phoenixes were my favourite creature type when i first started playing magic, and at the time we only had clunkers like shard phoenix, shivan phoenix and the less-clunky bogardan phoenix. i think phoenixes can do better these days, although this might be a step too far. nod to eternal dragon in the recursion method as well as the ability to "cycle" it.

Phoenixes are also a really odd creature type/mechanic. They return from the graveyard because that's what phoenixes do, which should make them black or green. But, honestly, who could imagine a fiery phoenix as being anything but red?

That makes cards like this a bit on the awkward side, since it's a phoenix, but it isn't doing anything that a green Elemental, let's say, couldn't do (well, okay, flying. But flying doesn't seem that necessary for this mechanic.) Personally, if I was in development, I'd argue to shift this out of red, and save the phoenix effects for cards that just scream "Make me a top-down Phoenix!"

I'm sure other people have other opinions on this subject, though. People like having phoenixes as an exception to the rule for a reason. One reason is because red is pretty limited in its mechanics, if we don't occasionally let it color bleed...

in this case, the thing it does that green cannot do is be processed, which is a mechanic only appearing in grixis colours. I like the idea of a recurring creature with process, and because I like phoenixes it was my first thought. might end up shifting to black, we'll see.

some sort of zombie hulk/abomination type thing fits the recurrable process flavor too i think. to keep it on the phoenix theme you could give it an ETB or LTB effect (burn?) and drop the stats.

yeah alright, i'll earmark this guy as waiting for an edit