The Man O' War is a Mythic AgeAtlantean naval myth unit. It is available to worshippers of Helios, and resembles a gigantic version of the Portuguese man o' war (see Trivia).
The Man O' War fires lightning bolts rather like the Son of Osiris (but not nearly as deadly), enabling it to strike up to four targets at once. Although it deals hack damage, which most ships have little protection against, its attack speed is rather slow. It also has a large amount of hit points and is well armored. The Man O' War is a fairly powerful naval support unit as its attack can kill units and destroy or damage buildings near the shore as well. Overall, Men O' War are mediocre naval units that are difficult to counter with arrow and siege ships but very weak against ramming ships. They are also quite expensive and take up a large amount of population space, limiting the amount that can be created. Ranged heroes near the shore are the best way to take Men O' War out. Failing that, more cost effective ways to counter them, if encountered far from land, include the use of regular ships with Heroic Fleet researched and/or Azure Dragons and Dragon Turtles with Nezha's Defeat researched. The latter two deal hack damage, the Man O' War's weakest armor type. This is further multiplied by their triple or double damage versus myth units.
This monstrous siphonophore was actually a collection of creatures that cooperated to move and feed and fight. The 100 foot long tentacles produced a toxin that is almost as potent as cobra venom which the organism used to stun prey. For defense the creature could generate and direct an electric bolt, like a stroke of lightning. Physalia mantalos propelled itself by raising and lowering its crest to catch wind like a sail.
Trivia[]
In real life, the Portuguese Man o' War is a jellyfish-like colony of the order Siphonophorae. It can't shoot bolts of lightning, though it is highly venomous and resides in tropical waters, often venturing into coastal areas.
The electric abilities of the myth unit might be a reference to the stinging sensation caused by some jellyfish feeling similar to an electric shock.