Ironscale Hydra MTG Card


Ironscale Hydra - Theros Beyond Death
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Hydra
Released2020-01-24
Set symbol
Set nameTheros Beyond Death
Set codeTHB
Power 5
Toughness 5
Number296
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byBrian Valeza

Key Takeaways

  1. The Hydra transforms inbound damage into growth, gaining +1/+1 counters, enhancing its battlefield dominance.
  2. Opponents may overcommit resources to remove it, potentially easing the way for your other threats.
  3. Challenging to incorporate in decks due to specific mana needs and a high mana cost.

Text of card

If a creature would deal combat damage to Ironscale Hydra, prevent that damage and put a +1/+1 counter on Ironscale Hydra.

"Put down your bows, you fools! Arrows only make it angry!" —Callia, Hyrax Tower scout


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ironscale Hydra provides a reliable way to maintain board presence, becoming a persistent threat that must be dealt with. Each time it’s dealt damage, it gains a +1/+1 counter, effectively turning any attempt to damage it into an opportunity for growth and greater board dominance.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or treasure tokens, Ironscale Hydra demands multiple resources from your opponent to be removed from the battlefield. This means they’re expending more removal spells on it, potentially paving the way for other threats in your hand to hit the board with less resistance and accelerate your path to victory.

Instant Speed: Though Ironscale Hydra is not an instant itself, its ability to deter opponents from attacking or using damage-based removal at instant speed is invaluable. By forcing your opponent to plan around it, you gain a strategic edge and can commit to plays with a clearer understanding of the state of the board.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Since Ironscale Hydra doesn’t come with an inherent mechanism to protect itself from being targeted or ensure card advantage, relying on it as a singular threat might force you to discard valuable cards to other effects just to keep it on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: Ironscale Hydra necessitates a heavy commitment to green mana within your mana base. This requirement can be restrictive, limiting the decks it can be easily incorporated into without affecting the mana curve or deck fluidity.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, including four green, Ironscale Hydra’s impact on the game isn’t immediate compared to other creatures or spells at a similar cost, potentially putting you at a tempo disadvantage.


Reasons to Include Ironscale Hydra in Your Collection

Versatility: Ironscale Hydra can adapt to various playstyles, thanks to its ability to thrive in an environment filled with multiple threats. Its innate durability allows it to be a cornerstone in decks that require a resilient creature.

Combo Potential: This card’s strength in combat makes it an excellent partner for strategies that capitalize on damage triggers or doubling counters, enabling diverse and powerful synergies within your deck.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where creature combat is prevalent, Ironscale Hydra’s capability to grow stronger with each damage it prevents can give players a distinct advantage, making it a prudent choice for adapting to dynamic competitive scenes.


How to beat

The Ironscale Hydra is a formidable creature that challenges opponents with its resilience. One of the most effective strategies to deal with this beast is by bypassing its damage-prevention ability. Spells that exile creatures, such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, are perfect tools for this job as they remove the Hydra from the battlefield without triggering its ability.

Countering the Hydra before it lands on the battlefield is another solid approach. Efficient counterspells can ensure that the creature never gets a chance to pose a threat. Alternatively, if the Hydra is already in play, utilizing board wipes that destroy all creatures can equalize the situation, provided you are prepared to rebuild after the clear.

Lastly, taking advantage of sacrifice effects can be a clever way to circumvent the Hydra’s formidable defenses. Cards that force an opponent to sacrifice a creature, such as Liliana of the Veil or Diabolic Edict, can help to remove the Hydra indirectly and give you the upper hand once again.


BurnMana Recommendations

Growing a collection that stands the test of time and combat is crucial in MTG. Ironscale Hydra isn’t just a creature; it’s an investment in durable board presence that turns enemy attacks into personal growth. Combining it with counter-multiplying and damage-based strategies could be a game-changer in your plays. However, with its cons in mind, you must build wisely. Gain the strategic edge in your matches and expand your horizons. If Ironscale Hydra’s resilience makes it a fit for your deck, or if you’re considering similar cards, delve deeper with us and refine your collection to conquer the battlefield.


Cards like Ironscale Hydra

Ironscale Hydra stands out in the realm of Magic: The Gathering as a formidable creature, boasting an impressive ability to grow stronger whenever it’s dealt damage. This characteristic echoes the functionality of creatures like Managorger Hydra, which also gains a +1/+1 counter whenever a spell is cast, progressively becoming a bigger threat as the game advances. Unlike Ironscale Hydra, Managorger doesn’t have built-in damage resistance, making it somewhat more vulnerable on the battlefield.

Another creature with a similarities is Voracious Hydra, which can double in size through its adaptable X-cost, and it can either fight another creature or gain twice the number of +1/+1 counters when it enters the battlefield. Though Voracious Hydra offers flexibility and potential for immediate impact, Ironscale Hydra’s resilience against repeated damage over time offers a unique advantage that can result in an unstoppable force if left unchecked.

These comparisons show how Ironscale Hydra aligns with a theme of growing threats within creature cards. Its persistent ability to survive and thrive through combat shapes a different strategic role, placing it as a powerful option for players seeking to capitalize on endurance and long-term value on the battlefield.

Managorger Hydra - MTG Card versions
Voracious Hydra - MTG Card versions
Managorger Hydra - Magic Origins (ORI)
Voracious Hydra - Core Set 2020 Promos (PM20)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ironscale Hydra MTG card by a specific set like Theros Beyond Death, 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 Ironscale Hydra and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ironscale Hydra has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2020-01-24 If damage that can’t be prevented is dealt to Ironscale Hydra, the damage is dealt and you’ll simultaneously put a +1/+1 counter on it, before the game checks for lethal damage.
2020-01-24 You put only one +1/+1 counter on Ironscale Hydra per creature whose combat damage is prevented, no matter how much damage would have been dealt.

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks