The Cinematic Phoenix MTG Card

The Cinematic Phoenix - 2019 Heroes of the Realm

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Mythic
Type	Legendary Creature — Phoenix
Abilities	Flying,Haste,Protection
Released	2020-08-01
Set symbol
Set name	2019 Heroes of the Realm
Set code	PH19
Power	4
Toughness	4
Number	6
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Chuck Lukacs

Key Takeaways

Offers card advantage with a repeatable draw mechanism through combat damage.
Improves mana pool upon entry or graveyard return for earlier high-cost plays.
Allows instant speed play, creating unexpected battlefield advantages.

Text of card

Flying, haste, protection from red , : Return target legendary creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield. Tap six untapped creatures you control: Return The Cinematic Phoenix from your graveyard to the battlefield. If you tapped six legendary creatures this way, you win the game.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Cinematic Phoenix card not only brings a formidable presence to the battlefield but also offers a repeatable mechanism for drawing cards. Each time it deals damage to your opponent, it allows you to delve deeper into your deck, sustaining a healthy hand size and giving you more options each turn.

Resource Acceleration: This majestic bird ignites your mana pool by providing resource acceleration. When it enters the battlefield or revives from the graveyard, you can experience a surge in mana resources which can be pivotal for casting high-cost spells or enabling complex combos much earlier in the game.

Instant Speed: Instant speed interactions increase the tactical depth of any game, and The Cinematic Phoenix enables you to react promptly to the shifting tide of battle. Its ability to be summoned or resurrect at instant speed ensures that you always have a surprise up your sleeve, making it harder for your opponents to predict and counter your strategies.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Cinematic Phoenix’s gameplay requires discarding cards, which could be detrimental in scenarios where your hand is already depleted. This necessity can hamper your strategic flexibility, especially if the card in question is a pivotal component of your game plan.

Specific Mana Cost: To summon The Cinematic Phoenix, a precise mix of mana is necessary, including red mana. For players running multicolored decks or those lacking sufficient sources of red mana, this can create an obstruction to playing the card on curve, thereby affecting the tempo of their game.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Compared to other creatures or spells with similar effects, The Cinematic Phoenix demands a significant mana investment. This higher cost could slow down your momentum in the early to mid-game phases where maintaining mana efficiency is crucial.

Reasons to Include The Cinematic Phoenix in Your Collection

Versatility: The Cinematic Phoenix card offers flexibility across a variety of deck builds. Its ability to make an impact both in the air and when it comes back from the graveyard gives players creative ways to utilize the card throughout the game.

Combo Potential: Known for its synergy, The Cinematic Phoenix works well with spells that manipulate the graveyard, allowing for potentially game-changing combos and recurrent threats that opponents will struggle to manage.

Meta-Relevance: This card holds its ground in the evolving meta, providing a resilient threat that can repeatedly come back into play. In a game where board presence and resilience can turn the tides, The Cinematic Phoenix can be a strategic asset against various popular decks.

How to Beat

The Cinematic Phoenix cards in Magic: The Gathering present a unique challenge on the battlefield with their potent effects and resurrection abilities. To successfully conquer these formidable creatures, a strategic approach is required. Control decks that pack a suite of counter spells can effectively keep the Phoenix from hitting the board in the first place. Furthermore, utilizing removals that exile the Phoenix can prevent it from returning to the fray, circumventing its innate revival trait.

Another effective tactic is to disrupt the graveyard synergy. Tools like Scavenging Ooze or Leyline of the Void can make it arduous for your opponent to utilize the graveyard as a resource, thus clipping the wings of the Cinematic Phoenix before it has a chance to soar again. It’s also advantageous to keep pressure on your opponent, forcing them to commit resources to the board rather than setting up the recursion of their Phoenix.

Taking down a Cinematic Phoenix requires forethought and tactical execution. Utilizing a combination of graveyard hate, counterspells, and exile effects can help ensure that once the Phoenix goes down, it stays down, giving you a clearer path to victory in your Magic: The Gathering duels.

Cards like The Cinematic Phoenix

The allure of resurrection and fiery spells in Magic: The Gathering shines brightly with The Cinematic Phoenix. Within the same thematic arena, the Rekindling Phoenix stands out for its similar revival trait. Each time the Rekindling Phoenix perishes, it leaves behind an elemental token, which brings it back to the battlefield at the next upkeep. The Cinematic Phoenix also boasts recurring abilities, but with a unique cinematic twist enhancing its storytelling aspect.

Flame-Wreathed Phoenix is another kin in the fiery flock, offering players a choice upon entering the battlefield. Through Tribute, opponents decide whether it comes with haste and a +1/+1 counter or grants its owner a draw. Although the Flame-Wreathed Phoenix promises adaptability, The Cinematic Phoenix engages players with its more narrative-driven reincarnation.

Exploring these avian flames in Magic: The Gathering reveals varied approaches to the classic phoenix archetype. The Cinematic Phoenix not only revives from the ashes but also enriches the game with its distinctive, story-infused twist. Its comparisons with similar cards lay out a vibrant spectrum of strategic and flavorful choices for fiery feathered plays.

Flame-Wreathed Phoenix - MTG Card versions

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase The Cinematic Phoenix MTG card by a specific set like 2019 Heroes of the Realm, 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 The Cinematic Phoenix and other MTG cards:

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Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2019-12-07	The Commander RC has ruled that if your name is printed on the bottom of a Heroes of the Realm card, that card is legal for you in Commander.