I agree with this post, the hero overall is quite comfy to play in this current patch.yeahyeahyeahhh wrote:
Few things I think about this patch:
1. I think Drow with her new silence is much more viable in the pro scene. She's seen a few appearances notably from DK, but still not much. With her new silence, it's SO much easier to land multiple hero (3+) silence. It's decently wide and goes out pretty far. I don't think she's gunna be a top pick, but all these little changes shes been getting over the past few patches I think are pushing her in a good spot.
2. I think Phoenix, despite what le reddit army says, has a decent shot at comp play. He's not his problem self from patches ago. I think he's very balanced now though. I'm not sure what lane pro would put him in, but I feel he can play all 3 lanes well. He has good primary stat gain and has a nice range/attack animation (his backswing feels better when compared to Dota 1 in Dota 2). He's also a ranged strength hero, which is always nice. Offlane he can harass with his spirits just fine and has his dive to escape ganks. Mid same and can contest runes very easily with dive. And as a support he can harass VERY well from afar. I think ATM his attack slow is VERY undervalued by a bunch of players. As max level 140 attack slow is RETARDED. Only problem is towards the later game his abilities aren't what some heroes are (ex. Visage as a support). Since most his abilities are DOTs they're really good in the early/laning stage but when you get to that late-mid/late game, burst damage is much more valued. I think his ult though still puts him in a good position to force enemies to run, fight him, or take a teamfight that can end badly for them.
edit: another problem I forgot to mention with Phoenix is that his spells CD are higher than most. I think if he does need future buffs, this would be the correct area.
But I'm a bit confused as to how he can contest runes with his dive, since it orbits him back to the start point, unless he is stunned or you ult. Or is his slow and harass enough to scare the opposing mid lane to retreat from getting the runes?
Perhaps I am missing how he works entirely, I don't have much experience in playing him.