We take a quick look at a deck featuring the latest additions from March of the Machine every workday throughout the rest of April. Arclight Phoenix once perched atop the Modern metagame. It has plummeted since, but a new pair of wings in Bloodfeather Phoenix look like they may revive the archetype!
Izzet decks revolving around have a very specific game plan to enact, namely to play at least three instant and/or sorcery spells in the first main phase, recur a bunch of Phoenixes, and start the air strikes. In addition to Arclight Phoenix, there are other threats that are likewise evasive and also enable the primary plan. surveils on each noncreature spell cast, which allows you to mill Phoenixes, and becomes a 3/3 flying threat itself. 's connive ability filters through your draws and, preferably, ditches Arclights that have been drawn.
In order to pull off the main plan, we need a critical mass of instant and sorceries. This is where Modern's large card pool comes in handy. can be played for 2 life instead of mana, which helps us cast multiple spells on the same turn even when we're stuck on mana. is basically two spells in one, which fits the plan perfectly. is one of the best enablers, as we can play it on turn two and get a free cast on turn three, all while discarding Phoenixes. is an iconic “free” spell. Technically it does not put one ahead on any resource, but it provides a spell cast, and that's what matters.
March of the Machine gives us a new set of Phoenixes to recur. works on a bit of a different axis, caring about a burn spell targeting the opponent's face. However, this just means that our burn spells now have two extra abilities, alternatively recurring either Arclight or Bloodfeather Phoenix, or both. The presence of this new bird gives the deck more angles of attack and way more consistency. Last but not least, Bloodfeather Phoenix is very easy to cast if the game comes down to it.
Do you like caw-caw-ing in current Pioneer? You may enjoy doing it in Modern again as well!
| Izzet Phoenixes by aspiring spike, Modern |
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| Main Deck | Sideboard |
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