I made this response in another thread but I thought it could be its own thread. Please forgive me, I don’t have time to make it pretty or to share more knowledge. Lots of this only works on diamond and below but this is supposed to be a guide for novices.
Before thinking about how to play Fenix, you need to think “why to play Fenix?”.
Fenix is not a hero that deals too much hero dmg, If you want lots of hero dmg then pick a mage. Fenix is super good at laning, with him you can destroy waves of minions and mercs super quick. Also, he is kinda great at dealing with structures. His trait allows him to be present all the time so you can lane against other heroes without having to worry about your HP or mana.
Now that you have decided you want to afk in a lane with Fenix you need to learn how to be as efficient as possible in PvE and 1v1 fights.
A really important part of playing Fenix is that you need to check your trait every time. If there is no risk of being ganked or encountering another hero then you can tank all the damage from the incoming minion wave, so your minions can arrive at the towers or the fort with their entire HP.
If you are facing another hero in the lane then you need to choose who is going to be your opponent. If you are thinking on laning against a hero with a lot of poke like Alarak or Li Li then reconsider it and pick a better fight against a hero that has trouble trying to get near you.
Don’t be scared of taking damage and keep making pressure, even if you lose your shields you still have HP so keep attacking and retreat when you have half of your normal HP. YOu can refill your HP with regen globes or over time and your shields regen in 12 seconds so is hard to be beaten in the lane.
Your Q is a really powerful spell that does a lot of dmg and slows your foes. You need to train to use it in combination with your AAs but also don’t be shy and use it as much as possible, with it, you can melt waves super fast or even inflict a lot of dmg to structures. Don’t save it just for PvP, it’s a great tool for PvE.
W is a complicated ability since you need to learn when is the best scenario to use each one. Phase bomb is great to poke and to destroy minion waves and some camps, as well for some PvP scenarios when the enemy team is super cramped, for absolutely everything el you need to use Repeater cannon since in the Nexus Fenis has an identity crisis and he thinks he’s a Stalker and not a Dragoon.
E is basically a nope button, not only it allows you to run away from your problems but also has a small moment when you are invincible, try to learn to count the seconds so you can negate things like Pyroblast. This ability also has a lot of range so you can use it as a mobility tool if you think there is no danger around for 17 secs.
Now he has 2 very interesting ults. Most people would say Purification Salvo is the only good option but I don’t think that. it deals some good amount of damage but it takes an eternity to charge and without slows, the dmg is insufficient, even if you lock 5 heroes with the scan so is more a finisher tool than an engage thanks to the range it has. If you are just fighting then I recommend to keep attacking as normal, you deal more dmg that way.
Planet Cracker is my favorite ult with Fenis for a simple reason, it’s global. When playing Fenix, oftenly you will be laning and not with your team so if a team fight happens you can combo your ult from the other side of the map to a CC chain. But the ult can do more than that, if you are taking a merc camp you can also use it to take the camp and to clear a lane at the same time, but wait, the is more, is a global poke that also works to contest camps like the boss. An enemy Butcher charged against an ally, worry not, you can use your ult to force that Butcher to retreat, but that’s not all, Planet Cracker can also clear objectives, with it you can annihilate a lot of waves in the same way as Tag, so fear no zerg, dwarves or orcs, Garden terrors, samurais, Immortals, punishers, spiders and more. The wave is too big and you have no time, then use your ult and destroy it, just practice a lot your positioning.
As you can see this talent works in a lot of scenarios so it’s really hard to not take it, especially with the new upgrade at 20.
Ok kid, now you know how to lane but what about team fights? Well, during team fights you need to abuse your best feature, sustaining dmg. Fenix doen’t deal burst dmg so you need to try to extend the fight as much as possible and keep attacking whatever you can, sometimes you can kill bad positioned or vulnerable heroes but if the risk is too high then keep playing safe, now, if you believe the risk is worthy to take then dive or teleport and kill that hero and immediately after retreat or keep making pressure if you have enough shields or HP.
