Balduvian Hydra MTG Card

Invest mana in Balduvian Hydra for consistent, regenerating threats forcing opponents to find multiple answers. Its synergy with mana generation and counter doubling strategies makes it a formidable escalating threat. Instant speed enables strategic flexibility, growing the Hydra in response to gameplay changes.

Ice Age (ICE)
1995-06-03 - Number 173

Balduvian Hydra - Masters Edition II (ME2)

Masters Edition II (ME2)
2008-09-22 - Number 118

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Hydra
Power	0
Toughness	1

Text of card

When Balduvian Hydra comes into play, put X +1/+0 counters on it. : Remove a +1/+0 counter from Balduvian Hydra to prevent 1 damage to Balduvian Hydra. o Ro Ro R: Put a +1/+0 counter on Balduvian Hydra. Use this ability only during your upkeep.

Cards like Balduvian Hydra

The Balduvian Hydra holds its own as an intriguing creature within the world of Magic: The Gathering, drawing parallels to other formidable creatures such as Rock Hydra. Much like its Balduvian counterpart, Rock Hydra enters the battlefield with a number of +1/+1 counters. However, the Balduvian Hydra introduces an element of adaptability, allowing players to add or remove these counters during the upkeep, reflecting the strategic flexibility it offers.

Additionally, comparisons can be made to the Protean Hydra, which mirrors the Balduvian Hydra by utilizing +1/+1 counters. Protean Hydra, however, shines in resilience; it regenerates counters when it takes damage. While the Balduvian Hydra doesn’t regenerate, its strength lies in the aggression of its firebreathing ability, enabling a significant increase in power at a moment’s notice.

Examining these creatures collectively, the Balduvian Hydra emerges as a distinctive choice for players who value strategic versatility and the potential for a sudden surge in power, making it a noteworthy creature amongst Magic: The Gathering’s pantheon of hydras.

Cards similar to Balduvian Hydra by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Balduvian Hydra is a powerhouse when it comes to card utility. Although it doesn’t draw cards directly, it offers a form of advantage by existing as a recurring threat. By investing mana into it, players can consistently rebuild the Hydra, keeping pressure on opponents and forcing them to find answers multiple times.

Resource Acceleration: One of the key benefits of Balduvian Hydra is its synergy with decks that capitalize on mana generation. Each activation has the potential to amplify its impact by adding more +1/+1 counters, making it a larger threat. This pairs well with strategies that include doubling counters or untapping lands for a massive burst of power.

Instant Speed: Balduvian Hydra’s ability can be activated at instant speed, offering strategic flexibility during the match. This allows savvy players to adapt to the game’s flow, potentially saving mana for counterspells or instant removal, while also growing the Hydra as a blocker or attacker in response to opponents’ actions.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Balduvian Hydra demands a hefty commitment in the form of counters being discarded for activation. This requirement can be a setback when trying to maintain board presence and card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting and ability costs of Balduvian Hydra are steeped in red mana. This specificity demands a heavy red mana base, making it less flexible and harder to fit in multicolored decks that have varied mana requirements.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Balduvian Hydra’s initial investment is substantial, with a considerable amount of mana needed to bring it into play and power it up. For the mana spent, players might find other creatures or spells that provide quicker or more consistent results.

Reasons to Include Balduvian Hydra Mtg Card in Your Collection

Versatility: Balduvian Hydra offers flexibility for players crafting decks with a focus on counter manipulation or direct damage strategies. Its ability to grow stronger as you allocate more mana into it makes it adaptable to the pace of different game phases.

Combo Potential: The Hydra works well in synergy with cards that double the number of counters or those that allow for counters to be moved from one creature to another, unleashing powerful plays that can turn the tide of a match.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creatures reign supreme, Balduvian Hydra can be a formidable foe. Its capacity to scale its power makes it relevant in matchups against creature-heavy decks that rely heavily on combat to secure victory.

How to beat

Balduvian Hydra is one of those intriguing Magic: The Gathering creatures that can quickly escalate in power if not dealt with promptly. Its ability to grow by adding +1/+0 counters makes it a threat that can spiral out of control, capable of dealing massive damage if left unchecked on the battlefield.

The key to triumphing over a Balduvian Hydra lies in swift action; removal spells are your best bet. Direct damage spells or exile effects work exceptionally well to ensure it doesn’t get a chance to accumulate counters. Instant-speed interaction is highly recommended so that you can handle the hydra before it attacks or in response to counter additions. Cards like Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares can efficiently remove the hydra regardless of how many counters it has accumulated, showcasing their value in such scenarios.

Timing is everything in Magic: The Gathering, and as such, the same wisdom applies when facing a Balduvian Hydra. Disrupt the opponent’s strategy before the Hydra becomes a significantly tougher obstacle, using responsive and preemptive answers to emerge victorious against this formidable creature on the board.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Balduvian Hydra MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Masters Edition II, 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 Balduvian Hydra and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Balduvian Hydra Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Melissa A. Benson.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1995-06-03	Ice Age	ICE		173	1993	Normal	Black	Melissa A. Benson
2	2008-09-22	Masters Edition II	ME2		118	1997	Normal	Black	Melissa A. Benson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Balduvian Hydra has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal