Phyrexian Hydra MTG Card


Retains counters to pressure opponents and dominates the board, making it a resilient threat. Demanding mana requirements restrict deck inclusion but can massively swing the game in your favor. Infect ability shapes it as a formidable inclusion in green-centric strategic builds.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Phyrexian Hydra
Abilities Infect
Power 7
Toughness 7

Text of card

Infect (This creature deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters and to players in the form of poison counters.) If damage would be dealt to Phyrexian Hydra, prevent that damage. Put a -1/-1 counter on Phyrexian Hydra for each 1 damage prevented this way.


Cards like Phyrexian Hydra

The Phyrexian Hydra is a formidable threat in the Magic: The Gathering creature lineup, especially noted for its infect ability, causing damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters and to players as poison counters. A good comparison is Putrefax, a similarly infectious creature. Both deal their lethal blows through poison counters leading to a swift victory. However, Putrefax distinguishes itself with haste allowing for immediate impact on the battlefield, a stark contrast to the Hydra’s absence of haste.

Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon is another parallel, boasting infect, flying, and haste, making it a more evasive and faster option but at a higher mana cost. Glistener Elf is on the smaller scale of infect creatures but presents an early game threat that can be easily enhanced, showcasing infect’s versatility across various mana costs and strategies.

In summary, while Phyrexian Hydra demands a substantial mana investment and lacks the quick strike abilities of some of its counterparts, its significant toughness and potential for mass -1/-1 counter distribution make it a central player in any infect-based strategy in Magic: The Gathering.

Putrefax - MTG Card versions
Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon - MTG Card versions
Glistener Elf - MTG Card versions
Putrefax - MTG Card versions
Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon - MTG Card versions
Glistener Elf - MTG Card versions

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Ironroot Treefolk - MTG Card versions
Elvish Bard - MTG Card versions
Durkwood Boars - MTG Card versions
Redwood Treefolk - MTG Card versions
Spined Wurm - MTG Card versions
Rabid Wolverines - MTG Card versions
Deadly Insect - MTG Card versions
Vintara Elephant - MTG Card versions
Spring-Leaf Avenger - MTG Card versions
Primeval Force - MTG Card versions
Spitting Spider - MTG Card versions
Copperhoof Vorrac - MTG Card versions
Tel-Jilad Lifebreather - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Bramble Elemental - MTG Card versions
Indrik Stomphowler - MTG Card versions
Golgari Grave-Troll - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Phyrexian Hydra offers strategic board presence by retaining its counters and becoming a persistent threat, effectively requiring opponents to respond multiple times, which can deplete their resources and give you an advantage.

Resource Acceleration: This card doesn’t directly accelerate resources, but by pressuring your opponent with its massive size, it can indirectly accelerate your game plan by diverting their resources to deal with it.

Instant Speed: Though Phyrexian Hydra isn’t an instant itself, it can have synergy with instant-speed spells that protect it or remove threats, ensuring it stays on the battlefield to apply pressure.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the Phyrexian Hydra doesn’t demand a card to be discarded directly, its presence in a deck might necessitate specific support cards that manage negating -1/-1 counters, which could lead to discarding beneficial cards to fulfill other strategical needs.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature card demands a specific mana composition to cast – four green mana and one colorless. The heavy reliance on green can limit deck building flexibility and make it a challenge to fit it into a multicolored deck smoothly.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of five to summon, the Phyrexian Hydra’s high demand for resources can be a setback in the early game. It competes with other impactful five-mana creatures or spells which may offer immediate board presence or effects upon casting.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Phyrexian Hydra offers a unique angle in green-centric decks, acting as a formidable threat due to its infect ability. It’s adaptable as a finisher in aggressive strategies or as a pivotal piece in midrange builds that capitalize on +1/+1 counters.

Combo Potential: With the Hydra in play, synergies with proliferate effects or doubling counters can quickly turn it into an overwhelming force. This opens up various tactical avenues in games, especially if combined with cards designed to spread or utilize +1/+1 counters.

Meta-Relevance: As player-built environments evolve, an infectious creature like Phyrexian Hydra can shift the tide of battle against creature-based decks. Its ability to deal damage in the form of -1/-1 counters can be a serious advantage, particularly in formats where life totals are under constant siege.


How to beat

Phyrexian Hydra is a formidable card that stands as a genuine challenge on the battlefield with its infect ability and massive growth potential. Standing up to this fearsome creature requires a well-thought-out strategy. When it comes to mitigating its impact, one effective tactic is utilizing cards that nullify the Hydra’s abilities, such as Turn to Frog or Humble, which strip away the infect capability and shrink the creature down to a less threatening state.

Exile effects are another powerful countermeasure. Cards like Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares can cleanly remove Phyrexian Hydra from the game, bypassing its potential to deal any infect damage. Direct damage can also take down this beast, but remember, only do so if you can deal lethal damage in a single turn; otherwise, you risk it growing even larger due to its doubling counters.

Lastly, preventing Phyrexian Hydra from ever entering the battlefield is an ideal solution. Counterspells like Cancel or the classic Counterspell can ensure the threat never manifests. With these strategies, the Hydra’s menace can be managed, allowing you to maintain control over the game’s flow.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the art of gameplay with cards like Phyrexian Hydra can be both a rewarding challenge and an exhilarating experience. Its potential to dominate the board and tip the scales in your favor makes it an intriguing choice for players looking to harness the power of infect. But understanding how to optimize your deck and counter your opponent’s threats is crucial in leveraging the Hydra’s strengths. For those eager to delve deeper into the mechanics and strategies of MTG, we provide a treasure trove of insights. Join the BurnMana community today and unlock the secrets to becoming a formidable player with cards like the Phyrexian Hydra.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Phyrexian Hydra MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin Besieged and March of the Machine, 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 Phyrexian Hydra and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Phyrexian Hydra Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2011-02-04 and 2023-04-21. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-02-04Mirrodin BesiegedMBS 852003NormalBlackMike Bierek
22023-04-21March of the MachineMOM 122015TokenBlackNestor Ossandon Leal
32023-04-21March of the MachineMOM 112015TokenBlackNestor Ossandon Leal

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Phyrexian Hydra has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2011-06-01 If damage dealt to Phyrexian Hydra can’t be prevented (due to Leyline of Punishment, for example), it will be dealt as normal and won’t cause Phyrexian Hydra to put -1/-1 counters on itself.
2011-06-01 If multiple damage prevention effects, including Phyrexian Hydra’s, are attempting to prevent damage that would be dealt to Phyrexian Hydra, its controller chooses which to apply.