Eat your heart out, Vorel. Yeah, you can do a lot of other stuff, but I was most interested in doubling +1/+1 counters on my creatures and attacking with them. Kalonian Hydra does that so much better. Like Sam Black said, he's a lord for Hydras. http://www.wizards.com/magic/magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/deck/1268
I just *love* the synergy of this card with both scavenge and evolve from the most recent block. Nice to see those mechanics getting backed up in the following core set.
After Thragtusk rotates out this guy definitely has a chance at the 5 mana slot, given that on his first swing he's an 8/8 for 5 with pseudo-evasion that can give you even more power if you have any other creatures with counters.
leingodf8
★★★★☆ (4.1/5.0)(7 votes)
When I first read this card: Oh thats cool I guess, a bit better primordial hydra is fine.
Second read over: Does that say each creature? Mind = Blown
TheWrathofShane
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
Going to be a constructed bomb. Card text reads, remove me or have serious problems next turn.
Avensai
★★★★☆ (4.4/5.0)(8 votes)
Guys, guys, guys! This follows Ogre Battledriver in a midrange curve. Take a moment to consider how disgusting that is.
NARFNra
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(2 votes)
Christ. Out of bolt range, absolutely *** with haste, an 8/8 by the time it attacks for 5 (and in green, this means it's probably coming out turn 3 or so) and it makes everything else you have terrifying.
Yeah, this is. Kind of insane.
sweetgab
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(3 votes)
Exava into this is pretty good.
Let's dream: T1 Elvish Mystic T3 Exava, Rakdos Blood Witch unleashed T4 Kalonian Hydra, attack for 13 (Exava has 2 counters and is a 5/5, Hydra is 8/8) T5 Kalonian Hydra, two triggers, everything has counters quadrupled Exava has 8 counters and is an 11/11 #1 Hydra is 32/32, #2 Hydra is 16/16 Attack for 59 damage, most of it with trample
link3343
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
Scary card. Great in limited, but i feel we've reached a point in standard history where a 5 drop should make an impact on the game the moment it enters the battlefield. It sucks to feel that way, but its the way of games overtime. Look at Thundermaw Hellkite. Thragtusk
I'm scared to play him, and for him to get Doom Bladed. Prolly run a few other threats before hand, make sure your opponent has used up all his/her removal. Can't wait to end of opponents turn, Savage Summoning this, next turn attack for 10/10 trample, pumping up my other evolve creatures or what not.
Ogonomany
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(2 votes)
I think this guy's got a shot at standard play. As everyone's said, your five drops need to do something when they hit the board, and this guy doesn't. However, with something like Exava, Rakdos Blood Witch on the field or end of turn Savage Summoning, this guy could provide quite the beating. Even so, this is a card that must be answered immediately.
Regardless, this is a limited super bomb and will probably be a casual favorite for a long time.
The_Trendkill
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(2 votes)
Hydras are always appealing to Timmy, but the one is also appealing to Spike because the power level is so high. Primordial Hydra was always merely fun, Savageborn Hydra is very dangerous, but this one is the best by a mile. Look out.
Trygon_Predator
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(2 votes)
Strange how well plays with considering they're "enemy colors". Between them, there's plenty of +1/+1 counter synergy to go around. And bounce in goes very well with trample in - bounce a blocker, and Kalonian Hydra can deal all its damage to the opponent. And on top of that, the art is spectacular and really evokes a massive creature. Fantastic big creature, and a worthy addition to Green's signature tribe. Will never see Standard play, but I'm certainly going to pick up a few.
GoblinTestPilot
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(2 votes)
It's already an 8/8 trampler for 5. Just on its own. But I mean, play this card, and your Experiment Ones and Cloudfin Raptors become MAJOR threats. Not to mention that if you play this with Archangel of Thune, all of your creatures are going to have +1/+1 counters anyway. Add some Soul Sisters in there, and let the drooling ensue. :D
Tiggurix
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Pretty much the definition of "epic". Especially if you like counters.
