Lair of the Hydra MTG Card
2021-07-23 - Number 356
2021-07-23 - Number 259a
2021-07-23 - Number 259
2021-07-23 - Number 259s
2021-07-23 - Number 259p
2024-06-14 - Number 353
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Land |
Text of card
If you control two or more other lands, Lair of the Hydra enters the battlefield tapped. : Add . : Until end of turn, Lair of the Hydra becomes an X/X green Hydra creature. It's still a land. X can't be 0.
Cards like Lair of the Hydra
Lair of the Hydra is a key land in the roster of versatile Magic: The Gathering cards. Its resemblance to other creature-lands like Mutavault is evident, with both being lands that can turn into creatures. Lair of the Hydra’s unique ability allows it to scale with the game, as it becomes a creature with power and toughness equal to the amount of green mana spent. In contrast, Mutavault has a set power and toughness, providing a consistent but non-scalable creature option.
Another card sharing its DNA is Inkmoth Nexus, which also transforms into a creature, although it morphs into a flying infect creature for a fixed cost and stats. What sets Lair of the Hydra apart is its ability to be a considerable threat later in the game due to its scalability. Then we have Mishra’s Factory, a classic land that becomes a 2/2 creature. Though its activation cost is low, unlike Lair of the Hydra, Mishra’s Factory can’t grow stronger as the game progresses.
Whether planning for an early-game blocker or a potent late-game attacker, Lair of the Hydra brings flexibility to any deck, standing out among creature-lands for its ability to adapt and potentially dominate the battlefield as the game unfolds.
Cards similar to Lair of the Hydra by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Lair of the Hydra. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | G | Pioneer | Pioneer League 2024-05-13 | |
 | Nykthos Ramp | Pioneer | Nykthos Ramp | Pioneer Challenge 64 2024-05-13 |
| Gruul Midrange | Pioneer | Gruul Midrange | Pioneer Challenge 32 2024-05-16 |
| Gruul Aggro | Pioneer | Gruul Aggro | Pioneer Challenge 64 2024-05-16 |
| Hidden Strings | Pioneer | Hidden Strings | Pioneer Showcase Challenge 2024-05-12 |
| Selesnya Hardened Scales | Pioneer | Selesnya Hardened Scales | Pioneer Preliminary 2024-05-15 (1) |
 | UG | Pioneer | Pioneer Showcase Challenge 2024-05-12 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Lair of the Hydra’s ability to become a creature with power and toughness equal to the amount of mana invested can lead to a formidable board presence, often delivering card advantage by forcing opponents to deal with it, lest they face substantial damage. This keeps your hand full while applying pressure.
Resource Acceleration: As a land card that can tap for green mana, Lair of the Hydra aids in resource acceleration by fitting seamlessly into your land drops. Its scalable creature-creating ability also means that as the game progresses and you accumulate more mana, this card can become an increasingly powerful threat without costing you additional cards from your hand.
Instant Speed: The flexibility to activate Lair of the Hydra’s creature ability at instant speed adds a strategic layer to gameplay. You can adapt to the flow of the game, choosing the most opportune moment to transform it into a creature, be it during your attack phase or in response to an opponent’s actions, potentially creating advantageous blocks or surprising attacks.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Lair of the Hydra doesn’t have a direct discard requirement but can indirectly cause card disadvantage. Activating its ability to become a creature potentially leaves you more vulnerable to removal spells, causing you to lose both the land and the creature without gaining any card advantage in the process.
Specific Mana Cost: While Lair of the Hydra is flexible in that it can tap for green mana or become a creature, its creature-activating ability specifically requires green mana. This may not pose a problem in mono-green or two-color decks, but in decks with three or more colors, the need for green mana can sometimes restrict optimal play sequencing.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: To make Lair of the Hydra a formidable creature, a substantial investment of mana is required, often resulting in a high total cost for a creature without inherent protection. While the mana is not spent until the land becomes a creature, tying up a large amount of mana in your land each turn can leave you unable to play other cards or keep mana open for reactive plays.
Reasons to Include Lair of the Hydra in Your Collection
Versatility: Lair of the Hydra is a multi-functional land that can seamlessly fit into a variety of green decks. Its ability to become a creature with power and toughness each equal to the amount of mana invested allows it to adapt to any stage of the game, serving both as a mana source and a potential finisher.
Combo Potential: This land’s transformation into a creature is not just a dynamic threat; it can work in tandem with landfall mechanics or other abilities that trigger whenever a creature enters the battlefield. This can amplify certain strategies or create new opportunities to outmaneuver opponents.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where adaptability is key, Lair of the Hydra thrives. Its relevance in the current gameplay hinges on its capability to present a surprise attacker or blocker, especially critical in matchups where every move counts. It can complement various deck archetypes that are popular in the meta, thus holding its place as a solid choice for inclusion in your collection.
How to beat
Lair of the Hydra emerges as a formidable card within Magic: The Gathering, providing versatility and power on the battlefield. This dynamic land transforms into an ominous creature, its might growing with each mana invested. The key to overcoming this hydra’s lair lies in disrupting land-focused strategies and employing removal spells that target noncreature permanents. By including cards like Field of Ruin, which can take out critical lands, or Ghost Quarter, players can effectively neutralize this transformative threat before it manifests into an overwhelming force.
Another strategy is to keep mana denial or land destruction spells on standby, ready to dismantle your opponent’s mana base, thus mitigating the Hydra’s potential growth. Additionally, efficient use of creature removal like Path to Exile or Fatal Push when the Hydra is in creature form can be effective, especially if timed to thwart your opponent’s plans during their attack phase. Flexibility and anticipation become your allies in this tactical dance, as you aim to keep Lair of the Hydra from ever reaching its monstrous potential on the field.
Adeptly navigating the realm of Magic: The Gathering requires a keen understanding of how to counter powerful cards like Lair of the Hydra, making your deck resilient against a variety of threats and securing your path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Lair of the Hydra MTG card by a specific set like Adventures in the Forgotten Realms and Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos, 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 Lair of the Hydra and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Lair of the Hydra Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2024-06-14. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms | AFR | 356 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Wayne Reynolds | |
| 2 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos | PAFR | 259a | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johannes Voss | |
| 3 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms | AFR | 259 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johannes Voss | |
| 4 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos | PAFR | 259s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johannes Voss | |
| 5 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos | PAFR | 259p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johannes Voss | |
| 6 | 2024-06-14 | Modern Horizons 3 Commander | M3C | 353 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johannes Voss |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Lair of the Hydra has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Lair of the Hydra card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-07-23 | If Lair of the Hydra enters the battlefield at the same time as one or more other lands, it doesn't take those lands into consideration when determining how many other lands you control. |
| 2021-07-23 | If you turn Lair of the Hydra into a creature but haven't controlled it continuously since your most recent turn began, you won't be able to activate its mana ability or attack with it. |