User blog comment:Hitoriki/Question about the Phoenix Force/@comment-4047476-20130109153501

It doesn't so much need a host as wants one. The Phoenix Force is sort of like an immensely powerful being (maybe a little below Death/Oblivion/Eternity/Infinity) but can't feel emotions. Also, I'd take Cap's comment with a pinch of salt. When the first Phoenix was encountered (the Phoenix from the Dark Phoenix Saga), it didn't have a host. Instead, it simply thought it was human, having encased Jean Grey in a cocoon. Also, the Phoenix isn't really a parasite,or really destructive. It's job is basically the same as cosmic hoover. It gets rid of all the stuff that doesn't work anymore. The reason Cap's so worried is because of the fact the Phoenix has been known to go insane at times and destroy solar systems (Cap has conveniently forgotten the fact that Rachel Grey was a Phoenix for years (back in Excalibur, etc) and never so much as tried to eat even the smallest star. I'm just waiting for the announcement that Mastermind came back and made everyone think the Phoenix was evil. Or for the fallout from 'killing' the being made up of the potential life-force of the universe. If no more kids are born, blame Hope and the Scarlet Witch.