Top Ikoria Companions Ranked

The companion mechanic introduced in Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths revolutionized deck construction in Magic: The Gathering by allowing players to select a special legendary creature from outside their main deck. These 10 multicolored cards, each tied to a specific color pair via hybrid mana requirements, offer unique abilities when cast from exile. This article ranks them based on versatility, power level, and format performance, drawing from competitive insights across Standard, Limited, and eternal formats.

Understanding the Companion Mechanic

Companions must meet a deck-building restriction, often involving card types, mana values, or specific attributes. Once chosen, you may cast them for their stated cost from outside the game, providing an extra threat or utility. This flexibility shines in formats like Standard and Commander but requires careful deck tuning, especially in Limited where drafting around them demands precision.

In Ikoria drafts, companions excel when paired with synergistic archetypes. For instance, easier-to-draft companions fit naturally into color pairs, while harder ones demand committed signals from packs.

Ranking the Companions: From Solid to Game-Changers

Rankings consider ease of inclusion, impact on games, and meta relevance. Lower ranks offer niche value, while top tiers dominate multiple formats.

Bottom Tier: Niche Picks with Limited Appeal

Lutri, the Spellchaser (Rank 10)

Lutri copies the first instant or sorcery spell you cast each turn, offering value in spell-heavy decks. Its requirement—no duplicate functional spells in the deck—severely limits 60-card formats, making it better suited for Commander where larger libraries forgive the restriction. In Standard, it struggles against faster aggro.

Umori, the Collector (Rank 9)

Umori transforms lands into 5/5 creatures with vigilance and haste for {3}{G}{G}. Decks must include seven or more land cards, which is trivial, but its high cost and narrow appeal keep it low. It’s playable in landfall strategies or big-mana stompy but lacks broad impact.

Gyruda, Doom of Depths (Rank 8)

With indestructible and a mill-six-then-reanimate-largest effect on ETB, Gyruda thrives in self-mill decks. Six or more creatures in your graveyard is easy, but its 6/6/6 mana value demands ramp. Strong in Dimir reanimator but inconsistent without setup.

Mid-Tier Powerhouses: Versatile Contenders

Obosh, the Preypiercer (Rank 7)

Obosh doubles the power of your odd-mana-value spells and creatures, requiring no even-costed cards. It slots into Judith or Nekusar decks in Commander, amplifying damage effects. In Standard, Rakdos sacrifice builds leverage it well, though even-mana staples like Bonecrusher Giant exclude it.

Keruga, the Macrosage (Rank 6)

Keruga exiles instants from your hand to cast them for free later, with no nonland permanents of mana value 3 or greater. This fits tempo or control shells but restricts bombs. Excellent in Simic flash, enabling counters without mana commitment.

Jegantha, the Wellspring (Rank 5)

Jegantha taps for any color mana and reveals/exiles top cards for a free spell of mana value 1 or less. No cards of mana value 4 or greater allowed, perfect for low-curve aggro like Gruul. Provides fixing and card advantage in Naya or Jund piles.

Upper Echelon: Format-Warping Threats

Kaheera, the Orphanguard (Rank 4)

Kaheera grants +1/+1 counters and vigilance to creatures sharing a creature type with it. Decks can include no more than two creatures without a shared type. Tribal decks adore it, especially Cats or Wizards in Abzan. Its flexibility spans formats.

Zirda, the Dawnwaker (Rank 3)

Zirda makes activated abilities cost {1} less and gains lifelink if you control three or more. No more than one creature with activated abilities allowed, suiting go-wide token strategies. Boros convoke or equipment decks maximize it in Standard.

Lurrus of the Dream-Den (Rank 3)

Lurrus recurs any permanent or spell with mana value 2 or less from graveyard each turn. Decks max mana value 2, enabling linear Orzhov value engines. Dominant in Historic and Pioneer sacrifice piles, though bans loom in some formats.

The Elite: Yorion Reigns Supreme

Yorion, Sky Nomad (Rank 1)

Yorion blinks all your permanents upon entering, demanding 20+ extra cards in deck. Azorius control or blink decks explode with value, recurring ETB creatures like Skyclave Apparition. Its raw power warped Standard until rotation.

Strategic Deck Building Tips

• Draft Priorities: Prioritize color pair signals early; companions like Jegantha fit aggressive curves seamlessly.
• Standard Synergies: Yorion pairs with Prosperous Innkeeper for infinite value; Lurrus with Omen of the Sea for grind.
• Commander Potential: All companions work as commanders due to legendary status, with Obosh enhancing proliferate or ping strategies.
• Format Adjustments: In Brawl, 100-card minimum favors Yorion; Pioneer bans nerfed Lurrus.

Companion Tier List by Format

Common Pitfalls and Counterplay

Avoid forcing companions that clash with your curve—Yorion bloats small decks fatally. Counter with exile effects like Path to Exile or Leyline of the Void to neuter recursion engines. In Limited, splash mana for companions only if signals align strongly.

Future of Companions Post-Ikoria

While Ikoria rotated from Standard, companions persist in Pioneer, Modern, and Commander. Errata adjusted some costs for balance, ensuring longevity. New sets like Modern Horizons 2 built on the mechanic, proving its design impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the strongest Ikoria companion?

Yorion tops lists for its blink value in blink-heavy metas.

Can companions be used in Commander?

Yes, as legendary creatures, and their companion cast works from the command zone equivalent (outside game).

How do hybrid mana costs affect companions?

Each uses hybrid mana for color pairs, easing splashing in multicolored decks.

Are there bans on Ikoria companions?

Lurrus was banned in Historic and Vintage; others restricted in Pioneer.

Best for beginners?

Jegantha or Kaheera, with lenient requirements and immediate impact.