Phoenix got rebuffed to 5 power in 2026 March Gwent Balance Patch. At 10-cost this card has really high potential in decks with aggressive gameplan. The showcased list isn't exactly the one with the strongest R1, which is essential to this strategy, but has a lot of extra flavor. Nevertheless my score on ladder was +7 -1.
Phoenix is a beast. Beast tag, especially one spawned at the round start, is a great support for Cockatrice.
Deckbuff Beasts have two serious structural problem. The first one is thinning - it is hard to guarantee access to all deckbuffed units. The second: polarization - Cockatrices are Werewolves are 4-cost bronzes.
To alleviate both of these, Lilit's Omen buffed down to 9-cost in Balance Council comes handy. Omen thins two cards from the deck and also is a massive powerplay, on top of which we can follow up with effiicient 4-cost units.