Hercules, Prince of PowerHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Hercules features the Power-up ability, which is an activated ability you can use exactly once per instance of the card. By paying the mana cost, you place a +1/+1 counter on Hercules and grant him vigilance, indestructible, and haste until the end of the turn. Crucially, if you activate this ability on the same turn Hercules entered the battlefield, the cost is reduced by his mana cost, making it significantly cheaper to jumpstart his power.

How It Resolves Step by Step

First, check if you have previously activated this specific Hercules's Power-up ability; if not, you may proceed. Second, determine the cost: if it is the turn he entered, the cost is {2}{G} less, effectively costing only {2}. Once you pay the mana and the ability resolves, you immediately place one +1/+1 counter on him. Finally, the keywords vigilance, indestructible, and haste are applied to him for the remainder of the current turn.

Common Mistakes

Players often forget that the cost reduction only applies on the turn Hercules enters the battlefield. If you wait until your next turn to activate Power-up, you must pay the full {4}{G}. Additionally, remember that while the +1/+1 counter is permanent, the keywords (vigilance, indestructible, and haste) expire during the cleanup step. You also cannot activate the ability a second time even if you have extra mana, as Power-up is limited to once per permanent.

When to Play It

The best time to use Power-up is often immediately after casting Hercules to take advantage of the cost reduction and the haste keyword, allowing him to attack right away. Alternatively, because it is an activated ability, you can wait until your opponent's turn to use it as a combat trick. Activating it in response to a destruction spell allows Hercules to become indestructible and survive the threat.

Interaction examples

Early Acceleration with Snakes

Sakura-Tribe Elder

On turn two, you play and sacrifice Sakura-Tribe Elder to search for a basic land. This puts you ahead on mana. On turn three, you cast Hercules, Prince of Power and still have two mana remaining. Because he entered this turn, the Power-up cost is reduced to {2}. You spend your remaining mana to give him a counter and haste, attacking for 4 damage on the same turn he was cast.

Fixing and Fighting

Solemn Simulacrum

You have Solemn Simulacrum on the battlefield to provide the necessary lands to reach high mana totals. Later in the game, you cast Hercules. Even if you don't use Power-up immediately, you can hold up {4}{G} on your opponent's turn. If they try to destroy Hercules with a damage-based spell, you can activate Power-up in response. He gains a counter to increase his toughness and becomes indestructible, causing the opponent's spell to fail to destroy him.