Benevolent Hydra MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Hydra
Released	2022-12-02
Set symbol
Set name	Jumpstart 2022
Set code	J22
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	38
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Eric Deschamps

Key Takeaways

Benevolent Hydra strengthens board presence, requiring multiple resources from opponents to combat its growth.
Its instant speed interaction allows for surprise tactics, making it a versatile and unpredictable asset.
With a penchant for growing, it can swiftly become a dominant force, demanding strategic attention.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Benevolent Hydra MTG card by a specific set like Jumpstart 2022, 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 Benevolent Hydra and other MTG cards:

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Text of card

Benevolent Hydra enters the battlefield with X +1/+1 counters on it. If one or more +1/+1 counters would be put on another creature you control, that many plus one +1/+1 counters are put on it instead. , Remove a +1/+1 counter from Benevolent Hydra: Put a +1/+1 counter on another target creature you control.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Benevolent Hydra brings a significant edge to the battlefield allowing players to bolster their board presence with a scalable threat. This creature can grow over time, presenting an ever-increasing challenge for opponents and leading to potential card advantage as it requires multiple resources to be dealt with effectively.

Resource Acceleration: When playing a card like Benevolent Hydra, its mere presence can accelerate your game plan. With each counter that’s added, it turns into a more formidable force that can sway the tide of battle, often forcing opponents to redirect their resources to manage it, thereby giving you the upper hand.

Instant Speed: The hydra’s ability to interact at instant speed makes it a versatile asset. Adjusting its size in response to threats or before damage is dealt can alter combat outcomes, surprise adversaries, and turn the tables when least expected. This kind of speed ensures the Hydra remains a relevant and unpredictable factor at all stages of the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unlike other creatures, Benevolent Hydra does not require an immediate discard to activate its abilities, which can be seen as an advantage in maintaining card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Benevolent Hydra involves a combination of green mana, potentially restricting seamless integration into multi-colored decks that are not heavily green-focused.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that may be considered steep, Benevolent Hydra can be challenging to summon early in the game, possibly delaying your strategic setup and tempo.

Reasons to Include Benevolent Hydra in Your Collection

Versatility: Benevolent Hydra offers flexibility in a variety of decks, particularly those focusing on counter manipulation or needing durable creatures. Its ability to grow over time makes it a threat that can adapt to different game situations.

Combo Potential: With its ability to amass +1/+1 counters, this hydra synergizes with numerous strategies that proliferate or manipulate counters, paving the way for powerful combos and interactions within your deck.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where long games are common, Benevolent Hydra can become increasingly formidable, making it a relevant choice for decks that aim to thrive in such an environment. Its resilience against removal due to its built-in mechanic further cements its place in such a meta.

How to Beat Benevolent Hydra

Benevolent Hydra is a formidable creature card with the potential to be a game-changer in MTG. This card comes into play with a certain number of +1/+1 counters, poised to grow rapidly, making it a looming threat on the board. One effective strategy to overcome this creature is to take advantage of its vulnerability to removal spells before it becomes too large. Utilizing cards with ‘destroy target creature’ effects will allow you to bypass the Hydra’s counters and eliminate it regardless of its size.

Additionally, counterspells play a crucial role in negating the casting of Benevolent Hydra, ensuring it never hits the battlefield. If the Hydra is already in play, cards with exile effects or those that force the opponent to sacrifice a creature can be game-savers, especially since traditional damage may not be the best route. Furthermore, include cards in your deck with bounce effects to reset the Hydra’s growth and give yourself another window to address the threat or assume control of the game. Building your strategy around a diverse set of answers to deal with creatures like Benevolent Hydra can be pivotal in securing victory.

Tackling the Hydra is about timing and the right choice of interaction. Make sure your deck is equipped with versatile answers to defend against, and ultimately prevail over, the might of the Benevolent Hydra.

BurnMana Recommendations

As you assess the unique capabilities of Benevolent Hydra in your MTG arsenal, remember its potential to harmonize with various deck strategies, especially those emphasizing +1/+1 counters. This card can prove to be an indispensable asset in your collection due to its resilience and versatility. Yet, understanding its pros and cons is crucial to optimize its use in game play. For those looking to further exploit the advantages of such dynamic creatures, or to refine your deck-building and playing strategies against them, we offer comprehensive insights and tips. Embrace the possibility of Benevolent Hydra transforming your encounters on the battlefield. Delve into its synergies and counter plays with our in-depth guide to mastering your MTG gaming experience.

Cards like Benevolent Hydra

Benevolent Hydra brings a unique twist to the realm of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. It shares some similarities with other Hydra creatures, well known for their +1/+1 counter mechanics. Akin to Mistcutter Hydra, Benevolent Hydra can potentially become a formidable force, especially since both cards can enter the battlefield with a hefty number of counters reflective of your available mana. However, what differentiates Benevolent Hydra is its ability to distribute those counters among other creatures and not just pump itself, diversifying its utility on the battlefield.

Managorger Hydra is another card that comes to mind, steadily growing more threatening with each spell cast. While it doesn’t offer the immediate impact of Benevolent Hydra’s swelling power, over time, it can outgrow the competition. Primordial Hydra, too, doubles its counters each upkeep, potentially outscaling Benevolent Hydra. The key distinction comes down to Benevolent Hydra’s flexibility in strengthening your creature lineup, and not just growing in isolation.

Ultimately, Benevolent Hydra holds its ground in the roster of Hydra cards with its adaptability and potential for instant impact, positioning it as a valuable addition within the creature category for players looking to leverage the dynamics of +1/+1 counters.