Domesticated Hydra MTG Card
2016-08-26 - Number 63
2016-11-16 - Number 31
2019-11-07 - Number 1184
2022-12-02 - Number 647
2020-09-26 - Number CN2-63
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Hydra |
| Abilities | Monstrosity |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
: Monstrosity X. (If this creature isn't monstrous, put X +1/+1 counters on it and it becomes monstrous.) As long as Domesticated Hydra is monstrous, it has trample.
"Sit. Fetch. Devastate."
Cards like Domesticated Hydra
The card Domesticated Hydra offers a unique twist to the mechanic of growth and counters within Magic: The Gathering. Comparable to other creatures like Managorger Hydra, which also flourishes from the application of +1/+1 counters, this card distinguishes itself with a monstrosity ability that allows it to become larger during the course of play. Unlike Managorger Hydra, which gains counters whenever a player casts a spell, Domesticated Hydra requires a one-time mana investment to activate its potential.
Analogous in design, Kalonian Hydra stands out in this category as well. It effectively doubles the number of +1/+1 counters on itself and other creatures you control when it attacks, sending an immediate threat to your opponent. Although it doesn’t have the monstrosity ability, its impact can be felt across the board, augmenting not just itself but other creatures as well. On the contrary, Domesticated Hydra focuses solely on its self-evolution, promoting personal growth with potentially massive single-target damage.
Through this lens, we appreciate Domesticated Hydra’s place in the ecosystem of Magic: The Gathering. It grants players the power to forge a single, dominant creature through strategic mana usage, and is a formidable option for those seeking to amass a singular, titanic force on their battlefield.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Domesticated Hydra can offer significant card advantage over time. When it enters the battlefield, its monstrous ability has the potential to cause it to grow substantially, effectively turning one card into a formidable threat that must be answered by multiple cards from an opponent.
Resource Acceleration: This Hydra can serve as a form of resource acceleration. By investing mana into it early on, you increase its size, making your subsequent draws more impactful as you’re less reliant on drawing into other threats.
Instant Speed: While Domesticated Hydra itself may not operate at instant speed, its ability to grow during your turn means you can keep mana open for instant-speed interactions and only commit to making the Hydra monstrous if the coast is clear, maintaining the element of surprise and tactical flexibility.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Such a mechanic may force players to make difficult decisions, particularly when hand size is crucial for maintaining strategic options on the battlefield.
Specific Mana Cost: This particular card necessitates a commitment to green mana in its cost, which might not seamlessly integrate into multi-colored decks that require a more balanced mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a notable investment needed to bring this creature into play, it may not be as mana-efficient as other options available within the same casting cost bracket, potentially slowing down your game tempo.
Reasons to Include Domesticated Hydra in Your Collection
Versatility: Domesticated Hydra brings flexibility to your game, adept at scaling its power level through the Monstrous mechanic. This makes it a suitable fit for ramp decks that strive for a significant mana curve or any green deck looking to add a reliable threat.
Combo Potential: This card has synergy with strategies that multiply +1/+1 counters or benefit from creatures becoming monstrous. Its ability to grow exponentially can be the linchpin in a strategy focused on overwhelming the board with large creatures.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where board presence and creature superiority matter, Domesticated Hydra can become a game-changer. Its ability to adapt to the ever-changing battlefield makes it a valuable asset in matches where establishing and maintaining a dominant position is key.
How to beat
The Domesticated Hydra is a unique creature in the world of Magic: The Gathering, boasting a formidable combination of growth potential and versatility. To outmaneuver this colossal beast, players should focus on removing it swiftly from the battlefield. Strategies could involve using unconditional removal spells like Swords to Plowshares that bypass the creature’s size altogether. Alternatively, countering it upon casting is an efficient way to circumvent the Hydra’s potential threat, with spells like Counterspell at the ready in blue-centered decks.
Control tactics can be equally effective; placing the Hydra under Pacifism or a similar enchantment could render it harmless without necessitating its removal. Time is of the essence when facing such creatures; hence, maintaining board control and keeping open mana for instant-speed responses could prove to be the key to keeping the Domesticated Hydra in check. Lastly, remember that the Hydra’s monstrosity ability makes it powerful in the long game, so increasing the pace and applying pressure may prevent opposing players from taking advantage of its growth capability.
Tackling the Domesticated Hydra requires a blend of preparatory action and tactical execution. When handled correctly within the dynamics of the game, this power-packed card can be contained, allowing strategic players to maintain dominance on the board.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Domesticated Hydra MTG card by a specific set like Conspiracy: Take the Crown and Treasure Chest, 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 Domesticated Hydra and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- 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 Domesticated Hydra Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2016-08-26 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Mathias Kollros.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-08-26 | Conspiracy: Take the Crown | CN2 | 63 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mathias Kollros | |
| 2 | 2016-11-16 | Treasure Chest | PZ2 | 31 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mathias Kollros | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1184 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mathias Kollros | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | CN2-63 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mathias Kollros | ||
| 5 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 647 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mathias Kollros |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Domesticated Hydra has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |