Phoenix

Phoenix was the 5th Featured Champion, being featured for the month of January 2017. (Phoenix was available in the Monthly Calendar for January 2017.)

Phoenix

Portrait
Featured
Full

Base Attributes

Release Date

October 13th, 2016^[1]

Origin

Marvel Comics
First Appearance: X-Men #101 (1976)

Victory Animation

Phoenix, covered in cosmic fire, levitates.

Abilities

Incinerate
Armor Break
Special Echo
Fury
Power Gain
Regeneration

Signature Ability

The Eternal Phoenix

Availability

No

Yes (exclusive)

Yes

Yes (exclusive)

Template

Phoenix is a Cosmic Champion. Being a Cosmic Champion, she has a Class Bonus against Tech Champions, but is weak to Mystic Champions.

Bio[]

Though Jean Grey and the Phoenix Force have long been separated, their bond is unique. More than a mere host, Jean is a part of the Phoenix, as the Phoenix is a part of her. When Jean was brought to the Battlerealm and exposed to ISO-8, the highly mutagenic properties of ISO-8 reopened Jean's latent connection to the universal force of life, and the Phoenix was reborn again, this time into the Contest of Champions!

Mechanics[]

The Phoenix is reborn, and she is eternal! With incredible healing abilities and the ability to Incinerate Opponents in her mere presence, the Phoenix is truly a force to be reckoned with.

By attacking, Phoenix builds up Phoenix Force Charges, which she uses to fuel her deadly Cosmic Flame Aura. What’s more, by charging her Heavy Attack before ending a Basic combo, Phoenix can both trigger the Aura, and Stun the Opponent helplessly inside it, roasting them alive!

What’s more, when these Phoenix Force Charges expire, Phoenix converts them into healing energy, Regenerating its host constantly throughout the fight. That, combined with a powerful Regeneration and Immortality on Phoenix’s Special Attack 3, makes Phoenix a master at staying hale and hearty. All that is before Phoenix is Awakened, and gains access to her Immortality from the start of the fight, and extra healing after being Revived.

Finally, Phoenix’s fathomless strength grows quickly as she uses it throughout the fight. Through the new Special Echo mechanic, each Special Attack she throws empowers future Special Attacks, causing their effects to recur for each previous Special Attack thrown. This power multiplies rapidly and wildly, and Summoners must be careful to avoid overloading.

Stats[]

Max Rating	Max Health	Max Attack
594	2191	183
-	-	-
1576	5821	485
-	-	-
3966	14596	1216
4908	-	-
7996	29264	2437
10690	-	-
13640	49935	4158
18250	-	-
34640	126834	10559
-	-	-

Abilities[]

Phoenix Force - Max Stacks: 30

The uncontrollable Phoenix Force provides Immunity to Incinerate, Power Drain, Power Burn, Power Lock, Special Lock, and Heal Block.
When Phoenix strikes her Opponent with a Light or Medium Attack, she gains a Phoenix Force Charge lasting 0.7 seconds, paused during Strikers, Striker Openings, Phoenix’s Special Attack 2, and Cosmic Flame Aura. They are refreshed whenever she gains another.
When the Parry Mastery activates, but does not Stun the Opponent, Phoenix gains 4 Phoenix Force Charges, reduced by 1 for each consecutive trigger (Minimum: 1) and all Charges expire 75% slower until one is gained from another source.
When one or more Phoenix Force Charges expire naturally, they become a Regeneration Buff healing 0.35% of Phoenix’s Max Health per Charge over 6 seconds.

Dev Notes: The Parry Mastery activates, but does not Stun, against Special Attacks, and non-contact Basic Attacks. Use Phoenix against non-contact Opponents and those with many hits in their Specials to quickly ramp and heal against chip damage.

Charging Heavy Attack - Cosmic Flame Aura

Charging a Heavy Attack after landing any non-Combo-Ending Basic Attack inflicts a Stun Passive for a fixed 2.5 seconds, removed when the Opponent is struck. Unaffected by Ability Accuracy.
Charging her Heavy Attack triggers Phoenix’s Cosmic Flame Aura for 2.5 seconds, if it is not already active. When triggered this way, it ends early if Phoenix stops charging her Heavy Attack.
Over the course of its duration, while the Opponent is near, Cosmic Flame Aura inflicts a number of Incinerate Debuffs equal to 1 plus the number of active Phoenix Force Charges when it started.
Each Incinerate deals X Energy Damage over 30 seconds. Max stacks: 12. When one is replaced due to the stack limit, inflict an Instant Incinerate with triple the potency.

