Kuldotha Phoenix MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Phoenix
Abilities Flying,Haste,Metalcraft
Power 4
Toughness 4

Key Takeaways

  1. Kuldotha Phoenix provides repeated use and resilience, crucial for maintaining card advantage.
  2. Its metalcraft ability enables faster strategic executions in artifact-rich decks.
  3. Beginning of upkeep resurrection simulates instant-speed responses, keeping opponents on their toes.

Text of card

Flying, haste Metalcraft — : Return Kuldotha Phoenix from your graveyard to the battlefield. Activate this ability only during your upkeep and only if you control three or more artifacts.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kuldotha Phoenix promotes card advantage as it offers the potential for recurring use. Once in the graveyard, it can return to the battlefield if the metalcraft condition is met, effectively granting you access to the same powerful creature multiple times during gameplay. This kind of resilience in a card makes sure your hand never feels empty.

Resource Acceleration: This fiery avian facilitates resource acceleration in decks that can fulfill its metalcraft ability. By requiring three artifacts on the field to trigger its resurrection, it naturally synergizes with decks that can generate and leverage artifact tokens or utilize cost-reduction mechanics. This allows for a swifter and more efficient deployment of your strategic plays.

Instant Speed: While the phoenix itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its capability to return from the graveyard at the beginning of your upkeep is an ability that can be utilized akin to instant timing. Since the metalcraft check happens at the start of the turn, it ensures that you’re always ready to make a dynamic move that your opponent must be prepared for right as your turn commences.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Kuldotha Phoenix requires a player to discard another artifact card when utilizing its recursion ability from the graveyard. This can be a setback in games where maintaining card advantage is crucial, and your hand is already depleted.

Specific Mana Cost: This phoenix comes with a mana requirement steeped in red. With a casting cost that includes three red mana symbols, it may not seamlessly fit into multicolored decks or those that struggle with producing enough red mana consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, including three that must be red, Kuldotha Phoenix may be seen as an expensive investment, especially in fast-paced games. In environments where efficiency is key, its initial cost can be prohibitive when compared to other creatures that hit the battlefield sooner or present a more immediate threat.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Kuldotha Phoenix fits into a range of deck types, particularly those leaning on red’s aggression or artifact synergies. Its ability to rise from the graveyard not only applies pressure but also provides a resilient threat.

Combo Potential: This fiery card has inherent synergy with artifact-centric strategies, enabling elaborate plays. Sacrificing and then returning it to the battlefield can be a recurring source of power, making it a formidable piece in any combo setup.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where artifacts are prevalent and graveyard strategies thrive, Kuldotha Phoenix stands strong. Its resistance to removal and the recurring threat it poses can be crucial in flying over defenses or mounting a comeback in prolonged games.


How to beat

Kuldotha Phoenix presents a unique challenge on the battlefield, known for its resilience and the capability to rise from the graveyard much like the mythical phoenix it embodies. Flight and haste make it a formidable adversary, swooping in for swift attacks as soon as it returns to play. Its metalcraft ability, which requires three or more artifacts to activate, allows it to gain an advantage with consistent damage each turn if left unchecked.

To counter Kuldotha Phoenix effectively, targeted removal when it’s on the stack or before its metalcraft is activated is key. Utilizing spells that exile, such as Path to Exile or instant-speed removal like Terminate, can hinder its return from the graveyard. Controlling the number of artifacts on the board is also vital; shatter effects or even wide-reaching card like Vandalblast can prevent the metalcraft condition from being satisfied. Denying an opponent the artifacts they need not only cripples the Phoenix’s comeback but can potentially weaken their overall strategy if they’re relying on a heavy artifact theme.

Navigating around Kuldotha Phoenix demands strategic planning and prompt action. By disrupting its synergies and utilizing precise removal, players can prevent this persistent flyer from taking over the game and maintain the upper hand.


Cards like Kuldotha Phoenix

Kuldotha Phoenix poses an intriguing presence amongst the fiery fliers in Magic the Gathering. Sharing the skies with other phoenix creatures, it draws parallels to cards such as Chandra’s Phoenix. Both require specific conditions for their reanimation traits to kick in; however, Kuldotha Phoenix requires an investment of metalcraft to return to the battlefield, offering an interesting dynamic for artifact-heavy decks.

Another similar card is the Ashcloud Phoenix, which boasts morphing abilities but lacks the artifact synergy that gives Kuldotha its special niche. This synergy is specifically appealing in decks that leverage numerous artifacts, where Kuldotha Phoenix can shine not only as a recurring threat but also as a means to strengthen the overall artifact theme of a deck.

Furthermore, compared with the Skywing Aven, which offers flexibility with its flying ability and return-to-hand mechanic, Kuldotha Phoenix provides a more durable and consistent battlefield presence in the right deck build. Ultimately, Kuldotha Phoenix stands out in its ability to blend into artifact-centric plays, marking its territory as a unique choice for strategies built around metallic sinews and fiery rebirth.

Chandra's Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Ashcloud Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Skywing Aven - MTG Card versions
Chandra's Phoenix - Magic 2012 Promos (PM12)
Ashcloud Phoenix - Khans of Tarkir (KTK)
Skywing Aven - Torment (TOR)

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

Fire Elemental - MTG Card versions
Earth Elemental - MTG Card versions
Eron the Relentless - MTG Card versions
Balduvian War-Makers - MTG Card versions
Hivis of the Scale - MTG Card versions
Hulking Cyclops - MTG Card versions
Flame Spirit - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Salamander - MTG Card versions
Ma Chao, Western Warrior - MTG Card versions
Covetous Dragon - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Strike Force - MTG Card versions
Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist - MTG Card versions
Tephraderm - MTG Card versions
Avarax - MTG Card versions
Bonethorn Valesk - MTG Card versions
Frost Ogre - MTG Card versions
Heartless Hidetsugu - MTG Card versions
Shard Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Soul of Magma - MTG Card versions
Hunted Dragon - MTG Card versions
Fire Elemental - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Earth Elemental - Salvat 2011 (PS11)
Eron the Relentless - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
Balduvian War-Makers - Alliances (ALL)
Hivis of the Scale - Mirage (MIR)
Hulking Cyclops - Visions (VIS)
Flame Spirit - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Flowstone Salamander - Tempest (TMP)
Ma Chao, Western Warrior - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Covetous Dragon - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Dwarven Strike Force - Odyssey (ODY)
Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist - Innistrad: Crimson Vow (VOW)
Tephraderm - Onslaught (ONS)
Avarax - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Bonethorn Valesk - Scourge (SCG)
Frost Ogre - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Heartless Hidetsugu - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Shard Phoenix - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Soul of Magma - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Hunted Dragon - The List (PLST)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kuldotha Phoenix MTG card by a specific set like Media Inserts and Scars of Mirrodin, 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 Kuldotha Phoenix and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Kuldotha Phoenix Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2010-10-01 and 2010-10-01. Illustrated by Mike Bierek.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11995-01-02Media InsertsPMEI 202003normalblackMike Bierek
22010-10-01Scars of MirrodinSOM 952003normalblackMike Bierek

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kuldotha Phoenix has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2011-01-01 You can activate Kuldotha Phoenix’s ability only if it’s in your graveyard.

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