Spider Phoenix Aggro
Introduction
Section titled “Introduction ”The Tarantula-Phoenix composition is a classic aggressive build that balances steady offense-defense capabilities with exceptional burst potential. Its core strength lies in the perfect synergy between Tarantula and Phoenix: the Tarantula serves as a versatile frontline tank with high durability and provides potent AoE damage for clearing massed chaff in the late game, while the Phoenix acts as a highly mobile, high single-target damage air unit, specializing in eliminating heavy enemy units. This build excels in aggressive playstyles, using waves of Crawlers to absorb early damage and screen for advancing Tarantulas, establishing a strong mid-game advantage.
Tech Selection
Section titled “Tech Selection ”Tech upgrades are crucial to snowballing with this composition. Below are the core tech recommendations:
Tarantula (Core Frontline):
Section titled “Tarantula (Core Frontline): ”- Range Enhancement (Mandatory): Prioritize on Rounds 3–4. As a mid-range unit, range determines whether Tarantula can clear enemy Crawlers or Fangs first, which is key to holding the line early.
- High-Explosive Ammo (Core): Research on Rounds 5–7. Significantly boosts Tarantula’s AoE potential, allowing it to remain a “clearance machine” even against late-game chaff swarms. Note: A Tarantula with High-Explosive Ammo requires lvl 1 Attack Enhancement from the Research Center to one-shot lvl 1 Defence Enhancement Crawlers.
- Anti-Aircraft Ammunition (Situational): Use when the opponent masses Wasps and you lack sufficient anti-air. Allows Tarantula to double as AA.
- Spider Mine (Situational): Effective against high single-target damage units (e.g., Sabertooth, Fortress, Scorpion, Melting Point, Abyss, Overlord) to delay their damage output.
- Mechanical Rage (Optional): A late-game tech that further increases attack speed and movement speed, improving chaff-clear efficiency and damage output. Note: If playing Improved Tarantula, its splash radius is already large, so High-Explosive Ammo is less necessary; Mechanical Rage becomes the better choice.
Phoenix (Core Damage Dealer):
Section titled “Phoenix (Core Damage Dealer): ”- Jump Drive (Recommended): Grants Phoenix extreme mobility, allowing early positional advantages to evade anti-air or flank the enemy.
- Electromagnetic Shot (Situational): Use when enemy deploys giant units like Melting Points or Fortresses to disable their Range Enhancement tech.
- Energy Shield (Late-Game): Provides survivability against late-game Fortress Anti-Air Barrage.
- Range Enhancement (Situational): Both a Tarantula with Range Enhancement and a base Phoenix have 120m range, but Phoenix’s faster speed can sometimes expose it to Mustang fire. This tech enhances Phoenix survivability and cleanup potential.
Crawler:
Section titled “Crawler: ”- Subterranean Blitz: Late-game tech against fast-attacking but low-damage chaff clearers like Mustangs, Fire Badgers, or Vulcans. Can be combined with Research Center’s Defense Enhancement II for extra health.
- Loose Formation: Effective against slower but high-damage chaff clearers like Hounds or Arclights.
When to Play
Section titled “When to Play ”This is a versatile composition that can be forced from almost any opening, suitable for players who prefer reliable play while seeking aggressive opportunities. It particularly counters light-unit rushes and Arclight-based defensive setups that lack efficient chaff clear. However, it requires more careful early-game play against openings with high-armor anti-tank units like Sabertooths.
How to Play
Section titled “How to Play ”Early Game (Rounds 1–4):
Section titled “Early Game (Rounds 1–4): ”The most recommended opening is Tarantula + Crawler, which offers the best cost efficiency—Tarantula provides damage while Crawlers act as extremely cheap frontline damage sponges (especially against single-target burst). An alternative opener is Tarantula + Void Eye, while Tarantula + Fang is less recommended.
The goal in the first 4 rounds is to preserve your Tarantula’s level and rapidly increase Crawler numbers. For deployment, focus your forces on one flank and use “Crawler + Sledgehammer” positioning at the edges to pull and split enemy fire.
(Recommended opening setup: Tarantula positioned one vertical Crawler squad’s distance from the midline.)
Counterplay & Adaptations:
Section titled “Counterplay & Adaptations: ”Tailoring your response to the opponent’s composition is key to victory.
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Against Sabertooth Openings: Sabertooths hard-counter Tarantula early. Avoid massing Tarantulas; instead, supplement with Void Eyes to snipe them, and spend 50 supply per round starting Round 2 on Additional Deployment to spam Crawlers and absorb Sabertooth fire. As the game progresses, the Sabertooth composition’s weak chaff clear becomes exploitable, allowing your double-teched Tarantulas to take over.
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Against Sledgehammer/Arclight/Stormcaller Defenses: A common defensive-reaction setup. Use Phoenix’s range advantage for early pressure and flanking. If the opponent masses Sledgehammers (≥3 squads), pivot into Hackers to steal control or Raidens for aerial strikes.
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Against Steel Ball/Wraith Aggro: A high-threat composition. Use vertically placed Sledgehammers as tanks against Steel Balls, and backline Marksmen or Farseers with Aerial Specialization to handle Wraiths. If the enemy Steel Balls have Mechanical Division, deploy Hackers to steal them—extremely effective.
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Against Late-Game Fortress (with Anti-Air Barrage): A nightmare for Phoenix. Two options: 1. Sell Phoenixes and transition into Melting Points to melt Fortresses; or 2. Stick with Phoenix, research Energy Shield, and support with Abyss using Wreckage Recycling to absorb anti-air fire and screen for Phoenix.
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Against Vulcan/Marksman Defenses: Crawlers suffer here. Use Unit Reinforcement cards to deploy Armor Enhancement Rhinos, Sandworms, or Melting Points to counter Vulcans and create space for your smaller units.
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Against Hackers: Use reinforcement cards for Mustangs/Raidens/Wasps/Fortress (Energy Shield) and supplement with more Crawlers/Fangs.
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Against Fire Badger: Deploy Armor Enhancement Hounds. If the enemy researches Scorching Charge, switch to Scorpions.
Cards & Items
Section titled “Cards & Items ”
