Molten Hydra MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Hydra
Released	1999-02-15
Set symbol
Set name	Urza's Legacy
Set code	ULG
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	85
Frame	1997
Layout	normal
Border	black
Illustred by	Greg Staples

Key Takeaways

Molten Hydra excels in granting card advantage through counter-based damage distribution.
Flexible damage output at instant speed provides tactical superiority in many scenarios.
Accumulates counters for explosive bursts of damage, making it a formidable late-game threat.

Text of card

o1o Roo R Put a +1/+1 counter on Molten Hydra. oc T, Remove all +1/+1 counters from Molten Hydra: Molten Hydra deals 1 damage to target creature or player for each +1/+1 counter removed this way.

Keep off the glass. —Hydra warning sign

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Molten Hydra stands out as a key player in creating card advantage, due to its ability to build up counters and convert them into damage. This means you can deal with multiple threats or pressure opponents without losing resources from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly a source of mana acceleration, this fiery beast can be a formidable resource. As the game progresses, the ability to accumulate and then remove counters allows for a burst of damage, potentially clearing the way for faster wins without expending additional cards.

Instant Speed: Although Molten Hydra itself isn’t an instant, its ability to unleash damage at instant speed during any player’s upkeep turns it into a flexible threat. This timing can disrupt your opponent’s plans or eliminate key creatures when least expected, giving a strategic edge to any player wielding this card.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Molten Hydra requires an additional cost to unleash its ability which can deplete your hand, hindering your ability to respond to opponents’ moves later in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s reliance on a hefty amount of red mana can restrict its integration into multi-color decks, potentially affecting its playability in diverse formats.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a requirement of three red mana to cast, Molten Hydra’s cost is significant, and its immediate impact on the game might not justify the initial mana investment, especially in fast-paced games.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Molten Hydra offers a dynamic option for Red-based decks, adapting to various situations. Being able to deal damage incrementally or in a substantial burst, it provides utility across multiple stages of the game.

Combo Potential: Utilizing the accumulating counters, Molten Hydra can become a focal point for counter manipulation strategies. It’s excellent for synergy with cards that proliferate or double counters, maximizing damage output efficiently.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where longer games are common, Molten Hydra becomes a persistent threat that must be dealt with. Its ability to threaten direct damage to creatures or players makes it a card with a meta impact, especially in matchups that allow for setup time.

How to beat

Molten Hydra presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its ability to stockpile and unleash damage. To effectively navigate against this card, understanding its birth from the Urza’s Legacy expansion is crucial. It’s a creature that harnesses lava counters, incrementing its potential damage output each turn. Deterring the Hydra’s growth through counter removal or prevention mechanisms can be instrumental.

Engaging with Molten Hydra efficiently requires a strategy focused on control or rapid board presence establishment. Utilizing spells that can neutralize creatures or remove counters will hamper the Hydra’s effectiveness. Cards like Disenchant disrupt the build-up of lava counters, stifling the impending burst of damage. Moreover, efficient creature removal spells like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can eliminate the Hydra before it poses too significant of a threat. Playing creatures with higher toughness also helps in absorbing the brunt of its activated ability if it comes to direct confrontation.

Overall, addressing Molten Hydra swiftly and with the appropriate countermeasures ensures that this simmering threat is cooled down before it has the opportunity to scorch your chances at victory in the diverse landscape of Magic: The Gathering.

Cards like Molten Hydra

Molten Hydra is an intriguing creature in MTG with a unique twist on damage accumulation. Like the popular card Fungusaur, it gets stronger as it takes damage. The Hydra, however, channels this power into a burst of damage, which can be unleashed at any time with its mana-activated ability. Fungusaur, on the other hand, only grows in toughness and strength, without the option for immediate impact.

Comparatively, the card Stuffy Doll stands out for its ability to dish out damage each time it’s hurt, akin to the Hydra’s triggered effect. But unlike Molten Hydra, Stuffy Doll has the resilience of being indestructible and targets a player for damage directly. Then take Obsidian Fireheart, which also leaves a delayed impact on the battlefield with its land ‘burn’ ability. Although it doesn’t accumulate damage counters like Molten Hydra, it brings a persistent threat that can affect the overall board state in the long run.

While analyzing these similarities, Molten Hydra holds its own for those who prefer to trigger explosive damage strategically, offering a valuable piece in MTG decks that capitalize on direct damage and delayed tactics.

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

Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions

Rock Hydra - Intl. Collectors' Edition (CEI)

Ironclaw Orcs - Introductory Two-Player Set (ITP)

Dwarven Weaponsmith - Foreign Black Border (FBB)

Dwarven Lieutenant - Fallen Empires (FEM)

Goblin Elite Infantry - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)

Fireslinger - Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. Chandra (JVC)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Molten Hydra MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Legacy, 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 Molten Hydra and other MTG cards: