Mikaeus, the Unhallowed + Ashcloud Phoenix + Bartolomé del Presidio

Mikaeus, the Unhallowed

Ashcloud Phoenix

Bartolomé del Presidio

How it works

1. Activate Bartolomé del Presidio by sacrificing Ashcloud Phoenix.
2. When Ashcloud Phoenix dies, it triggers, as well as its undying ability if it does not have a +1/+1 counter on it.
3. Resolve the first trigger, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield face-down.
4. Resolve the second trigger, doing nothing.
5. Activate Bartolomé del Presidio by sacrificing Ashcloud Phoenix.
6. When Ashcloud Phoenix dies, it triggers, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it.
7. Resolve the Bartolomé del Presidio abilities from steps 1 and 5, putting two +1/+1 counters on it.
8. Repeat.

This crafty loop turns the constant resurrection cycle of Ashcloud Phoenix into an endless engine of sacrifice and rebirth, fueled by the static lord effect of Mikaeus, the Unhallowed. By granting the Phoenix undying, Mikaeus ensures that whenever Bartolomé del Presidio sacrifices the bird, it returns with a +1/+1 counter to fuel Bartolomé's own growth. While the Phoenix's own death trigger temporarily blurs its identity by returning it face down, subsequent loops cleanly layer undying's counters to repeat the process indefinitely.