Hylda of the Icy Crown MTG Card


Hylda enhances gameplay by offering extra spell-casting from exiled cards, enriching strategic options. Instant speed activation permits flexible, tactical responses advantageous in fluctuating game states. While potent, Hylda’s discard activation cost and specific mana needs may limit her versatility.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Warlock
Abilities Scry
Power 3
Toughness 4

Text of card

Whenever you tap an untapped creature an opponent controls, you may pay . When you do, choose one — • Create a 4/4 white and blue Elemental creature token. • Put a +1/+1 counter on each creature you control. • Scry 2, then draw a card.


Cards like Hylda of the Icy Crown

Hylda of the Icy Crown makes a cool entrance among creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, joining the ranks of those with potent tap and untap abilities. In looking at comparable cards, Vizier of Tumbling Sands comes to mind. The Vizier also offers the flexibility to untap another target permanent. Unlike Hylda, however, it doesn’t pack the same potential for repetitive untapping, since it lacks the ability to untap itself after casting a noncreature spell.

Derevi, Empyrial Tactician shares some similarities with Hylda, providing a way to untap or tap a permanent whenever it enters the battlefield or a creature you control deals combat damage to a player. Here, Derevi’s strength lies in repeated untap triggers not solely dependent on spell casting, giving it a wider reach in multiple strategies. Yet, Hylda allows for a more condensed synergy with spellslinger decks, which Derevi doesn’t specifically enhance.

A creature that more closely parallels the untap synergy of Hylda is Murkfiend Liege, which untaps all creatures you control during each other player’s untap step. While not elementally focused on spellcasting, Murkfiend Liege does lay down persistent untap support. However, Hylda’s individual untap mechanism is uniquely positioned to leverage instant and sorcery spells, showcasing its niche in spell-focused decks within the MTG environment.

Vizier of Tumbling Sands - MTG Card versions
Derevi, Empyrial Tactician - MTG Card versions
Murkfiend Liege - MTG Card versions
Vizier of Tumbling Sands - MTG Card versions
Derevi, Empyrial Tactician - MTG Card versions
Murkfiend Liege - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Hylda of the Icy Crown by color, type and mana cost

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Ayesha Tanaka - MTG Card versions
Hazerider Drake - MTG Card versions
Harbor Guardian - MTG Card versions
Kangee, Aerie Keeper - MTG Card versions
Benalish Heralds - MTG Card versions
Glimmering Angel - MTG Card versions
Sawtooth Loon - MTG Card versions
Mirror Wall - MTG Card versions
Brago, King Eternal - MTG Card versions
Grand Arbiter Augustin IV - MTG Card versions
Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker - MTG Card versions
Meddling Kids - MTG Card versions
Thistledown Liege - MTG Card versions
Swans of Bryn Argoll - MTG Card versions
Skymark Roc - MTG Card versions
Hussar Patrol - MTG Card versions
Ascended Lawmage - MTG Card versions
Coastline Chimera - MTG Card versions
Thunderclap Wyvern - MTG Card versions
Taigam, Ojutai Master - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Hylda of the Icy Crown offers a unique path to card advantage by allowing players to potentially cast additional spells from among cards they’ve exiled, increasing options and strategic depth during play.

Resource Acceleration: This powerful card can help ramp up your resources. By providing alternative casting conditions, it aids in playing high-impact spells sooner than usual, giving players a solid edge in resource acceleration.

Instant Speed: Hylda of the Icy Crown’s abilities can be activated at instant speed, providing flexibility in response to opponents’ actions. This immediate utility allows players to adapt to dynamic game states, making tactical decisions on the fly.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Hylda of the Icy Crown’s activation cost involves discarding a card, which could be a setback if you are already dealing with a depleted hand. It forces players to make tough decisions about resource management and could potentially lead to a disadvantage if valuable cards need to be thrown away to fuel her abilities.

Specific Mana Cost: With a requirement for specific mana combinations including both snow mana and conventional colored mana, Hylda of the Icy Crown might not fit smoothly into any deck. Ensuring you have the right mana at the right time can be challenging, especially in multicolor decks that don’t focus on snow permanents.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite her powerful abilities, Hylda comes with a relatively high casting cost which might not always align with the tempo of the game. Faster decks could outpace the value you’d gain from playing her, and in some scenarios, you may find that investing in lower-cost creatures or spells accelerates your strategy more effectively.


Reasons to Include Hylda of the Icy Crown in Your Collection

Versatility: Hylda of the Icy Crown can be an asset in various deck builds, particularly those that thrive on spell synergy and control. Its ability to manipulate the pace of the game makes it a flexible addition to any player’s arsenal.

Combo Potential: The card’s unique mechanics can pair well with other cards that benefit from casting spells during opponents’ turns, setting up powerful combinations that can sway the game in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: In a game climate that rewards anticipation and adaptability, Hylda offers a counterbalance to common aggressive tactics, fortifying your position against a wide array of strategic threats.


How to beat Hylda of the Icy Crown

Hylda of the Icy Crown has emerged as a formidable card within the MTG realm. Its unique ability to continuously strengthen whenever you cast a copy spell creates an ever-growing threat on the battlefield. To counter this climbing power, players might want to aim for removal spells that can bypass the protection from instants that Hylda often benefits from. Cards such as Bloodchief’s Thirst or Baleful Mastery, which are sorceries, can address this issue by targeting her before she grows out of control.

Another strategic approach is to limit the number of copy spells the opponent can resolve. Employing counterspells like Negate or Dovin’s Veto can help to mitigate the potential chain of spells that give Hylda her strength. Additionally, utilizing enchantments such as Rest in Peace can disrupt graveyard strategies, which are often used to get the most out of copy spell synergies.

Lastly, changing the pace of the game by applying pressure with aggressive creatures or strategies can compel the opponent to respond, potentially interfering with their ability to build Hylda’s power and leaving her vulnerable to attack. By staying proactive and disrupting the opponent’s strategy, you can maintain control and eventually overcome the challenge posed by Hylda of the Icy Crown.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Hylda of the Icy Crown MTG card by a specific set like Wilds of Eldraine and Wilds of Eldraine Promos, 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 Hylda of the Icy Crown and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Hylda of the Icy Crown Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2023-09-08 and 2023-09-08. Illustrated by Ekaterina Burmak.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-09-08Wilds of EldraineWOE 3632015NormalBlackEkaterina Burmak
22023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine PromosPWOE 206s2015NormalBlackEkaterina Burmak
32023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine PromosPWOE 206p2015NormalBlackEkaterina Burmak
42023-09-08Wilds of EldraineWOE 2062015NormalBlackEkaterina Burmak

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Hylda of the Icy Crown has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2023-09-01 Hylda of the Icy Crown's ability will trigger only when an effect instructs you to tap an opponent's creature. It won't trigger if a spell or ability you control instructs an opponent to tap a creature they control. For example, if you control Tangle Wire and an opponent taps an untapped creature they control as part of the resolution of Tangle Wire's triggered ability, Hylda's ability won't trigger.