They Are Billions Phoenix Project Map Guide

Hey guys! Ever found yourself staring down the barrel of a massive zombie horde in They Are Billions, wondering if there's a secret to conquering those tricky maps? Well, you're in luck! Today, we're diving deep into the Phoenix Project map – a real head-scratcher for many players. This isn't just any map; it's one of the most challenging and rewarding maps in the game, especially when you're trying to achieve those high colony counts and survive the relentless waves. We'll be breaking down everything you need to know, from initial build orders to advanced strategies, to make sure you can not only survive but thrive on this particular battlefield. Get ready to arm yourselves with knowledge, because the undead aren't going to wait!

Understanding the Phoenix Project Map

Alright, let's talk about the Phoenix Project map in They Are Billions. What makes this map so darn unique and, let's be honest, a bit of a nightmare for newcomers? First off, it’s characterized by its dense forestation and often swampy terrain. This means limited visibility, restricted building space in certain areas, and, crucially, a higher likelihood of early-game special infected like titans or even massive hordes appearing much sooner than you'd expect. The starting area is usually quite small and enclosed, forcing you to make tough decisions about where to expand and what defenses to prioritize. You'll find choke points that can be both your best friend and your worst enemy. Mastering these choke points is absolutely essential for controlling the flow of enemies and preventing them from swarming your vital infrastructure. Think of it as a tactical puzzle where every piece matters. The resource nodes can also be a bit spread out, meaning you'll need to scout aggressively early on to secure those crucial iron and gold veins. Don't underestimate the importance of early scouting; knowing where your resources are and where the nearest waves are likely to come from can be the difference between a thriving colony and a zombie-smelling graveyard. The visual aspect of the map, with its dark forests and murky waters, also adds to the pressure. It feels like the zombies are lurking just out of sight, and frankly, they often are! This map really tests your ability to adapt and react to unpredictable threats. It demands a solid understanding of the game's mechanics and a willingness to experiment with different approaches. So, buckle up, because surviving the Phoenix Project is going to be a wild ride.

Initial Build Order Strategies

When you first drop into the Phoenix Project map, guys, your initial build order is critical. Seriously, it's the foundation upon which your entire survival hinges. For this map, I highly recommend starting with a Scout immediately, followed by a Worker. Get that Ranger out ASAP. Why Rangers, you ask? Well, on Phoenix, the early game can throw some nasty surprises at you, and Rangers offer a decent balance of range, damage, and cost-effectiveness. They can hold off small groups of infected and clear out the immediate surroundings of your starting area without chewing through your already limited resources. After your first Ranger, get another Worker and then push for your Tavern. The Tavern is your golden ticket for increasing your population cap and thus your potential workforce and military. Once the Tavern is up, it’s all about resource acquisition. Get a Sawmill up and running next to a forest, and then focus on getting your Stone House or Farm to unlock more workers. Crucially, prioritize building a Baker if you have enough food resources from your initial farms, as this significantly boosts your income. Don't forget to keep producing Rangers! You'll need a steady stream of them to defend your expanding perimeter. As you expand, look for those choke points we talked about. Build your first defensive structures there. Walls are your best friend, guys. Start with basic stone walls and upgrade them as your economy allows. Towers, like the Guard Tower, should be placed strategically behind these walls. Your first expansion should ideally focus on securing a nearby iron vein or gold vein. This might mean pushing through a bit of fog, so be prepared for a potential skirmish. Always, always keep an eye on your resources. Running out of wood or stone can halt your entire operation. Remember, this map is unforgiving, so a solid, efficient build order that prioritizes defense and economy simultaneously is your best bet for getting past those initial terrifying waves and setting yourself up for long-term success. Don't get greedy with early expansions; focus on securing your immediate surroundings and building a robust economic base before venturing too far out. That’s how you lay the groundwork for victory on the Phoenix Project map.

Defending Your Colony

Defending your colony on the Phoenix Project map is where the real game begins, and let me tell you, it’s an adrenaline rush! Because of the map's nature – dense forests, limited visibility, and potential for early special infected – your defenses need to be proactive and layered. We're not just talking about slapping down a few walls and calling it a day. First, walls are absolutely paramount. Prioritize building sturdy walls around your entire base, but more importantly, focus on reinforcing key choke points. These are the narrow passages that enemies are forced to funnel through. Imagine building a strong wall with a sturdy tower just behind it. That’s your bread and butter defense. Use earthworks strategically to create even narrower paths, forcing the zombies into kill zones. Speaking of kill zones, that’s where your towers come in. Guard Towers are essential early on, providing ranged support. As you progress, you’ll unlock more advanced towers like the Sniper Tower and the Ballista Tower, which are game-changers against tougher enemies. Position these towers so they have overlapping fields of fire, creating a veritable death trap for the infected. Don’t forget about traps! Spike Traps are cheap and effective for slowing down and damaging hordes. Place them in front of your walls and choke points. As your economy grows, consider upgrading your walls to stone and even fortified walls. These can withstand much more punishment. Your military units are your mobile defense force. Keep a healthy population of Rangers for general defense and clearing small threats. Once you can afford them, Soldiers are your heavy hitters, great for taking down special infected and plugging gaps in your defenses. The Lucifer is a late-game powerhouse, but requires significant resources. Always keep a small standing army ready to respond to breaches or unexpected attacks. A key strategy for this map is to anticipate the waves. Use your scouts and towers to spot incoming hordes from a distance and prepare your defenses accordingly. Don't wait for them to hit your walls; have your units and towers ready. Another crucial aspect is early detection. Clear out the immediate fog of war around your base as much as possible to avoid surprises. The Watchtower is invaluable for this. It gives you a wider view of the surrounding area, alerting you to approaching threats before they are on top of you. Remember, on the Phoenix Project map, a single breach can cascade into a full-blown colony collapse. So, build smart, build strong, and always be ready to adapt your defenses to whatever the zombie apocalypse throws at you.

Expanding Your Territory

Now, let's talk about expanding your territory on the Phoenix Project map. This is where things get spicy, guys! You can't just sit around your starting base forever; you need to grow, and that means pushing out into the unknown, which, on this map, is full of dangers. The absolute first thing you need to focus on when you decide to expand is securing vital resources. Look for iron veins, gold veins, and quarries. These are your lifeblood for building better units and structures. Scout these locations thoroughly before committing to expansion. Send out a scout or a couple of rangers ahead to clear out any immediate threats. You don't want to build a mine only to have it overrun by zombies the moment it's finished. Choke points are again your best friend when expanding. When you push out, try to secure a new area by establishing a defensible choke point. Build walls, towers, and maybe even some traps to create a secure perimeter for your new outpost. This prevents the newly cleared area from becoming a backdoor for enemies to flood into your main base. Your expansion strategy should be gradual and calculated. Don't try to grab too much territory too quickly. Focus on securing one valuable resource node or a defensible area at a time. Build a small outpost with basic defenses – maybe a few walls, a guard tower, and a couple of rangers – before moving on to the next objective. Another key element is clearing the fog of war. The dense forests on the Phoenix Project map hide a lot of threats. Use your units to systematically clear the fog around your base and any new expansion areas. This not only reveals resources but also potential enemy paths and dangers. Consider building watchtowers in strategic locations as you expand. These offer excellent line of sight and early warning. Think about the direction of the waves. The game often signals where the major attacks will come from. Try to expand in a way that doesn't leave your flanks exposed to these major invasion routes. Sometimes, it’s better to fortify a path that leads away from your main base rather than trying to grab a resource node that's directly in the line of fire. Building mills and farms as you expand is also crucial for supporting your growing population and economy. Remember, every new building requires workers and resources. Ensure your existing infrastructure can support this new venture before you commit. Finally, don't be afraid to retreat or consolidate if an expansion proves too costly or dangerous. It's better to lose a small outpost than your entire colony. The Phoenix Project map demands patience and smart expansion. Take it step by step, secure your gains, and always be aware of the surrounding threats.

Dealing with Special Infected

Alright, let’s talk about the nightmares of They Are Billions – the special infected! On the Phoenix Project map, these guys can show up earlier and in greater numbers, so you need a solid plan to deal with them. The most common special infected you'll encounter are the Titans and Chویه (or sometimes referred to as Werewolves). Titans are slow but incredibly tough, capable of smashing through walls and units with ease. Your basic rangers will do next to nothing against them. You need dedicated anti-titan units. This means prioritizing the Soldier Barracks. Soldiers, with their higher damage output and better armor, are your primary counter to Titans. If you can manage the economy, the Ballista Tower is also fantastic for picking off Titans from a safe distance. Its slow rate of fire is offset by its massive damage. For groups of smaller, fast-moving specials like the Chویه, area-of-effect (AoE) damage is key. Towers with AoE capabilities, like the Flamethrower Tower or even strategically placed Ballista Towers, can thin out their numbers quickly. Soldiers are also good at holding the line against them, especially when backed up by spikes traps. Remember, positioning is everything. Try to lure these special infected into kill zones where you have multiple towers and your soldier units ready to engage. A common tactic is to kite them – have your ranged units attack and then move back, allowing your towers to do the heavy lifting. If a Titan breaches your defenses, have a squad of soldiers ready to engage it directly, ideally behind your walls so it doesn't tear through your entire base. The Lucifer unit is the ultimate late-game answer to almost any threat, including swarms of special infected, but it's expensive and requires advanced technology. Don't forget about the sound cues! The game does a great job of alerting you to the presence of special infected with distinct sounds. Listen carefully and react immediately. On the Phoenix Project map, you might even encounter multiple Titans or large packs of Chویه at once. This is where your layered defenses and tactical unit placement really shine. If a major wave of special infected is heading your way, don't hesitate to pull back your workers to safety and concentrate all your forces on defense. Sometimes, sacrificing a few buildings on the outskirts is better than losing your core base. Always be scouting and trying to predict where these threats might emerge from. The earlier you spot them, the more time you have to prepare your response. Mastering the specials is a huge part of conquering this map, so get ready to fight smart!

Late-Game Strategies and Survival

So, you've made it to the late game on the Phoenix Project map. Congratulations, guys! You've built a sprawling colony, weathered countless hordes, and now it's time to truly dominate. But don't get complacent; the late game throws some of its biggest challenges at you. The final waves on this map are absolutely brutal, often featuring massive swarms of every type of infected, including multiple Titans and Lucifers (the super-zombies, not the unit!). Your primary goal now is maximum defense and economic stability. Ensure your entire perimeter is fortified with the best walls you can afford – fortified walls are a must. Layer your defenses heavily: multiple rows of walls, strategically placed Ballista Towers, Sniper Towers, and Flamethrower Towers covering every angle. Don't forget Mines and Forts for concentrated firepower. Your army should be substantial. A strong force of Soldiers is essential, supported by Rangers for ranged support and Lucifer units if you have them. Keep them in mobile squads ready to reinforce any weak points. Economy is king, even now. Keep those banks and factories running at full capacity. You'll need a constant stream of resources to repair defenses, replace lost units, and potentially build more advanced structures. Think about redundancy. Have multiple power sources and multiple ways to produce resources so that if one is destroyed, your entire operation doesn't grind to a halt. Clearing the map is often the ultimate late-game objective. Use your superior army and defenses to push outwards, clearing out any remaining infected nests. This reduces the pressure on your base and opens up more opportunities. Be methodical; don't overextend. Secure each cleared area before moving on. Research is also key. Max out your technologies, especially those that improve unit damage, armor, and building durability. The Titan Attack, Zombie Attack, and Fortification technologies are game-changers. For this specific map, remember the terrain. Use those choke points to your advantage, funneling massive hordes into your kill zones. If you've expanded, ensure your outposts are also well-defended. A common late-game mistake is to neglect smaller outposts, which can then be overrun and used as a staging ground by the enemy. Maintain a constant scouting presence even in the late game. You need to know where the biggest threats are forming. The air units, like the Phantoms, can be a serious problem if they bypass your ground defenses, so ensure you have anti-air capabilities. Finally, stay calm and adapt. The late-game waves can feel overwhelming, but panic leads to mistakes. Assess the situation, deploy your forces wisely, and trust in your well-built defenses. With careful planning and execution, you can survive and even thrive on the Phoenix Project map, proving that even against impossible odds, humanity can endure!