Chimaera (Warcraft III)

For lore, see chimaera.

Chimaera
Race	Chimaera
Faction	Night Elf Sentinels
Statistics
Hit points	1000
Hit point regeneration	Night
Hit point regeneration rate	0.50 HP/sec.
Unit Type	Normal
Level	5
Gold	330
Lumber	70
Food	5
Produced at	Chimaera Roost
Build time	60 sec.
Attacking priority	3
Hotkey	C
Combat
Weapon(s)	Storm Breath; Corrosive Breath (Requires the same upgrade)
Normal attack	67-83 (75 avg) Area Damage Radius: Full Damage Area: 5 1/2 Damage Area: 10 1/10 Damage Area: 20
Can attack	Ground, Structure, Debris, Item, Ward Area Damage Targets: Ground, Debris, Enemy
Range	45
Attack type	Magic
Cooldown	2.50 sec.
Weapon type	Missile (Splash)
Secondary attack	45-55 (50 avg)
Can attack	Structure, Debris
Range	85
Attack type	Siege
Cooldown	2.50 sec.
Weapon type	Missile
Armor Type	Light
Armor	2
Day Sight	160
Night Sight	80
Movement Speed	Average (250)

This article contains lore taken from Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne, the manuals, and/or official bonus maps.

The mysterious Chimaera of Ashenvale Forest are deadly, territorial beasts who have developed an empathic bond with the Night Elf race. The fearsome, two-headed Chimaera fly above the dark forestlands spewing forth their terrible breath weapons upon all who would defy the sanctity of Kalimdor.

Information

Chimaeras are one of the ultimate Night Elf units. Like Frost Wyrms, Chimaeras deal massive damage against enemy ground units with an impressive area of effect, though they move rather slowly. Though unlike these undead dragons, the Chimaeras cannot damage enemy aerial units. Until Corrosive Breath is researched, Chimaeras use a short-ranged, magic attack against buildings. Upon completion of this research, the Chimaera gains a second attack that only targets buildings.

Chimaeras are feared if well protected, because a group of six or more can easily destroy any ground unit with ease, including ranged combatants. In the event, they are relegated to base destroyers, try to target Town Halls and immediately run away as soon as someone tries to teleport to defend. Chimaeras can also be used to sabotage the enemy by killing their workers.

Night Elf players generally build three or four Chimaera Roosts to speed up the production of the Chimaeras. Generally, if the player trains Chimaeras, they are also accompanied by Hippogryphs, and never any ground units. Chimaeras are notorious for killing allied units due to the high splash damage incurred from their AoE, compared to Frost Wyrms. Their high cost and requirement of additional protection mean the player needs to have one or two expansions to properly maintain a force of Chimaeras. It's also important to have your Heroes carry a Staff of Returning to make sure the Chimaeras don't die if they get focused on.

Counters

Being the only heavy air unit that is only limited to targeting ground enemies, any aerial unit easily counters a Chimaera. Some players may try to use Chimaeras to target town halls due to their longer range, so defensive towers will typically not work against them.

Spell-immune units like Dryads can also work due to their spell immunity protecting them from magic attacks. Alternatively, due to their slow speed, one could grab an ensnare unit (Raiders or Crypt Fiends) to snag the beasts before they get away, or use their own aerial units to pursue them.

Spells and abilities

Corrosive Breath (Passive)

Hurls a ball of corrosive bile that is effective against buildings.

Research Cost	Researched At	Upgrade Time	Effect
125 225	Chimaera Roost	40 sec.	Gains a secondary attack that targeting structures and debris. Primary attack no longer targets structures and debris.

Upgrades

Strength of the Wild

Increases the damage of Druids of the Claw in Bear Form, Druids of the Talon in Storm Crow Form, Dryads, Mountain Giants, Faerie Dragons, Hippogryphs, and Chimaeras.

Research Cost	Researched At	Upgrade Time	Effect
100 75	Hunter's Hall	60 sec.	Normal attack: 68-100 (84 avg) Secondary attack: 46-66 (56 avg)

Improved Strength of the Wild

Further increases the damage of Druids of the Claw in Bear Form, Druids of the Talon in Storm Crow Form, Dryads, Mountain Giants, Faerie Dragons, Hippogryphs, and Chimaeras.

Research Cost	Researched At	Requirements	Upgrade Time	Effect
175 175	Hunter's Hall	Tree of Ages	75 sec.	Normal attack: 69-117 (93 avg) Secondary attack: 47-77 (62 avg)

Advanced Strength of the Wild

Further increases the damage of Druids of the Claw in Bear Form, Druids of the Talon in Storm Crow Form, Dryads, Mountain Giants, Faerie Dragons, Hippogryphs, and Chimaeras.

Research Cost	Researched At	Requirements	Upgrade Time	Effect
250 275	Hunter's Hall	Tree of Eternity	90 sec.	Normal attack: 70-134 (102 avg) Secondary attack: 48-88 (68 avg)

Reinforced Hides

Increases the armor of Druids of the Claw in Bear Form, Druids of the Talon in Storm Crow Form, Dryads, Mountain Giants, Faerie Dragons, Hippogryphs, and Chimaeras.

Research Cost	Researched At	Upgrade Time	Effect
150 50	Hunter's Hall	60 sec.	Armor: 4

Improved Reinforced Hides

Further increases the armor of Druids of the Claw in Bear Form, Druids of the Talon in Storm Crow Form, Dryads, Mountain Giants, Faerie Dragons, Hippogryphs, and Chimaeras.

Research Cost	Researched At	Requirements	Upgrade Time	Effect
200 150	Hunter's Hall	Tree of Ages	75 sec.	Armor: 6

Advanced Reinforced Hides

Further increases the armor of Druids of the Claw in Bear Form, Druids of the Talon in Storm Crow Form, Dryads, Mountain Giants, Faerie Dragons, Hippogryphs, and Chimaeras.

Research Cost	Researched At	Requirements	Upgrade Time	Effect
250 250	Hunter's Hall	Tree of Eternity	90 sec.	Armor: 8

Ultravision

Gives Night Elves the ability to see as far at night as they do during the day.

Research Cost Researched At Requirements Upgrade Time Effect 50 50 Hunter's Hall Tree of Ages 45 sec. Night Sight: 160

Gallery

• 

  Chimaera portrait in Warcraft III: Reforged.

Patch changes

• Patch 1.15 (2004-05-10): Movement speed decreased to 250 from 270.
  
• Patch 1.10 (2003-07-03): Chimaera splash increments reduced by 50 for quarter, 25 for half. This effectively means that Chimaeras will do less splash damage than previously.
  

External links

Battle.net Warcraft III - Night Elves -> Units -> Chimaera

es:Quimera (Warcraft III)