SirMalkin
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Welp, Primordial Hydra may have just lost his place in my Simic EDH deck.
Holy hell. Pulled one in my sealed pool today. Every game I got him out, I smashed and crushed. Turns out a 16/16 with Double Strike (courtesy of Fireshrieker) and Trample is tough to deal with. Who knew?
SyntheticDreamer
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
So, this plus Lightning Mauler. I like the idea of attacking with an 8/8 trampler with haste very early on in the game...with the right ramp, of course.
WarioMan
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
As a HUGE fan of Simic, I'm liking this guy a LOT.
And thus Simic/Modular decks rejoiced with the release of a Doubling Season in creature form tailor made for them
RandomGuyx
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@layk play primordial hydra a turn after the kalonian and see which is scarier.....
TheDanath
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Unless im missing something dreadbore, Doomblade, Selesnya Charm(after it has its counters) and deathtouch are the only ways to deal with this effectively in standard.
It may not have the ability's of some other cards but other then the above mentioned cards and ability if this gets to attack even once it is most likely going to win you the game.
Flyheight
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I'm not quite sure how, but i managed to beat kalonian hydra and its clone. By my turn 5 my opponent has played nothing while i have been slowly working my way through his life points and managed to get him down to 8 via the new 3/3 for GG. Opponent's T5 hydra stops me cold. Opponent's T6 clone, copying hydra, swing with first hydra making both himself and the clone 8/8s. Lucky me had a celestial flare for that one. But i still can't swing back and i have no more kill cards in hand. But i do have a 5/5 groundshaker sliver to drop. T7 the clone rumbles in as a 16/16 and drops me straight from 20 to 4; then he drops a blocker in front of my exactly lethal on the board creature presence. My turn i get bone lucky and rip the new fight card (hunt the weak) off the top of my library, neutralize his blocker, and swing in for game on the one turn i have before a 32/32 trampler squishes me.
evenintheshower
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Along comes the Kalonian Hydra, made uncounterable by Savage Summoning and having haste as a result of being soulbonded with Lightning Mauler! It bears down on me, getting ready to swing, and then
Suddenly, it becomes a 3/3 Green Frog Lizard...awww, how cute! Can I take him home?
Fun card, but it doesn't exactly warp the meta. Swinging in with an army of creatures with +1/+1 counters is problematic for opponents. Left unchecked means quick death, but the same can be said for many other cards.
I don't know. It can be a great card that can end games fast, but there are many answers to it.
Purplerooster
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
It bothers me that he doesn't have 4 or eight heads....
majinara
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
It's a great addition to any deck involving +1/+1 counters. And good by itself in limited.
DarthMohawk1
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Strictly a beater, but a beater of the highest caliber. Once you play it, your opponent has two turns to find their Doom Blade before they get trampled to death. Also, somehow you can get this for five mana when the typical 8/8 beater usually goes for six.
badmalloc
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
ridiculous. 5/5
raptorman333
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Vigor = no reason not to attack every turn for safe measure you could throw an Alpha Authority on this guy or regeneration... or both
Turn 1: Stomping Ground, Arbor Elf Turn 2: Overgrown Tomb, Renegade Krasis Turn 3: Jund land, Exava unleashed, Krasis evolves for another counter on Exava. Swing for 9. Turn 4: Jund land, Kalonian Hydra, evolves Krasis, which adds another counter on each Exava and Hydra. Swing for 26 on turn four, lethal. This is why I hate Jund. They also have Scavenging Ooze, Doom Blade, The Emmisary/Boar combo, Abrupt Decay, etc...
Ascandu
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
T1 1 forest play Elvish Mystic T2 1 mountain tap Elvish Mystic for 1 green mana play Infernal Plunge and sacrifice Elvish Mystic then play Kalonian Hydra T3 Attack with an 8/8 Kalonian Hydra and you have 3 free mana to use how you like. Maybe a phytoburst + a giant growth (16/16) with trample, or a armed / dangerous card for the armed effect +1/+1 and double strike and you can add in a giant growth (12/12) double strike and trample), or another creature that has counters of some sort.
Aremath
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Dies to Tragic Slip. Sometimes. Point removal is mostly useless against it unless you cast it the turn it comes out. All Thragtusk does is increase your clock by a turn. With Gavony Township, you can get pretty good value out of it even if it dies. Turn and Burn doesn't kill it. And if you can't answer it quickly, you just lose. Ramped out T3 by Elves.dec, it can be really scary. I think it's very constructed playable, but not completely broken. (And really nice for my Vorel of the Hull Clade EDH deck :D)
Faelivri
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Holy sweet mother of Simic + Golgari, also known as BUG. This will be ridiculous in deck like this. Master Biomancer Corpsejack Menace I'm expecting to see some crazy combos. The Simic can grow anything out of a puddle of sludge. I just hope they never join forces with the Golgari." —Teysa Karlov, Grand Envoy of Orzhov. You said it first, Teysa.
inmused
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This card is a game changer. I win within 2 rounds everytime I get it down.
mdakw576
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
What makes this any better than Wolfir Silverheart?
- They are both 3GG and have a base of 4/4.
- Without any special synergy or help (aside from just having a random creature in play), Wolfir becomes an 8/8 while the hydra needs to attack once before it gets to 8/8.
- Wolfir immediately gives one of your other creatures +4/+4 with the only restriction being that it cannot be paired before Wolfir etb's, while the Hydra only interacts with +1/+1 counters. This also allows the paired creature with Wolfir to swing with the buff right after wolfir etb's.
While it's true that the hydra is better with haste, has innate trample, will become much bigger than Wolfir if it attacks twice, and can potentially buff a lot more creatures than Wolfir can, Wolfir is more reliable (it doesn't need any special cards or help to function other than just having random creatures out), is better when you are on the defensive (when it etb's if it soulbonds with another creature you put 12 extra power on the board, while the Hydra only provided 4), and will have a better immediate impact on the board (if the creature wolfir pairs with can attack, wolfir will give it +4/+4 now). In other words, Wolfir is usually better when you are unable to get the support needed out for it, and Wolfir is better on the first 1-2 turns it's in play, while the Hydra is better the longer it's out.
There's a reason why Thragtusk is the premier 5-drop green creature in standard while Wolfir barely did anything. Thragtusk gave you more immediate and guaranteed value (fused turn/burn notwithstanding) despite the fact that the Wolfir could do more damage if it was able to survive longer. When Wolfir will usually be more reliable than Hydra at doing what they want to do (just smash face) and is more likely to give you more immediate and guaranteed value, why would anyone play the Hydra?
Cataplexis
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This card was my very first draw in booster draft. My first three games I demolished with him. Until Doom Blade of course...
Fiery_Artificer
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Kalonian Clock also seems fitting.
Mephy.
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I like this one better than its predecessor's Primordial Hydra. This one has a bigger effect (each creature) but higher risk (attacking).
Continue
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
hydra hydra hydra hydra hydra hydra hydra HYDRA HYDRA HYDRA! And it's an awesome one too! I can see myself using this guy in Standard.
edit: Okay, just made a deck with him and played a few matches. Went 5-0. Dear lord, I think I'm in love. Keep in mind that this is a post-rotation decklist.
This card feels so much like Wolfir Silverheart, my favorite green card since it been standard legal. That's right I said it, prime Titan green sun zenith thragtusk, none of them compare to a powerhouse like Wolfir in my opinion coming down turn 3-5 and havin an immediate threat to the board, the only thing Wolfir couldn't do is sustain a board state on his own. HYDRA CAN! So many times I'd sit on my opponents turn waiting for him to not wrath and say go, when he wraths I lose all advantage from Silverheart til I get another creature which I would have to play prior to Silverheart because they would just kill him. Kalonian hydra post wrath is what I want to be doing. Verdict, ok, you have no doom blades or mizzium mortars the turn I play him? Have dealing with my 8/8 along all my evolve creatures. Mono green will be a deck I can see it now. With experiment one mana dorks this guy will shine in many decks I feel. Probably the best green card to come out of m14.
Zylo-
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(2 votes)
This card screams power. This is one of those cards that if they don't have an answer for it immediately, you will probably win the game on the next turn...
With Mana Ramp in Green, you can easily get this guy out turn 3.. This card is begging for a pair of Lightning Greaves.
The artwork is nice. The Hydra looks badass... The flavour text made me smile.. Even Baloths fear it's feeding time...
I pulled this out of my very first pack of M14, hoping to find a few more!
A very Mythic card. Solid.
Basilica_Syndicate
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Now don't get me wrong, doubling the counters on all your creatures is great, but it almost doesn't matter! This Hydra ends games all by himself, and not just in 1v1 games, but any size multiplayer game. 5/5
This + Necropolis Regent = ??? I pulled one from a pack at FNM, put it in my BG Beats, and on game one untapped it then played a Rogue's Passage. It was too bad my Fireshrieker got Naturalized on turn 4, because that would have been hilarious. *EDIT- The Ordeal cycle coming up makes this even better, as if it needed help.
HotHit
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
One of many reasons I pack a full playset of Mizzium Mortars.
Nashoud
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Theoretically, you can deal 3240 trample damage on turn 8 with a single Kalonian Hydra as long as you have 4x Corpsejack Menace in play by then (possible, if unlikely). Playing a second Kalonian Hydra on turn 7 instead of Corpsejack Menace may yield even higher numbers if you play 2x Corpsejack Menace on turn 8, but I'm tired of doing math for today.
4wolf359
★★★★☆ (4.5/5.0)(3 votes)
Pastor: "Ghave, Guru of Spores, do you take this multi-headed hellbeast as your lawfully wedded wife?" Ghave: "We are gonna have soooooooooo many babies..."
Arachnos
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
Well this can grow out of proportion pretty fast.
Gm13p
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
This card made me swing for 96 w/trample in a recent game, which made me happy.
Phase one: ramp, put an Hydra Phase two: Prophet of Kruphix Phase three: flash two other Hydras during your opponents turn Phase four: swing with three 32/32 with trample (if you attacked with your first Hydra, it's 128 damage)
assume each turn you play a land turn 2: strionic resonator turn 3: vorel of the hull clade turn 4: corpsejack menace turn 5: this. has 8 counters. tap vorel, menaces ability "triggers" (doesn't use whenever, when, or at)24 counters. turn 6: tap vorel, menaces ability "triggers" 72 counters, attack with hydra, tap resonator, hydra is now a 504/504 with trample. say to your opponent "YOU DIE!!!!!!" unless he has a card with indestructibility or protection from green, or a divine verdict. edit: I rechecked my math, and realized he would actually be a 648/648. I'm not sure every non-indestructible non-protection from him creature in ravnica could stop him from dealing damage to you.
Hunter of Eyeblights, where are you? I think we're going to need the help of you and others like you to get this thing manageable (read: dead and gone)...
Slaughterswag
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I don't know about you, but I think this dude is pretty cool. He buffs himself up! That is like a human who creates coffee out of thin air.
thePROJECTION
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
How to win games with one card: the hydra
RagingGoblinGrenade
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Behold! The lord a tribal Hydra deck was looking for!
Comments (66)
-Master Biomancer
@ Sabisent ----- Hypno Toad Smash (Plaxcaster Frogling)
http://www.wizards.com/magic/magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/deck/1268
In Standard (just after the M14 release) we have
Blessings of Nature, Champion of Lambholt, Corpsejack Menace, Exava, Rakdos Blood Witch, Falkenrath Exterminator, Gavony Township, Increasing Savagery, Ivy Lane Denizen, Master Biomancer, Mikaeus, the Lunarch, Necropolis Regent, Predator Ooze, Primordial Hydra, Ring of Valkas, Ring of Kalonia, Sapphire Drake and Crowned Ceratok, Savageborn Hydra, Scavenging Ooze, and Vastwood Hydra. Not to mention the pumping Vampires, Undying, Evolve, Scavenge, and Unleash.
After Thragtusk rotates out this guy definitely has a chance at the 5 mana slot, given that on his first swing he's an 8/8 for 5 with pseudo-evasion that can give you even more power if you have any other creatures with counters.
Second read over: Does that say each creature? Mind = Blown
Yeah, this is. Kind of insane.
Let's dream:
T1 Elvish Mystic
T3 Exava, Rakdos Blood Witch unleashed
T4 Kalonian Hydra, attack for 13 (Exava has 2 counters and is a 5/5, Hydra is 8/8)
T5 Kalonian Hydra, two triggers, everything has counters quadrupled
Exava has 8 counters and is an 11/11
#1 Hydra is 32/32, #2 Hydra is 16/16
Attack for 59 damage, most of it with trample
I'm scared to play him, and for him to get Doom Bladed. Prolly run a few other threats before hand, make sure your opponent has used up all his/her removal.
Can't wait to end of opponents turn, Savage Summoning this, next turn attack for 10/10 trample, pumping up my other evolve creatures or what not.
Regardless, this is a limited super bomb and will probably be a casual favorite for a long time.
And on top of that, the art is spectacular and really evokes a massive creature. Fantastic big creature, and a worthy addition to Green's signature tribe. Will never see Standard play, but I'm certainly going to pick up a few.
Holy hell. Pulled one in my sealed pool today. Every game I got him out, I smashed and crushed. Turns out a 16/16 with Double Strike (courtesy of Fireshrieker) and Trample is tough to deal with. Who knew?
It may not have the ability's of some other cards but other then the above mentioned cards and ability if this gets to attack even once it is most likely going to win you the game.
Rapid Hybridization
Suddenly, it becomes a 3/3 Green Frog Lizard...awww, how cute! Can I take him home?
Fun card, but it doesn't exactly warp the meta. Swinging in with an army of creatures with +1/+1 counters is problematic for opponents. Left unchecked means quick death, but the same can be said for many other cards.
I don't know. It can be a great card that can end games fast, but there are many answers to it.
for safe measure you could throw an Alpha Authority on this guy or regeneration... or both
Turn 2: Overgrown Tomb, Renegade Krasis
Turn 3: Jund land, Exava unleashed, Krasis evolves for another counter on Exava. Swing for 9.
Turn 4: Jund land, Kalonian Hydra, evolves Krasis, which adds another counter on each Exava and Hydra.
Swing for 26 on turn four, lethal.
This is why I hate Jund.
They also have Scavenging Ooze, Doom Blade, The Emmisary/Boar combo, Abrupt Decay, etc...
T2 1 mountain tap Elvish Mystic for 1 green mana play Infernal Plunge and sacrifice Elvish Mystic then play Kalonian Hydra
T3 Attack with an 8/8 Kalonian Hydra and you have 3 free mana to use how you like. Maybe a phytoburst + a giant growth (16/16) with trample, or a armed / dangerous card for the armed effect +1/+1 and double strike and you can add in a giant growth (12/12) double strike and trample), or another creature that has counters of some sort.
Master Biomancer
Corpsejack Menace
I'm expecting to see some crazy combos.
The Simic can grow anything out of a puddle of sludge. I just hope they never join forces with the Golgari."
—Teysa Karlov, Grand Envoy of Orzhov.
You said it first, Teysa.
- They are both 3GG and have a base of 4/4.
- Without any special synergy or help (aside from just having a random creature in play), Wolfir becomes an 8/8 while the hydra needs to attack once before it gets to 8/8.
- Wolfir immediately gives one of your other creatures +4/+4 with the only restriction being that it cannot be paired before Wolfir etb's, while the Hydra only interacts with +1/+1 counters. This also allows the paired creature with Wolfir to swing with the buff right after wolfir etb's.
While it's true that the hydra is better with haste, has innate trample, will become much bigger than Wolfir if it attacks twice, and can potentially buff a lot more creatures than Wolfir can, Wolfir is more reliable (it doesn't need any special cards or help to function other than just having random creatures out), is better when you are on the defensive (when it etb's if it soulbonds with another creature you put 12 extra power on the board, while the Hydra only provided 4), and will have a better immediate impact on the board (if the creature wolfir pairs with can attack, wolfir will give it +4/+4 now). In other words, Wolfir is usually better when you are unable to get the support needed out for it, and Wolfir is better on the first 1-2 turns it's in play, while the Hydra is better the longer it's out.
There's a reason why Thragtusk is the premier 5-drop green creature in standard while Wolfir barely did anything. Thragtusk gave you more immediate and guaranteed value (fused turn/burn notwithstanding) despite the fact that the Wolfir could do more damage if it was able to survive longer. When Wolfir will usually be more reliable than Hydra at doing what they want to do (just smash face) and is more likely to give you more immediate and guaranteed value, why would anyone play the Hydra?
edit: Okay, just made a deck with him and played a few matches. Went 5-0. Dear lord, I think I'm in love. Keep in mind that this is a post-rotation decklist.
4 Elvish Mystic
4 Gyre Sage
3 Scavenging Ooze
4 Elusive Krasis
4 Renegade Krasis
3 Wild Beastmaster
4 Master Biomancer
2 Fathom Mage
4 Kalonian Hydra
2 Prime Speaker Zegana
2 Garruk, Caller of Beasts
16 Forest
4 Breeding Pool
4 Simic Guildgate
I never thought I'd swing for over 100 without going infinite, but it's happened. Twice. Considering Vorel of the Hull Clade, Experiment One, and Savage Summoning as well.
With Mana Ramp in Green, you can easily get this guy out turn 3.. This card is begging for a pair of Lightning Greaves.
The artwork is nice. The Hydra looks badass... The flavour text made me smile.. Even Baloths fear it's feeding time...
I pulled this out of my very first pack of M14, hoping to find a few more!
A very Mythic card. Solid.
I pulled one from a pack at FNM, put it in my BG Beats, and on game one untapped it then played a Rogue's Passage. It was too bad my Fireshrieker got Naturalized on turn 4, because that would have been hilarious.
*EDIT- The Ordeal cycle coming up makes this even better, as if it needed help.
Playing a second Kalonian Hydra on turn 7 instead of Corpsejack Menace may yield even higher numbers if you play 2x Corpsejack Menace on turn 8, but I'm tired of doing math for today.
Ghave: "We are gonna have soooooooooo many babies..."
Phase one: ramp, put an Hydra
Phase two: Prophet of Kruphix
Phase three: flash two other Hydras during your opponents turn
Phase four: swing with three 32/32 with trample (if you attacked with your first Hydra, it's 128 damage)
My next goal in life will be
Kalonian Hydra + Rite of Replication
Swing for 1500+
Probably deserves a 5/5.
turn 2: strionic resonator
turn 3: vorel of the hull clade
turn 4: corpsejack menace
turn 5: this. has 8 counters. tap vorel, menaces ability "triggers" (doesn't use whenever, when, or at)24 counters.
turn 6: tap vorel, menaces ability "triggers" 72 counters, attack with hydra, tap resonator, hydra is now a 504/504 with trample.
say to your opponent "YOU DIE!!!!!!" unless he has a card with indestructibility or protection from green, or a divine verdict.
edit: I rechecked my math, and realized he would actually be a 648/648. I'm not sure every non-indestructible non-protection from him creature in ravnica could stop him from dealing damage to you.
Their fanclub is led by the gentle and kind marath, will of the wild together with all the ally creatures with their personal guard formed by the juniper order rangers.