Unfortunately a recent blind purchase of the Phoenix Force figure has left me with nothing but the figure itself (no fragments or cards) and reading comments across the various components I'm still left scratching my head of almost 24 hours later of going back and forth between the Phoenix Force and the Fragments.

If I may, I'll start with the resource itself;


The costing I understand (Cost of Resource + Cost to Assign "Phoenix Force" to 1 to 5 characters + Optional cost to assign Fragments as Relics to characters) but it is how the resource gives the passive abilities and the dial starting point that I can't decypher.

So as an example let's say I assign Phoenix Force to 3 characters on my team (who meet the minimum 40 pt requirement).

Question #1;
Do all characters assigned Phoenix Force benefit from the passive dial effects of the Phoenix Force from the beginning of the game? It states "...when a standard power is revealed..." so does this include what is visible at the start of the game?

Question #2;
Do characters on your team not assigned as Phoenix Force gain benefits? Just wanting to be clear, I gather this is a "no".

Next from here, is about the starting Group on the dial. The forums don't describe which group is which.

Question #3;
The easiest way I saw to discern the different groups was by the Attack value's Click 1. Could I please have some assistance knowing which group numbers relate to; Click 1 is Quake, Click 1 is +1, Click 1 is B/C/F, Click 1 is Energy Explosion, Click 1 is Telekenisis.

Question #4;
How is the starting Group click determined on the dial? Is that purely based on X Fragments assigned to the Resource between 0 to 5?

Next question is about the difference between the Fragment being assigned to the resource Phoenix Force or to a Character

Question #5;
If a character has a Fragment as a Reic assigned to them they gain Flying, Poison and the designated ability from their specific Fragment. Each turn can they in addition to this also benefit from the designated Fragment ability chosen for the turn on the resource itself?

And a confirmation on one of the particular Fragments;



Question #6;
Confirming if a character is assigned this as a relic only they can use Mystics, but if this is a Fragment attached to the resource you can choose that all characters assigned Phoenix Force can use Mystics ability (if that is the chosen Fragment to use that is attached to the resource).

I think even just typing out some of these questions I've gained a better understanding, but I just want to be sure I am correct about how this works given the rules in the Units section aren't the most clear. Perhaps I should also check the Comprehensive Rules for rulings on relics & resources, but something tells me this particular piece isn't so straight forward to be encapsulated in there.

Thanks in advance to all who respond and assist here

#1 yes, #2 no

The way I remember the different groups (at the start) is this:

• If all FIVE of the fragments are assigned... equivalent to NONE on the resource... you use the first group.
• If ALL BUT ONE are on the resource (because only one character is assigned a fragment) you use the last group

Yes.

I agree that this can be a little tricky, because the fragments assigned to characters are assigned as relics (via the resource), and at the time this resource came out a character couldn't double-dip with both a resource and a relic.

Yes. The attached "Phoenix Power" fragments are the ones that can be chosen at the beginning of the controller's turn.

I should disclose: as much as I like this resource (it is probably my favorite after Power Batteries) I never used it that much in play. It is incredibly powerful, but primarily if you are building a somewhat balanced team as opposed to trying to support a tent-pole. A "one man army" or tent-pole is probably better served by the Infinity Gauntlet, Utility Belt, or Book of the Skulls.

I don't mean to imply that it can't help a tentpole, it's just that the extra build cost (of the resource, fragments, plus the assignments) is an investment that is best used for multiple characters. For example, adding Invulnerability to multiple characters (that don't already have damage reducers, or have alternate reducers that could be subject to Outwit) via the Colossus fragment effectively extends the life of all those characters. I think it can be effectively used on as few as two relatively balanced figures, see this post for a (somewhat recent) thematic idea of my own.

In this (2022) era of very potent 50-point dials, and Fliers carrying Fliers, I'm somewhat surprised that the Phoenix Force doesn't get more chatter. I can understand trying to squeeze more offense or support onto a 300-point force instead of spending the points on the resource+, and there is the restriction on applying to "standard characters" (slightly updated with the current rules set)... but getting some specific starting powers/stat boosts at the start of a game should have some appeal to power players.

Even though I (sort of) swore off using the Phoenix Force after a couple of weeks of various UXM teams chewing through events, it is not an unbeatable thing to face. "Back in the day" the most common use of it I faced was opponents who were trying to be clever and use the Emma Frost fragment to get alpha-strikes... and alpha strikes is something every good player has to plan for anyway, so this always struck me as wasteful. I'm also not particularly put off seeing the Magik fragment in play.

I loved this resource. Back in the day, I had a hard time playing outside of strict specific themes, but I really loved playing this on Birds of Prey. it didn't make the team a silver bullet of any kind, but it put them on a more even playing field with toughter teams. Add the ATA and bam! Lots of fun.

By standard characters does that mean Uniques & Primes can't benefit? Or that this can't be used with Vehicles or Colossals? Still a few months fresh to the game, happy to be pointed to where this is in the Comprehensive rules

And thanks for the robust responses, Tidge! Loved your LAMP article recently and all your positive contributions to HCRealms, always found your responses to be very explanatory and helpful!

Some characters are specifically identified as not being standard characters.

From the comprehensive rulebook (1.10):

A standard character is one that:

• Isn’t a bystander.
• Has a single base or a 1x2 (“peanut”) base.
• Has as its only attack combat symbol(s), has (or ) as its only defense combat symbol, and has as its damage combat symbol.

Perfect, thanks again Tidge! That "peanut" base bit really helps me out with some of my ideas! Appreciate the clarification.