Warlords IV involves a lot of diversity in fantasy RPG elements. Skills, spells, character and unit advancement, and the like are all present in the game. All of these will play a significant part as you progress through the scenarios. Each skill advances during combat and the more your characters and units fight, the more skilled they become. There aren't that many spells altogether, but each one can be put to good use throughout combat (or at any time on the main map). Casting spells also uses up mana reserves, so unless you've squandered it all on holy armor, weapon improvement, healing, and similar things, you should be able to cast some powerful enchantments (like summoning, curse, inspiration, etc.).