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Bristling Hydra

Creature — Hydra

When this creature enters, you get {E}{E}{E} (three energy counters).
Pay {E}{E}{E}: Put a +1/+1 counter on this creature. It gains hexproof until end of turn.

CMC
4
Mana cost
{2}{G}{G}
Color identity
G
Rarity
rare
Set
Kaladesh Promos
Price
—
EDHREC rank
#17369
Buy on TCGplayer
Bristling Hydra card art
Bristling Hydra enters as a 4/3 that shrugs off single-target removal by spending an energy counter to grant itself hexproof until end of turn — and with Wulfgar of Icewind Dale doubling its attack trigger, it generates energy fast enough to stay protected turn after turn. Four mana for a self-protecting threat that punishes interaction-heavy tables is a strong rate.

Format Analysis

Where it lives, where it can’t

FormatVerdict
commander legal
legacy legal
modern legal
pioneer legal
standard not legal
vintage legal
pauper not legal
oathbreaker legal

In Commander, Bristling Hydra earns its slot in any green stompy or energy shell as a resilient mid-game threat that forces opponents to waste removal or attack into a hexproof blocker. In competitive Constructed formats like Modern and Pioneer, Bristling Hydra is outclassed by faster threats and hasn't seen meaningful tournament play — the rate is real but the speed is wrong. Legacy and Vintage have the same problem amplified; four mana is an eternity when the format's clock starts on turn one. Oathbreaker is the closest non-Commander equivalent where it can shine, particularly in green energy strategies with a supporting planeswalker.

Key Combos

Combo lines featuring this card

Price Context

Current price

unknown tier

Price data for Bristling Hydra isn't available in the current feed, so check Scryfall or TCGPlayer for a live number. Given its narrow competitive profile and Commander-only demand, it tends to sit in the bulk-rare range — easy to pick up without breaking a budget.

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Sources

Mentioned

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Updated . Data from Scryfall, EDHREC, and Commander Spellbook.