Briar Hydra MTG Card
2022-09-09 - Number 286
2022-09-09 - Number 427
2002-06-24 - Number 103456
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Plant Hydra |
| Abilities | Domain,Trample |
| Power | 6 |
| Toughness | 6 |
Key Takeaways
- Generates card advantage by posing a consistent, escalating threat to opponents.
- Resource acceleration through its ability to multiply, boosting board presence.
- Flexible due to its triggered abilities activating at instant speed.
Text of card
Trample Domain — Whenever Briar Hydra deals combat damage to a player, put X +1/+1 counters on target creature you control, where X is the number of basic land types among lands you control.
Flora and fauna alike rose to Yavimaya's defense.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Briar Hydra is adept at generating card advantage as it poses a continuous threat that demands an answer. Each turn, if unanswered, it can create a substantial gap between you and your opponent in terms of both board presence and cards in hand.
Resource Acceleration: With the Briar Hydra, you get more than just a creature on the board; you get a potent force that can sway the game’s momentum. Its ability to multiply provides a form of resource acceleration, giving you the upper hand as you amass a more substantial presence.
Instant Speed: The adaptability of Briar Hydra is remarkable, as its triggered abilities can activate at instant speed. This flexibility allows you to react to game states efficiently, making it a formidable card that can surprise opponents and change the course of the game in an instant.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Briar Hydra demands you toss a card from your hand into the graveyard to leverage its ability. This trade-off might strain your hand, especially when your options are already dwindling.
Specific Mana Cost: To summon Briar Hydra, a precise combination of mana types is essential. This could pose a challenge in multicolored decks that might struggle to generate the exact mana needed promptly.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment for Briar Hydra is substantial, which could delay your gameplay. For the same cost, other creatures might offer immediate board presence or other benefits without the additional cost of discarding.
Reasons to Include Briar Hydra in Your Collection
Versatility: Briar Hydra has the flexibility to adapt to various game situations. Its ability to grow in power and toughness makes it a useful card in both offensive and defensive roles, depending on the state of play. You can include it in decks that focus on +1/+1 counters or in decks that simply need a robust creature to adapt to the evolving battlefield.
Combo Potential: Briar Hydra shines when paired with cards that proliferate or double counters. Its inherent potential to become a formidable threat means it synergizes well with strategies that exploit the accumulation of +1/+1 counters, setting up the stage for game-winning combinations.
Meta-Relevance: With metagames that favor resilient creatures, Briar Hydra’s capacity to withstand removal attempts due to its scaling nature ensures that it remains a card of interest. Its ability to bounce back and become even stronger after a board wipe can be a decisive factor in prolonged matches.
How to beat
Briar Hydra is a card that poses a significant challenge due to its ability to grow stronger with every spell cast. Its power increases with the number of +1/+1 counters, making it a formidable threat if left unchecked. To efficiently combat this, one strategy is the timely use of removal spells to dispatch the Hydra before it builds momentum. Consider cards like Path to Exile or Murderous Rider that can eliminate the threat regardless of its size.
Another angle of approach is to use bounce spells, like Unsummon or Brazen Borrower, to force it back to the opponent’s hand, effectively resetting their progress. Engaging in combat can be tricky; nevertheless, deathtouch creatures serve as excellent equals, ensuring the Hydra doesn’t survive the encounter. Moreover, managing the board with sweepers like Wrath of God or Damnation can keep the hydra from ever taking root.
Taking these methods into account, facing off against Briar Hydra becomes a tactical match of anticipation and prompt reactions. It becomes crucial to deny your opponent the satisfaction of a burgeoning creature and maintain control to emerge victorious.
Cards like Briar Hydra
Exploring the depths of MTG’s vast array of creature cards, Briar Hydra carves out its niche among the thicket of monstrosities. It’s not alone in its mechanics; for instance, Managorger Hydra is a creature that also flourishes with each spell cast, though it’s triggered by any player’s spell, not just your own. Briar Hydra’s strength lies in its resilience, gaining a +1/+1 counter for each other spell you cast, emboldening it on your terms.
Another kindred card is the voracious Voracious Hydra, which doubles its +1/+1 counters when it enters the battlefield, offering a similar immediate impact to the board. However, Briar Hydra’s incremental growth can surpass Voracious Hydra’s initial burst, given enough time and spells. Yet another parallel is found with Primordial Hydra, which doubles its power at every upkeep. While Primordial Hydra offers a predictable scaling, Briar Hydra requires a more strategic approach, demanding a constant flux of spells to swell its ranks.
Ultimately, Briar Hydra stands as a unique entity in MTG’s ecosystem, rewarding strategic spell casting and offering the potential for exponential growth, setting it apart from its peers in the green creature codex.
Cards similar to Briar Hydra by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Briar Hydra MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Dominaria United, 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 Briar Hydra and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Briar Hydra Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2022-09-09 and 2022-09-09. Illustrated by Caio Monteiro.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 103456 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Caio Monteiro | ||
| 2 | 2022-09-09 | Dominaria United | DMU | 286 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Caio Monteiro | |
| 3 | 2022-09-09 | Dominaria United | DMU | 427 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Caio Monteiro |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Briar Hydra has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Briar Hydra card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-09-09 | Domain abilities count the number of basic land types among lands you control, not how many lands you control or how many of any type. |
| 2022-09-09 | The basic land types are Plains, Island, Swamp, Mountain, and Forest. Land types other than basic land types (such as Desert) don’t contribute to domain abilities. |
| 2022-09-09 | The value of X is determined as Briar Hydra’s last ability resolves. |