Noxious Hydra Breath MTG Card

Rarity	Common
Type	Sorcery
Released	2013-10-19
Set symbol
Set name	Face the Hydra
Set code	TFTH
Number	11
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Igor Kieryluk

Key Takeaways

Offers potential for significant card advantage by removing multiple creatures at once; a game-changer on the board.
Instant speed casting provides strategic flexibility, allowing for surprise plays and adaptable responses.
Demands a discard and has a specific, high mana cost which may limit its inclusion in diverse decks.

Text of card

Choose one — Noxious Hydra Breath deals 5 damage to each player; or destroy each tapped non-Head creature.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Noxious Hydra Breath can significantly impact the board by providing potential card advantage. When played, the possibility of eliminating multiple creatures your opponent controls effectively nets you a greater lead in resources.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly accelerating resources through mana or tokens, Noxious Hydra Breath can accelerate your game plan by removing blockers or threats, thereby freeing your path to attack and advance your board state with less resistance.

Instant Speed: The utility of casting Noxious Hydra Breath at instant speed can’t be overstated. It allows for flexibility during gameplay, giving you the power to respond to threats, surprise an opponent during combat, or simply timing the spell to maximize its effect based on the evolving state of the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Noxious Hydra Breath prompts a player to discard a card, which can be a notable setback when your hand is already dwindling. This trade-off can put you at a disadvantage in maintaining card advantage over your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: One of the challenges with this card is that it commands a specific mana alignment. The demand for both green mana and a substantial overall cost could hinder your ability to cast this spell consistently in multi-colored decks that aren’t heavily green-focused.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the card holds the potential for a sweeping effect on the battlefield, its relatively high mana demand means that it competes with other significant game-changing spells. Players often weigh their options for a more immediate or impactful effect at this same cost threshold.

Reasons to Include Noxious Hydra Breath in Your Collection

Versatility: Noxious Hydra Breath can serve multiple roles within a deck, functioning both as a way to deal with an opponent’s creatures and as a boost for your own board when used with larger creatures, enhancing its adaptability to different playstyles.

Combo Potential: This card can synergize with decks that capitalize on +1/+1 counters or upon dealing non-combat damage, providing numerous avenues for creative and devastating combos.

Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay environment where swarming strategies are common, Noxious Hydra Breath offers a powerful countermeasure, making it a pertinent inclusion for your current collection to navigate through shifting meta scenes effectively.

How to beat

Noxious Hydra Breath is a potent spell capable of altering the tide of any Magic: The Gathering match. This card operates by inflicting damage across multiple creatures your opponent controls, which can be a game-changer during a tight match. Its primary strength lies in its mass damage potential against a swath of enemy forces.

To successfully navigate against Noxious Hydra Breath, consider playing cards that can prevent or mitigate damage. Cards with protection abilities or instant spells that boost the toughness of your own creatures can serve as a shield against the incoming assault. Also, incorporating counter spells into your deck is a strategic way to stop Noxious Hydra Breath before its effects can unfold. Additionally, keeping a well-balanced board state with creatures of varying sizes can dilute the impact of any single damage-dealing spell.

Ultimately, the key to conquering Noxious Hydra Breath lies in anticipation and preparation. Ensuring that you have the right counters and protective measures in place can negate the devastating effects of this powerful spell, keeping your creatures safe and your strategy on track.

Cards like Noxious Hydra Breath

Noxious Hydra Breath can be likened to an array of damage-dealing spells in Magic: The Gathering. It stands alongside cards like Flame Sweep and Anger of the Gods, which also serve the purpose of clearing out multiple creatures on the battlefield. Each of these spells deals damage to creatures, Flame Sweep hitting for 2 damage while Anger of the Gods is more devastating at 3 damage, potentially exiling those it kills—something Noxious Hydra Breath does not do.

However, Noxious Hydra Breath provides an advantage with its ability to place multiple -1/-1 counters on a single target, affecting creatures with indestructible. It’s a subtle yet powerful distinction since those creatures would otherwise be impervious to damage-based removal. Additionally, in swift combination with Proliferate effects, Noxious Hydra Breath could lead to a substantial impact by escalating the number of -1/-1 counters on opponents’ creatures.

Considering these factors, Noxious Hydra Breath holds a unique position within the gamut of red and green creature control spells. Its versatility in handling indestructible creatures and potential for counter synergy marks it as a strategic choice for players crafting decks focused on cumulative creature debilitation.

Cards similar to Noxious Hydra Breath by color, type and mana cost

Grown from the Stump - MTG Card versions

Strike the Weak Spot - MTG Card versions

Hydra's Impenetrable Hide - MTG Card versions

Swallow the Hero Whole - MTG Card versions

Touch of the Horned God - MTG Card versions

Intervention of Keranos - MTG Card versions

Impulsive Destruction - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Noxious Hydra Breath MTG card by a specific set like Face the Hydra, 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 Noxious Hydra Breath and other MTG cards: