Hydromorph Gull MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Elemental Bird
Abilities	Flying
Released	2002-02-04
Set symbol
Set name	Torment
Set code	TOR
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	40
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Arnie Swekel

Key Takeaways

Hydromorph Gull’s flying and card draw traits boost player advantage on the battlefield upon its entry.
Easily deployed early in the game to accelerate strategy, particularly within flight-centered decks.
Instant speed interaction affords flexible counterplay, disrupting opponents’ plans.

Text of card

Flying o U, Sacrifice Hydromorph Gull: Counter target spell that targets one or more creatures you control.

"The only kind of water that should fly through the air is rain." —Kamahl, pit fighter

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Hydromorph Gull has flying and can draw you a card when it enters the battlefield if you control a creature with flying, ensuring that you sustain card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: With its mana cost of three, including one blue, Hydromorph Gull can efficiently provide an early presence on the board which can accelerate your game plan, especially in decks focused on aerial strategies.

Instant Speed: The ability to counter a spell unless its caster pays an additional two mana at instant speed allows for strategic flexibility and interaction with your opponent during their turn, potentially disrupting their plays and timing.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Hydromorph Gull asks players to relinquish a card from their hand to activate its flying ability. In games where card advantage is paramount, this can place you at a strategic disadvantage, especially if your hand is already dwindling.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both blue and generic mana, this bird creature card might not seamlessly fit into multi-colored decks. This could potentially hinder deck-building flexibility and force players to prioritize including sufficient blue mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that may compete with more impactful four-mana spells, the Hydromorph Gull’s benefit might not justify its slot in a tightly curated deck. Other creatures or spells at a similar mana range could offer greater utility or board presence.

Reasons to Include Hydromorph Gull in Your Collection

Versatility: Hydromorph Gull is a multifaceted card suitable for any blue-focused strategies keen on flying creatures. It can be a useful blocker against other flying threats, and also serves as a means to apply aerial pressure on your opponents.

Combo Potential: This card has the potential to synergize with various spells and abilities that revolve around flying creatures or creature type adaptability. It can be part of combos that maximize the number of creatures that take to the skies or that play off of changing creature types.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where flying creatures are prevalent or in games that drag into later turns, the adaptability of Hydromorph Gull makes it a utility piece that can flexibly fit into the pace and style of the match, potentially outmaneuvering opponents who are unprepared for aerial combatants or type-shifting tactics.

How to Beat Hydromorph Gull

Hydromorph Gull presents an interesting puzzle in MTG, with its ability to gain flying until the end of turn whenever a spell is cast. At first glance, this might seem like a powerful evasive mechanism, but like any strategy, it has its Achilles’ heel. To effectively counter this card, consider incorporating spells that can target creatures regardless of their flying status, such as direct removal or board wipes that don’t discriminate based on abilities.

Since the Gull’s ability triggers on spell casting, instant speed interaction is your ally here. Being able to wait until your opponent is tapped out or has committed to an unprofitable combat step can turn the tables. Removal spells like “Murderous Rider” or “Doom Blade” which can be cast at instant speed, allow you to navigate around the Gull’s flying ability. Sweepers like “Wrath of God” sidestep the flying question entirely.

In essence, to beat Hydromorph Gull, it’s not just about the cards you play, but also the timing of your responses. Proper assessment of your removal arsenal and strategic foresight will sink this Gull before it ever takes to the skies.

Cards like Hydromorph Gull

Hydromorph Gull, a card capturing player’s interest within the MTG realm, stands out with its blend of flying ability and the lesser-known morph mechanic. Delving into the flying creature pool, we encounter Stormscape Familiar, which not only offers flying but also reduces the cost of certain spells. Although it doesn’t have morph, the cost reduction can be particularly potent in spell-heavy decks.

Exploring further, Willbender is another creature featuring morph, providing a surprise factor by altering the target of spells or abilities when flipped. While Hydromorph Gull presents the subtlety of hidden potential, Willbender is about redirection and tactical manipulation. Yet another comparison points us towards Icefeather Aven. It shares both flying and morph with Hydromorph Gull, bringing an added utility with its ability to return creatures to the owner’s hand, leading to strategic board advantage.

Every card has its unique niche, and in the case of Hydromorph Gull, it fills the slot for players looking for a straightforward, evasive morph card, illustrating the versatile range present in the MTG landscape. Whether prioritizing cost-efficiency, tactical deception, or board control, alternatives to Hydromorph Gull confirm the game’s depth in card choice.

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Hydromorph Gull MTG card by a specific set like Torment, 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 Hydromorph Gull and other MTG cards: