What does Rock Hydra do in Magic: The Gathering?

This creature enters with X +1/+1 counters on it. For each 1 damage that would be dealt to this creature, if it has a +1/+1 counter on it, remove a +1/+1 counter from it and prevent that 1 damage. {R}: Prevent the next 1 damage that would be dealt to this creature this turn. {R}{R}{R}: Put a +1/+1 counter on this creature. Activate only during your upkeep.

Rock Hydra | Revised Edition

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Revised Edition (3ed)
#173 • rare • English • Non-Foil

Rock Hydra

Creature — Hydra

This creature enters with X +1/+1 counters on it.

For each 1 damage that would be dealt to this creature, if it has a +1/+1 counter on it, remove a +1/+1 counter from it and prevent that 1 damage.

mountain

: Prevent the next 1 damage that would be dealt to this creature this turn.

mountain

: Put a +1/+1 counter on this creature. Activate only during your upkeep.

Illustrated by Jeff A. Menges

Links

Legalities

Not Legal

standard

Not Legal

historic

Not Legal

pioneer

Not Legal

Modern

Legal

Legacy

Not Legal

pauper

Legal

vintage

Legal

Commander

Not Legal

brawl

Not Legal

alchemy

Rulings

You can activate the activated ability that prevents damage any time, even if no source seems likely to deal damage to you in the near future. It will prevent the next 1 damage that would be dealt this turn, even if that turns out to be much later in the turn.

2008-08-01 • wotc

If damage that would be dealt to Rock Hydra can't be prevented, you still remove a +1/+1 counter from it for each 1 damage dealt.

2008-08-01 • wotc

If put onto the battlefield without casting it from your hand, X will be zero.

2004-10-04 • wotc

Once on the battlefield, the X is considered to be zero when calculating its mana cost.

2004-10-04 • wotc