Apocalypse Hydra MTG Card


Brings formidable board presence that scales with mana investment, creating a high-impact play. Instant-speed ability allows tactical responses, adding versatility in gameplay situations. Demands specific mana colors, presenting a deck-building challenge to optimize its potential.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityMythic
TypeCreature — Hydra
Power 0
Toughness 0

Text of card

Apocalypse Hydra comes into play with X +1/+1 counters on it. If X is 5 or more, it comes into play with an additional X +1/+1 counters on it. , Remove a +1/+1 counter from Apocalypse Hydra: Apocalypse Hydra deals 1 damage to target creature or player.


Cards like Apocalypse Hydra

Apocalypse Hydra stands out among Magic: The Gathering’s vast array of formidable multicolored creatures. One relative is the Savageborn Hydra, which shares the feature of coming into play with X +1/+1 counters. Where Savageborn Hydra offers the ability to double its power for an aggressive mid-to-late game, Apocalypse Hydra brings a more immediate board impact via its damage ability targeting creatures or players when cast with a substantial amount of mana.

Comparing to another kin, the Primordial Hydra also revels in the growth with +1/+1 counters over time, potentially dwarfing Apocalypse Hydra in size. However, it doesn’t offer the same direct damage versatility upon entry. For those looking for an impact upon casting, the Hydra Broodmaster might come to mind, which monopolizes on creating a vast army of Hydra tokens but lacks the direct utility against opponents’ creatures or their life total.

Overall, while other Hydra creatures embody pure growth or token generation, Apocalypse Hydra offers a unique blend of immediate threat and versatility, making it a compelling choice for players who enjoy flexible strategies and demand a presence that can alter the board state upon arrival. Its combination of dynamic play and impact potential craft its own niche within the Hydra genre.

Savageborn Hydra - MTG Card versions
Primordial Hydra - MTG Card versions
Hydra Broodmaster - MTG Card versions
Savageborn Hydra - MTG Card versions
Primordial Hydra - MTG Card versions
Hydra Broodmaster - MTG Card versions

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

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Voltaic Brawler - MTG Card versions
Spined Sliver - MTG Card versions
Yavimaya Barbarian - MTG Card versions
Firebrand Ranger - MTG Card versions
Horned Kavu - MTG Card versions
Gallia of the Endless Dance - MTG Card versions
Vexing Shusher - MTG Card versions
Gruul Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Hajar, Loyal Bodyguard - MTG Card versions
Burning-Tree Emissary - MTG Card versions
Tin Street Hooligan - MTG Card versions
Scab-Clan Mauler - MTG Card versions
Tattermunge Witch - MTG Card versions
Nacatl Outlander - MTG Card versions
Rip-Clan Crasher - MTG Card versions
Flinthoof Boar - MTG Card versions
Skarrg Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Disciple of the Old Ways - MTG Card versions
Zhur-Taa Druid - MTG Card versions
Satyr Hedonist - MTG Card versions
Voltaic Brawler - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Apocalypse Hydra offers significant firepower on entry, with the potential to place a substantial number of +1/+1 counters based on the mana invested. This can create a formidable presence on the board and can outpace the opponent’s ability to deal with it, especially if you manage to generate a high count of counters, essentially netting you multiple creature’s worth of power and toughness in a single card.

Resource Acceleration: While Apocalypse Hydra itself does not directly provide resource acceleration, it greatly benefits from decks that ramp up mana. In such decks, this creature quickly turns into a massive threat. The bigger your mana resources grow, the more devastating your Apocalypse Hydra becomes upon casting, rewarding you for any sort of mana ramping you’ve been able to accomplish up to that point.

Instant Speed: Apocalypse Hydra’s activated ability, which allows you to remove +1/+1 counters to deal damage to any target, can be activated at instant speed. This grants you flexibility to remove threats or finish off an opponent on their turn, keeping you interactive and responsive during the match. It’s a level of tactical adaptability that can tip the scales in your favor during tightly contested games.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Apocalypse Hydra doesn’t directly ask players to discard, building up enough mana to make it a worthwhile play can lead to situations where you’re discarding other cards for greater mana efficiency. This potential indirect effect can be detrimental to maintaining hand advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Apocalypse Hydra demands a heavy commitment of both red and green mana to cast, which can prove challenging in multicolored decks that may not have the necessary mana base to support such a cost effectively.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The initial mana investment for Apocalypse Hydra is quite steep. It requires at least five mana to hit the board—two of which must be red—which can be a substantial cost, especially if you are hoping to capitalize on its multikicker ability to make it more formidable. In the fast-paced game environment, other lower costing creatures or spells might offer more immediate board presence or utility.


Reasons to Include Apocalypse Hydra in Your Collection

Versatility: Apocalypse Hydra is a flexible tool in any deck builder’s arsenal. It shines in decks that capitalize on +1/+1 counters or mana ramp, affording hefty battlefield presence that adapts to various game states.

Combo Potential: This hydra’s ability to scale with your mana makes it a prime candidate for explosive combos. It pairs well with cards that double counters or generate surplus mana, unlocking potential for devastating plays.

Meta-Relevance: Given its scalability, Apocalypse Hydra finds its place in a dynamic meta. It can quickly adjust to the tempo of aggressive decks while holding its ground as a formidable barrier against control-oriented opponents.


How to beat

Combating the power of Apocalypse Hydra from Magic: The Gathering requires strategic play and an understanding of its mechanics. This formidable creature grows based on the amount of mana used to cast it. Thus, one of the most straightforward strategies for defeating Apocalypse Hydra is countering it during casting. Blue decks, abundant with counter spells like Mana Leak or Counterspell, can prevent the Hydra from ever entering the battlefield.

Should the Hydra make it onto the board, removal spells that do not rely on damage, like Path to Exile or Murder, are highly effective as they bypass the Hydra’s potentially massive size. It’s also critical to manage your opponent’s mana resources. Land destruction or restricting spells can limit the potential growth of Apocalypse Hydra, making it a more manageable threat. Additionally, cards that can exile or bounce creatures back to the owner’s hand can provide temporary relief or a reset on the field, forcing your opponent to spend valuable resources if they wish to replay their creature.

While Apocalypse Hydra may appear daunting, establishing a controlled pace and keeping a carefully constructed hand can ensure your victory against this colossal adversary.


BurnMana Recommendations

Apocalypse Hydra is a card that rewards strategic deck-building and offers a powerful punch. Its potential for creating a significant board presence and flexing instant speed tactics can turn the tides in your favor. Whether you’re looking to bolster your mana ramp deck or seeking a versatile threat that can adapt on the fly, this card deserves consideration. Your MTG experience can flourish by integrating cards that not only challenge your opponents but also inspire creative gameplay. For deck-builders hungry for impactful plays and a card that scales with your resources, Apocalypse Hydra might be just what you need. Explore more strategies and card synergies to truly unlock the power of your deck with Apocalypse Hydra.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Apocalypse Hydra MTG card by a specific set like Conflux and Modern Masters 2015, 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 Apocalypse Hydra and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Apocalypse Hydra Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2009-02-06 and 2018-06-08. Illustrated by Jason Chan.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12009-02-06ConfluxCON 982003NormalBlackJason Chan
22015-05-22Modern Masters 2015MM2 1712015NormalBlackJason Chan
32018-06-08BattlebondBBD 2172015NormalBlackJason Chan

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Apocalypse Hydra has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2009-02-01 For example, if X is 4, Apocalypse Hydra enters the battlefield with four +1/+1 counters on it, but if X is 5, it enters the battlefield with ten +1/+1 counters on it.
2009-02-01 The first ability checks the number you chose for X, not the amount of mana you actually spent.