Hydrolash MTG Card
2015-07-17 - Number 59
2018-11-16 - Number 22
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Attacking creatures get -2/-0 until end of turn. Draw a card.
"I don't need your mage-rings or your mana equations. I call, and the sea answers." —Keyta, rebel hydromancer
Cards like Hydrolash
Hydrolash stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a unique defensive instant. Comparable to other defensive spells such as Fog, which prevents all combat damage that would be dealt in a particular turn, Hydrolash adds its own twist by targeting only attacking creatures and diminishing their potency. Unlike Fog’s blanket effect, Hydrolash allows players to reduce incoming damage while it also draws a card, providing a blend of protection and card advantage.
Another related card is AEtherize, which removes attackers from the battlefield by returning them to their owner’s hand, circumventing damage entirely. While AEtherize is reactive and more costly in terms of mana, it offers a potential reset during the combat phase, contrasting with Hydrolash’s more preemptive approach to weaken attackers. Then there’s Winds of Qal Sisma, which can halt all combat damage like Fog, yet with ferocious can also protect your own creatures, offering a strategic advantage Hydrolash doesn’t directly provide.
Evaluating these spells, Hydrolash fits well within the niche of strategic combat manipulation, with the bonus of card draw setting it apart from its peers. It promises players both a defensive tactic against assaults and a means to maintain card flow in the game.
Cards similar to Hydrolash by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Hydrolash has the potential to affect multiple creatures, which can indirectly lead to card advantage by neutralizing an opponent’s larger attack without losing any cards yourself.
Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing resource acceleration, using Hydrolash can save crucial mana for later turns by avoiding the need to cast multiple spells to deal with several threats at once.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Hydrolash at instant speed offers great flexibility. You can disrupt the combat phase on an opponent’s turn, potentially saving blockers or preventing damage altogether.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Hydrolash demands a precise combination of blue mana, which can sometimes hamper deck flexibility. Players using multicolored decks may find this mana requirement restrictive when trying to maintain optimal mana availability for other spells in their strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing three mana, including two blue, may be seen as steep for the effect it provides. Some players might argue that there are alternative cards that could control the battlefield or draw cards more efficiently for the same or a lower mana investment.
Board Impact: While it can be useful in certain scenarios, the card does not remove threats from the board. Opponents with large or numerous creatures could easily rebound on their next turn, making Hydrolash a temporary stall rather than a solution to on-board problems.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Hydrolash offers flexibility to deck builders, capable of fitting into blue-based control or defensive decks. It can redirect damage, essentially acting as a fog against attacking creatures, while also providing the benefit of card selection.
Combo Potential: This card can synergize with strategies that exploit drawing cards or with those that benefit from having spells with multiple effects. It could also serve as a setup for cards that reward you for drawing or playing instants.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors aggressive creature-based strategies, Hydrolash can be a key card. It disrupts the tempo of swarm decks and gives you the upper hand in preserving life points while fine-tuning your next draw.
How to beat
Hydrolash is a blue instant that serves as a defensive staple in Magic: The Gathering. It works strategically to weaken the assault of an opposing creature swarm. When Hydrolash is cast, it doesn’t only negate a portion of the incoming damage for a turn but also allows the caster to draw a card, offering both protection and card advantage.
To effectively counter Hydrolash, consider leveraging spells that can’t be countered or by using instant-speed removals to dispatch key creatures before the spell’s cast. Attacking with creatures that have abilities like hexproof can nullify the defensive potential of Hydrolash since they are not affected by spells that target. Additionally, playing around the spell by committing fewer creatures to the board preemptively can ensure that the damage reduction aspect of Hydrolash has a minimized impact. Or, one can include cards that increase the power of creatures, overpowering the damage reduction element. Card advantage can be mitigated by applying pressure with efficient threats, forcing the adversary to use their Hydrolash prematurely or in a less than optimal way.
Overall, while Hydrolash is a card that can turn the tide of a creature-heavy battle, players can beat it by strategic play, choosing non-targetable threats, and maintaining a calculated game pace that conserves resources against blue’s tempo plays.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Hydrolash MTG card by a specific set like Magic Origins and Game Night, 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 Hydrolash 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
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Printings
The Hydrolash Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2015-07-17 and 2018-11-16. Illustrated by Clint Cearley.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-07-17 | Magic Origins | ORI | 59 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Clint Cearley | |
| 2 | 2018-11-16 | Game Night | GNT | 22 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Clint Cearley |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Hydrolash has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Hydrolash card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2015-06-22 | You may cast Hydrolash even if there aren’t any attacking creatures simply to draw a card. |