Keruga, the Macrosage

Description

Keruga, the Macrosage (card number 354) stands as a distinctive legendary creature within the 2020 Magic: The Gathering Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths expansion. Crafted by artist Dan Murayama Scott, this card represents a unique fusion of the Dinosaur and Hippo creature types, offering players a flexible mana cost of three generic mana alongside two hybrid green-blue mana symbols. With a mana value of five, it serves as a pivotal mid-game presence for decks seeking to establish board control or execute powerful late-game strategies. The card’s most defining feature is its Companion ability, which fundamentally alters deck construction. By selecting Keruga as their companion, players must build a starting deck containing only cards with a mana value of three or greater, along with standard land cards. This restriction encourages the development of high-power, expensive spell lists that synergize effectively with the card's entry trigger. When Keruga enters the battlefield, the player draws a card for every other permanent they control that also has a mana value of three or greater, allowing for explosive card advantage in the right circumstances. Collectors of Magic: The Gathering trading cards often seek out cards from the Ikoria set due to its innovative Companion mechanic, which added a new layer of strategic depth to the game. Keruga appeals to both competitive players looking for versatile legendary creatures and collectors who appreciate the diverse creature types featured in the set. The card’s dual-color identity makes it a valuable asset for Blue-Green (Izzet or Simic, depending on interpretation, though here specifically Green-Blue) decks.