Sunward Phalanx Unit Guide

Unit Details

• Season 19: Alexander
• Acquisition: Seasonal Challenges
• Type: Melee Infantry - Polearm
• Era: Golden Era

Unit Background:

The father of the Conqueror, the former ruler of Macedonia, created a new legionary tactic, known as the Macedonian phalanx: warriors clad in heavy armor, wielding long spears, formed an unstoppable phalanx and advanced. The Conqueror further elevated this legionary tactic to its pinnacle: he commissioned the creation of spears longer than people of that time could imagine. When warriors equipped with these long spears formed their lines and pointed their spearheads towards the enemy, the very nature of war was fundamentally altered. War ceased to be a game of individual valor and became a unified front of thousands. The clash transformed, inexorably consuming and dispersing the enemy like scattered troops and mercenaries. Stirring battle cries turned into subdued commands, as even the most skilled and valiant warriors found attacking such a formation akin to striking a mountain or the vast sea.

This highly effective strategy aided the Conqueror in vanquishing all his foes. On the battlefield, his units stood like a silent mountain, steadily advancing towards the enemy. As the figure of the emperor stood before the formation gradually became towering, bowing seems to be the only choice to this great monarch.

Featured Gameplay:

Wearing the iconic style helmets, linen cuirasses, and leather kilts, the finest warriors of Macedonia wielded spears of extraordinary length, their arms secured by large round shields, advancing in an indomitable phalanx formation. Shielded by their round shields, they stood fearless against attacks from afar. Following the king's command, moving steadily back and forth with their long spears, continuously compressing the enemy's lines. Through skillful manipulation of the distance from the enemy, Macedonia could evade harm while seizing the opportune moment and launch a lethal strike on the ever-changing battlefield!

Core Unit Statistics

Unit Traits:

• King's Army - For the duration of the Alexander: The Supreme season, this unit's Leadership cost is reduced by 10 points.
• Sicanian Pikes - This unit's long pikes cause extra damage to cavalry. Damage taken from cavalry while bracing is reduced 15%, but this unit will not be able to attack at close range.
• Imperial Anvil -Attacks during Brace inflict Daze on the enemy.
• Moira's Generosity - Gain [Reversal of Fate], which prevents one instance of lethal damage. All control effects are removed when [Reversal of Fate] takes effect. [Reversal of Fate] begins restoring after not having been hit for 30 seconds.
• Encumbered - This unit is burdened with heavy equipment and thus cannot push siege engines or climb ladders.

Formations:

• Dispersed - The unit spreads out a little to lessen the damage from ranged attacks.
• Block - A dense formation intended to enhance the unit's defences.
• Schiltron - The unit forms a circle for all-round defence. Vulnerable to artillery.

Unit Orders:

• Imperial Spears - The Sunward Phalanx enters Brace formation to attack any enemy within range. Brace deals high damage against charging cavalry and infantry. Issuing an attack command during this skill makes them turn toward the current enemy.
  [Order] Brace
• Roaming Brace - The Sunward Phalanx maintains Brace while moving either forward or backward, attacking any enemy within range.
• Ares' Flurry - The Sunward Phalanx strikes forward multiple times. This skill makes them leave Brace formation.
  Base cooldown: 13 seconds.
  Base duration: 3 seconds.

Veterancy Paths:

Base Path

• The Soldier's Life (3): Each level increases health by 5%.

Top Path

• Cold Blood (3): Each level increases piercing damage by 2%.
• Force (3): Each level increases piercing armour penetration by 5%.
• Inner Energy (3):  Each level reduces [Ares' Flurry]'s cooldown by 2 seconds.
• Battle Frenzy (3): Each level increases [Ares' Flurry) Is damage by 5%.
• Unwavering (3): Each level increases [Ares' Flurry] Is armor penetration by 10%.
• Move as One (3): Each level increases movement speed by 5%.
• Butcher's Bill (1): Increases blocking by 120.
• Zeus' Fury (1): [Ares Flurry] has 30% chance to knock down the enemies units.
  Unit identification changed to: Sunward Phalanx: Zeus' Fury

Bottom Path

• Toughen Up (3): Each level increases piercing defence by 3%.
• Bloodbath (3):  Each level increases slashing defence by 3%.
• Anti-Cavalry (3):  Each level increases damage dealt to cavalry by 5%.
• Resilient (3):  Each level reduces damage taken from cavalry by 5%.
• Anti-Cavalry (3):  Each level reduces damage taken during Brace by 5%.
• Melee Attack (3): Each level increases brace weapon damage by 5%.
• Spear Array (3):  Each level reduces damage taken from cavalry when using Brace-type skills by 15%.
• Titanic (1):  Increases the number of enemies Brace can hit by +1.
  Unit identification changed to: Sunward Phalanx: Titanic

Key Doctrines:

• Sunward Phalanx: Storm Formation: One formation to rule them all.
  [Divine Gaze) applies [Expose] to enemy units. Upon reaching 10 stacks, that enemy deals 30% reduced damage to the Sunward Phalanx. Must be equipped with the [Sunward Phalanx: Overwhelm] attire to take effect.
• Sunward Phalanx: Overwhelm: Overwhelm the enemy with great force. 
  Unlocks [Divine Gaze]. Creates semi-circular totem of 8 meters at a distance of 10 meters in any direction. Enemies within range gain a stack of [Expose], stacking up to 10 times. Stacks are lost after 5 seconds. The Sunward Phalanx deals 40% increased damage against enemies with 5 stacks of [Expose].
  Base cooldown: 50 seconds.
  Base duration: 15 seconds.

Unit Kit Crafting

Related Information:

• Season 19: Alexander
• Companion Cavalry (4.0 Stars)
• Psiloi Slingers (3.0 Stars)

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