Petrahydrox MTG Card
2006-02-03 - Number 148
2024-01-12 - Number 209
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Weird |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
({UR} can be paid with either or .) When Petrahydrox becomes the target of a spell or ability, return Petrahydrox to its owner's hand.
It departs through the streets' fissures with a sound like gravel pouring into a pond.
Cards like Petrahydrox
Petrahydrox stands out in the realm of blue creatures in MTG. It bears similarities to Fog Bank, as both cards serve as effective defensive creatures with the ability to block flying creatures. Petrahydrox comes with an intriguing twist; it can be temporarily removed from the game to prevent all combat damage that would be dealt to and dealt by it this turn, mirroring an evasive maneuver that Fog Bank lacks, although Fog Bank inherently prevents all combat damage to it.
Another card worthy of comparison is Thalakos Mistfolk. Both are blue creatures that share the ability to dodge combat or certain removals by returning to their owner’s hand, ensuring their viability in multiple scenarios. While Thalakos Mistfolk requires only a blue mana to return to its owner’s hand, Petrahydrox requires a two mana investment but offers the added utility of mitigating damage for a turn, showcasing its flexibility on the battlefield.
Evaluating their potential in game dynamics, Petrahydrox offers a strategic blend of defense and surprise, ranking it as a solid choice for players assembling blue creature-based decks in MTG, seeking to weave both protection and unpredictability into their strategies.
Cards similar to Petrahydrox by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Petrahydrox grants the capability to potentially gain card advantage by disrupting your opponent’s strategy or benefiting from the card’s unique abilities.
Resource Acceleration: This card offers a level of resource acceleration by enabling you to make efficient use of your mana, optimizing play decisions for a tactical advantage.
Instant Speed: The ability to play Petrahydrox at instant speed provides a tactical edge, allowing you to adapt your strategy in response to the evolving game state.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Petrahydrox necessitates discarding a card, which might deplete your hand, reducing your strategic options as the game progresses.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature demands a precise combination of blue and green mana, making it a less versatile choice for decks not firmly rooted in both colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost on the higher side for its stats and abilities, Petrahydrox may lag behind in terms of efficiency compared to other creatures at a similar mana value.
Reasons to Include Petrahydrox in Your Collection
Versatility: Petrahydrox is a multifaceted card that can slot into various deck archetypes, providing utility and strategic depth in both casual and competitive play. Its ability to serve different roles depending on the game state makes it an asset to any collection.
Combo Potential: This card can synergize with strategies that capitalize on its unique properties, such as manipulating hand sizes or benefiting from its creature type. Deck builders prize these types of cards for their ability to create powerful interactions and unexpected wins.
Meta-Relevance: As the game evolves, cards like Petrahydrox can become crucial in responding to popular deck formats. Whether through its defensive capabilities or its ability to disrupt opponents, it has the potential to influence your games significantly in the right meta.
How to beat
Petrahydrox can be a troublesome card to face in MTG due to its evasion abilities and the challenge it presents when it turns into a creature. To overcome Petrahydrox, employing targeted removal spells that do not depend on dealing damage is an effective strategy. Spells like Path to Exile or Murderous Rider bypass its protection from red and from creatures with less power. Moreover, utilizing board wipes such as Damnation or Wrath of God can clear Petrahydrox along with any other threats on the board.
Keeping a check on your opponent’s graveyard is another smart approach. Since Petrahydrox can return to the battlefield from the graveyard, cards like Relic of Progenitus or Scavenging Ooze can help manage the graveyard and prevent Petrahydrox’s reanimation. Additionally, playing around Petrahydrox’s conditional creature status by timing your spells when it’s a non-creature and using instant speed interactions can give you an edge in controlling the game.
Ultimately, understanding Petrahydrox’s strengths and weaknesses is key. By ensuring your deck has answers to its unique evasion abilities and by carefully managing the game state, you can confidently tackle this formidable card. Managing Petrahydrox requires precision and timing, but with the right cards and strategy, it is indeed a beatable challenge in MTG.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Petrahydrox MTG card by a specific set like Guildpact and Ravnica Remastered, 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 Petrahydrox 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 Petrahydrox Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2006-02-03 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by Anthony S. Waters.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2006-02-03 | Guildpact | GPT | 148 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Anthony S. Waters | |
| 2 | 2024-01-12 | Ravnica Remastered | RVR | 209 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anthony S. Waters |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Petrahydrox has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Petrahydrox card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2006-02-01 | Petrahydrox will return to its owner’s hand before the spell or ability targeting it can resolve. |