Chandra's Phoenix MTG Card
2011-07-14 - Number 126★
2011-07-15 - Number 126
2013-07-19 - Number 134
2017-06-16 - Number 44
2002-06-24 - Number 41646
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Phoenix |
| Abilities | Flying,Haste |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Flying Haste (This creature can attack and as soon as it comes under your control.) Whenever an opponent is dealt damage by a red instant or sorcery spell you control or by a red planeswalker you control, return Chandra's Phoenix from your graveyard to your hand.
Cards like Chandra's Phoenix
Chandra’s Phoenix holds a unique place in Magic: The Gathering’s array of creature cards with its ability to rise from the graveyard back to a player’s hand. This fiery bird can be contrasted with Rekindling Phoenix, another creature that also showcases a thematic rebirth. While Rekindling Phoenix brings itself back onto the battlefield complete with a defensive token, Chandra’s Phoenix requires direct damage to an opponent for its return, offering a more strategic layer to gameplay.
Moving on, there’s the popular card Bloodghast, which shares the Phoenix’s self-recurring ability, easily returning to the battlefield anytime a land enters under your control, providing consistent board presence. Bloodghast, unlike our focal card, doesn’t require aggressive play to return but lacks the potential for immediate impact damage upon its revival.
In the spectrum of recurring threats, Chandra’s Phoenix provides a balance of aggression and resilience, particularly fitting in decks centered around direct damage. Its aerial agility coupled with the tactical demand of damaging opponents to trigger its return makes it a card that can influence the flow of the game substantially. Its knack for returning from the grave sets an interesting dynamic compared to other self-recurring creatures in MTG.
Cards similar to Chandra's Phoenix by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Chandra’s Phoenix offers a recurring threat that can return from the graveyard to your hand whenever a player casts a red spell. This built-in resilience means that the card can contribute to card advantage over time, as it demands multiple answers from your opponents.
Resource Acceleration: While Chandra’s Phoenix itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its synergy with red spells that often deal damage allows for aggressive strategies that put pressure on the opponent, effectively quickening the pace of your game plan.
Instant Speed: The return-to-hand ability functions at instant speed, meaning it can be triggered during your end step or your opponent’s turn after playing a red spell. This flexibility lets you adapt to the board state and can catch an unwary opponent off guard.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One potential drawback is that to trigger its recursion ability, you need to cast a red spell that causes damage, making it conditional and dependent on specific deck strategies.
Specific Mana Cost: Chandra’s Phoenix has a mana cost that includes two red mana symbols, requiring a dedicated red mana base, which might not blend well in decks running multiple colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana and a focus on aggressive play, Chandra’s Phoenix can be seen as a costly investment in decks that aim for rapid board development in the early game.
Reasons to Include Chandra’s Phoenix in Your Collection
Versatility: Chandra’s Phoenix thrives in decks that capitalize on direct damage, offering both a reliable aerial threat and a recurring creature. Its ability to return from the graveyard to your hand when you deal damage with a red spell makes it incredibly resilient.
Combo Potential: This fiery bird pairs exceptionally well with burn spells, allowing for repeated pressure on the opponent. It provides ongoing value as it complements strategies focused on spell-slinging and ensures that you maintain a board presence.
Meta-Relevance: With aggro and burn decks frequently making waves in the competitive scene, Chandra’s Phoenix can provide a constant threat that must be answered. In an environment where dealing damage quickly is key, this card can be a significant component in staying ahead of opposition decks.
How to beat
Chandra’s Phoenix is an aggressive red creature that poses a recurrent threat in Magic: The Gathering due to its ability to return from the graveyard to a player’s hand whenever a player casts a spell that deals damage to the opponents. While resilient, there are strategies to mitigate its impact in the game.
One efficient tactic to permanently remove Chandra’s Phoenix is through exile effects. Cards that exile, rather than destroy, sidestep the Phoenix’s ability to rise from the graveyard. Instant spells such as Path to Exile or Rest in Peace can offer a lasting solution by preventing it from returning to the fray. Additionally, countering the burn spells that trigger the Phoenix’s return is a sound strategy. This inhibits the loop that would otherwise allow your opponent to consistently wield the Phoenix as an unending threat. Using instant-speed removal when the Phoenix is on the stack, or utilizing graveyard hate cards to remove the graveyard as a resource, are essential methods to prevent the recurring threat of Chandra’s Phoenix from overwhelming you.
Understanding the nuances of negating Chandra’s Phoenix’s resurgence can shift the tide of the game in your favor, effectively grounding the fiery bird and curbing one of the red deck’s relentless threats.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Chandra's Phoenix MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Magic 2012 Promos, 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 Chandra's Phoenix and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Chandra's Phoenix Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2011-07-14 and 2017-06-16. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 41646 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Steve Argyle | ||
| 2 | 2011-07-14 | Magic 2012 Promos | PM12 | 126★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Steve Argyle | |
| 3 | 2011-07-15 | Magic 2012 | M12 | 126 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Aleksi Briclot | |
| 4 | 2013-07-19 | Magic 2014 | M14 | 134 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Aleksi Briclot | |
| 5 | 2017-06-16 | Archenemy: Nicol Bolas | E01 | 44 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Aleksi Briclot |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Chandra's Phoenix has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |