Sprouting Phytohydra MTG Card

Generates card advantage by creating copies whenever it’s dealt damage. Enables resource acceleration through battlefield presence and synergies. Its damage-triggered copies can be tactically spawned during any turn.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Plant Hydra
Abilities	Defender
Released	2006-05-05
Set symbol
Set name	Dissension
Set code	DIS
Power	0
Toughness	2
Number	95
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Heather Hudson

Text of card

Defender (This creature can't attack.) Whenever Sprouting Phytohydra is dealt damage, you may put a token into play that's a copy of Sprouting Phytohydra.

A hydra tender's problem isn't having enough defenses but enough pots.

Cards like Sprouting Phytohydra

Sprouting Phytohydra presents a unique defensive strategy within the vast array of Magic: The Gathering cards. It echoes the resilience found in other damage-redirection creatures like Spitemare and Boros Reckoner. However, Sprouting Phytohydra twists the concept, creating a copy of itself upon being dealt damage rather than simply redirecting it. This provides an increasing number of blockers, potentially overwhelming your opponent.

Another card worth mentioning is Stuffy Doll, which turns any damage it receives into a tool for retaliating against an opponent. Unlike Sprouting Phytohydra, Stuffy Doll focuses on offensive repercussions rather than bolstering your defensive line. High Priest of Penance also shares similarities, offering a one-time use to destroy any nonland permanent when damaged. Sprouting Phytohydra, in comparison, offers repeatable defensive value that can lead to a wall of hydras on the battlefield.

Ultimately, Sprouting Phytohydra secures a place in Magic: The Gathering as a fascinating defensive mechanism. Its ability to sprout an army from harm distinguishes it from creatures with similar damage-centric abilities, making it an intriguing choice for decks focused on control and defense.

High Priest of Penance - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Sprouting Phytohydra by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Sprouting Phytohydra offers a unique form of card advantage in that any damage dealt to it results in a copy being made. For players who can consistently redirect damage to this creature, it can quickly overwhelm opponents by creating a board state teeming with Phytohydra copies.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly influencing mana, Sprouting Phytohydra enables resource acceleration through its ability to populate the battlefield. As each new Phytohydra enters play, it can potentially be tapped for convoke or sacrificed for various in-game benefits, effectively expediting your game plan.

Instant Speed: Although the card itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its ability triggers whenever it’s dealt damage, allowing for clever interactions during an opponent’s turn. With cards that can deal damage at instant speed, you can create new Phytohydra copies on your opponent’s turn, keeping your plays versatile and reactive.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Sprouting Phytohydra does not have a direct discard requirement, it’s important to recognize that any card with specific conditions can indirectly pressure your hand. Holding onto this card until the right moment might stall your other plays or force you to discard other valuable cards to fulfil your game strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a precise combination of Green mana, this card might not easily fit into multi-colored or mana-intensive decks. Players will need to ensure their mana base is well-tuned to accommodate this creature without affecting the deck’s overall mana stability.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Priced at five mana of which two must be green, Sprouting Phytohydra is somewhat pricey for its initial 0/2 stats. In most cases, there are creatures or spells that might provide more immediate board presence or impact for the same, if not lower, mana investment.

Reasons to Include Sprouting Phytohydra in Your Collection

Versatility: Sprouting Phytohydra’s unique ability to create a copy of itself whenever it’s dealt damage allows it to slot into a variety of decks, especially those that manipulate damage distribution or work with counters.

Combo Potential: With the right setup, this card can be part of an intricate combo, easily synergizing with cards that deal damage to all creatures to generate a massive field presence.

Meta-Relevance: In a playing environment where damage-based board wipes are frequent, Sprouting Phytohydra can become an unexpectedly resilient obstacle or a means of overwhelming your opponent.

How to beat

Sprouting Phytohydra is an intriguing creature within the realm of Magic: The Gathering. Its unique ability to create a copy of itself any time it’s dealt damage can often lead to an overwhelming board presence. Overpowering this relentless plant requires a strategic approach.

One efficient method is utilizing cards that force a player to sacrifice creatures, such as Diabolic Edict or Liliana of the Veil’s minus ability. This bypasses the Phytohydra’s damage-triggered ability entirely. Board wipes that destroy all creatures—or in certain cases, all nonland permanents—such as Damnation or Cyclonic Rift, are also effective. Additionally, exiling effects like Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares can permanently remove a Sprouting Phytohydra without triggering its ability.

Another angle is to take advantage of its defensive nature. As Sprouting Phytohydra doesn’t possess a formidable offensive prowess, focusing on win conditions that don’t involve combat, such as mill or direct damage, can circumvent the need to deal with it entirely. Ultimately, understanding and countering the Phytohydra’s strengths will lead to successful strategies against this tenacious MTG card.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sprouting Phytohydra MTG card by a specific set like Dissension, 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 Sprouting Phytohydra and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sprouting Phytohydra has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sprouting Phytohydra card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2006-05-01	A token copy of Sprouting Phytohydra is created even if the damage dealt to Sprouting Phytohydra destroys it.
2006-05-01	If Cytoshape turns a creature into a copy of Sprouting Phytohydra, and that creature is dealt damage, the token that is put onto the battlefield is simply a copy of Sprouting Phytohydra. At the end of the turn, the Cytoshaped creature will revert back to what it was, but the token copying it will not.
2006-05-01	If a token copy of Sprouting Phytohydra is dealt damage, it will create another token copy.