Savageborn Hydra MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityMythic
TypeCreature — Hydra
Abilities Double strike
Power 0
Toughness 0

Key Takeaways

  1. Fused with growth potential, effectively uses mana to become a formidable force throughout the game.
  2. Demands strategic resource management, optimizing deck design to exploit its rampant expansion.
  3. Its adaptability responds to the MTG meta, maintaining relevance and utility in varying decks.

Text of card

Double strike Savageborn Hydra enters the battlefield with X +1/+1 counters on it. {RG}: Put a +1/+1 counter on Savageborn Hydra. Activate this ability only any time you could cast a sorcery.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Savageborn Hydra offers built-in growth potential, allowing you to invest unused mana to increase its power and toughness, effectively multiplying the value you get from one card over multiple turns.

Resource Acceleration: Savageborn Hydra thrives in decks that excel at resource acceleration. By leveraging ramp spells and mana dorks, you can exponentially increase the Hydra’s size and dominate the battlefield.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of Savageborn Hydra’s double strike ability coupled with instant speed grow mechanics means you can surprise your opponent with a lethal attack out of nowhere. This adaptability keeps opponents on their toes and can lead to advantageous combat outcomes.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Savageborn Hydra doesn’t directly require discarding cards, building a deck to fully utilize its abilities often leads to resource depletion. Ensuring a balance between fueling the Hydra’s growth and maintaining card advantage can be tricky for even seasoned players.

Specific Mana Cost: Savageborn Hydra’s {X}{R}{G} casting cost demands a dedicated commitment to both red and green mana. This specificity can restrict deck building, promoting a Gruul archetype exclusivity which may not seamlessly integrate into multicolored deck strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although the Hydra’s potential for growth is unlimited, its initial investment is resource-intensive. With a baseline of three mana (one red and one green) without any counters, it competes with other high-impact creatures and spells that might offer immediate board presence or utility at a lower investment.


Reasons to Include Savageborn Hydra in Your Collection

Versatility: Savageborn Hydra fits across multiple deck types due to its flexible mana cost and the ability to grow over time. It’s a strong choice for any deck that can generate large amounts of mana, allowing it to become a formidable threat at any stage of the game.

Combo Potential: This creature’s double strike ability opens up possibilities for various combos, particularly in decks that focus on +1/+1 counters. Any strategy that can multiply or manipulate counters will find Savageborn Hydra an excellent enabler for explosive turns.

Meta-Relevance: With the ever-changing MTG landscape, Savageborn Hydra’s scalable power level can adapt to various metagames. Whether you’re up against aggressive decks that lack removal or slower, control-oriented matches where you have the time to grow your Hydra, this card maintains its utility and threat level.


How to beat

Savageborn Hydra is a powerful creature card that can quickly become a colossal threat on the battlefield. The card’s double strike ability combined with its capacity to grow with +1/+1 counters can overwhelm opponents if left unchecked. It’s vital for players to have strategies in place to handle such an imposing creature.

One effective tactic is to use removal spells before the Hydra becomes too large. Fast-acting spells such as Path to Exile, Fatal Push, or Swift End can eliminate it early on, mitigating the risk of exponential growth. Countering is also a viable strategy; a simple Counterspell or Essence Scatter can prevent the Hydra from hitting the field in the first place. Another approach involves cards like Pacifism or Imprisoned in the Moon to neutralize the Hydra without triggering any leave-the-battlefield effects that could benefit your opponent.

It’s also sensible to avoid combat with Savageborn Hydra unless absolutely necessary. Cards such as Settle the Wreckage can act as a deterrent, effectively taking care of the Hydra once it attacks. By considering these tactics, players can limit the impact of Savageborn Hydra and maintain control of the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the MTG universe is an art that intertwines strategy with the thrill of gameplay. Savageborn Hydra exemplifies this, growing into an unstoppable force with careful mana management. When strategizing around this powerhouse, consider its potential in your MTG repertoire. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out, this card’s ability to scale and adapt can be your path to victory on the battlefield. We’re here to guide you through the nuances of Savageborn Hydra and beyond. Learn more with us and harness the power of strategic play to become a dominant force in your MTG matches.


Cards like Savageborn Hydra

Savageborn Hydra leaps into the battlefield as a formidable force in Magic: The Gathering, bearing a notable resemblance to other double-strike creatures such as Skyhunter Skirmisher. However, Savageborn Hydra paves its own path with its unique ‘X’ mana cost and inherent flexibility. Unlike Skyhunter Skirmisher, which has a fixed low power and toughness, Savageborn Hydra can enter the fray as a massive threat, scaling with the mana you pour into it.

Another comparable behemoth is Heroes’ Bane, which also thrives on the growth mechanic, yet it can only increase its might during your own turn and requires a substantial mana investment to do so. Savageborn Hydra, by contrast, can be beefed up any time you have the mana to spare, potentially becoming an overwhelming force at instant speed during your opponent’s turn. Kalonian Hydra also shares the stage, and while it doubles the counters each time it attacks, it lacks the reactive versatility of Savageborn Hydra.

Each creature in MTG carries its distinct advantages, but Savageborn Hydra stands out for its immediate impact and its potential to dominate games if not dealt with swiftly, making it a key player in decks that enjoy flexibility and power.

Skyhunter Skirmisher - MTG Card versions
Heroes' Bane - MTG Card versions
Kalonian Hydra - MTG Card versions
Skyhunter Skirmisher - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Heroes' Bane - Journey into Nyx Promos (PJOU)
Kalonian Hydra - Magic 2014 (M14)

Cards similar to Savageborn Hydra by color, type and mana cost

Spined Sliver - MTG Card versions
Yavimaya Barbarian - MTG Card versions
Firebrand Ranger - MTG Card versions
Horned Kavu - MTG Card versions
Gallia of the Endless Dance - MTG Card versions
Vexing Shusher - MTG Card versions
Gruul Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Hajar, Loyal Bodyguard - MTG Card versions
Burning-Tree Emissary - MTG Card versions
Tin Street Hooligan - MTG Card versions
Scab-Clan Mauler - MTG Card versions
Tattermunge Witch - MTG Card versions
Apocalypse Hydra - MTG Card versions
Nacatl Outlander - MTG Card versions
Rip-Clan Crasher - MTG Card versions
Flinthoof Boar - MTG Card versions
Skarrg Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Disciple of the Old Ways - MTG Card versions
Zhur-Taa Druid - MTG Card versions
Satyr Hedonist - MTG Card versions
Spined Sliver - Tempest Remastered (TPR)
Yavimaya Barbarian - The List (PLST)
Firebrand Ranger - Invasion (INV)
Horned Kavu - Planeshift (PLS)
Gallia of the Endless Dance - Theros Beyond Death (THB)
Vexing Shusher - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Gruul Guildmage - Ravnica Remastered (RVR)
Hajar, Loyal Bodyguard - The Brothers' War (BRO)
Burning-Tree Emissary - Double Masters 2022 (2X2)
Tin Street Hooligan - Guildpact (GPT)
Scab-Clan Mauler - Ravnica Remastered (RVR)
Tattermunge Witch - Modern Masters 2017 (MM3)
Apocalypse Hydra - Battlebond (BBD)
Nacatl Outlander - Conflux (CON)
Rip-Clan Crasher - Salvat 2011 (PS11)
Flinthoof Boar - Eternal Masters (EMA)
Skarrg Guildmage - Gatecrash (GTC)
Disciple of the Old Ways - Gatecrash (GTC)
Zhur-Taa Druid - Mystery Booster (MB1)
Satyr Hedonist - Duel Decks: Heroes vs. Monsters (DDL)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Savageborn Hydra MTG card by a specific set like Dragon's Maze and Iconic Masters, 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 Savageborn Hydra and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Savageborn Hydra Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2013-05-03 and 2020-08-07. Illustrated by Raymond Swanland.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12013-05-03Dragon's MazeDGM 1002003normalblackRaymond Swanland
22017-11-17Iconic MastersIMA 2072015normalblackRaymond Swanland
32019-02-15RNA Guild KitGK2 982015normalblackRaymond Swanland
42020-08-07Double Masters2XM 2152015normalblackRaymond Swanland

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Savageborn Hydra has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

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