Lernaean Hydra, the Regenerator

The myth

The Lernaean Hydra was a serpent-dragon of the Lerna marshes near Argos, offspring of Typhon and Echidna, raised by Hera to threaten Heracles (Hesiod, Theogony 313–318). According to Apollodorus it had nine heads, the middle one immortal, and for every head cut off two grew back. In his second labor Heracles was helped by his nephew Iolaus, who seared the stumps with firebrands so they could not regrow; the immortal head was buried under a rock. Hera also sent a crab to bite the hero. Heracles dipped his arrows in the Hydra's venom.

Why it has this power

A Legendary level-10 card with 3200 ATK and 3400 DEF: it is the only Greek Legendary whose defense exceeds its attack, because the Hydra's power lies in refusing to fall, each wound breeding two heads. A Water Dragon for the Lerna swamp, it carries the Moon and Leviathan constellations of creatures from deep, dark waters.

Did you know

Eurystheus refused to count this labor because Iolaus had helped, which is one reason the labors ended up numbering twelve instead of ten.

Connections

Where to get it

• Daily Offering: 0.0035% per pack (Legendary 0.03% per card)
• Traveler's Pack: 0.014% per pack · 0.084% in the themed pack (Legendary 0.05% per card)
• Bronze Reliquary: 0.028% per pack · 0.17% in the themed pack (Legendary 0.1% per card)
• Silver Reliquary: 0.099% per pack · 0.59% in the themed pack (Legendary 0.4% per card)
• Golden Reliquary: 0.23% per pack · 1.4% in the themed pack (Legendary 1% per card)
• Daily Showcase: Shows up on about 0.21% of days · 6,000 gems
• Craft with card dust: 4,800 dust

Sources

1. LERNAEAN HYDRA - Nine-Headed Serpent of Greek Mythology — Aaron J. Atsma, Theoi Project
2. The Library, Book 2 — Pseudo-Apollodorus (trans. J. G. Frazer), Theoi Classical Texts Library
3. Theogony — Hesiod (trans. H. G. Evelyn-White), Theoi Classical Texts Library