Phytohydra MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Plant Hydra
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Phytohydra excels at converting damage received into beneficial +1/+1 counters, strengthening its position on the board.
  2. Flexibility with instant-speed spells enhances Phytohydra’s defensive uses, making it a tactical advantage.
  3. Despite its power, Phytohydra can be managed with non-damaging board wipes or sacrifice-inducing effects.

Text of card

If damage would be dealt to Phytohydra, put that many +1/+1 counters on it instead.

"Look at this creature, so like the Conclave it serves. Cut one head and it grows two. Damage it and it flourishes." —Veszka, Selesnya evangel


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Phytohydra brings a unique form of card advantage to the table. As a creature that benefits from being targeted by effects that would normally cause damage, it turns potentially detrimental actions into opportunities for growth. This means that every time Phytohydra is involved in combat or becomes the target of a spell that would deal damage, it gains that many +1/+1 counters, effectively utilizing your opponent’s resources to strengthen your own board position.

Resource Acceleration: While Phytohydra itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources in the traditional sense, it poses an obstacle that can indirectly lead to resource advantages. Opponents may need to invest multiple cards or effects to remove it, depleting their hand and resources while you continue to develop your board and strategies unimpeded.

Instant Speed: Phytohydra synergizes well with instant-speed spells and abilities that change the outcome of damage or create combat tricks. This flexibility allows you to protect Phytohydra and manipulate battles in your favor, catching opponents off-guard and potentially disrupting their strategies at critical moments.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Phytohydra does not impose a discard requirement, offering an advantage in resource management.

Specific Mana Cost: With a specific requirement of green and white mana, Phytohydra demands a commitment to these colors, potentially limiting deck-building options and complicating its inclusion in multi-colored decks that do not focus on these colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Phytohydra’s casting cost is significant at five mana, requiring a commitment of resources that could potentially be allocated to more impactful spells or creatures earlier in the game.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Phytohydra offers unique defensive capabilities, adapting seamlessly into decks that prioritize longevity and resilience. Its ability to grow when damaged makes it a fitting piece in strategies aimed at deterring attacks.

Combo Potential: Coupled with cards that prevent or redirect damage, Phytohydra can become an immense threat. It acts as a potent piece in combos where its ability to gain counters generates additional benefits on the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where damage-based board control is prevalent, Phytohydra can serve as a key method of maintaining a presence on the field. This reactive ability keeps it relevant in a variety of meta scenarios, countering widespread red damage spells and aggressive creature strategies.


How to beat

Phytohydra presents a unique challenge on the battlefield due to its ability to turn any damage it receives into growth, making it seem daunting at first. But like any MTG card, it has its vulnerabilities. The key is to either prevent damage from occurring or to remove it in ways that don’t involve dealing damage. Board wipes that don’t inflict damage, such as “Wrath of God” or “Damnation,” can effectively clear Phytohydra without triggering its ability. Another strategy is to use spells or abilities that force players to sacrifice creatures. Since Phytohydra’s ability only works on damage, being forced to sacrifice it bypasses its resilience entirely.

Countering the spells that create or buff Phytohydra is also a method worth considering. Counterspells like “Cancel” or “Dissolve” can stop Phytohydra before it even enters the field. For those that make it through, enchantments or equipment items that negate abilities can render it as nothing more than a simple creature, easily taken down by standard combat or direct removal spells. Always keep an eye out for these strategies when facing this unique creature and plan your deck with these answers in mind.


Cards like Phytohydra

Phytohydra is a unique creature card that brings a different dynamic to player defense in Magic: The Gathering. It shares attributes with cards like Sprouting Phytohydra and Sunscorch Regent, where the primary function revolves around reacting to damage. Phytohydra has the distinct ability to gain +1/+1 counters each time it’s dealt damage, effectively growing stronger during combat or through any other damaging effects.

The aforementioned Sprouting Phytohydra creates a token copy of itself whenever it’s dealt damage, potentially filling the board with copies over time. In contrast, Sunscorch Regent gains +1/+1 counters and grants the owner life each time an opponent casts a spell. While Phytohydra focuses on resilience and growth solely through taking hits, these similar cards also offer additional board presence or life gain as alternative benefits.

Assessing the impact on gameplay, Phytohydra adds endurance and staying power to your creatures on the battlefield. This can force opponents to reassess attack strategies, as dealing with Phytohydra through damage can backfire and increase your defensive capabilities. This defensive feature can be an anchor in decks that capitalize on counter distribution and synergy with other creatures or spells.

Sprouting Phytohydra - MTG Card versions
Sunscorch Regent - MTG Card versions
Sprouting Phytohydra - Dissension (DIS)
Sunscorch Regent - Dragons of Tarkir (DTK)

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Jasmine Boreal - Time Spiral Timeshifted (TSB)
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Sigarda, Host of Herons - Shadows of the Past (SIS)
Elderwood Scion - Commander 2018 (C18)
Armored Wolf-Rider - Dragon's Maze (DGM)
Setessan Griffin - Theros (THS)
Sigarda, Heron's Grace - Shadows over Innistrad Remastered (SIR)
Arahbo, Roar of the World - Secret Lair Drop (SLD)
Rosemane Centaur - The List (PLST)
Trostani Discordant - Ravnica: Clue Edition (CLU)
Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves - The List (PLST)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Phytohydra MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica: City of Guilds 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 Phytohydra and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Phytohydra Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2005-10-07 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by Jim Murray.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12005-10-07Ravnica: City of GuildsRAV 2182003normalblackJim Murray
22024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 2102015normalblackJim Murray

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Phytohydra has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2005-10-01 If Phytohydra blocks or is blocked by a creature with first strike or double strike, Phytohydra will get the counters during the first-strike combat damage step before it deals its own combat damage during the second combat damage step.
2005-10-01 If another effect would prevent damage from being dealt to Phytohydra or replace it with something else, Phytohydra’s controller chooses which effect to apply first.

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