When a Phoenix dies, a Phoenix egg is created nearby (if the terrain is suitable). A new Phoenix can be trained from it very quickly. The egg, however, is vulnerable and can be destroyed by enemy units.
The Phoenix has 400 hit points, 3.6 speed, 30 hack and crush damage and no attack bonus. It costs 200 gold, 30 favor, and Phoenixes from eggs cost the same as the ones from the Temple.
With patch 2.0, the Phoenix has 500 hit points, 4 speed, and 40 hack and crush damage. It costs 200 gold, 25 favor, and Phoenixes from eggs cost 150 gold and no favor.
With patch 2.7, the Phoenix has 50 crush damage and deals double damage to myth units.
Strategy[]
Since it can fly, only ranged units can attack the Phoenix. Human soldiers fall quickly due to its large attack, and since the Phoenix deals crush damage it can destroy buildings and ships with ease, especially in groups or when supported by other siege units on the ground or ships on the water. Archers can fire back, but unless in groups, they will have little chance of killing it due the high pierce armor of the Phoenix. Ranged heroes and myth units, especially the Mummy, Fire Giant, and Vermilion Bird, are their main weaknesses. Due to the Phoenix's low hack armor, using large groups of Throwing Axemen upgraded with Axe of Muspell is also ideal.
Due to their capability of respawning, if their egg survives, it might be a good idea to send the Phoenix ahead of the remainder of the army when attacking. When the Phoenix attacks, it might die and turn into an egg; when the remainder of the army takes control over the area, it is possible to let the Phoenix respawn somewhat safely.
An eagle-like bird with feathers of gold and red, the Phoenix was associated with the Sun and fire. It was long-lived and had the ability to reproduce or reincarnate itself after death. In some traditions, it built its own funeral nest before dying and then a young Phoenix would issue from the dead body. After Christianity began to spread, the tale of the Phoenix changed so that the bird turned its funeral nest into a pyre and self-immolated. After a period of time, usually three days, a new Phoenix rose from the ashes. The Phoenix became a symbol for both immortality and life after death.
"And at the five hundred years' end, the priests array their altar honestly, and put thereupon spices and sulphur vif and other things that will burn lightly; and then the bird phoenix cometh and burneth himself to ashes. And the first day next after, men find in the ashes a worm; and the second day next after, men find a bird quick and perfect; and the third day next after, he flieth his way."
-- The Travels of Sir John Mandeville
”
—In-game help section
Phoenix Egg[]
Hatching a new Phoenix directly from the egg costs as much as training one from a Temple. The advantage is that the Phoenix will appear directly above the egg and can continue fighting immediately. Once a Phoenix has been trained, the egg will crack open and disappear. The Phoenix hatched from the egg will not lay a new egg upon its own death.
Mythology[]
“
This is a Phoenix Egg. A Phoenix is awaiting rebirth within. If this Egg is left intact, a Phoenix may be summoned to this spot.
”
—In-game help section
Trivia[]
A Phoenix hatched (or spawned) from an egg does not play any sound clip. This is probably because it is a different unit, albeit having the same stats. This was fixed in patch 2.7.
They are also not selected when double-clicking on a Phoenix summoned from a Temple, while double-clicking on them will select other Phoenixes summoned from an egg. An egg Phoenix also lacks the mythology section that the Temple Phoenix has.
Gallery[]
Phoenix in-game
Phoenix attacking
Extended Edition appearance of Phoenix before an update reverted them to their original look
Phoenix (right) as introduced in one of the campaign scenarios' "Spotlight"