Detective's Phoenix is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
Bestow—, Collect evidence 6. (To pay this bestow cost, pay
Complete guide
Detective's Phoenix is a versatile red threat that refuses to stay in the graveyard. Thanks to its Bestow ability, it can serve as either a swift airborne attacker or a powerful buff for your other creatures.
Understanding Bestow and Collect Evidence
Detective's Phoenix features a unique Bestow cost: one red mana and collecting evidence 6. When you cast it for its Bestow cost, it becomes an Aura spell targeting a creature. If the creature it is attached to leaves the battlefield, the Phoenix doesn't go to the graveyard; instead, it remains on the battlefield as an enchantment creature.
Step-by-Step Resolution
First, you choose whether to cast the Phoenix as a creature or as an Aura using Bestow. If you choose Bestow, you must exile cards from your graveyard with a total mana value of 6 or greater to satisfy the 'Collect Evidence' requirement. Once the spell is announced, opponents cannot interact with your graveyard to stop the process. If the target creature becomes illegal while the Phoenix is on the stack, it simply enters the battlefield as a creature instead of an Aura.
Common Pitfalls
A common mistake is thinking you can use Bestow if the card enters the battlefield without being cast; this is not allowed. Also, remember that while Bestow makes it an Aura, it is still an enchantment spell. If you cannot meet the total mana value of 6 in your graveyard, you cannot choose to pay the Bestow cost at all.
When to Play It
You should play Detective's Phoenix early as a creature to pressure opponents with flying and haste. In the late game, use its Bestow ability from the graveyard to turn a non-evasive creature into a massive threat. It is especially effective in decks that can fill the graveyard quickly to fuel the Collect Evidence cost.
Interaction examples
Solemn SimulacrumYou cast Detective's Phoenix from your graveyard for its Bestow cost, exiling cards to collect evidence 6, and targeting Solemn Simulacrum. The Simulacrum is now a 4/4 with flying and haste. If the Simulacrum dies, you draw a card from its own ability, and the Phoenix remains on the battlefield as a 2/2 creature.
Roaming ThroneYou cast Detective's Phoenix as an Aura targeting Roaming Throne. The Throne now has haste and flying. Because the Phoenix provides these keywords via its 'Enchanted creature gets...' text, the Throne can attack immediately. If the Throne is later destroyed, the Phoenix loses the 'Enchant creature' property and stays on the battlefield as a creature.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Detective's Phoenix
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
If you can't exile enough cards to meet or exceed the required mana value, you can't choose to collect evidence at all.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
Once you've announced that you're casting a spell, players can't take actions until you've finished doing so. Notably, opponents can't try to remove cards from your graveyard to stop you from collecting evidence.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
On the stack, a spell with bestow is either a creature spell or an Aura spell. It's never both, although it's an enchantment spell in either case.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
Unlike other Aura spells, an Aura spell with bestow isn't countered if its target is illegal as it begins to resolve. Rather, the effect making it an Aura spell ends, it loses enchant creature, it returns to being an enchantment creature spell, and it resolves and enters the battlefield as an enchantment creature.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
Unlike other Auras, an Aura with bestow isn't put into its owner's graveyard if it becomes unattached. Rather, the effect making it an Aura ends, it loses enchant creature, and it remains on the battlefield as an enchantment creature. It can attack (and its
abilities can be activated, if it has any) on the turn it becomes unattached if it's been under your control continuously, even as an Aura, since your most recent turn began.No other card is named in this ruling.
- #6· Wizards of the Coast
If a permanent with bestow enters the battlefield by any method other than being cast, it will be an enchantment creature. You can't choose to pay the bestow cost and have it become an Aura.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #7· Wizards of the Coast
Auras attached to a creature don't become tapped when the creature becomes tapped. Except in some rare cases, an Aura with bestow remains untapped when it becomes unattached and becomes a creature.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Detective's Phoenix
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