Hello Magic enthusiasts!
Today, I’m excited to delve into the Izzet Phoenix deck that propelled me to a 9th place finish at Pro Tour Murders at Karlov Manor. While being just shy of Top 8 is always a bit disappointing, it undeniably highlights the deck’s strong performance throughout the tournament.
[ – 2022/7/15
- Izzet Phoenix in Pioneer After the Bans
- Javier Dominguez
](https://article.hareruyamtg.com/article/63902/?lang=en) It’s been a while since I last discussed this archetype, specifically after the ban of 《Expressive Iteration》. My recent return to Izzet Phoenix, with minimal playtime in between, underscores a crucial aspect of Pioneer: mastering an archetype ensures its viability even after periods of absence, provided it remains competitive in the format.
For the Pro Tour, Team Handshake refined the conventional Phoenix lists, and I was thoroughly impressed with the impact of these adjustments. Building upon the fundamentals I outlined in my previous article on Izzet Phoenix, this piece will focus on the innovative tweaks we implemented and the nuances of playing the deck optimally.
So, what makes this iteration of Izzet Phoenix stand out? Let’s explore the details.
The Evolution of Izzet Phoenix in Pioneer
Here’s the decklist we piloted at Pro Tour Murders at Karlov Manor:
Izzet Phoenix Pioneer Decklist by Javier Dominguez – 9th Place, Pro Tour Murders at Karlov Manor
Izzet Phoenix has consistently maintained a position within the Tier 1 or Tier 2 ranks of Pioneer for some time. Leading up to the Pro Tour, it became increasingly apparent that it was not only a top contender but also anticipated to be the most prevalent deck at the tournament.
Choosing to play a widely expected deck carries inherent risks, especially at the Pro Tour level. Opponents are thoroughly prepared for the mirror and common matchups, potentially diminishing the deck’s effectiveness.
Initially, I had reservations about playing Phoenix. However, I’m ultimately glad I trusted in it, thanks in large part to my teammates whose expertise and experience with the archetype allowed us to significantly enhance the stock list we were initially considering.
Ashiok, Dream RenderThe core structure of Izzet Phoenix is already highly optimized, leading to considerable uniformity among decklists. While we were prepared to run a standard version, Anthony Lee’s insightful suggestion to incorporate 《Ashiok, Dream Render》 into the main deck proved to be a game-changer.
Within hours, we had finalized our Pro Tour decklist, centered around this key innovation.
The Impact of Ashiok, Dream Render in Pioneer Phoenix
《Ashiok, Dream Render》, from my perspective, significantly improved our position in some of the most critical matchups at the Pro Tour. This planeswalker brought a crucial edge against both mirror matches and specific archetypes that were expected to be popular.
Firstly, 《Ashiok》 is exceptionally strong in the Izzet Phoenix mirror match. These games often extend into longer, grindier battles, and 《Ashiok》 provides an incredibly efficient method to disrupt both 《Arclight Phoenix》 and 《Treasure Cruise》 simultaneously. Furthermore, maindecking Ashiok preempts concerns about it being countered by 《Mystical Dispute》 in post-sideboard games.
It’s also important to recognize that despite being a Planeswalker, 《Ashiok》 functions effectively as a tempo play. While it can indeed dominate games if deployed early on an empty board, leading to a swift turn 3 victory, unlike many planeswalkers, it remains potent even in the late game. Its uncounterability by 《Spell Pierce》 in later stages of the game is a significant advantage. Ashiok’s strength in the mirror match was undoubtedly a primary driver for its inclusion.
Lotus FieldHowever, the Lotus Field matchup is where 《Ashiok》 truly excels. In our testing, nearly every Izzet Phoenix win against Lotus Field involved 《Ashiok》. We initially considered Ashiok solely as a sideboard card for this matchup, but testing in game 1 revealed that its presence significantly hindered Lotus Field’s ability to execute their combo.
Dragonlord DromokaA key factor in game 1 is that we retain all our 《Fiery Impulse》, while Lotus Field decks often have fewer creatures pre-sideboard. This reduces the likelihood of losing to an unexpected 《Dragonlord Dromoka》. The impact of Ashiok in this matchup is substantial. Having a hate card maindeck in a deck brimming with cantrips greatly increases the consistency of drawing it compared to decks with less card manipulation.
