If there are multiple combat phases in a turn, does Akoum Firebird attack multiple times? Or does it remember that it has already attacked this turn and isn't required to attack again?
Why are these different abilities printed on two cards in the same expansion?
Why even have both abilities? Why doesn't WotC just stick with one?
"Attacks each turn if able" means "attacks if able if it didn't already attack this turn". Similarly, "...each combat if able" means "...this combat". (See this thread. A creature fulfills the requirement of "attacking each turn", and is no longer affected by that requirement under C.R. 508.1d, once it has previously attacked in the same turn. You may find it easier to understand if you rephrase the ability like so: "Each turn, Akoum Firebird attacks if able.")
As for your questions on why those two abilities appear on the same expansion or why this distinction has to be made, those are questions better asked to Magic R&D, since they are out of scope for this forum.
I'd say that the Reckless Cohort is worded as it is to prevent confusion due to additional combat phases and the removal of allies before and after them.
Akoum Firebird will say "Akoum Firebird attacks each combat if able" rather than "Akoum Firebird attacks each turn if able", and
even if Akoum Firebird already attacked earlier in the turn, it will still be required to attack if able as attackers are declared in a given combat phase (C.R. 508.1d).
Reckless Cohort attacks each combat if able.
If there are multiple combat phases in a turn, does Akoum Firebird attack multiple times? Or does it remember that it has already attacked this turn and isn't required to attack again?
Why are these different abilities printed on two cards in the same expansion?
Why even have both abilities? Why doesn't WotC just stick with one?
"Attacks each turn if able" means "attacks if able if it didn't already attack this turn". Similarly, "...each combat if able" means "...this combat". (See this thread. A creature fulfills the requirement of "attacking each turn", and is no longer affected by that requirement under C.R. 508.1d, once it has previously attacked in the same turn. You may find it easier to understand if you rephrase the ability like so: "Each turn, Akoum Firebird attacks if able.")
As for your questions on why those two abilities appear on the same expansion or why this distinction has to be made, those are questions better asked to Magic R&D, since they are out of scope for this forum.
EDIT (Sep. 25): See comment 4.
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