily increasing number of heroes wandering around the map (5 now), and no sign of ferns.
Are they so rare that I reasonably wouldn't see a single one in over a week? Or do they not appear while I'm under Dark Aura? Or have I been coming across them and just don't know where to look in the info panels?
Any info greatly appreciated:)

They are rare but if your heroes are constantly moving you will come across them occasionally.



They do appear while in DA protection.


When you move onto a tile with ferns a window will immediately pop-up to ask you if you want to pick them. You will need 1AP to pick them so make sure you always have 1AP spare when you move your hero.

Sure enough, no sooner had I read your response than I did indeed come across a fern. Picked it, too. And then found out that not only do I need to always have at least 1AP, I also need to always have an inventory slot open
Thank for the info! I hope it helps other beginners.