by Can Tran

Created on: November 05, 2009

"Sygg, River Guide" is a 2/2 white and blue legendary merfolk wizard printed as a rare for the Magic the Gathering expansion set known as "Lorwyn." This is one of the many cards printed in the Lorwyn expansion set that encourage players to build around a theme of creatures. In respects to Sygg, River Guide, players are encouraged to build around the theme of merfolk. So far, this seems to be good in a blue and white control deck with plenty of merfolk creatures.

The converted mana cost for Sygg, River Guide is two. You will need one white mana and one blue mana to bring Sygg, River Guide from your hand and onto the battlefield. For what Sygg, River Guide can do, the converted mana cost is well worth it for the most part. Keep in mind that Sygg, River Guide is a legendary creature and is subject to the "legendary rule." If there are exactly two cards named Sygg, River Guide on the battlefield, they both get sent to the graveyard. Also, this is both a white creature and blue creature. It means that Sygg, River Guide is susceptible to anything and everything that goes after artifacts.

What does Sygg, River Guide do in the first place?

The first ability of Sygg, River Guide is Islandwalk. If your opponent has an Island and you attack with Sygg, River Guide, s/he cannot block. In that respect, your opponent is taking up to two points of combat damage. At times, "landwalk" comes in handy. That is provided that your opponent has certain lands out on the battlefield for the most part. If your opponents have at least one island on the battlefield, they cannot block Sygg, River Guide.

The main ability lets you pay one white mana and one colorless mana. Doing so gives one of your merfolks protection from the color of your choice until the end of the turn. In this respect, if your opponent is playing a red spell against one of your merfolks, you can pay the two mana. You can pick the color red afterwards. In that respect, that merfolk gains protection from red until the end of the turn. It means that the merfolk is unaffected against the red spell.

Luckily, you do not have to tap Sygg, River Guide to use the ability. If you have the open mana, you can pay for this ability many times. You can have one merfolk be protected from green and have another merfolk be protected from black until the end of the turn.

Overall, Sygg, River Guide is a good card to have if you want to protect your merfolk creatures. If you are using a blue and white control deck with merfolk creatures, Sygg, River Guide is something worth looking into.

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