Battleborn Tips: How to Play Phoebe

Phoebe in Battleborn

With Battleborn’s eccentric cast of heroes, it can be a challenge picking the right one. But, even among the most unique of the characters, Phoebe stands out. Phoebe Elizabeth Audelia Hemsworth IV (say that five times fast) is a genius engineer with a penchant for sword-fighting. A well trained assassin with telekinetic abilities, she’s a tough one to get a hang of, but once you do you’ll be the bane of your enemies.

Phoebe has a dainty appearance, but she is far from it. Her abilities allow her to withstand a bit more damage than most other close range fighters, and her sword strikes have exceptional melee range. However, her mobility is mostly skill based, not stat based. She isn’t the fastest melee fighter around, making her a bit tougher to use for newer players. But, in the right hands, and with the proper support, Phoebe is a master at eliminating opponents.

While using this sword master, you’ll want to always keep aware of your surroundings. Her secondary attack allows for a useful dodge, which can help keep you from being overwhelmed. Tailoring her abilities to make this advanced Battleborn more comfortable for you is of the utmost importance.

The last thing you should always remember when utilizing Phoebe is that she isn’t for players who like to play scared. She is most useful when up in someone’s face. With her singular ranged ability, there aren’t many scenarios where you can win from a distance, so charge head on. Her defense is a lot higher than you would assume.

Abilities

Five Virtues

“Phoebe’s primary attack chains multiple melee-range sabre strikes, while her secondary attack launches her in a direction, dodging incoming attacks.”

Although her range is limited, Five Virtues allows for Phoebe to quickly strike out at an enemy with power and accuracy at a close range. The secondary attack (L2/LT) allows her to quickly jump away from danger. Using both her primary and secondary in unison takes a bit of getting used to, but the ability to remain close to an enemy while strafing about and stabbing for high damage is unparalleled.

Technocracy

“Phoebe’s high-tech formal wear and telekinetic sabres can be augmented to substantially increase her survivability and lethality.”

As you’ve figured out from her weapons of choice, Phoebe is often in the heart of danger. To help balance that out, her telekinetic rapiers can be used to up her defense to help her last in a fight. This mitigates some of the risk when facing powerful hordes, but note that it doesn’t remove all of the risk. You’ll still need to be mindful of your armor and HP, this just buys you more time to be a badass.

Phasegate

“After a brief charging period, Phoebe teleports to a target location.”

Being a swordswoman, Phoebe’s main obstacle is range. A sword can only go as far as you can thrust it, so players will try to create distance when facing off against you. Phasegate allows you to quickly close that distance and deal a bit of damage at the same time. Teleport in and bring yourself within striking distance to continue your onslaught.

Blade Rush

“Phoebe launches a barrage of four charged rapiers, each dealing 34 damage.”

While she is a respected swordswoman, she is not completely without alternative means of mayhem. Sometimes a gap can’t be avoided, and that’s here Blade Rush comes in. Launching charged rapiers across a long distance is a good way to clear out small groups of minions or destroy a retreating hero.

Blade Cascade

“Conjures a storm of falling rapiers dealing 505-730 damage over time to a large area.”

Phoebe’s Ultimate calls down a storm of falling swords upon a target area. While it can be dodged, using it on a boss, an unsuspecting enemy, or someone stuck in battle can easily spell victory. It’s a powerful, focused attack that lasts for five seconds. In battle, five seconds is an eternity and can spell all the difference between a win and defeat.

True Strike (Passive)

“Phoebe swipes at enemies and activates her high-tech formal wear to propel herself in any direction.”

True Strike is triggered by your secondary attack and it’s what allows Phoebe to avoid damage and attacks so well. It isn’t the strongest of Passive Abilities in the game, but it can definitely get you out of a pinch and has no downsides for the player. 

Phoebe’s Helix

Aggressive Advance (Tier 1)

Exiting Phasegate grants increased movement speed for a short time. +30% Movement Speed for 4 Seconds.

Preparation (Tier 1)

Enemies hit by Blade Rush will be stunned by the last strike of Phoebe’s primary melee combo. +2 Seconds Stun Duration.

Gatecrasher (Tier 2)

Phasegate creates an electric storm at Phoebe’s destination, damaging nearby enemies. +160 Damage.

Phase Distortion (Tier 2)

Phasegate creates a field at Phoebe’s target destination that slows nearby enemies. +6 Seconds Slow Duration.

Shield Stabilizers (Tier 3)

Increases maximum shield strength. +195 Shields.

Sharpened Blades (Tier 3)

Phoebe’s primary melee attacks deal increased damage. +18% Weapon Damage.

Unintended Innovation (Tier 4)

Blade Rush blades explode on contact, damaging nearby enemies. +12% Bonus Damage.

Rappiopio (Tier 4)

When Blade Rush hits an enemy, the skill’s cooldown is reduced. Increased effect on enemy Battleborn. Battleborn: 1.5 Seconds Per Hit, Minions: 1 Seconds Per Hit

Passata Sotto (Tier 5)

Landing a hit with True Strike increases Phoebe’s defense for a short time. +30% Damage Reduction for 3 Seconds.

Reprise (Tier 5)

Phoebe attacks a second time after landing a hit with True Strike.

Phasegate V2 (Tier 6)

Reduces Phasegate’s cooldown time. +20% Cooldown Reduction.

Disruptor Blades (Tier 6)

A portion of Blade Rush’s damage bypasses enemy shields. +60% Shield Penetration.

Core Overload (Tier 7)

Increases damage of all skills. +15% Skill Damage.

Flurry (Tier 7)

Increases Phoebe’s primary melee attack speed. +20% Increased Attack Speed.

Scientific Method (Tier 8)

Substantially increases Phasegate’s casting range.

Phase Stability (Tier 8)

Increases the effect of all buffs imparted by Phasegate.

The Conduit (Tier 9)

Adds a portion of Phoebe’s current shield strength to Blade Rush as bonus damage. +12% Current Shield as Damage.

Refined Technique (Tier 9)

Increases damage of Blade Rush’s rapiers the further they travel. +30% Damage Increase.

Calamitous Cascade (Tier 10)

Enemies struck by Blade Cascade suffer increased damage from all sources for a short time. +16% Damage Amplification.

Swordstorm (Tier 10)

Increases Blade Cascade’s area of effect. Moving through the area grants a temporary boost in movement speed. +30% Increased Move Speed.

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