KookusHow it works & interactions with other cards

The Upkeep Tax

At the very start of your upkeep, Kookus checks the battlefield for a creature exactly named Keeper of Kookus. This is an 'intervening if' clause; if you do not control the Keeper at the moment the upkeep starts, the ability triggers. If you still don't control one when the ability tries to resolve, Kookus deals 3 damage to you and creates a requirement that it must attack during the combat phase if it is able to do so.

Firebreathing and Trample

Beyond its drawback, Kookus is an efficient attacker. It possesses Trample, allowing excess damage to push through blockers to hit your opponent. Additionally, it has an activated 'firebreathing' ability. By spending a single Red mana, you can increase its power by +1 until the end of the turn. You can activate this as many times as you have mana available, making it a lethal threat in the late game.

Managing the Attack Requirement

If the upkeep trigger resolves and you take 3 damage, Kookus 'attacks this turn if able.' This means during your declare attackers step, you must tap Kookus and declare it as an attacker if there are no effects preventing it (like summoning sickness or a Propaganda effect). If there are multiple costs to attack, you aren't forced to pay them, but if it is free to attack, Kookus must go in.

Interaction examples

The Perfect Duo

Keeper of Kookus

With Keeper of Kookus on the battlefield, the upkeep trigger of Kookus never fires. You skip the 3 damage and are not forced to attack. If an opponent tries to use a red spell to kill your Keeper, you can spend one Red mana to give the Keeper protection from red, ensuring your Djinn stays calm for the next turn.

Double the Trouble

Roaming Throne

If you play Roaming Throne and choose 'Djinn,' its ability will affect Kookus. During your upkeep, if you lack a Keeper of Kookus, the damage trigger will fire twice. You will take 3 damage from the first trigger and another 3 damage from the second trigger. While the 'attacks if able' requirement is redundant, the 6 total damage to your face is a steep price to pay.

Standard Value

Solemn Simulacrum

When playing Kookus alongside Solemn Simulacrum, the Golem helps fix your mana so you have more Red sources to fuel the Djinn's firebreathing ability. If Kookus is forced to attack and your opponent blocks with a large creature, you can use the lands provided by the Simulacrum to pump Kookus's power, ensuring its Trample damage reaches the opponent even if it trades in combat.