Keep in mind you are super fat so you are a good target for your foes and since your dmg is not high then remember to be in team fights but only as a constant threat, you are not the main source of dmg. If you drafted Fenix as your main assassin then your team is pretty much doomed, so, remember, you are auxiliar dmg, not the main one.
Now you have some good knowledge but what about the talents? Well, let’s look at them.
level 1
Advanced Targeting: is a good choice for mid and late game but it drains potential for early PvP or 1v1, however, it’s always a good and safe talent to pick, recommended for most builds when you are starting with Fenix.
Arsenal Synergy: if this game was only about having to pick a level 1 talent then this talent would be the only good option but unfortunately you need to build a build and later talents are hard to mix with Arsenal Synergy. It’s not recommendable to pick it since you lose a lot of cool stuff later on in the game.
Mobile Offense: This talent is really hard to master but is really rewarding once you have mastered your stutter step. It simply deals a lot of damage so early on in the game and the talent remains relevant all through mid-game. Yes, you can get more dmg with Advanced Targeting but that takes time, if you want to be powerful the first 15 min of the game then pick this talent but prepare to spend a looooooooooooooooooooooooooot of time practicing your stutter step.
Level 4
Target Acquired: is a really good talent for Q and E build and even a popular option for AA build. It works really well in most scenarios thanks to that magnificent 40% bonus spd so is kinda the best talent at 4 but the other talents have some good use too.
Inhibiting Energy: Most people would say this talent is trash but they forgot something important, this talent is the only level 4 talent that can increase your dmg, how you ask? Well it’s simple, you can use it in combination with Advanced Targeting and Combat Advantage, that way all your 3 Qs deal 35% more dmg. The talent right now only works in Q build but a later buff can help it to be a better option but don’t let it pass if you are going to play Q build.
Emergency Protocol: the talent mostly works in AA build thanks to the passive 10% spd, you can abuse with your stutter step to make some incredible plays but it requires practice. This talent is good despite being completely overshadowed by Target Acquired.
level 7
Combat Advantage: Only useful with Q build, nothing else to say.
Warp Warfare: Can be mixed in any build thanks to the reset and a really good option, however, in E build this thing is super amazing. This talent is really good but don’t take it every game, the other talents at 7 definitely have their use.
Divert Power: Weapons: This talent can be abused by players that have mastered Fenix but it takes away a lot of PvE potential so I recommend it mostly for AA build.
Level 10
Look above for the info about both talents.
level 13
Adanium Shell: a must in E build and a possibility in Q build.
Dampening Field: a really good talent if you fear spell dmg.
Rapid Recharge: after the buffs, this thing became really good in AA build and even Q build. This talent allows you to regenerate your shield earlier and can be really oppressive.
Auxiliary Shields: This talent used to be super good back on the day but the nerf killed it. it’s still amazing for PvE but that’s all.
level 16
Offensive Cadence: 2% each AA is super good and a must-take for E build. Once you got this talent you can start participating in team fights since the enemy tank is most of the times your target and with this talent, you just melt tanks.
Photonic Weaponry: This talent is super niche and I don’t recommend it until future buffs but you can try it in AA build, however, the other options are much better.
Arsenal Overcharge: This talent is exclusive for Q build but it does wonders since you have your Q spinning most of the time and even works with your ult.
Armageddon Beam: a must-take with Q build and a powerful talent that makes your ult even more useful.
Secondary Fire: It used to be kinda good with Q build but since Armageddon Beam it became worthless.
Singularity Charge: a must-take in E build and really good in AA build, take it unless you are worried about killed, if that is the case then pick the next talent.
Unconquered Spirit: Basically a third shield. In several games, the enemy team will be hungry for some high-quality golden crab so take this talent to live another two minutes.
Alright, now you know about the talents, but what about builds?!?!? Ok, let me explain, right now Fenix has 4 builds. 99% of people can play 3 of them and some weird ones the other one but keep looking for future updates because that weird build may become great in a balance patch in perhaps ten thousand years.
The 3 talents that works are Q, E and AA build and the weird one is Arsenal energy build which I’ll not talk here in this guide so let’s look at the other ones.
