I'll try and keep this to the point. So, here goes....

1. Strongholds

Sacred Temples

The only stronghold to go with if you're playing corrupt Phoenix (and who doesn't want to :> ?) for reasons that should be pretty obvious. However, I also feel that this SH is our best honour runner, given the number of 5gc shugenja the Phoenix have gotten recently. A lot of them are very good for honour decks (Isawa Toiko in particular, with Taeruko also having a place for seeking out annoying fortifications eg Edge of Shinomen Forest). The fact that the Temples can run Kossori still, and is effectively Nio Sensei-proof are two further strengths. 6 FH starting is also good. 5 PS sucks, but if you're a Phoenix player, you're used to it. Finally, this SH can run Norikazu sensei at almost no penalty. Something to think about.

Ruins of Isawa Castle

Not as bad as many make it out to be. The ability is not going to get used in the first few turns, but mid to late game, it's an absolute killer. You will _always_ have what you need. Also, with Blessings of Isawa around now, this ability kicks ass! I haven't played this SH in so long that I really can't comment much further, suffice to say that, from what I remember of the games I did play, it was both a frustrating and rewarding experience to play the Ruins. If you can stall the game, it's a _good_ SH. In terms of statistics, it reaches the heady heights of 6 PS. This is somewhat mitigated by it's lower starting honour, 5, which is one of the big factors against it. It is _very_ important for the Phoenix to go first, for reasons I will discuss later. 4 GP is solid.

Shiba Halls

The infamous halls. The kiho-recycling ability merits a little discussion, now that it is the focus of the stronghold. I don't believe that reactive kihos (that is to say, reactive to something your opponent might do) are the way to go. At all. Frequently, your opponent will be doing the nasty things in their own turn, when your SH is likely bowed. I feel that the Halls is best used in an aggressive kiho strategy, using kihos on your own turn for maximum benefit (anyone who's had six of their personalities rested in one game can testify to this ;>). What that strategy is is up to the individual, but the ones that spring to mind immediately are military and dishonour, along with FETA. The stats are good. 5 PS is sucky, 4 GP is solid, but 7 FH is exceptional, and probably the best reason to play the Halls.

2. Personalities

The good: The Phoenix have personalities for just about every situation and deck. They have the best selection of unique personalities in the game.

The bad: Because the Phoenix have such variety in their personalities, they are not focused at being really good at any one thing. Their best personalities are unique.

To elucidate on the first point of 'the bad', the Phoenix make up for their scattered focus through the potency of their fate deck, and fate manipulation. The Phoenix fate deck is usually of a focus average of about 3, with tons of search to go get the right-thing-at-the-right-time. If you can disrupt this, the Phoenix fall apart. Not that I'm suggesting that everyone play Otomo sensei, but if you fear the Phoenix (more than the Fox , or Crane, or Unicorn ;>)...

2.1 Personalities you will (or should) see in every Phoenix Deck

Shiba Raigen. The monkey boy. Almost a feign death (or better) for every shugenja you have on the table. He's cheap and incredibly effective. If you're facing Osugi with the Wasting Cheese and two or three of him on the table, you won't soon forget it. Speaking of whom...

Isawa Osugi. Every Phoenix deck should play her. 0HR, 4PH, 4 chi and spells for free. All for 8 gold, or 6 cheap. Used correctly, she earns you gold after a turn or two. The only restricted card in L5R, and with good cause.

Isawa Hochiu. aka The most annoying little b*stard in Rokugan. Inbuilt irrefusable duel, holds off early attacks just by being there, looks cool...The list goes on! 0HR, 4GC, 2PH and a shugenja too.

Asako Hosigeru. The ultimate in efficiency. 2f 2c shugenja with a fantastic ability for 3g.

Isawa Norikazu xp2. Satan. Huge chi, and can destroy an opponent without ever getting into a battle with 'that' ability. ps Always target yourself with his ability just after you target your opponent, just in case...

Agasha Gennai xp. And a big hello to all the Dragon players out there ;) Joking aside, the best searcher in the game. Just incredibly efficient (again). That would be my list of essential Phoenix personalities. There's probably some incredible one I've left out, but there you go...

3. Going First

Why is it so important for the Phoenix to go first (beyond the usual reasons)? Because the Phoenix are so generally unfocused, and so utterly reliant on their Fate deck, the Phoenix rely on tricks, and tricks take setup time. Tricks also tend to work completely, or not at all. Also, given that the Phoenix have more trouble getting force onto the table than the Crane, this is not a recipe for durability.

This is getting long, and I have to go back to work, so I'll leave it there (however incomplete it might be).

Until our paths cross...

Isawa Jintsu