In the Phoenotopia games, health is gauged by a beating heart icon in the upper-left corner of the screen.
The number inside indicates the hit points (HP) Gail currently has, and how much more damage she can take before falling in battle. As her HP decreases, the heart graphic shrinks as well, leaving the HUD more empty the closer her HP is to reaching zero.
When Gail takes damage and her HP drops below a certain amount, players will be notified by a sound that repeats for a certain number of times. In Phoenotopia, a beeping sound plays 10 times if Gail's HP falls below 10. In Phoenotopia Awakening, a different resonant sound plays 6 times instead.
Phoenotopia
Healing
There are different types of health pickups that heal Gail directly upon contact. Defeated enemies may sometimes drop a small heart pickup, which restores 2 HP. Health vases that are usually seen next to Zophiel statues also drop multiple large heart pickups, which restore 4 HP, alongside the small ones. The seed of a Duri Fruit also restores 3 HP directly.
Most consumables restore Gail's HP by a certain amount with the exceptions of Food? and Stale Bread. Gail can also rest on certain beds and inside inns to fully restore her HP; the latter usually requires paying a small amount of Rin.
When Gail reaches the Hidden Village, she can acquire access to the Bottle of Glowy Wisps and Blood Ring. The former is an inventory item that will restore Gail to full health should her HP fall under zero, while the latter is an accessory that automatically heals Gail up to 10 HP when her HP falls below 10.
Reducing Damage Intake
Equipping protective armor can reduce all sources of damage from enemies and falling off the map by a set amount per hit. As such, armors can significantly reduce the threat from weak enemies (such as bats and toads), but are not as effective against more powerful attacks.
Note that damage taken from consumables cannot be reduced from equipping armors.
Increasing Maximum Capacity
See also: Heart Rubies
Gail starts off with the health capacity of 20. Each of the 23 Heart Ruby in this game increases the capacity by 3, while each of the first five Chocolate Protein Shake consumed increases the capacity by 2. As such, the maximum health capacity of Gail in Phoenotopia is 99.
Phoenotopia Awakening
Healing
Most consumables restore Gail's HP by a certain amount with the exceptions of "Food" and Odd Shroom, and cooked consumables usually heal Gail more than their uncooked counterparts. Gail can also rest on certain beds and inside inns to fully restore her HP, much like in the original game.
When Gail has reached Terrelum, she can purchase the Life Ring, which is an accessory that automatically heals Gail every few seconds.
From v1.0.5 onward, obtaining a Heart Ruby also fully restore Gail's HP. In addition, reloading a save file now always restores Gail's HP to at least half-level as well, if she has less than half-health prior.
From v1.0.7 onward, passing by a save point automatically restores Gail's HP to half its maximum capacity if she has less than half-health prior.
Reducing Damage Intake
Just like in the previous game, Gail can obtain equippable armors that reduce damage from all sources by a set amount. However, Gail can also learn a technique called Troll Guard. With Troll Guard, all sources of damage from enemies and environmental hazards are reduced by 3 so long as Gail is crouching or crawling. However, when Gail is knocked out of crouching by a strong attack, Troll Guard may be unable to take effect.
Note that damage taken from consumables, Berserker Band, and the use of Tusk Strike cannot be reduced from equipping armors. Any damage taken can not be reduced below 1.
Increasing Maximum Capacity
See also: List of Heart Rubies (PHOA)
Gail starts off with the health capacity of 30. Each of the 55 Heart Ruby in this game increases the capacity by 4. As such, the maximum health capacity of Gail in Phoeonotopia Awakening is 250.
Prior to v1.0.7, there is a Heart Ruby that respawns immediately upon entering the screen. As such, players can obtain more than 55 Heart Rubies per save file by repeatedly obtaining this Heart Ruby. In addition, since Gail's health was not set to full upon obtaining any Heart Ruby before patch v1.0.5, the maximum health capacity can even go beyond 254.