Steelbane Hydra MTG Card


Steelbane Hydra’s scalability and counter-based abilities provide flexibility and board control in games. Can act as a reusable tool for artifact and enchantment destruction, enhancing its strategic value. Demanding mana requirements may restrict its early game impact but offer late-game dominance.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Turtle Hydra
Power 0
Toughness 0

Text of card

Steelbane Hydra enters the battlefield with X +1/+1 counters on it. , Remove a +1/+1 counter from Steelbane Hydra: Destroy target artifact or enchantment.

Many an ancient treasure has been reduced to jagged caltrops by its snapping jaws.


Cards like Steelbane Hydra

Steelbane Hydra enters a unique slot in the Magic: The Gathering universe, bringing versatility to decks that leverage +1/+1 counters. It echoes the utility of Triskelion, a creature that can remove these counters to ping any target. However, Steelbane Hydra specializes in removing artifacts and enchantments, offering more targeted board control compared to Triskelion’s broader reach.

Behold Vastwood Hydra, a creature that also disperses +1/+1 counters on its exit. While Vastwood Hydra can distribute its counters among creatures on the field, Steelbane Hydra’s strength lies in its repeatable removal ability, restrained only by the quantity of counters and mana available. Similarly, Bane of Progress is a creature that destroys artifacts and enchantments when it enters the battlefield, but unlike the Hydra, the Bane offers a one-time sweeping effect.

Considering these peers, Steelbane Hydra stands out for its potential to shape the game across multiple turns, acting as a persistent threat to opponents relying on non-creature permanents. While other cards offer different advantages, the Hydra’s resilience and tactical applications make it a worthy consideration in green decks that thrive on versatile and repeated control capabilities.

Triskelion - MTG Card versions
Vastwood Hydra - MTG Card versions
Bane of Progress - MTG Card versions
Triskelion - MTG Card versions
Vastwood Hydra - MTG Card versions
Bane of Progress - MTG Card versions

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Decks using this card

MTG decks using Steelbane Hydra. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Nykthos RampNykthos Ramp PioneerNykthos RampPioneer Challenge 64 2024-04-20

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Steelbane Hydra thrives on entering the battlefield with a number of +1/+1 counters equal to the mana invested in it. This versatility enables players to scale their threat level based on the game’s demands. Moreover, by removing +1/+1 counters, you can destroy other enchantments or artifacts, potentially swinging the game’s momentum in your favor while maintaining formidable presence on the board.

Resource Acceleration: In decks that proliferate or double counters, Steelbane Hydra serves as a pivotal piece for resource acceleration. Every increment of counters not only makes the Hydra a larger creature but also amplifies your potential to dismantle problematic permanents that your opponent controls, turning it into a reusable source of control.

Instant Speed: The Hydra’s ability to target enchantments and artifacts is usable at instant speed, granting you the flexibility to disrupt your opponent’s strategy at the most opportune moment. Whether it’s in response to an activation or in the midst of a complex battle phase, instant speed removal on a stick provides a tactical edge, allowing for surprise interactions and advantageous board states.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Casting Steelbane Hydra does not come with a discard requirement. This characteristic is not applicable to Steelbane Hydra as there are no additional costs related to discarding cards to cast or activate this creature.

Specific Mana Cost: Steelbane Hydra demands a specific mana composition to be played. Including double green in its casting cost, it may be less flexible in multicolored decks that also require other color commitments.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Steelbane Hydra’s utility is balanced against its mana cost, which starts at three mana and scales with the number of +1/+1 counters desired. While it has the potential for a significant board presence, the initial investment in mana might be demanding, especially in the early game where a more immediate impact could be favored. Additionally, in the context of competitive play, there are alternative creatures or spells at similar mana costs that could offer immediate value or be more impactful upon entering the battlefield.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The adaptability of Steelbane Hydra makes it a valuable asset for a variety of decks. Its ability to remove pesky enchantments or artifacts with ease allows it to function well in both offensive and defensive roles.

Combo Potential: Steelbane Hydra’s counters aren’t just for show—they can be manipulated and multiplied with proliferate strategies or sacrificed for beneficial effects, offering opportunities for creative synergies within a deck.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where troublesome artifacts and enchantments are prevalent, Steelbane Hydra shines by providing a repeatable solution that can significantly disrupt opponents’ strategies.


How to beat

Steelbane Hydra emerges as a unique challenge in the game of Magic: The Gathering, especially for those facing this versatile creature head-to-head. This artifact-destroying reptile boasts an X casting cost, providing players with the ability to scale its power based on the available mana and the need for artifact removal. To effectively counter this formidable creature, it is essential to understand its strengths.

Considering its potential for growth and its ability to target troublesome artifacts, waiting to address Steelbane Hydra until it has a significant number of +1/+1 counters may prove to be a tactical error. The key to victory lies in prevention or early elimination. Spells that can remove or exile creatures regardless of their size, such as Path to Exile or Doom Blade, are particularly potent against this Hydra before it gets out of hand. Countering it upon its initial cast or utilizing removal when the Hydra has fewer counters is an optimal strategy.

Additionally, because Steelbane Hydra’s ability requires the removal of +1/+1 counters, employing strategies that prevent the addition or manipulation of these counters can seriously impede its utility. Stripping a Steelbane Hydra of its primary mechanism for interaction not only nullifies its threat but also turns the tide in maintaining board control.


BurnMana Recommendations

With its ability to grow and dismantle enemy strategies, Steelbane Hydra is a card that commands attention. Its presence on the battlefield offers a dynamic approach to both offense and defense. In an MTG game rife with enchantments and artifacts, having a creature that can adapt and counter at instant speed is invaluable. It fits well into decks that can support its mana needs and capitalize on its versatility. Take the journey with us, enhance your collection, and harness the power of this formidable hydra. Discover more about optimizing your deck with Steelbane Hydra by joining our MTG community.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Steelbane Hydra MTG card by a specific set like Throne of Eldraine and New Capenna Commander, 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 Steelbane Hydra and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Steelbane Hydra Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-10-04 and 2022-04-29. Illustrated by Nicholas Gregory.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12019-10-04Throne of EldraineELD 3222015NormalBlackNicholas Gregory
22022-04-29New Capenna CommanderNCC 3132015NormalBlackNicholas Gregory

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Steelbane Hydra has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal