Whiptongue Hydra MTG Card


Whiptongue Hydra can decimate multiple flying threats, reshaping the board state to your favor. The Hydra’s presence acts as a resource saver and a strategic influencer in matches. Its specific mana cost and late-game play can be a trade-off for the power it offers.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Lizard Hydra
Abilities Reach
Power 4
Toughness 4

Text of card

Reach When Whiptongue Hydra enters the battlefield, destroy all creatures with flying. Put a +1/+1 counter on Whiptongue Hydra for each creature destroyed this way.

"Where'd all the birds go?" —Kaldrin, jungle sightseer


Cards like Whiptongue Hydra

Whiptongue Hydra carves its niche amongst creature cards with impactful board presence in Magic: The Gathering. It stands shoulder to shoulder with other green creature spells like Bane of Progress, which also excels in removing noncreature permanents. Bane of Progress might not target flying creatures specifically, but it wipes clean all artifacts and enchantments, potentially altering the game state more broadly.

Another comparison is with the card Hornet Queen. Similarities emerge with the production of flying insect tokens that Hornet Queen offers. However, Whiptongue Hydra’s ability to destroy all flying creatures upon entering the battlefield provides an immediate answer to aerial threats whereas Hornet Queen primarily serves as a defensive play, generating multiple blockers.

Lastly, engendering parallels with Cyclone Summoner, both cards have profound board altering effects. While Cyclone Summoner focuses on returning non-Giants to their owner’s hands, Whiptongue Hydra offers a permanent solution to flying creatures. Nevertheless, its power lies in its targeted removal, ensuring that your ground forces remain unchallenged from above.

Whiptongue Hydra therefore holds its ground in Magic: The Gathering as a valuable card for those seeking to dominate the skies and maintain control of the battlefield.

Bane of Progress - MTG Card versions
Hornet Queen - MTG Card versions
Cyclone Summoner - MTG Card versions
Bane of Progress - MTG Card versions
Hornet Queen - MTG Card versions
Cyclone Summoner - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Whiptongue Hydra provides significant card advantage particularly in games with multiple opponents. Upon entering the battlefield, this formidable creature gives you the edge by potentially destroying numerous opposing flyers in one sweep, gearing you up for a dominant position in the game.

Resource Acceleration: Although Whiptongue Hydra doesn’t directly generate mana or tokens, the card itself acts as resource acceleration by potentially saving on the mana and cards you’d otherwise spend dealing with aerial threats. It effectively accelerates your game plan by helping maintain board presence without additional resource investment.

Instant Speed: While Whiptongue Hydra is not an instant itself, the mere knowledge that it could be cast can influence your opponents’ actions. The latent threat of Whiptongue Hydra instantly punishing flyers can discourage opponents from developing their aerial forces or bait out removal spells, enabling you to maneuver the game to your advantage.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Whiptongue Hydra doesn’t have a discard requirement, it’s important to note the potential downsides of cards that do. Discarding can be especially detrimental when your hand is already depleting, and you’re in need of options.

Specific Mana Cost: Whiptongue Hydra needs a specific composition of mana, precisely one green and five others, to be cast. This can sometimes be challenging, especially in multicolor decks that might struggle with consistent access to green mana resources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost totaling six mana, Whiptongue Hydra is on the higher end of the mana spectrum. This means that you’ll often have to wait several turns before you can play it, potentially giving faster-paced decks an advantage in the early to mid-game stages.


Reasons to Include Whiptongue Hydra in Your Collection

Versatility: Whiptongue Hydra serves as a powerful creature in your green deck that not only poses a significant threat but also deals with flying creatures efficiently. This card can adapt to a variety of game plans, whether you want to keep the board clear of pesky flyers or need a robust creature on the ground.

Combo Potential: This hydra brings a unique combo potential by synergizing well with effects that trigger upon destroying a creature. Integrating cards that benefit from creatures dying or creature ETB (Enter The Battlefield) effects, Whiptongue Hydra can become a lynchpin in a deck that seeks to maximize value from such interactions.

Meta-Relevance: With the prevalence of flying creatures in various decks across multiple formats, Whiptongue Hydra maintains relevance by serving as a handy solution to a common battlefield problem. In a meta heavy with flying tokens or powerful flying creatures, this hydra can deftly turn the tide of battle in your favor.


How to beat

The Whiptongue Hydra card presents a significant challenge on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. This creature’s noteworthy ability to destroy all flyers when it enters the battlefield makes it a force against decks that rely heavily on flying creatures. To effectively counteract its presence, it’s advantageous to run removal spells that can target and eliminate the Hydra before its ability triggers. Cards like Murder or Doom Blade are excellent examples of spells that can be employed to dispatch the Hydra swiftly.

Alternatively, including counterspells such as Counterspell or Negate in your deck can prevent the Hydra from ever entering the play, thus preserving your aerial forces. It’s also beneficial to minimize reliance on flying creatures if you anticipate encountering Whiptongue Hydra regularly. Opt for versatile creatures that offer value whether they’re on the battlefield or in the graveyard, such as Reassembling Skeleton or resilient creatures like Dauntless Escort to safeguard your board against such sweeping effects.

Understanding your opponent’s strategy and maintaining preparedness for threatening cards like Whiptongue Hydra can turn the tides in your favor. Keeping removals or counters at the ready is the key to ensuring that this potent creature doesn’t overwhelm you with its game-changing entry.


BurnMana Recommendations

Stepping into the arena of MTG means adapting to rapid shifts in gameplay and staying ahead of your opponents’ strategies. With its capacity to clear the skies of flyers, Whiptongue Hydra is a formidable addition to any green deck that values control and dominance over the game state. Whether it’s enhancing your board presence or solidifying your defenses, this hydra can provide an edge against decks soaring with aerial threats. We encourage you to further explore the potential of Whiptongue Hydra and other game-changing creatures. For a more in-depth analysis and advanced strategies, join us and deepen your mastery of MTG.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Whiptongue Hydra MTG card by a specific set like Treasure Chest and Commander 2018, 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 Whiptongue Hydra and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Whiptongue Hydra Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-11-16 and 2022-02-18. Illustrated by Tomasz Jedruszek.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-11-16Treasure ChestPZ2 706572015NormalBlackTomasz Jedruszek
22018-08-09Commander 2018C18 362015NormalBlackTomasz Jedruszek
32022-02-18Neon Dynasty CommanderNEC 1342015NormalBlackTomasz Jedruszek

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Whiptongue Hydra has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2018-07-13 A creature with indestructible or a creature that regenerates won't count as having been “destroyed this way.”
2018-07-13 If a creature with flying would be destroyed, but an Aura with the totem armor ability is destroyed instead, Whiptongue Hydra won't count that creature or that Aura as a “creature destroyed this way.”