Phoenix of Ash MTG Card
2020-01-24 - Number 148p
2020-01-24 - Number 148s
2020-01-24 - Number 319
2020-01-24 - Number 148
2002-06-24 - Number 79915
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Phoenix |
| Abilities | Escape,Flying,Haste |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Flying, haste : Phoenix of Ash gets +2/+0 until end of turn. Escape—, Exile three other cards from your graveyard. (You may cast this card from your graveyard for its escape cost.) Phoenix of Ash escapes with a +1/+1 counter on it.
Cards like Phoenix of Ash
Phoenix of Ash has carved its niche within the pantheon of flying creature cards in MTG, especially with its potential for repeat plays thanks to the Escape mechanic. It often draws comparisons to other notable fliers such as Chandra’s Phoenix, which also boasts a recurrence ability, reanimating itself to your hand whenever you cast an instant or sorcery that deals damage. However, Phoenix of Ash differentiates itself by offering direct player damage and a way to escape from the graveyard, fueling its return to the battlefield.
Rekindling Phoenix is another worthy mention, resurrecting itself with a token that ushers it back to the fray. Still, the lack of player-directed damage and escape mechanics sets the two apart. Additionally, Flamewake Phoenix from the Fate Reforged set shares the reanimation theme but hinges on ferocious – needing a powerful creature in play to return. Phoenix of Ash, however, dutifully rises from the ashes on its own merit with a little graveyard-fueled push.
In essence, while there are several phoenixes in MTG with self-recurring abilities, Phoenix of Ash’s agility, and self-sufficient escape capability make it a unique and formidable presence in red-based strategies that seek to maintain aerial threats and pressure opponents consistently.
Cards similar to Phoenix of Ash by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Phoenix of Ash. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Naya Winota | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 13 2024 | |
 | Mono-Red Aggro | Gladiator | Gladiator Games: We're Back | |
 | Gruul Aggro | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 12 2024 | |
 | Rakdos Aggro | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 06 2024 | |
| Mono-Red Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Phoenix of Ash has an escape mechanic, allowing you to cast it from your graveyard, effectively giving you additional opportunities to utilize the same card and maintain pressure on your opponent without depleting your hand.
Resource Acceleration: With its ability to gain +2/+0 until end of turn for every two mana invested, Phoenix of Ash can rapidly increase its power, expediting your route to victory by dealing significant damage without the need for additional cards.
Instant Speed: The flying ability allows Phoenix of Ash to be a consistent threat, staying out of reach at instant speed. Its haste lets it swing the turn it comes into play or right after escaping, making it a versatile and prompt threat in any stage of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks to Phoenix of Ash is its requirement for a card discard to activate its escape mechanic. This can place you at a disadvantage if your hand is already depleted, turning what should be a strategic revival into a potentially costly move.
Specific Mana Cost: Phoenix of Ash demands a dedication to red mana to both cast and utilize its abilities to the fullest. This could restrict the card’s integration into multi-colored decks that might struggle to consistently provide the necessary red mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Phoenix of Ash does offer a solid package of flying, haste, and the potential for recurring from the graveyard, its initial casting cost and subsequent escape cost can be steep. Other creatures in the same mana range may present more immediate impact or utility without the additional escape clause and its inherent discard cost.
Reasons to Include Phoenix of Ash in Your Collection
Versatility: Phoenix of Ash offers a flexible role in various deck builds, excelling in strategies that emphasize resilience and aggression. Its flying ability helps you maintain steady pressure, while its recurrence from the graveyard ensures it’s a persistent threat throughout the game.
Combo Potential: This fiery avian shines in combos, especially with decks that cycle or discard cards for value. It can be recast multiple times, benefitting from graveyard synergies, and its escape ability allows it to return with additional power counters, making it a formidable and recurring force on the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: Given its resilience against removal and its capacity to return stronger from the graveyard, Phoenix of Ash can be particularly effective in a meta-game that’s heavy on control decks. Whether you’re up against sweepers or targeted removal, this Phoenix ensures that your offensive potential is never fully extinguished.
How to beat
Phoenix of Ash is a formidable card in Magic: The Gathering with its flying ability and the potential to return from the graveyard. Facing this fiery challenger requires strategic play. Key tactics include graveyard disruption to prevent the Phoenix from recurring. Cards such as Scavenging Ooze, Leyline of the Void, or Rest in Peace can prove incredibly effective as they either exile cards from the graveyard or hinder abilities that trigger from there.
Furthermore, cards that negate the flying advantage, like spiders with reach or instant spells like Plummet, can also help ground the Phoenix of Ash before it soars out of control. Another efficient approach would be using removal spells that exile rather than destroy, such as Dire Tactics or Path to Exile, to ensure that the Phoenix doesn’t rise from the ashes. Keeping a careful watch on your opponent’s graveyard and staying ready with counters or removal options are essential when going up against this resilient creature.
Ultimately, preparation and awareness of the Phoenix’s capabilities are decisive in overcoming this challenging card. By incorporating these counterstrategies, players can enhance their deck’s resilience against Phoenix of Ash, securing their lead in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Phoenix of Ash MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Theros Beyond Death 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 Phoenix of Ash 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 Phoenix of Ash Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2020-01-24 and 2020-01-24. Illustrated by Svetlin Velinov.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 79915 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Svetlin Velinov | ||
| 2 | 2020-01-24 | Theros Beyond Death Promos | PTHB | 148p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Svetlin Velinov | |
| 3 | 2020-01-24 | Theros Beyond Death Promos | PTHB | 148s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Svetlin Velinov | |
| 4 | 2020-01-24 | Theros Beyond Death | THB | 319 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Svetlin Velinov | |
| 5 | 2020-01-24 | Theros Beyond Death | THB | 148 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Svetlin Velinov |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Phoenix of Ash has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Phoenix of Ash card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-01-24 | After an escaped spell resolves, it returns to its owner’s graveyard if it’s not a permanent spell. If it is a permanent spell, it enters the battlefield and will return to its owner’s graveyard if it dies later. Perhaps it will escape again—good underworld security is so hard to come by these days. |
| 2020-01-24 | Escape’s permission doesn’t change when you may cast the spell from your graveyard. |
| 2020-01-24 | If a card has multiple abilities giving you permission to cast it, such as two escape abilities or an escape ability and a flashback ability, you choose which one to apply. The others have no effect. |
| 2020-01-24 | If a card with escape is put into your graveyard during your turn, you’ll be able to cast it right away if it’s legal to do so, before an opponent can take any actions. |
| 2020-01-24 | If you cast a spell with its escape permission, you can’t choose to apply any other alternative costs or to cast it without paying its mana cost. If it has any additional costs, you must pay those. |
| 2020-01-24 | Once you begin casting a spell with escape, it immediately moves to the stack. Players can’t take any other actions until you’re done casting the spell. |
| 2020-01-24 | To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost you’re paying (such as an escape cost), add any cost increases, then apply any cost reductions. The converted mana cost of the spell remains unchanged, no matter what the total cost to cast it was and no matter whether an alternative cost was paid. |