Bogardan Phoenix MTG Card

Continual hand presence and battlefield impact make the Phoenix a resilient and valuable asset. Revives at instant speed, increasing its tactical unpredictability against opponents. Brings synergy with recursion-focused decks, enhancing various MTG strategies.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Phoenix
Abilities	Flying
Released	1997-02-03
Set symbol
Set name	Visions
Set code	VIS
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	76
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	David O'Connor

Text of card

Flying If Bogardan Phoenix is put into any graveyard from play and has no death counter on it, return Bogardan Phoenix to play and put a death counter on it. If Bogardan Phoenix is put into any graveyard from play and has a death counter on it, remove it from the game.

Cards like Bogardan Phoenix

The Bogardan Phoenix holds a unique place among flying creatures within Magic: The Gathering. Its most direct comparison could possibly be with creatures like Shard Phoenix, which shares the phoenix theme and a form of rebirth from the graveyard. However, Bogardan Phoenix doesn’t require any mana payment to return to the battlefield, which gives it an edge in resource management over Shard Phoenix that demands a sacrifice and mana investment to rise again.

Another similar creature is the Flamewake Phoenix, which also boasts the recurring theme that resonates within phoenix lore. Flamewake can return from the graveyard to play, but this action is conditional upon controlling a powerful creature. Bogardan Phoenix, meanwhile, makes its return based on a state-based action occurring with your graveyard, eliminating dependency on other creatures. Additionally, Akoum Firebird also has a recurring ability, yet it is activated by landfall and demands a specific mana cost, which again positions Bogardan Phoenix as more advantageous in terms of mana efficiency.

Overall, while the Bogardan Phoenix aligns with the traditional phoenix traits of MTG creatures, it distinguishes itself with its self-reliant resurrection mechanism, providing a persistent aerial threat that demands an answer from opponents without draining your mana resources.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Bogardan Phoenix offers a unique twist on this concept. Upon death, if it had a flame counter, it returns to your hand, ensuring that you maintain a creature presence on the battlefield and retaining card value in your hand simultaneously.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana, the inherent resiliency of the Phoenix can be leveraged to bypass certain mana expenditures. Repeatedly playing the creature from your hand after it dies eliminates the mana normally required to summon a creature of its caliber each turn.

Instant Speed: The revival feature of the Bogardan Phoenix activates at instant speed. This means it can unexpectedly come back to your hand during the end step after dying, keeping your opponents guessing and forcing them to factor in its resurgence when planning their strategies.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One downside of the Bogardan Phoenix is that its revival ability from the graveyard is contingent upon a card discard. This could potentially leave you at a strategic disadvantage, particularly during late-game scenarios when maintaining hand advantage becomes crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: The Bogardan Phoenix has a mana cost that requires both generic and red mana. This specific combination may hinder its incorporation into multicolored decks, especially those that don’t heavily prioritize red mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that is considered on the higher side for its stats and abilities, the Bogardan Phoenix may not be as cost-efficient compared to other creatures in the same mana range. Decks seeking to maximize mana efficiency might find this to be a limiting factor.

Reasons to Include Bogardan Phoenix in Your Collection

Versatility: The Bogardan Phoenix has a unique ability to resurrect itself when a certain condition is met. This resilience makes it a valuable asset for a range of deck strategies, fitting well in decks that capitalize on creature sustainability and recurring threats.

Combo Potential: This fiery creature’s reanimation ability pairs excellently with various game mechanics. It can be the cornerstone of strategies that exploit creatures entering and leaving the battlefield or use graveyard synergies to maximize value.

Meta-Relevance: With the ever-shifting MTG landscape, having adaptable cards is crucial. The Bogardan Phoenix can be particularly effective in metas where it can repeatedly outvalue control tactics or wear down opposing resources over time.

How to beat

The Bogardan Phoenix presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its resurrection ability when a creature dealt damage by it that turn dies. To effectively neutralize this fiery creature, players need to adopt strategies that don’t involve lethal combat. One effective tactic is to use removal spells that exile, such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, preventing the Phoenix from returning to the battlefield. Aiming to counter it when it’s cast is another strong line of defense, employing counterspells like Counterspell or Mana Leak.

Another approach is managing the battlefield through control effects and minimizing the number of creatures the Phoenix can potentially harm. Utilize untap abilities or strategies that make creatures indestructible for a turn, like the use of spells like Heroic Intervention. Cards with Flash could also provide unexpected blockers or removal options at crucial moments during your opponent’s turn. Additionally, imposing effects that restrict or negate the abilities of creatures, such as with Cursed Totem or Linvala, Keeper of Silence, can also effectively contain the Bogardan Phoenix’s impact.

Adjusting your strategy to either deal with the Phoenix directly or minimize its chances of resurrecting can ensure your deck maintains control over this powerful card. It’s essential to prepare for multiple avenues of its resurgence to maintain the upper hand during gameplay.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Bogardan Phoenix MTG card by a specific set like Visions, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Bogardan Phoenix and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Bogardan Phoenix has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Bogardan Phoenix card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2006-02-01	Errata streamlined the trigger and got rid of the replacement effect. In both cases, it will go to the graveyard. In one it will then come back onto the battlefield; in the other it will then be exiled.