Keiga, the Tide Star MTG Card


Keiga provides card advantage by taking control of creatures upon its death, altering the battlefield dynamic. Resource acceleration can be achieved indirectly through the controlled creatures’ abilities enhancing game strategy. While powerful, Keiga does come with a high mana cost and specific color requirements, impacting deck flexibility.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Dragon Spirit
Abilities Flying
Power 5
Toughness 5

Text of card

Flying When Keiga, the Tide Star is put into a graveyard from play, gain control of target creature.


Cards like Keiga, the Tide Star

Keiga the Tide Star is a unique creature card in the MTG realm, reminiscent of the illustrious family of dragons that bring a game-changing presence to the battlefield. It’s akin to Yosei, the Morning Star and Jugan, the Rising Star from the Kamigawa block, which all have impactful death triggers. However, Keiga has a distinct ability that allows players to seize control of an opponent’s creature upon its death, a strategic advantage that Yosei and Jugan do not share, though they affect the battlefield in other potent ways, by incapacitating the opponent or strengthening your forces respectively.

Similarly, we can look at Control Magic and Sower of Temptation, enchantment and creature cards that also capture the control aspect of an opponent’s creatures. While Control Magic is ongoing with no trigger condition except the potential removal of the enchantment, and Sower has the advantage of immediate control without needing to wait for a death trigger, neither brings a massive 5/5 flying body that Keiga provides. Thus, in the grand scheme, the trade-off of a delayed trigger is mitigated by Keiga’s formidable battlefield presence and eventual board control potential.

In sum, while there are several cards within MTG that can alter possession of creatures, Keiga the Tide Star stands out with its notable combination of dragon-kin might and the strategic advantage of creature control upon its demise.

Yosei, the Morning Star - MTG Card versions
Jugan, the Rising Star - MTG Card versions
Control Magic - MTG Card versions
Sower of Temptation - MTG Card versions
Yosei, the Morning Star - MTG Card versions
Jugan, the Rising Star - MTG Card versions
Control Magic - MTG Card versions
Sower of Temptation - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Keiga, the Tide Star by color, type and mana cost

Sea Serpent - MTG Card versions
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Drifting Djinn - MTG Card versions
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Sakashima's Protege - MTG Card versions
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Arcanis the Omnipotent - MTG Card versions
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Frost Titan - MTG Card versions
Deadeye Navigator - MTG Card versions
Havengul Skaab - MTG Card versions
Sea Serpent - MTG Card versions
Sibilant Spirit - MTG Card versions
Drifting Djinn - MTG Card versions
King Crab - MTG Card versions
Sea Monster - MTG Card versions
Sun Quan, Lord of Wu - MTG Card versions
Sliptide Serpent - MTG Card versions
Mahamoti Djinn - MTG Card versions
Deepfathom Skulker - MTG Card versions
Sakashima's Protege - MTG Card versions
Shoreline Ranger - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Dismisser - MTG Card versions
Novijen Sages - MTG Card versions
Storm Elemental - MTG Card versions
Draining Whelk - MTG Card versions
Arcanis the Omnipotent - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Dragon - MTG Card versions
Frost Titan - MTG Card versions
Deadeye Navigator - MTG Card versions
Havengul Skaab - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Keiga the Tide Star comes with the potential for a significant boost in card advantage. When Keiga dies, you gain control of a target creature which not only adds to your board presence but effectively reduces your opponent’s resources. This exchange can swing the game in your favor, tipping the scales toward victory.

Resource Acceleration: Although Keiga itself does not directly provide resource acceleration, the ability to take control of your opponent’s creatures can indirectly lead to this. For example, if you gain control of a creature with abilities that produce mana or untap lands, you’ve essentially gained an additional resource that can accelerate your game plan.

Instant Speed Interaction: While Keiga the Tide Star operates at sorcery speed, its death trigger has synergy with instant speed tricks and removal spells. Being able to sacrifice Keiga or block in a way that ensures its death can set up sudden swings in your favor during combat, utilizing its potent trigger when your opponents least expect it.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Keiga the Tide Star doesn’t require a card to be discarded outright, any player should be wary of the potential for card disadvantage when using expensive creatures. If Keiga is removed before its ability can be used, you’ve essentially lost out on the card’s value.

Specific Mana Cost: Keiga the Tide Star demands a specific mana composition – two blue and four other mana. This significant color commitment can restrict deck-building options, requiring a substantial blue mana base that may not be viable for all strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of six mana, Keiga may come into play later than other impactful creatures. While its ability to gain control of another creature upon dying is powerful, faster-paced games may see Keiga as a less than optimal choice due to this high mana cost.


Reasons to Include Keiga the Tide Star Card in Your Collection

Versatility: Keiga the Tide Star serves as a robust inclusion in a diverse array of decks. Its ability to take control of an opponent’s creature upon death allows for dynamic play and strategic depth, adapting easily to various game situations.

Combo Potential: This Dragon Spirit offers intriguing combo possibilities, particularly in decks designed around sacrifice mechanics. By intentionally sacrificing Keiga, you can capitalize on its death-triggered ability for powerful creature control plays.

Meta-Relevance: With creature-heavy decks often dominating play, having Keiga in your arsenal gives you leverage. It stands as a formidable blocker and a threat that opponents must answer, or risk losing their most valuable creatures, ensuring its relevance in evolving competitive scenes.


How to beat

Keiga, the Tide Star is a legendary creature with the power to control the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. Featuring an ability that can take control of an opponent’s creature upon its death, Keiga presents a unique challenge. One strategy to overcome this blue dragon is by preventing it from dying on your opponent’s terms. Using exile removal spells such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares can efficiently bypass Keiga’s ability by removing it from the game instead of sending it to the graveyard. Cards like Grafdigger’s Cage can also be employed to inhibit any death-triggered abilities and strategies revolving around the graveyard.

Another efficient method is to minimize the impact of Keiga’s ability to steal a creature by focusing on decks that are less reliant on individual creatures. For instance, running decks with a swarm strategy, token generators, or those that emphasize non-creature spells could reduce its effectiveness. Additionally, redirecting Keiga’s ability through cards that can sacrifice your own creatures in response, like High Market or Goblin Bombardment, allows you to choose the creature Keiga will control which gives you strategic control over the situation.

Quick and decisive plays along with a strong understanding of your own deck’s strengths can turn the tide against Keiga. With proper planning and the right cards, this formidable dragon can be rendered much less of a threat on the MTG battlefield.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG means understanding every card’s nuances, and Keiga the Tide Star offers a dual threat of impressive power and strategic creature control. Whether you’re looking to boost your deck’s versatility, harness its combo potential, or simply enjoy the dragon’s mighty presence on the battlefield, Keiga is a stellar addition to your collection. Dive deeper into its capabilities and learn to optimize Keiga’s presence in your deck to dominate the play. With our in-depth guides and insights, you can refine your strategies and outmaneuver opponents with finesse. Embrace the challenge and enrich your MTG experience with Keiga the Tide Star.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Keiga, the Tide Star MTG card by a specific set like Champions of Kamigawa and Modern Masters, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Keiga, the Tide Star and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Keiga, the Tide Star Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2004-10-01 and 2022-06-10. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12004-10-01Champions of KamigawaCHK 722003NormalBlackIttoku
22013-06-07Modern MastersMMA 482003NormalBlackIttoku
32017-11-17Iconic MastersIMA 632015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
42022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 7252015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Keiga, the Tide Star has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Keiga, the Tide Star card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2017-11-17 Keiga's effect lasts indefinitely. It doesn't wear off during the cleanup step.