The inherent role of duelists is to create space and entry, that I think we can all agree on. This capability is usually accomplished with a combination of abilities that are movement based and cover based (Jet: smoke and dash, Neon: wall and run) or simply movement based (Raze: satchels, Yoru: teleport). Now that leaves Reyna and Phoenix as the two duelist with particularly weak entries (Reyna is in her own class one could argue so I will not discuss her). Now I don’t believe that giving Phoenix a movement ability is the right way to strengthen his entry as this would put him to close to the other duelist, who he would either push out of the meta, or they would push him out. Instead, I suggest giving him a cover based entry that would allow him to create that secondary angle defenders have to worry about that is necessary in order to create space. And to do this I would build on a feature that he already has within his kit. This would be his wall turning ability. Currently his wall can turn, but very slowly and not in a flexible way. If it was controlled like a Skye bird, it would give Phoenix much more unique ways to isolate angles and create space. To give an example, let’s take an entry into Ascent B site. Now if the wall would allow, you could wall from left side of B main (attacker’s left) and wall of stairs, logs, CT, and market to get to switch, an potentially make a play by flashing through that smoke. Or he walls a path to lane, or makes a pocket extending into siteDefenders would likely be punished if they pushed through the wall because of the damage it would do them. Now compare this to the alternative, where Phoenix flashes around the corner and hopes or has to expose himself to have a good wall.

Honestly, I am open to ideas or criticism, and I would love to hear from any Phoenix players themselves about this idea.