What difficulty should I play Phoenix Point?
Phoenix Point is a science fiction turn-based strategy video game that presents a variety of challenges, from battle-hardened extraterrestrial enemies to precarious resource management. When faced with a new game, players may wonder whether to start with a difficult or more manageable experience. In this article, we’ll break down the details of the game’s difficulty curve to help you choose the ideal setting for your playstyle.
How does difficulty affect the game?
Choosing the right difficulty level directly impacts your journey in Phoenix Point. At higher levels, enemies deal more damage, have tougher armor, and are faster and more aggressive. Similarly, available resources are dwindling, and you need to collect and manage your resources, such as food, medicine, and materials, more skillfully to survive. Furthermore, later missions and conflicts become exponentially more challenging with increased opposition from the Vahnatai, Hybrids, and other sinister forces threatening humanity.
In contrast, lower difficulty levels lead to:
• Shorter wars: Battles drag on fewer turns, allowing less time to react and issue orders effectively.
• Easier resource management: Resources abound, giving more room to experiment with troops and formations.
• Less daunting enemies: Reduced enemy abilities and damage hinder the speed and effectiveness of your troops.
Do you enjoy a challenge or wish for easier victories?
Phoenix Point offers three initial difficulty choices: Casual, Normal, and Hardened. A fourth option, Elite, is locked until reaching a certain checkpoint in your playthrough, providing yet another layer of complexity once you’ve gotten accustomed to the game. Here is a brief explanation of what each difficulty option entails:
| Difficulty | Enemy Statistics | Resource availability |
|---|---|---|
| Casual | Reduced armor, health points, and damage output of enemies; easier battles (50%-70% victory chance at the start); abundant resources | Abundance of all resources, relaxed resource generation |
| Normal | Standard game difficulty settings; balanced battlefield; mid-level resource allocation | Accessible resources for a strategic playthrough (50/50 resource gen) |
| Hardened | Increased strength, HP, and resilience of enemies; challenging conflicts (80%-90% victory chance at the beginning); tough resource management requirements | Precarious resource condition, forced resource allocation based on circumstances |
| Elite | High-caliber challenge with elite-quality enemies having enhanced abilities; extremely intense battles (higher victory margin required); utmost resource restrictions | Critical scarcity of most resources, heightened resource risk management |
Remember that starting with a too-easy difficulty level is not advised, as Phoenix Point is best experienced once you’ve made the strategic decisions and strategic adjustments accordingly. Don’t play the game until you play it for the very first time by starting as a Freshman Pilot in Casua’l difficulty, which mimics what you would need to take in order from the vantage of another pilot starting with no abilities, yet still being alive.
With this knowledge under your belt, you may now create a plan which suits you best, addressing the Phoenix Point’s curve of hardness.
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