The Man O' War fires lightning rather like the Son of Osiris (but not nearly as deadly), enabling it to strike up to three targets at once. As it deals divine damage, which ignores armor, it can easily tear through ships and other myth units, especially when given adequate support. It also has a large amount of hit points, which is additionally supported by its decent armor. The Man O' War is a fairly powerful naval support unit, as its attack can kill enemy units and destroy or damage buildings near the shore as well. On the other hand, it is also fairly expensive and takes up a substantial amount of population space, which limits 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 naval myth units. However, doing it with other myth units is a bit risky, considering the Man O' War's bonus damage against other myth units and the fact its lightning bolts deal divine damage; in turn, the Man O' War can deal 105 damage to myth units in a single attack.
Men O' War are only available to worshippers of Helios.
Men O' War cost 300 food, 25 favor, take 5 population, have 22 Line of Sight, 8 attack range, deal 25 hack damage, and their attack bounces to 4 targets at a time.
With update 17.43876, Men O' War have 12 attack range and their attack bounces to 3 targets at a time. Their Line of Sight is reduced to 16.
With update 18.419, Men O' War have 10 attack range and deal 35 divine damage. These changes had been intended for update 17.64528, but were not implemented due to an oversight.
Mythology[]
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Scientific name -- Phsyalia maxima Size -- Tentacles up to 100' long! Diet -- Omnivore, mostly fish
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 maxima propelled itself by raising and lowering its crest to catch wind like a sail.
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—In-game help section
Trivia[]
In a similar way to the War Turtle, the Man O' War does not belong to a myth.
In real life, the Portuguese Man o' War is a jellyfish-like colony of the order Siphonophorae. It can't shoot bolts of lightning, although 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 either the stinging sensation caused by some jellyfish feeling similar to an electric shock, or the jellyfish from the SpongeBob SquarePants television series.
The species name prior to Retold, mantalos, appears to be invented, though it might mean 'latching' in Greek.