Tier	Energy Damage
	18.3
	48.5
	121.6
	243.7
	415.8
	1055.9

While the Aura is active, Phoenix’s Combat Power Rate is reduced by 100%.

Dev Notes: Phoenix’s goal is essentially to combo into Heavy Charge to put lots of Incinerates on the Opponent. Keep in mind that, while Phoenix Force Charges typically fall off between combos, you can get more of them by Parrying Special Attack hits.

Heavy Attacks

Each hit inflicts a X Armor Break Debuff for 10 seconds.

Tier	Armor Rating
	188.89
	205.56
	222.22
	233.33
	250
	305.56

Dev Notes: While playing, consider whether you want to use Phoenix’s full Heavy Attack for two Armor Breaks, or cancel out of the first hit for better tempo.

Signature Ability[]

The Eternal Phoenix - Always Active

50 - 100% chance to start each fight with an indefinite Rite of the Phoenix Charge.
Each of Phoenix’s personal Fury Buffs, up to 6, reduces the Opponent’s Auto Block Ability Accuracy by 20 - 35%.
When Phoenix starts a fight with exactly 60%, 40%, or 20% of her Max Health, she gains a Regeneration Buff healing 20 - 40% of her Max Health over 30 seconds.

Dev Notes: This Signature Ability makes Phoenix reach all new levels of sustainability. In addition to getting the Rite for free, she gets a massive Regeneration just for using a consumable Revive, meaning she doesn’t rely on Potions much at all.

Special Attacks[]

Special Echo – Special Attacks 1 & 2

Finishing the Special Attack grants a Special Echo Buff for 60 seconds, paused during Phoenix’s Special Attacks. Does not stack as a Defender.
Activating Special Attack 1 or 2 with 3 or more Special Echoes grants Phoenix an Unblockable Buff for the duration of the attack.

Dev Notes: In the Special Attacks sections, look for “Special Echo:” to see which abilities trigger once per stack of Special Echo. With zero Special Echoes, those abilities don’t trigger at all.

Special 1 - Pyrokinetic Blast
The Phoenix Force is released in a wave of telekinesis, amidst a rush of power!

On activation, gain a +X Fury Buff, plus an additional one for every 5 Incinerates on the Opponent. Max stacks: 9.

Tier	Attack Rating
	27.45
	72.75
	182.4
	365.55
	623.7
	1583.85

These Buffs last 3 seconds and expire one at a time, but are paused while Phoenix does not have 3 Bars of Power.
Special Echo: Gain a Power Gain Buff granting 125% of a Bar of Power over 3 seconds.

Dev Notes: Try to have at least ten Incinerates on the Opponent by the time you activate this Special Attack. Keep in mind that Incinerates from Quest Nodes count. While using this Special, pay attention to how many Special Echoes you have, and be ready to quickly throw your Special Attack 2 if it seems like you’ll be pushed to 3 Bars of Power.

Special 2 - Cosmic Flame Awakened
Phoenix summons cosmic fire and funnels it into a lasting firestorm using raw telekinetic power.

Each hit of the fiery vortex grants 1 Phoenix Force Charge.
Landing the final hit activates Cosmic Flame Aura for 4 seconds. After ending, Phoenix Force Charges expire 75% slower until a new one is gained.
Special Echo: When Cosmic Flame Aura would expire naturally, reactivate it 1 time.

Dev Notes: Reaching this Special Attack with a high Special Echo count is your primary source of damage. Note that the Aura specifically reactivates each time, meaning it counts your new Phoenix Force Charges. Get as many charges as you can before your re-triggers run out. A good way to do this is to use a Striker to carry Charges across two combos before activating the Special Attack.

Special 3 - Rite of the Phoenix
At the brink of overloading, Phoenix channels all of her power into a devastating attack, then uses the remnants of energy to heal himself.

