Cerberus, the Three-Headed Hound

The myth

Cerberus was the hound that guarded the gates of Hades, offspring of the monsters Typhon and Echidna. Hesiod gives him fifty heads and a voice of bronze, and says he fawns on those who enter but devours any who try to leave (Theogony 769–774). Later tradition settled on three heads, a serpent's tail and snakes along his back. Bringing him up to the light was the last of Heracles' twelve labors: Hades allowed it provided the hero overpowered him without weapons; he took him to Eurystheus and then returned him. Orpheus lulled him to sleep with music.

Why it has this power

An Epic level-8 card with 2900 ATK and 2400 DEF, summoned by the Rite of Charon's Obol, which offers Charon, a Wandering Shade and Lamia: pay the coin and the hound comes up. A Darkness Beast, he bears the Moon and Bull constellations. Hades's Helm of Darkness can raise his strength further.

Did you know

Ovid tells that the poisonous plant aconite grew from Cerberus's foam when Heracles dragged him into the light.

Connections

Where to get it

• Ritual: Summoned by the ritual Rite of Charon's Obol, with the materials Charon, the Ferryman, Wandering Shade of Hades, Lamia, Devourer of the Night.
• It never joins the collection: you summon it mid-duel, by fusion or ritual.

Sources

1. CERBERUS (Kerberos) - Three-Headed Hound of Hades of Greek Mythology — Aaron J. Atsma, Theoi Project
2. Cerberus (World History Encyclopedia) — Liana Miate
3. Theogony — Hesiod (trans. H. G. Evelyn-White), Theoi Classical Texts Library