Poor Amphibian vs Amphibian vs Hanging Out with Water Mage

[tinkthank]

Being a poor amphibian means that when you are underwater, you suffer movement, attack, defense, and encumbrance penalties. Ok.

Reading the little blurb on "amphibian", one can see that the unit in question "does not suffer movement reductions while fighting under water" (quote from in-game pop-up). Does that mean that they do, however, suffer from attack, defense, and encumbrance penalties? My guess is "no", since these are not listed under their stats as being reduced when underwater, but I can't prove it. Anyhow, the text confuses me. But this brings me to my next question.

When a normal unit goes underwater under supervision of a water mage, does it suffer any penalties? What about an amulet of breathing / bag of air / etc?

When an aquatic unit receives an Amulet of the Fish (I hope that is the item that lets it breathe on land), I dont see it suffering any penalties -- right?

Well thanks in advance.

[Wauthan]

Units accompaning a watermage under water all get a hidden "poor amphibian" ability. This is also true for any items that gives waterbreath. The penalty is a simulation of the unusual nature of fighting under water. Try moving around fast while swinging a heavy stick when you go snorkling the next time. Imagine doing that in full armour and on a horse.

Underwater units get no penalty for fighting on land. The assumption is that it is easier to adapt to fighting on dry land if you're a sealubber.

[tinkthank]

Righto, thanks a lot. Hidden poor amphibian makes total sense.

So an amphibian has zero penalties, not just no penalties to movement?

merci

[Wauthan]

Correct. Amphibians are pretty powerful since they function just as well below as above the surface. Then again it's just about the only strength Atlantis has so its nothing gamebreaking.