Once per fight, gain an indefinite Rite of the Phoenix Charge if not already active. The Charge is consumed when Phoenix would be Knocked Out to gain an Immortality Buff and a Regeneration Buff healing 20% of her Max Health, each lasting 5 seconds.
Consume all personal Fury Buffs, Power Gain Buffs, and Phoenix Force Charges.
Special Echo (Consume): Gain a Regeneration Buff for 10 seconds, healing 0.33% of Max Health per Fury and Power Gain consumed.

Dev Notes: This Special Attack can restore a lot of Health, but you don’t want to use it too early. Pay extra attention to your Special Echoes so that your Special Attack 1 doesn’t force you here.

Synergy Bonuses[]

Synergy	Partner(s)	Effect(s)
…We Are Reborn		Phoenix: Light Attack 3 inflicts a personal Instant Incinerate. All Champions: Gain 5% Regeneration effect potency. Unique Synergy: Does not stack with duplicate synergies.
Friends - Level 3		All Champions: +130 Armor Rating.
It's Complicated - Level 3		All Champions: +60 Armor Rating & +3% Combat Power Rate.
Teammates - Level 3		All Champions: +5% Perfect Block Chance.
Teammates - Level 3		All Champions: +5% Perfect Block Chance.
Incoming Synergy	Partner(s)	Effect(s)
The High Ground		Air-Walker: Heavy Charging increases Ability Power Rate by an additional 150%, reduced by 50% for each Persistent Power Cosmic Air-Walker has. Phoenix: Start each fight with 7 Phoenix Force Charges, paused until the next time a Charge is gained. Unique Synergy: Does not stack with duplicate synergies.
Mutant Agenda - Level 3		All Mutant Champions: Special Attack hits gain +12% Attack Rating.
Frequent Kidnapper Miles		Attuma: Power gained from the Opponent Evading is increased by a flat 15%. Phoenix: Heavy Attacks have a 25% chance to grant a Phoenix Force charge. Unique Synergy: Does not stack with duplicate synergies.
Stole My Shtick		Baron Zemo: Bullet hits during Zemo’s Medium Attacks and Special Attack 2 inflict Incinerate Debuffs, dealing 20% of Attack Rating as Energy Damage over 6 seconds. Incinerate removes Perfect Block chance and reduces Block Proficiency by 50%. Phoenix: Fury Buffs gain 20% potency. Unique Synergy: Does not stack with duplicate synergies.
Family - Level 3		All Champions: +6% Health.
Romance - Level 3		All Champions: +5% Combat Power Rate.
Like A Book		Synergy Champions: Well-Timed Blocks grant a non-stacking 20% Energy Resistance Passive for 10 seconds. Unique Synergy: Does not stack with duplicate synergies.
Consumed by Flame		Dark Phoenix: While her personal Unstoppable is active, she becomes Passively Unblockable. Phoenix: During the Opponent’s Special Attacks, Phoenix cannot gain Power and pauses her personal Power Gain effects. Unique Synergy: Does not stack with duplicate synergies.
Disco Inferno		Dazzler: Performing a Dazzling Dash inflicts an Incinerate Debuff dealing 20% of Attack as Energy Damage over 10 seconds. Other Synergy Champions: Incinerate and Plasma Debuffs gain 15% duration. Unique Synergy: Does not stack with duplicate synergies.
Friends - Level 3		All Champions: +130 Armor Rating
Phoenix Force		Emma Frost: Whenever Emma Frost would gain one Prowess Passive, she gains two instead. Phoenix: When the Stun from Cosmic Flame Aura fails due to Immunity, gain 10 Phoenix Force Charges. Unique Synergy: Does not stack with duplicate synergies.
Enemies - Level 3		All Champions: +155 Critical Rating.
From the Ashes…		Jean Grey: Incinerate Damage does not reduce the strength of Jean’s Force Field. All Champions: +10% Special Damage. Unique Synergy: Does not stack with duplicate synergies.
You’re Tangling with the Wrong X-Men		Jubilee: +900 Energy Resistance. Phoenix: +15% Attack Rating. Unique Synergy: Does not stack with duplicate synergies.
Fire Cleanses		Synergy champions except for Kushala: Incinerate effects are 15% more potent. Kushala: For each Damaging effect on the Opponent, Heavy Attacks deal extra damage equal to 5% of Kushala’s base attack. Unique Synergy: Does not stack with duplicate synergies.
Enemies - Level 3		All Champions: +155 Critical Rating.
My Hellfire Club		Magneto: Personal Armor Break and Bleed Debuffs gain +20% Duration. Solo: Only affects this Champion and does not stack.
Blood Lines		Mister Sinister, Phoenix: During Special Attacks, gain +20% Critical Rating and a True Strike Buff. Unique Synergy: Does not stack with duplicate synergies.
Revivified Support Group		Negasonic Teenage Warhead: While below 5% Health, the chance to Evade Medium and Light Attacks with Precognition becomes 100% until an Evade activates. Synergy Champions: +10% Health. Unique Synergy: Does not stack with duplicate synergies.
Mutant Agenda - Level 3		Mutant Champions: Special Attack hits gain +12% Attack Rating.
Drug L		All Mutants and X-Men except Professor X: Once per fight before being Knocked Out, Istantly Regenerate 7.5% Health for each Cerebro Charge. Max 30% Health. Phoenix: The stack limit for her personal Fury Buffs is increased by 3. Unique Synergy: Does not stack with duplicate synergies.
Enemies - Level 3		All Champions: +155 Critical Rating.
Family? - Level 3		All Champions: +6% Health.
Death & Resurrection		Terrax: Well-timed blocks give Terrax +3% of a Bar of Power. Phoenix: The durations of the Buffs granted by Rite of the Phoenix are increased by 50%. Unique Synergy: Does not stack with duplicate synergies.

