Voracious Hydra — ruling 1

Because fighting isn't combat damage, trample has no effect during the fight.

Voracious Hydra — ruling 2

If the target of Voracious Hydra's second mode isn't a legal target as the ability resolves, or if Voracious Hydra has left the battlefield, neither creature will deal or be dealt damage. The ability won't change to the first mode if the target is illegal.

Voracious Hydra : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Voracious Hydra 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

Trample This creature enters with X +1/+1 counters on it. When this creature enters, choose one — • Double the number of +1/+1 counters on this creature. • This creature fights target creature you don't control.

Complete guide

Voracious Hydra is a versatile powerhouse that can adapt to any stage of the game, serving as either a massive threat or a precise removal spell. Its flexibility comes from its scalable mana cost and a powerful enter-the-battlefield ability that rewards you for investing heavily in X.

Scaling Power and Choice

When you cast Voracious Hydra, you choose a value for X. The Hydra enters the battlefield with X +1/+1 counters, and then its triggered ability goes on the stack. You must choose one of two modes: doubling those counters to create a massive trampler, or having the Hydra fight an opponent's creature to clear the board.

Resolving the Trigger Step-by-Step

First, the Hydra enters the battlefield and its triggered ability is put on the stack. If you choose the second mode, you must choose a legal target creature you don't control at this time. As the ability resolves, if you chose the first mode, you simply count the current +1/+1 counters and add that many more. If you chose the fight mode, the Hydra and the target creature deal damage to each other equal to their respective power.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is assuming trample matters during the fight; however, trample only applies to combat damage, not the damage dealt during a fight. Additionally, if the Hydra leaves the battlefield or the target creature becomes illegal before the fight ability resolves, no damage is dealt by either creature. Note that you cannot switch to the 'doubling' mode if your fight target becomes illegal.

When to Play Voracious Hydra

This creature is best played when you have excess mana to sink into X. Against aggressive decks, it acts as a removal spell that leaves a body behind. Against control or slower decks, doubling its counters allows it to become a game-ending threat that must be answered immediately.

Interaction examples

Early Game Removal

Llanowar Elves

If your opponent controls a Llanowar Elves, you can cast Voracious Hydra where X=1. It enters as a 1/1. You choose the fight mode targeting the Elves. They both deal 1 damage to each other, resulting in both creatures dying, effectively using the Hydra as a removal spell.

Accelerating into a Behemoth

Birds of Paradise

With a Birds of Paradise on the field, you can generate extra mana to cast Voracious Hydra with X=4. The Hydra enters with 4 counters. By choosing the first mode, you double those counters, resulting in an 8/8 creature with trample ready for the next turn.

Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.

How it works : Voracious Hydra

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1July 12, 2019· Wizards of the Coast
Because fighting isn't combat damage, trample has no effect during the fight.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2July 12, 2019· Wizards of the Coast
If the target of Voracious Hydra's second mode isn't a legal target as the ability resolves, or if Voracious Hydra has left the battlefield, neither creature will deal or be dealt damage. The ability won't change to the first mode if the target is illegal.
No other card is named in this ruling.