Mistcutter Hydra MTG Card


Mistcutter Hydra - Theros
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Hydra
Abilities Haste,Protection
Released2013-09-27
Set symbol
Set nameTheros
Set codeTHS
Power 0
Toughness 0
Number162
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byRyan Pancoast

Key Takeaways

  1. Mistcutter Hydra ensures board presence with uncounterable entry, crucial against control decks.
  2. Its reliance on ample green mana constrains the card’s deck versatility and adaptability.
  3. Scalability and haste provide immediate impact, essential for dynamic gameplay strategies.

Text of card

Mistcutter Hydra can't be countered. Haste, protection from blue Mistcutter Hydra enters the battlefield with X +1/+1 counters on it.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Mistcutter Hydra offers a unique form of card advantage by being uncounterable. This means it guarantees board presence against control decks, ensuring your resources are well-spent and not wasted on spells that never resolve.

Resource Acceleration: As an X-cost creature, Mistcutter Hydra benefits greatly from any form of resource acceleration. It scales with your available mana, allowing it to become a formidable creature in the late game, capable of closing out matches quickly.

Instant Speed: While Mistcutter Hydra itself does not have instant speed, its ability to enter the battlefield with haste allows it to act with the immediacy of an instant. This gives players the tactical flexibility to summon a surprise blocker or an aggressive threat at a moment’s notice.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Mistcutter Hydra doesn’t require a discard, it does necessitate a considerable amount of mana to become a formidable creature, which could strain your resources if not timed well.

Specific Mana Cost: This Hydra comes with a specific mana demand – only green mana can be used to pay for the X cost. This requirement can limit its inclusion to mono-green or green-heavy decks, potentially narrowing its versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: To make Mistcutter Hydra a significant threat, a substantial investment of mana is needed. In a fast-paced game, dedicating a large amount of mana in one turn for a single creature can be risky, especially when considering that other strategies or creatures may offer similar impact with a lower mana commitment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Mistcutter Hydra’s scalability makes it a flexible pick for both early and late gameplay. Its ability to enter the battlefield with +1/+1 counters tailored to your available mana allows it to adapt seamlessly within a range of strategies, from aggressive starts to formidable late-game threats.

Combo Potential: Offering protection from blue and the capacity to be uncounterable, Mistcutter Hydra synergizes well in metas dominated by control decks. It can be combined with cards that amplify creature effects or those that benefit from large creatures hitting the board.

Meta-Relevance: As a swift and decisive answer to blue-heavy decks, Mistcutter Hydra maintains a solid position in formats where blue control and combo decks are prevalent. Its innate haste allows it to impact the board immediately, making it a timely inclusion in any collection anticipating blue-centric opponents.


How to beat

Mistcutter Hydra emerges as a strong player within the realm of creature spells in Magic the Gathering. Its intrinsic protection from blue and the ability to be uncounterable make it a formidable opponent, especially in matches against blue-heavy control decks. However, despite its strengths, there are strategies to effectively counteract this serpentine beast.

One approach is to focus on removal spells that don’t target or use the color blue. Cards like Doom Blade or Abrupt Decay can dispatch Mistcutter Hydra before it becomes an insurmountable threat. Another technique is to employ board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation, which circumvent the Hydra’s protection by not targeting it directly.

Furthermore, taking preemptive action can curb the Hydra’s growth. Limiting the opponent’s mana resources or applying pressure with early threats may force players to summon Mistcutter Hydra at a manageable size. In essence, while Mistcutter Hydra can be a powerful asset, it’s by no means invincible. With the right tactics and a keen awareness of your deck’s capabilities, you can navigate around the behemoth and secure your position in the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

As you journey through the vibrant universe of MTG, Mistcutter Hydra stands out as an intriguing card worthy of your attention. Incorporating high-impact cards into your repertoire is key to staying ahead of the competition. Mistcutter Hydra offers a strategic edge in specific metagames, making it essential for players ready to challenge blue-dominated tables. We encourage you to embrace the depths of strategy and deck optimization that MTG provides. Looking to enhance your gameplay and diversify your collection with formidable creatures like Mistcutter Hydra? Dive deeper with us to discover insights and strategies that can catapult your MTG prowess to new heights.


Cards like Mistcutter Hydra

Mistcutter Hydra is a unique beast in the MTG world, priding itself on its hasty entrance and resilience against blue spells. In comparison, we have Protean Hydra, which offers a similar growth capacity but trades instant-speed playability for regeneration. Both cards excel in the right scenarios, with Mistcutter Hydra being particularly devastating in matchups against blue control decks, where it can’t be countered and gains protection from blue.

Another serpent, Hydra Broodmaster, offers immense scalability like Mistcutter Hydra but through its monstrosity ability, which creates X/X green Hydra creature tokens. Though lacking the haste of Mistcutter Hydra, Broodmaster has the potential for generating overwhelming board presence, asserting its power in more drawn-out games.

Each Hydra has its unique strengths, with Mistcutter Hydra shining as a tech choice when up against blue-centric opponents. It expertly balances mana investment with its impactful, uncounterable entrance, making it a fascinating option for players seeking immediate and assured impact on the battlefield.

Protean Hydra - MTG Card versions
Hydra Broodmaster - MTG Card versions
Protean Hydra - Magic 2010 (M10)
Hydra Broodmaster - Journey into Nyx (JOU)

Where to buy

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

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mistcutter Hydra has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2013-09-15 Spells that can't be countered can still be chosen as the target of spells or abilities that try to counter them. Although the spell won't be countered, the spell or ability that tries to counter it will resolve, and any other effects of that spell or ability will happen.

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