Managorger Phoenix MTG Card

Managorger Phoenix - Jumpstart: Historic Horizons

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Phoenix
Abilities	Flying
Released	2021-08-26
Set symbol
Set name	Jumpstart: Historic Horizons
Set code	J21
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	20
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Brian Valeza

Key Takeaways

Offers card advantage by recurring from graveyard without additional card draws.
Increases power with noncreature spell casts, enhancing battlefield threat.
Demands strategic hand management due to its discard activation requirement.

Text of card

Flying Managorger Phoenix can't block. Whenever you cast a spell, if Managorger Phoenix is in your graveyard, put a flame counter on Managorger Phoenix for each in that spell's mana cost. If Managorger Phoenix has five or more flame counters on it, return it to the battlefield and it perpetually gets +1/+1.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The resurrection effect of Managorger Phoenix provides a distinct value by coming back from the graveyard to the battlefield under specific conditions. This repeating cycle affords a level of card advantage, as it essentially negates the need for a card draw to bring a creature into play.

Resource Acceleration: Managorger Phoenix’s ability to grow in power each time you cast a noncreature spell accelerates your battlefield presence. This offers a scaling threat that becomes more formidable as you play more spells, embodying a form of resource acceleration through its increasing power.

Instant Speed: Although Managorger Phoenix itself is a creature, its potential for synergy with instant speed spells is significant. Each instant played not only adds to its strength but can also strategically set up the board for its return, making it a versatile component when paired with instant speed interactions.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Managorger Phoenix requires a strategic approach to play effectively. Its ability mandates that another card must be discarded to activate it, which may not always align with your hand management plan. It’s a trade-off that demands careful consideration, especially if your hand is already light.

Specific Mana Cost: Sporting a fiery red mana cost may pose deck-building limitations. The Phoenix fits best within red or multicolor decks that can accommodate its mana needs. However, for decks outside this spectrum, the bird may be more of a benchwarmer than a star player.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When analyzing the mana curve, Managorger Phoenix slides into a spot that demands a substantial investment of resources. Although it brings the heat with its reanimation abilities, the initial overhead might overshadow the benefits, especially when competitors on the battlefield offer similar resurrection tricks for less.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Managorger Phoenix excels in a variety of deck builds due to its recursive nature. It easily finds a home in Red Aggro or Midrange decks that thrive on consistent pressure and threat longevity.

Combo Potential: When synergized with spells that churn through your deck, this fiery avian contributes to thrilling combinations. Its ability to return from the graveyard opens the door for various graveyard-centric strategies.

Meta-Relevance: Given its resilience against common removal spells, Managorger Phoenix holds its value in a landscape teeming with control schemes. Its presence on the board can frequently alter the course of a match in your favor.

How to Beat Managorger Phoenix

Managorger Phoenix emerges as an intriguing creature card with a recurring ability that can challenge players in Magic: The Gathering. Notorious for its resilience, it features a mechanism that allows it to return from the graveyard to the battlefield, providing a recurring threat that needs to be addressed strategically.

To effectively suppress this tenacious firebird, one has to think beyond conventional removal spells. A key tactic involves utilizing exile effects, such as with cards like Path to Exile or Dire Tactics, which can permanently deal with the Phoenix, preventing it from rising again. Additionally, graveyard disruption, including the likes of Leyline of the Void or Tormod’s Crypt, can prove invaluable by hampering the Phoenix’s return from the graveyard altogether.

Another strategy is to contain the Phoenix through spells that restrict creature abilities. Silent Gravestone, for instance, can be remarkably effective against strategies reliant on recurring creatures. By employing a combination of exile effects, graveyard control, and ability restrictors, players can effectively neutralize Managorger Phoenix and maintain dominance on the battlefield.

Cards like Managorger Phoenix

Managorger Phoenix is a compelling creature in Magic: The Gathering, offering a blend of offensive power and resilience. Like the popular Managorger Hydra, it thrives in an environment where spells are cast frequently, growing in threat with each turn. Yet, the Phoenix differs in its recursion ability, rising from the graveyard when a player reaches their third spell each turn. This makes it a persisting challenge for opponents to deal with.

Looking at cards with similar mechanics, we can compare it to the well-known Arclight Phoenix. Both creatures excel at returning from the graveyard, but Arclight Phoenix requires the casting of three spells in one turn without caring for the spell types, and specifically comes back to the battlefield during the combat phase on your turn. Unlike this, Managorger Phoenix has the added requirement of one of the spells being an instant or sorcery, but it’s less restrictive on timing as it can return at the beginning of combat on each player’s turn, providing more flexibility.

Managorger Phoenix brings a unique flavor to the table. It carves its own niche among recurring creatures, making it a significant and versatile player in decks that can reliably cast multiple spells in quick succession.

Cards similar to Managorger Phoenix by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Managorger Phoenix MTG card by a specific set like Jumpstart: Historic Horizons, 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 Managorger Phoenix and other MTG cards: