Jugan, the Rising Star MTG Card


Its ability to distribute +1/+1 counters bolsters multiple creatures, pivotal in shifting game momentum. The card’s specific mana cost can limit its play to certain MTG decks or strategies. Jugan’s versatility and combo potential make it a formidable card worth collecting for MTG players.
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 Jugan, the Rising Star is put into a graveyard from play, you may distribute five +1/+1 counters among any number of target creatures.


Cards like Jugan, the Rising Star

Jugan, the Rising Star is a unique creature within the MTG mythos, commanding attention with its impactful presence. When compared to other dragon cards like Thundermaw Hellkite, Jugan stands out with its unconventional ability. Upon death, it can empower another creature by dispersing five +1/+1 counters, significantly bolstering an ally’s strength. Thundermaw Hellkite is more straightforward, providing an immediate advantage by tapping opposing creatures and dealing damage through flying.

Likewise, Kokusho, the Evening Star presents a different strategic play. Upon death, Kokusho can affect the life totals of all players, shifting the game’s dynamics in your favor. This contrasts with Jugan’s ability, which is more focused on enhancing a creature’s combat capabilities rather than the life points game. Additionally, while both are part of the ‘Dragon Spirit’ cycle with the Star suffix, they cater to distinct playstyles and deck themes.

Ultimately, Jugan, the Rising Star holds its own amongst such illustrious peers, offering a more nuanced approach to creature enhancement that can catch opponents off guard and turn the tides of battle in dramatic fashion.

Thundermaw Hellkite - MTG Card versions
Kokusho, the Evening Star - MTG Card versions
Thundermaw Hellkite - MTG Card versions
Kokusho, the Evening Star - MTG Card versions

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Autumn Willow - MTG Card versions
Ancient Silverback - MTG Card versions
Sulam Djinn - MTG Card versions
Verdeloth the Ancient - MTG Card versions
Nemata, Grove Guardian - MTG Card versions
Gang of Elk - MTG Card versions
Kavu Howler - MTG Card versions
Crashing Centaur - MTG Card versions
Giant Warthog - MTG Card versions
Rhox - MTG Card versions
Kodama of the East Tree - MTG Card versions
Terra Stomper - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Jugan the Rising Star bestows a significant boost when it leaves the battlefield, allowing you to place five +1/+1 counters on any creatures you control. This potential spread of power can easily turn the tide of the game by enhancing your board presence without needing additional cards.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly a resource accelerator, the substantial +1/+1 counters Jugan offers upon exit can be a form of indirect acceleration. It propels the power of your creatures, possibly eliminating the need for further mana investment to secure a strong board position.

Instant Speed: While Jugan itself doesn’t function at instant speed, the effect of placing +1/+1 counters can be utilized during the end of an opponent’s turn if Jugan is strategically sacrificed or killed — readying your board for an offensive strike on your turn without giving the opponent time to prepare.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Jugan the Rising Star doesn’t require a card to be discarded, it does necessitate having a strategy centered around utilizing the graveyard, which may not align with every deck’s game plan.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Jugan consists of a demanding combination of five mana, including three green, challenging the card’s adaptability in multicolored decks and potentially restricting its integration into various archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total mana value of six, including three that must be green, Jugan the Rising Star invites a significant investment. In games that favor speed or face aggressive strategies, the investment might not pay off as quickly as needed, creating a potential tempo setback.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Jugan the Rising Star is a flexible inclusion in any collection, offering a significant power boost upon death which makes it an impressive threat in various deck types, from midrange to green-based control decks.

Combo Potential: The five +1/+1 counters given by Jugan can synergize with numerous strategies that revolve around counter manipulation or creatures that benefit from entering the battlefield with additional counters, increasing overall deck performance.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors longer games and creatures with lasting impact, Jugan the Rising Star offers a reliable form of investment, enduring board wipes and turning removal spells destined for it into opportunities for growth and a stronger board presence.


How to beat

Jugan, the Rising Star is a card that can inspire a degree of awe with its ability to bolster a player’s creatures after it leaves the battlefield. At first glance, its presence can seem overwhelming. To emerge victorious against such a card, a strategic approach is essential. Neutralizing Jugan’s impact is about timing and choosing the right moments to act.

One effective strategy is to employ exile effects. Cards that exile Jugan prevent its death trigger from ever occurring, rendering its ability moot. Counterspells are also a player’s best friend in this scenario, as they can nip the problem in the bud before it becomes an actual threat on the board. Moreover, using removal spells or abilities during your opponent’s end step can disrupt their plans to utilize Jugan’s buff, giving you the upper hand.

It’s also prudent to manage the board state in anticipation of Jugan’s departure. By keeping creature enchantments or combat tricks up your sleeve, you’re prepared to handle the buffed creatures that might result from Jugan’s influence. By thoroughly understanding the dynamics of when to act and what resources to leverage, players can confidently face Jugan, the Rising Star and maintain control of the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Grasping the full potential of Jugan the Rising Star in MTG involves strategic play and a keen understanding of in-game mechanics. As a formidable presence on the battlefield, it can be the cornerstone of a well-crafted deck, serving as a threat that opponents must address. Whether you’re building a deck around graveyard synergy or looking to fortify your creatures, Jugan’s ability to distribute power post-mortem is a tool that can swing duels in your favor. Yet, there are complexities and subtleties to its use. Ready to deepen your strategy and optimize your deck around this enigmatic dragon spirit? Dive further with us to unearth tactics and deck-building insights that harness Jugan’s power effectively. Let’s embark on a path to victory together.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Jugan, the Rising 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 Jugan, the Rising Star and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Jugan, the Rising Star Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2004-10-01 and 2017-11-17. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12004-10-01Champions of KamigawaCHK 2172003NormalBlackShishizaru
22013-06-07Modern MastersMMA 1502003NormalBlackShishizaru
32017-11-17Iconic MastersIMA 1722015NormalBlackFilip Burburan
42020-09-26The ListPLST IMA-1722015NormalBlackFilip Burburan

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Jugan, the Rising Star has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Jugan, the Rising 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 If some of the creatures are illegal targets as Jugan’s triggered ability tries to resolve, the original distribution of counters still applies and the counters that would have been put on the illegal targets are lost. They won’t be put instead on a legal target.
2017-11-17 You choose how many targets Jugan’s triggered ability has and how the counters are distributed as you put the ability onto the stack. Each target must receive at least one counter.