Sprouting Phytohydra is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
Defender (This creature can't attack.) Whenever this creature is dealt damage, you may create a token that's a copy of this creature.
Complete guide
Sprouting Phytohydra is a resilient Plant Hydra that turns every scratch and bruise into a growing forest of defenders. Its ability to duplicate itself whenever it takes damage makes it a nightmare for opponents who rely on non-lethal combat or damage-based board wipes. Let's look at how this creature populates your battlefield through sheer persistence.
The Root of the Ability
Sprouting Phytohydra has an triggered ability that fires off whenever it is dealt any amount of damage. Crucially, this ability is optional—you 'may' create a token—and it functions even if the damage dealt is enough to destroy the Hydra. The token created is a fresh copy of the Sprouting Phytohydra, complete with Defender and the same self-copying ability.
Step-by-Step Multiplication
First, the Phytohydra must be dealt damage, whether from a spell, an ability, or combat. Once damage is marked, the triggered ability goes on the stack. When that ability resolves, you choose whether to create the token. If the original Hydra died from the damage, the game uses its 'last known information' to determine what the token looks like. The new token enters the battlefield as a new object with no damage marked on it.
Strategic Timing
Since Sprouting Phytohydra has Defender, you will primarily use it as a blocker. It is most effective against multiple small attackers, as each one blocked will trigger the creation of a new Hydra. You can also target your own Phytohydra with low-damage spells to build your board presence before your opponent's turn begins.
Common Pitfalls
Remember that the tokens created are copies of the card as printed. If your original Phytohydra has +1/+1 counters or an Aura on it, the tokens will not inherit those bonuses. Additionally, if an effect prevents the damage from being dealt entirely, the ability will not trigger at all.
Interaction examples
Roaming ThroneIf you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Hydra' chosen as the creature type, Sprouting Phytohydra's ability will trigger twice whenever it is dealt damage. This allows you to create two token copies for every single instance of damage, rapidly filling your board.
CopyWhen your Sprouting Phytohydra blocks a creature like Solemn Simulacrum, it takes damage. You may then create a token Copy of the Phytohydra. If that new token is later dealt damage, it functions exactly like the original, allowing you to create a third Hydra, and so on.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Sprouting Phytohydra
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
A token copy of Sprouting Phytohydra is created even if the damage dealt to Sprouting Phytohydra destroys it.
Card named in this ruling
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
If a token copy of Sprouting Phytohydra is dealt damage, it will create another token copy.
Card named in this ruling
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
If Cytoshape turns a creature into a copy of Sprouting Phytohydra, and that creature is dealt damage, the token that is put onto the battlefield is simply a copy of Sprouting Phytohydra. At the end of the turn, the Cytoshaped creature will revert back to what it was, but the token copying it will not.
Card named in this ruling
Popular combos
Real combos played by the community, sorted by popularity.
Sprouting Phytohydra + Marauding Raptor
- 1Cast Sprouting Phytohydra by paying
. - 2When Sprouting Phytohydra enters the battlefield, Marauding Raptor triggers, dealing 2 damage to Sprouting Phytohydra.
- 3Sprouting Phytohydra dies as a state-based action due to having zero or less toughness.
- 4Sprouting Phytohydra triggers, creating a token copy of itself.
- 5Repeat from step 2.
Sprouting Phytohydra + Aether Flash
- 1Cast Sprouting Phytohydra by paying .
- 2When Sprouting Phytohydra enters the battlefield, Aether Flash triggers, dealing 2 damage to Sprouting Phytohydra.
- 3Sprouting Phytohydra dies as a state-based action due to having zero or less toughness.
- 4Sprouting Phytohydra triggers, creating a token copy of itself.
- 5Repeat from step 2.
Sprouting Phytohydra + Goblin Bombardment
- 1Activate Goblin Bombardment by sacrificing a creature, dealing 1 damage to Sprouting Phytohydra.
- 2Sprouting Phytohydra triggers, creating a token copy of itself.
- 3Activate Goblin Bombardment by sacrificing the damaged Sprouting Phytohydra, dealing 1 damage to the remaining Sprouting Phytohydra.
- 4Repeat from step 2.
Sprouting Phytohydra + Blasting Station
- 1Activate Blasting Station by tapping it and sacrificing a creature, dealing 1 damage to Sprouting Phytohydra.
- 2Sprouting Phytohydra triggers, creating a token copy of itself.
- 3The Sprouting Phytohydra token enters the battlefield, triggering Blasting Station, untapping Blasting Station.
- 4Activate Blasting Station by tapping it and sacrificing the damaged Sprouting Phytohydra, dealing 1 damage to the remaining Sprouting Phytohydra.
- 5Repeat from step 2.
Sprouting Phytohydra + Phyrexian Altar + Pyrohemia
- 1Activate Pyrohemia by paying
, dealing 1 damage to each creature and each player. - 2Sprouting Phytohydra triggers, creating a token copy of itself.
- 3Activate Phyrexian Altar by sacrificing the damaged Sprouting Phytohydra, adding .
- 4Repeat until each opponent loses the game due to having zero or less life.
Sprouting Phytohydra + Phyrexian Altar + Pestilence
- 1Activate Pestilence by paying
, dealing 1 damage to each creature and each player. - 2Sprouting Phytohydra triggers, creating a token copy of itself.
- 3Activate Phyrexian Altar by sacrificing the damaged Sprouting Phytohydra, adding .
- 4Repeat until each opponent loses the game due to having zero or less life.
Last Laugh + Sprouting Phytohydra + Phyrexian Altar
- 1Activate Phyrexian Altar by sacrificing another creature, adding one mana of any color.
- 2The creature dies, triggering Last Laugh, dealing 1 damage to each creature and each player.
- 3Sprouting Phytohydra triggers, creating a token copy of itself.
- 4Activate Phyrexian Altar by sacrificing the damaged Sprouting Phytohydra, adding one mana of any color.
- 5Repeat from step 2.
Sprouting Phytohydra + Thermopod + Pyrohemia
- 1Activate Pyrohemia by paying , dealing 1 damage to each creature and each player.
- 2Sprouting Phytohydra triggers, creating a token copy of itself.
- 3Activate Thermopod's second ability by sacrificing the damaged Sprouting Phytohydra, adding .
- 4Repeat until each opponent loses the game due to having zero or less life.
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Meta decks with Sprouting Phytohydra
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