Flame-Wreathed Phoenix
Creature — Phoenix
Flying
Tribute 2 (As this creature enters, an opponent of your choice may put two +1/+1 counters on it.)
When this creature enters, if tribute wasn't paid, it gains haste and "When this creature dies, return it to its owner's hand."
- CMC
- 4
- Mana cost
- Color identity
- R
- Rarity
- mythic
- Set
- Born of the Gods
- Price
- $0.36
- EDHREC rank
- #18575
Flame-Wreathed Phoenix enters as a hasty 3/3 flier that recurs itself whenever any Phoenix you control dies — that's a built-in loop the moment you have two Phoenixes in play. The cost is a six-mana body that needs a supporting cast to shine; slotting it into a vacuum gets you a vanilla threat, but pairing it with Syrix, Carrier of the Flame turns every recur trigger into a free Shock to any target.
Best Commanders
Commanders with the highest synergy
Syrix, Carrier of the Flame
Syrix, Carrier of the Flame pings for 2 whenever a Phoenix enters or returns from your graveyard, which means Flame-Wreathed Phoenix's self-recur loop translates directly into repeatable damage — two Phoenixes trading and returning can close a game without ever connecting in combat.
Format Analysis
Where it lives, where it can’t
| Format | Verdict |
|---|---|
| commander | legal |
| legacy | legal |
| modern | legal |
| pioneer | legal |
| standard | not legal |
| vintage | legal |
| pauper | not legal |
| oathbreaker | legal |
Flame-Wreathed Phoenix is a Commander card first and foremost — the Phoenix tribal synergies it demands are only sustainable across a 100-card, multiplayer game where you have time to assemble the loop. In Modern and Pioneer it's legal but never sees play; six mana buys you a much more impactful threat in those formats, and graveyard hate is ubiquitous enough to shut the recursion down at instant speed. Legacy and Vintage give it even less room to breathe. Commander is the one place where its slow, value-oriented engine earns its slot, specifically in Phoenix-tribal shells.
Key Combos
Combo lines featuring this card
Price Context
Current price
$0.36 bulk tier
At $0.36, Flame-Wreathed Phoenix sits firmly in bulk territory, which makes it a zero-risk pickup for any Phoenix-tribal Commander build. Bulk rares with narrow tribal applications rarely spike, so don't expect this price to move unless a new Phoenix commander pushes the archetype into the spotlight.
Explore
Sources
Mentioned
Updated . Data from Scryfall, EDHREC, and Commander Spellbook.