Darksteel Hydra MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Mythic
Type	Artifact Creature — Phyrexian Hydra
Abilities	Conjure,Indestructible
Released	2023-02-28
Set symbol
Set name	Alchemy: Phyrexia
Set code	YONE
Power	*
Toughness	*
Number	20
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Monztre

Key Takeaways

Darksteel Hydra presents a relentless threat, exhausts opponent’s resources, and offers card advantage.
Its Indestructibility invites creative deck-building synergies, despite its substantial mana cost.
Counter strategies include exile effects and -1/-1 counters to overcome its resilience.

Text of card

Indestructible Darksteel Hydra enters the battlefield with X oil counters on it. Darksteel Hydra's power and toughness are each equal to twice the number of oil counters on it. When Darksteel Hydra enters the battlefield, conjure a card named Darksteel Ingot and a card named Darksteel Plate into your hand.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Darksteel Hydra offers a resilient threat that often requires multiple resources from opponents to address. Its Indestructible ability ensures it remains on the board, effectively granting you a persistent unit that opponents must consider when allocating their removal spells or combat strategies. This tenacity leads to potential card advantage as opponents may be forced to use more than one card to remove the Hydra from play, if they can at all.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly contributing to resource acceleration, the very fact that Darksteel Hydra demands attention means that the rest of your resources may be left untouched. By diverting your opponent’s resources to deal with the Hydra, you’re indirectly safeguarding your mana and other assets to build upon your battlefield presence effectively.

Instant Speed: While the Darksteel Hydra itself does not operate at instant speed, the mere threat of casting it can influence an opponent’s play decisions, allowing you to tactically shape the game. Additionally, by commanding such a board presence, it encourages a deeper level of interaction with other cards in your deck that may benefit from instant speed synergies, keeping opponents constantly wary of your possible moves.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Even though Darksteel Hydra doesn’t require a discard directly, when drawn alongside high-cost cards, it might force you to prioritize your hand, essentially causing a discard situation to properly manage resources.

Specific Mana Cost: As with most Hydras, the card demands a significant amount of green mana, making it less versatile and more difficult to cast in multicolored decks that can’t consistently provide the needed mana type.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The investment to summon Darksteel Hydra is substantial when assessed against its immediate impact on the game. Other creatures or spells at similar mana costs could potentially offer more immediate board presence or other advantageous effects.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Darksteel Hydra boasts a resilient frame that makes it a formidable inclusion in any deck strategy focused on durability and permanence. Its ability to withstand most removals ensures it remains a persistent threat on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: As an Indestructible creature, Darksteel Hydra pairs well with card abilities that require sacrificing a creature as a cost, ensuring you reap the benefits without the downside of losing a valuable asset.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta dominated by creature-based decks, Darksteel Hydra can become an essential countermeasure. Due to its Indestructible nature, it can help you maintain a strong board presence amidst heavy opponent removal tactics.

How to beat

The Darksteel Hydra is an intriguing element in the realm of indestructible creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It stands out for its resilience and the ability to withstand most removal spells. Unlike other big creatures, board wipes or targeted destroy effects don’t easily address the threat it presents on the battlefield. However, every mighty creature has its Achilles’ heel.

One strategy to overcome the Darksteel Hydra includes using exile effects. Cards like Path to Exile or Merciless Eviction bypass the indestructible trait, removing the creature from play entirely. Another effective method is to apply -1/-1 counters or effects which can gradually reduce the hydra’s power and toughness to zero. In this case, cards such as Grasp of Darkness or Toxic Deluge can effectively counteract even the sturdiest foes.

Deck builders and players should always consider including versatile answers to deal with highly resilient creatures such as the Darksteel Hydra. While it may seem daunting, the right combination of spells can ensure that your opponent’s towering beast is just a minor setback in your path to victory.

Cards like Darksteel Hydra

Darksteel Hydra dives into the depths of Magic: The Gathering’s roster of formidable creatures with its indestructibility. Akin to other durable creatures like Darksteel Colossus, the Hydra offers that invaluable resilience on the battlefield. Unlike its colossus counterpart, however, Darksteel Hydra specializes in countering threats directly, as it uniquely comes with built-in regeneration in the form of +1/+1 counters whenever it’s dealt damage.

Diving into the Hydra theme, we find Protean Hydra sharing the spotlight. This creature hits the board with a similar ability to grow stronger when damaged, by rearranging +1/+1 counters rather than losing them. While both Hydras are adept at thriving through combat, Darksteel Hydra’s indestructibility sets a distinct bar for enduring presence. Another related creature, Phantom Nishoba, also has a self-preservation mechanism with its damage-prevention ability but lacks the raw staying power conveyed by an indestructible status.

While the MTG realm is rife with powerful and persistent creatures, Darksteel Hydra stands out with its unique combination of indestructibility and adaptable strength, making it an exceptional choice for players who value resilience and gradual, yet assured, board dominance.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Darksteel Hydra MTG card by a specific set like Alchemy: Phyrexia, 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 Darksteel Hydra and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Darksteel Hydra has restrictions

Format	Legality
Gladiator	Legal
Alchemy	Legal
Historic	Legal
Brawl	Legal
Timeless	Legal