Ozai, the Phoenix King

Ozai is a 7/7 trample haste threat for 6 mana with firebending 4 (adding {R} per attack) that converts lost mana to red and conditionally gains flying and indestructible with 6+ unspent mana — a potent combat finisher and mana-sink engine in Rakdos big-mana or aggro shells. The flying+indestructible mode requires holding or generating 6+ mana simultaneously, making him most powerful in shells that flood mana fast (e.g., Treasure, ritual chains, or firebending loops). Double-black and double-red pips make him color-locked but rewarding in two-color builds.

• Ozai's firebending 4 adds {R} that lasts until end of combat, not end of turn — this mana can only be used for combat tricks or instant-speed effects during the combat phase, limiting its utility compared to normal mana.

  tagging · claude-sonnet-4-6

• The 'unspent mana becomes red' replacement effect means floating mana between phases is no longer wasted; this synergizes with rituals or effects that produce more mana than you can spend at sorcery speed, effectively making Ozai a mana-sink enabler.

  tagging · claude-sonnet-4-6

• The flying+indestructible clause requires 6+ unspent mana simultaneously — typically achievable only in the combat phase with Treasure tokens, mana from firebending triggers, or large mana pools, so the protection is not always available when you need it against removal at sorcery speed.

  tagging · claude-sonnet-4-6

• EDHREC rank: #4,192