While 《Ashiok》 is undeniably powerful in these specific matchups, playing such a specialized card comes with potential drawbacks in others. Matchups against creature-heavy decks, Rakdos Midrange, or Azorius Control are examples where its immediate impact might be less pronounced. However, this is where 《Ashiok》‘s surprisingly high floor becomes relevant.
Even in scenarios where its primary ability is less impactful—though this is rare, even against decks like Rakdos Midrange with 《Kroxa, Titan of Death’s Hunger》—simply untapping with 《Ashiok》 mills eight cards. This alone significantly accelerates our game plan, often enabling a 《Treasure Cruise》 for a single mana. Furthermore, this milling can set up 《Galvanic Iteration》 and 《Arclight Phoenix》 activations.
Temporal TrespassIn one game against Azorius Control, I leveraged 《Ashiok》‘s mill to cast 《Treasure Cruise》 into 《Temporal Trespass》 within the same turn. This level of synergy and utility solidified my decision to include at least one, if not two, copies in the main deck.
While I might reconsider playing two Ashioks if the metagame shifts dramatically, in a field where Izzet Phoenix is prominent, incorporating some number of 《Ashiok, Dream Render》 feels like the optimal configuration for Pioneer Phoenix.
The Unsung Hero: Picklock Prankster
Picklock PranksterLet’s be direct: 《Picklock Prankster》 is exceptionally powerful, arguably the primary reason Izzet Phoenix ascended to the top tier in Pioneer. While 《Sleight of Hand》 certainly contributes, Picklock Prankster is the true game-changer.
Initially, this card appeared unremarkable. Like many, I dismissed it as a strictly worse version of 《Pieces of the Puzzle》. We were, unequivocally, wrong.
Go Blank《Picklock Prankster》 is the ultimate enabler for this deck. It mills cards and provides card selection in a way no other spell achieves. Crucially, its instant speed is transformative. Previously, 《Go Blank》 was a potent counter against Izzet Phoenix, effectively negating the graveyard filling from 《Pieces of the Puzzle》 and severely hindering 《Treasure Cruise》 casting. With 《Picklock Prankster》, casting 《Free the Fae》 at the end of the opponent’s turn rapidly advances your game plan.
This card shares a characteristic with 《Fable of the Mirror-Breaker》: its power is understated on paper, truly revealing itself in practice. The flexibility it injects into the deck significantly enhances the value of counterspells, which were less synergistic with the sorcery-speed 《Pieces of the Puzzle》.
Jegantha, the WellspringBeyond its spell utility, 《Picklock Prankster》 provides a “free” creature. A 1/3 flying vigilance body for two mana might seem minor, but its impact is more substantial than it appears. Consider 《Jegantha, the Wellspring》, a free companion that ultimately becomes a 5/5 for eight mana. Suddenly, a couple of 1/3s for two mana doesn’t seem so insignificant.
《Picklock Prankster》 functions almost like a companion for Izzet Phoenix, often securing wins in resource-depleted late-game scenarios by chipping in with damage when both players are low on cards.
Ledger ShredderFurthermore, Picklock Prankster facilitates the 《Temporal Trespass》 + 《Galvanic Iteration》 combo kills, making them more readily achievable. It also excels at triggering 《Ledger Shredder》 in topdeck situations. In essence, 《Picklock Prankster》 does it all for the Pioneer Phoenix archetype.
Ledger Shredder: The Primary Threat
Previously, I suggested 《Ledger Shredder》 was so impactful for this deck that it might rival 《Expressive Iteration》 in importance. Now, I contend that it is the most critical threat in the deck, even surpassing 《Arclight Phoenix》 itself.
In many matchups, establishing a turn 2 《Ledger Shredder》 puts us significantly ahead, while failing to do so weakens our position considerably. My strongest advice in such scenarios is to aggressively mulligan for hands that enable a turn 2 Shredder, especially in game 1, even at the cost of overall hand quality. Knowing you’re facing a matchup where Shredder is paramount, adjusting your mulligan strategy to prioritize it will likely increase your game 1 win rate.
