CyberneticPony | 2014-11-12 15:55:19 |
I've been having problems against this one creature. Most strategies I can deal with in some form, but whenever the opponent plays a Phoenix I often find they run away with the game and I cannot retaliate. What is the best way to deal with this creature specifically if you do not get any form of removal? EDIT: I have read Wiggin's strategy guide to the basic houses, but I still am having problems. It seems like if I try to play heavy hitting creatures, Phoenixes will just be used to block the slots, and if I play light creatures, there will be plenty of creature destruction just to keep up their gained damage tempo. Modified by CyberneticPony on 2014-11-12 16:16:36 GrimJ0ker | 2014-11-12 16:49:51 |
1) Play knowing your opponent can't play FIRE, if he plays Phoenix surely(99%) no A8, so he could play F6 or F9 ---> So he can't play horizontal spells. 2) Destroy his probable W5 ---> he can't play fastly an other phoenix. 3) To counter a phoenix you don't necessarily need removal cards but you can counter phoenix with a lot of cards: -Water7, Illusion2, Earth11, Earth12, Demon7,Blood7,Earth3,Air5... -Any elemental which you will use it only like a wall, recharging mana for the next. -W6 in front of a weak creature.
Valentyne | 2014-11-12 16:57:20 |
Grim, you little sneak! You beat me to it Grim is right, great points! The fact that they've committed to holding fire mana means that they won't be likely to play any fire cards. But watch their growth! They could sneak in a flame wave if you're not careful. If you are going to block a phoenix, block it with cards that have good passive abilities like E11, E12, A5, etc. Also, as Grim said, Elementals make great blockers, especially A11 and E10, since they have more life. It will allow you to block the bird and still gain mana, building up for mana advantage. If they play phoenix, be very wary of global destruction, namely stone rain. Don't over-commit.Other special house phoenix combos include Death 2 and 7, and cards like Holy and Spirit 4, or Cultist 2. Modified by Valentyne on 2014-11-12 16:59:14 TheWillofSauron | 2014-11-12 17:14:41 |
The problem I do have with Phoenix usually is ... not an early phoenix, but a mid phoenix strategy when ... I don't have any counter anymore and I die by High Armageddon + Phoenix attack, or big destructor dmg as E9, W8. If I can think of a Phoenix strategy at the beginning of the game, countering that it's much easier. That being said, I realize I can't get lvl higher than 21 for years now ... that means I'm missing something overall, phoenix, classes, etc LOL :D :D :D mm75
Wavelength | 2014-11-12 17:27:55 |
As a rule of thumb you want the game to end as quickly as possible if your opponent plays Phoenix and you think they actually have the tools to support it (scaling damage, ample heals, board clears, good defense, or the Vampire class).
To end the game quickly, try to overwhelm the other (non-Phoenix) slots or make a rush at the opponent's life points directly. Watch your own life as well, and if your opponent might be able to beat you in a rush, use either utility creatures (like Elven Healer, or Merfolk Elder) or pure beef (like Giant Turtle or Troll or Elementals) to block the Phoenixes. Remember that, like Grim wisely mentioned, your opponent will be handicapped in the Fire or Air schools for as long as they want to keep the Phoenix stragegy up.
(Even better, you can block with Master Healer or Hydra. If you can do this, you don't even need to worry about ending the game quickly; you can often just play your own strategy.)
With all that being said, keep in mind that some players will bluff a single Phoenix with the intention of forcing you to overreact to it. Before you go crazy trying to counter or remove Phoenix, consider whether your opponent has the cards to support a successful Phoenix strategy. If they don't have at least 2-3 of the 5 things I mentioned before, you're probably being sent on a wild goose chase.
CyberneticPony | 2014-11-12 17:38:46 |
Thank you for the responses! These were really helpful, especially Grim's because they were really good examples for maintaining mana efficiency in response.
Valentyne | 2014-11-12 18:05:43 |
If they don't have at least 2-3 of the 5 things I mentioned before, you're probably being sent on a wild goose chase. Lol! Pun intended? Some great advice there, by Wave! Going for the rush is a great strategy often. And like Wave said, beware of the phoenix bluff! The problem I do have with Phoenix usually is ... not an early phoenix, but a mid phoenix strategy when ... I don't have any counter anymore and I die by High Armageddon + Phoenix attack, or big destructor dmg as E9, W8.
I know the feeling! CyberneticPony | 2014-11-12 18:28:09 |
It worked! Someone had a turn 2 Phoenix rush on me, and I managed to win! Despite a total of 3 Phoenixes, he wasn't able to defend a constant onslaught of solid creatures. It was a pretty close run, but it came down to a Dragon finisher. EDIT: AND AGAIN! Since I found this advice super helpful, I guess I'll post an example game to demonstrate how these tips can work in practice: Modified by CyberneticPony on 2014-11-12 18:48:34 Sinist | 2014-11-12 19:00:46 |
Phoenix might be just a trap to lure you into dragon being defenseless.
Archmage loves to play this way. Thats why ice guard is probably best
counter overall. Goblin 0 sometimes can be surprisingly effective, too =)
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