Strengths and Weaknesses[]

Strengths[]

Incinerate
- Once she gets going, Phoenix’s rate of application and uptime for Incinerates is truly unmatched. After throwing a few Special Attacks, she can apply Incinerates in the triple-digits in under half a minute. She herself is also Immune to Incinerate.

Regeneration
- The Phoenix Force keeps its host alive by any and all means, and that is on full display here. In addition to having powerful in-fight Regeneration and Immortality, Phoenix also Regenerates massive amounts of HP after being Revived, making her a fantastic option for repeated use against difficult fights.

Power Generation
- Phoenix’s Special Attack 1 grants her a high potency Power Gain Buff that rockets her up towards her Special Attack 2. Through the Special Echo mechanic, this Power Gain grows in strength, even allowing her to use two Special Attack 2’s back-to-back.

Weaknesses[]

Incinerate Immunity
- Phoenix doesn’t have much recourse against Opponents who are Immune to her Incinerates except to slowly gain Fury Buffs and Regenerate.

Stun Immunity
- Phoenix can fight in Stun Immune matchups, but she loses the easiest route to accessing her Cosmic Flame Aura. Her best bet is to head straight for Special Attack 2 to activate the Aura, then doubling back to the Special Attack 1 and continuing her loop from there. A Striker helps her carry plenty of Phoenix Force Charges into the Cosmic Flame Aura.

Power Overload
- The Special Echo mechanic makes the Power Gain from Phoenix’s Special Attack 1 extremely strong, eventually to the point where upon throwing a single Special Attack 1, she will immediately Skyrocket to her Special Attack 3, ending her loop. This can be avoided with skilled play.

Recommended Masteries[]

Recovery
- Take Phoenix’s Regeneration effects to new heights for unparalleled sustainability.

Despair
- Phoenix quickly reaches and easily sustains over ten Incinerate Debuffs which, with this Mastery, easily keeps the Opponent’s Regeneration effects under control.

Recommended Stat Focus[]

Attacker[]

Critical Rating
- Once Phoenix’s Fury Buffs are active, her attacks start to do decent damage, so multiplying them with Critical Hits works well.

Defender[]

Block Penetration
- Making your Opponent take more damage through Block is almost always good.

Recommended Relics[]

Thor
- The Aptitude from Thor’s Striker can boost Phoenix’s Fury Buffs if timed correctly, and she gains Furies often enough to make use of the Vigor Buff.

External links[]

Trivia[]

Phoenix is the only Champion of the X-Men tag to be Cosmic class.
A 2-star version of Phoenix was available in the 2 star X-Men crystal during the March 2018 event.