Hydroblast MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 9 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 1 |
Rarity | Common |
Type | Instant |
Text of card
Counter target spell if it is red or destroy target permanent if it is red.
"Heed the lessons of our time: the forms of water may move the land itself and hold captive the fires within." —Gustha Ebbasdotter, Kjeldoran Royal Mage
Cards like Hydroblast
Hydroblast is a staple in blue sideboards in MTG, offering a precise answer to red spells and permanents. Its closest relative is Blue Elemental Blast, which, at the same cost and effect, seems almost identical. The key difference lies in Hydroblast’s ability to be activated even if there’s no red spell on the stack or red permanent on the field, providing a slight advantage in terms of bluffing or triggering abilities that require casting a spell.
Red Elemental Blast and Pyroblast are counterparts to Hydroblast in the red corner. They mirror the functionality by targeting blue spells and permanents, maintaining the balance between these two color’s eternal rivalry. The choice between these cards usually depends on the player’s deck strategy and the likelihood of facing blue threats. Dispel also serves as a comparison point, a one-mana blue instant specifically targeting spells, but without the color restriction – giving it a broader scope but lacking the permanent handling aspect.
By comparing their applications and efficiency, Hydroblast is uniquely positioned in MTG as a targeted tool for blue mages against red-heavy matchups. Its versatility under different game circumstances cements its role in competitive play, especially within eternal formats where red strategies are prevalent.
Cards similar to Hydroblast by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Hydroblast. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
# | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
Beanstalk Control | Legacy | Beanstalk Control | Legacy League 2024-03-27 | |
Mono-Blue Delver | Pauper | Mono-Blue Delver | BLUE - SAT - 1PM - Chicago Pauper Cup | |
Rogue Decklists | Legacy | Reanimator | BLACK - SAT - 11AM - Legacy for Original Magic Artwork | |
Grixis Tempo | Legacy | Grixis Tempo | Legacy Preliminary 2023-12-27 | |
Izzet Delver | Legacy | Izzet Delver | Legacy Preliminary 2023-12-18 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Hydroblast offers players a practical edge in dealing with an opponent’s threats. By targeting a spell or permanent that’s red, you can effectively counter or eliminate a key component of an opponent’s strategy, thereby maintaining superiority on the board.
Resource Acceleration: While Hydroblast doesn’t directly accelerate resources in the way mana artifacts or ramp cards do, it serves as a low-cost solution to intercept red spells or permanents that could potentially disrupt your mana base or tempo, indirectly keeping your resources safe.
Instant Speed: The power of Hydroblast is amplified by its instant speed, allowing players complete flexibility in their response timing. You can navigate complex battlefields and strategically plan the dismissal of red threats, all while conserving mana for other critical plays until the moment it’s needed most.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Hydroblast requires blue mana for casting. This limitation confines its use to blue-inclusive decks and can be a hurdle in multicolored decks that struggle with mana consistency.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While relatively low, there are moments in a fast-paced game where paying one blue mana to counter or destroy a red permanent can be a costly move, as these mana could potentially be allocated to more pressing needs on the board.
Discard Requirement: Although Hydroblast does not require a discard itself, its inclusion in a deck may force players to discard other valuable cards due to hand size limits, especially in control decks that aim to maintain card advantage.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Hydroblast is a card that can be slotted into a wide array of blue-based control or sideboard plans. Its capability to counter or destroy red spells or permanents makes it a flexible sideboard choice in formats where red decks are prevalent.
Combo Potential: As a reactive card with a low mana cost, Hydroblast can protect your key pieces from red interaction, allowing you to safely assemble combos or maintain board presence without fear of red disruption.
Meta-Relevance: In environments dominated by red aggressive strategies or key red win conditions, Hydroblast serves as a concise and efficient answer, rendering it a compelling inclusion in collections designed to contend with ever-shifting competitive landscapes.
How to beat
Hydroblast is a classic card in the Magic: The Gathering arsenal, mostly used as a defense tool in decks against red spells or permanents. The strength of Hydroblast lies in its precision and instant speed, allowing you to counter or destroy targets for merely a single blue mana. But what strategies can players employ to outmaneuver this card?
One efficient approach is to bait out the Hydroblast with less vital spells, preserving your high-impact red cards for later when the opponent’s guard or blue mana might be down. Another tactic involves diversifying your threats, not relying solely on red spells, thereby diluting Hydroblast’s effectiveness. Players can also consider including cards that can’t be countered or that trigger upon casting, ensuring some benefit even if the spell itself is neutralized.
Decks equipped with spells like Pyroblast or Red Elemental Blast, which can counter blue spells, offer a direct countermeasure to Hydroblast. This not only protects your hand but also could turn the tables by countering the opponent’s blue spells, including Hydroblast itself. Understanding the sync between your deck’s strategy and anticipating Hydroblast can be pivotal in securing victory.
BurnMana Recommendations
Dive deeper into MTG strategy with Hydroblast, your defense against the passionate fire of red-based decks. Appreciating the nuances in timing and the flexibility offered by instant speed can turn the tides in your favor. Crafting a deck with Hydroblast in mind means preparing for the heat of battle, ensuring your blue magic quenches the most intense of flames. Recognize the ebbs and flows of your meta and Hydroblast’s place within, safeguarding your plays and disrupting the opponent’s rhythm. For insights on optimizing your deck and becoming a formidable strategist in the MTG realm, join us for more.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Hydroblast MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Pro Tour Collector Set, 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 Hydroblast 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 Hydroblast Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2016-06-10. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 72 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Kaja Foglio | |
2 | 1996-05-02 | Pro Tour Collector Set | PTC | ml72sb | 1993 | Normal | Gold | Kaja Foglio | |
3 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 94 | 1997 | Normal | White | Kaja Foglio | |
4 | 1997-08-13 | World Championship Decks 1997 | WC97 | pm94sb | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Kaja Foglio | |
5 | 1997-08-13 | World Championship Decks 1997 | WC97 | js94sb | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Kaja Foglio | |
6 | 1998-08-12 | World Championship Decks 1998 | WC98 | rb72sb | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Kaja Foglio | |
7 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 69979 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Joseph Meehan | ||
8 | 2007-09-10 | Masters Edition | ME1 | 37 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Kaja Foglio | |
9 | 2016-06-10 | Eternal Masters | EMA | 55 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lake Hurwitz |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Hydroblast has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Pauper | Legal |
Premodern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Hydroblast card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2004-10-04 | The decision to counter a spell or destroy a permanent is a decision made on announcement before the target is selected. If the spell is redirected, this mode can’t be changed, so only targets of the selected type are valid. |
2016-06-08 | Hydroblast can target any spell or permanent, not just a red one. It checks the color of the target only on resolution. |