Q build
This builds is all about Qs and works for both PvP and PvE scenarios but the downside is that it starts doing real dmg until 16 and it requires the enemy team to be in a formation that can be hit by Q, it’s not common but it happens 30% of the time, this build also is good when the enemy has blinds so you don’t become useless when blinded.
The build also works against the Immortals.
The build consists in:
Advanced Targeting - Inhibiting Energy - Combat Advantage (for more dmg on Q) or Warp Warfare (for faster resent on ult) - Planet Cracker (if you want to take Armageddon Beam) or Purification Salvo - Adanium Shell (if you went Warp Warfare) or Dampening Field - Arsenal Overcharge - Armageddon Beam or Singularity Charge or Unconquered Spirit.
E build
This build is all about focusing on one target during the effect of E, it deals a lot of single target dmg and can be kinda snowbally, just like calamity Ming. If the enemy has blind this build is not recommended but it works for most of the scenarios.
The build consists in:
Advanced Targeting (if you want to build dmg for late game) or Mobile Offense - Target Acquired - Warp Warfare - Planet Cracker - Adanium Shell - Offensive Cadence - Singularity Charge (for moar dmg) or Unconquered Spirit (if you are insecure)
AA build
This build is really hard to play but if you have mastered Fenix then you can abuse each of the talents in incredible ways. In this build you keep AAing ALL THE TIME. You never stop, you are always doing constant dmg. and moving.
The build consists in:
Mobile Offense - Target Acquired (85% of the times) or Emergency Protocol - Divert Power: Weapons - Purification Salvo - Dampening Field or Rapid Recharge - Offensive Cadence - Singularity Charge (mor dmg I said!!!) or Unconquered Spirit (lack of confidence is originated by continuous failings during key points in life)
Don’t be so cocky Starfox kid, just because now you have this knowledge it means you are a master Fenix player, YOu still need to learn about matchups:
bruisers
Artanis: The big melee minion can be a real pain to deal if he lands an E and his global blind can be really annoying. Before 16 is better to avoid a major confrontation with him.
Chen: The endangered drunk bear has good mobility and poke. Not recommendable to be too aggressive against him. Just lane and stay calm.
D’va: You can kill her, there is nothing she can do to stop you but be careful, her poke with Micro Missiles can be really annoying.
Deafwing: He can be really annoying since you can’t slow him but you can lane against him but after 16 you just melt him.
Dehaka: Stay away from bushes and he can’t do anything against you.
Gazlowe: A dangerous foe due to his poke. Stay at a reasonable distance from him.
Hogger: You are fat, avoid being caught and play safe.
Imperius: Wait until he charges and then kill him.
Leoric: If you avoid his W and you are fine.
Malthael: His constant Poke is a pain to deal with. Focus in his surroundings, you kill minions faster and wait until he is mana-starving to attack.
Ragnaros: If he didn’t take Sulfuras you can kill him, Meteors don’t deal too much dmg.
Rexxar: Easy stacks, just stay away from the stun.
Sonya: Play safe and avoid hooks. I recommend looking for another lane since she can poke a lot with some talents.
Thrall: Constant pokes, Avoid him until later talents.
Varian: Run away from him once he takes the “kill Fenix” talent.
Xul: Wait to teleport to avoid his roots and you’ll be able to kill him.
Yrel: Kinda annoying early game but later you can melt her.
Healers
Alextrasza: Avoid flames and you can kill her, her dragon form is no match for Offensive Cadence.
Ana: Your global is better you are fat so wait until she wastes her sleep dart.
Anduin: You have no CC to stop Holy Word and you are fat so be careful about roots, if you avoid all that he’s easy prey.
Auriel: Use Q after you avoid her stun and she’s dead.
Brightwing: E build can be too risky against her.
Li Li: she counters you in the lane but Q build can work against her.
Moralis: Avoid grenades, she has a mini “kill Fenix” talent.
Lucio: A real pain to deal with because of his high speed and displacement.
Malfurion: He counters you, don’t challenge him alone.
Rehgar: No issue at all against him.
Stukov: Are about his ults.
Tyrande: Pay attention to her poke.
Uther: Avoid the old man if he gets near to you, you have poor HP.
Whitemane: You just kill her.
melee assassins
Alarak: He counters you in all aspects.
Illidan: You can lane against him but in team fights he means death.
Kerrigan: Play carefully around her, remember you are fat.
Maiev: She has good poke but nothing to fear if you play calmly.
Murko: Without Octograp he’s a joke.
Quira: Not as bad as Alarak but still a bad matchup since you are fat.
Samuro: Easy stacks!
The Butcher: Without his silence, he’s useless against you.
Valeera: She kills you.
Zeratool: Early game he’s a joke, but late game…
range assassins
Azmodan: Look, someone even fatter than you, kill him, just avoid his minions if he takes the AOE talent.
Cassia: She kills you.
Chromie: Outside your range you are dead, inside your range she is super dead.
Failstad: 2 much poke 4 me.
Fenix: I only play Fenix.
Gall: Gall is not even a real hero.
Genji: He kills you, not a counter but he’s really annoying.
Greymane: Avoid his potion thing and you are safe.
Guldan: Before 16 he is just too much poke but once you get 16 he’s dead.
Ganzo: He’s poke incarnate but if he is in your range he dies.
Jaina: Without roots she is dead.
Junkrat: He’s too annoying to deal with.
Kael’thas: If you are smarter he’s not an issue.
Kel’thuzad: How many times I need to tell you you are fat?! get out of there!!!
Li- Ming: Her poke is telegraphed, it’s possible to kill her with just AA.
Lunara: She counters your trait.
Mephisto: Avoid his root and he’s dead.
Nazeebo: Wait for the right moment and he’s dead.
Nova: She is like Ganzo.
Orphea: Avoid her Qs and Es and you win.
Probius: a single Q followed with AAs can be enough to deal with him.
Raynor: He’s a traitor that chose Kerrigan over your bromance, he doesn’t deserve your frienship. He also has a lot of poke…
Hammer: She is fatter but also has a ton of range, don’t challenge her below 16.
Silvanas: She super kills you.
Tassadar: Yes, he has a lot of poke but he is also super slow, just kill him.
Tracer: E build kinda negates and AA build is good against her.
Tychus. Lost of poke and his mini dash makes him annoying to deal with.
Valla: That’s how you would look in terms of dmg if you don’t were so fat. She out dmg you but if you land a Q you can try to kill her.
Zagara: Too much poke at the start but later in the game she’s nothing.
Zul’jin: You need to catch him by surprise otherwise he can out dmg you.
Supports Yes the four of them…
Aba: It’s hunting season!!! Get your Planet Crackers ready and look for those slugs on the wild. Your laning is soo good he can’t stop you.
Medivh: Birdman is not a counter but sure he’s annoying. Avoid the first Q and then try to make pressure.
TLV: More easy stacks!!! Any of your builds works against them just be careful of Olaf and his stun.
Zarya: Her poke can be annoying but you have the upper hand most of the times.
Tanks
Anub’arak: You may think I would say you are soo fat he kills you but for the contrary, Fenix is good against the bug.
Arthas: Similar to Anub, you may think Arthy is an issue but na, you kill him.
Blaze: Avoid his poke and don’t be too aggressive below 16.
Cho: Your E build melts him at 16.
Diablo: Not an issue if you avoid walls.
ETC: The cow is super annoying but you Planet Cracker can negate his Mosh.
Garrosh: Same as others, once you hit 16 he’s dead.
Johanna: Lots of poke and blinds but your Qs can kill her.
Mal’Ganis: kinda annoying to deal with but just stay at a reasonable distance.
Mei: Constant Blinds and Poke, Why Blizz, Why?!?!
Muradin: Don’t be too aggressive and be careful about his stun and displacement, if he wastes it with someone else then he’s dead.
Stitches: He’s super dead.
Tyrael: Not enough dmg from him to worry about it, just kill him.
Now you have the power!!! With this knowledge, you can become a good Fenix player but it depends on you to become a great Fenix player.
Man i’m super tired now…