A crucial decision point with 《Ledger Shredder》 is whether to deploy it on turn 2 or wait until turn 3 to guarantee a trigger. My default is generally to play it as early as possible. However, I might delay until turn 3 if my hand is otherwise weak, contains 《Arclight Phoenix》 without immediate discard outlets, or if I anticipate immediate removal from the opponent, such as against Rakdos Midrange when they keep a hand devoid of 1 or 2-mana plays.
Cantrip Conundrums: Opt vs. Consider
ConsiderThe choice between 《Opt》 and 《Consider》 is often nuanced. Generally, 《Consider》 is the preferred play, as it more rapidly fills the graveyard, accelerating 《Treasure Cruise》 availability.
Another “consideration” is the sequencing when you have both 《Consider》 and 《Opt》 in hand. Ideally, use 《Consider》 when you anticipate discarding cards to the graveyard and 《Opt》 when you intend to keep most of the viewed cards on top of your library.
For instance, if a cantrip reveals a land and a removal spell, keeping both means minimal graveyard filling. In this scenario, 《Opt》 might be better initially. However, always factor in 《Treasure Cruise》 math. Avoid missing a Cruise casting opportunity because you opted for 《Opt》 over 《Consider》 earlier.
Further factors to weigh when choosing between 《Opt》 and 《Consider》 include:
- 《Opt》 places a card at the bottom of your library. While seemingly less beneficial than graveyard filling, this can be advantageous. Adding a card to your library effectively extends your deck size, potentially granting an extra turn of survival in decking situations, which are common in this archetype. In such scenarios, 《Opt》 is superior as it can provide a crucial extra turn to attack.
If you’ve mulliganed and placed critical cards like 《Temporal Trespass》 or even 《Arclight Phoenix》 at the bottom of your library, 《Opt》, alongside 《Sleight of Hand》, can enable you to redraw them while maintaining sufficient cards in your library to secure victory. Remember this when choosing 《Consider》 over the other cantrips, and recall if you’ve sent key cards to the library’s bottom.
- 《Graveyard Trespasser》 and 《Go Blank》 are potential reasons to prioritize 《Opt》 initially. If you’re likely to put an 《Arclight Phoenix》 into the graveyard, you generally want it there on the turn you plan to return them. Similarly, against 《Graveyard Trespasser》 from Rakdos, if you might discard a 《Ledger Shredder》, 《Opt》 might be the safer first play.
Sleight of Hand vs. Opt/Consider: A Timing Trick
While 《Sleight of Hand》 is often the cantrip we default to playing first due to its sorcery speed, there’s a common exception against discard spells. If you have 《Opt》 and 《Sleight of Hand》 facing a 《Thoughtseize》 deck, it can be wise to simply pass the turn, sacrificing the sorcery speed flexibility for later. This gains two key advantages:
ThoughtseizeFirstly, your opponent has less information about your hand’s composition. This prevents them from preemptively taking a 《Ledger Shredder》 you might draw into with the cantrip, because you haven’t drawn it yet. This information concealment is already valuable. Secondly, you gain insight into your opponent’s game plan before committing to your cantrip decisions, which is often underrated. Discard spells frequently reveal significant information about the opponent’s hand and strategy.
Treasure CruiseFor example, if you hold a 《Ledger Shredder》 and a 《Treasure Cruise》, and they 《Thoughtseize》 and take the 《Ledger Shredder》, it strongly suggests they lack immediate removal. Utilizing this knowledge allows you to extract more value from your cantrip spells, outweighing the early-turn sorcery speed disadvantage of delaying 《Sleight of Hand》.
Pioneer Phoenix Sideboarding Strategies
Now for arguably the most crucial part: the sideboarding guide!
Izzet Phoenix Mirror Match
vs. Mirror Match
Out:
Fiery Impulse Fiery Impulse Fiery Impulse Fiery Impulse
In:
AbradeIn the mirror, we prioritize countermagic and efficient removal for threats like Ledger Shredder and Arclight Phoenix. Fiery Impulse becomes less relevant as creature combat is less central to the game plan post-board.
Azorius Control Matchup
vs. Azorius Control
Out:
Fiery Impulse Fiery Impulse Fiery Impulse Fiery Impulse
Lightning AxeIn:
Young Pyromancer Young Pyromancer
Negate
Mystical Dispute Mystical Dispute Mystical Dispute
Against Azorius Control, we shift to a more resilient threat base with Crackling Drake and Young Pyromancer, which are harder for them to remove efficiently. We trim on cards like Treasure Cruise and Temporal Trespass that can be vulnerable to countermagic, and bring in more counterspells of our own.
Rakdos Midrange Matchup
vs. Rakdos Midrange
Out:
In:
Brazen Borrower Brazen Borrower
Against Rakdos, we need to be more controlling. Brotherhood’s End helps manage their board, while Crackling Drake provides a resilient threat that dodges some of their removal. We cut less effective cards like Fiery Impulse and Ashiok, which is less impactful in this matchup.
Lotus Field Combo Matchup
vs. Lotus Field
Out:
Fiery Impulse Fiery Impulse Fiery Impulse Fiery Impulse
In:
Young Pyromancer Young Pyromancer
Against Lotus Field, we maximize disruption and speed. Mystical Dispute and Negate are crucial to counter their key spells. Young Pyromancer provides a fast clock, while we remove slow or irrelevant cards like Fiery Impulse and Treasure Cruise.
Amalia Combo Matchup
vs. Amalia Combo
Out:
Arclight Phoenix Arclight Phoenix Arclight Phoenix Arclight Phoenix
In:
Anger of the GodsAgainst Amalia Combo, we need board wipes and resilient threats. Anger of the Gods and Brotherhood’s End clear their board, while Crackling Drake is less vulnerable to their targeted removal. We cut Arclight Phoenix, which is too slow and fragile, and less impactful cards like Spell Pierce and Picklock Prankster.
Boros Convoke Matchup
vs. Boros Convoke
Out:
Galvanic Iteration Galvanic Iteration
In:
BrotherhoodAgainst Boros Convoke, we need to control the board and race effectively. Anger of the Gods and Brotherhood’s End are essential to clear their early threats. Crackling Drake provides a fast, resilient threat. We cut slower, less impactful cards like Ashiok and Temporal Trespass.
Ensoul Artifact Matchup
vs. Ensoul Artifact
Out:
Galvanic Iteration Galvanic Iteration
In:
Young Pyromancer Young Pyromancer
Against Ensoul Artifact, efficient artifact removal and board control are key. Brotherhood’s End and Abrade deal with their key threats. Young Pyromancer provides a quick clock. We cut slower, less relevant cards like Ashiok, Galvanic Iteration, and Temporal Trespass.
Niv to Light Matchup
vs. Niv to Light
Out:
Fiery Impulse Fiery Impulse Fiery Impulse Fiery Impulse
In:
Young Pyromancer Young Pyromancer
Against Niv to Light, countermagic and resilient threats are key. Mystical Dispute and Negate disrupt their key spells. Young Pyromancer and Brazen Borrower provide threats that are harder for them to remove cleanly. We cut less effective removal like Fiery Impulse and Lightning Axe, and less impactful cards like Ashiok and Arclight Phoenix.
Javier Dominguez (Twitter / Twitch)
Further Reading on Pioneer and MTG Strategy
[ – 2024/1/12
- 2023 Season Insight and Lessons Learned From It
- Javier Dominguez
](https://article.hareruyamtg.com/article/75390/?lang=en) [ – 2022/7/15
- Izzet Phoenix in Pioneer After the Bans
- Javier Dominguez
](https://article.hareruyamtg.com/article/63902/?lang=en)
Key Cards for Pioneer Phoenix
Javier Dominguez
Representing Spain on the global stage, Javier boasts six Grand Prix Top 8 finishes, including victories at Grand Prix Paris 2014 and Grand Prix Rotterdam 2016. His Pro Tour record includes impressive finishes like 9th place at Pro Tour Battle for Zendikar and Pro Tour Hour of Devastation, culminating in a Top 8 at Pro Tour Rivals of Ixalan. Read more articles by Javier Dominguez
