<p>Yes, it is removed and you get the EOT trigger. Per <a href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Protean+Hydra">Gatherer</a>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>If a -1/-1 counter is put on Protean Hydra while it has +1/+1 counters on it, that -1/-1 counter and a +1/+1 counter will be removed from it as a state-based action. This will cause Protean Hydra's last ability to trigger.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-26T23:29:09.050Z
2014-02-26T23:29:09.050Z
Free Monica Cellio
<p>Yes.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>704.5r If a permanent has both a +1/+1 counter and a -1/-1 counter on it, N +1/+1 and N -1/-1 counters are <strong>removed</strong> from it, where N is the smaller of the number of +1/+1 and -1/-1 counters on it.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>There is actually a time where both the +1/+1 and the -1/-1 counters are on the Hydra. They are both removed the next time Stated-Based Actions are performed (State-based actions are performed right before a player would get priority. e.g. after a spell resolves, but not during the resolution of a spell).</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-27T13:59:48.187Z
State-based actions are performed right before a player would get priority.
Rainbolt
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-27T19:43:51.927Z
So if there were a card like "Put a -1/-1 counter on target creature. Then gain X life, where X i the number of counters on that creature", then you would get the life from both the +1/+1 counter and the -1/-1 counter, because they are both there at the time. Correct?
GendoIkari
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-28T07:20:59.053Z
@GendoIkari Yes, that's correct. A real example would be the modular mechanic. See the ruling on [Arcbound Ravager](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=75487)
Pablo
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-28T15:59:51.110Z
@GendoIkari, Correct. Here's an another scenario: Say you have a creature with a single +1/+1 counter with a total P/T of 1/1 and you gave it a -1/-1 counter. It would go to the graveyard, and Undying wouldn't trigger.
ikegami
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-27T00:30:11.463Z
2014-02-27T19:27:38.430Z
2014-02-27T19:27:38.430Z
ikegami
<p>Damage to <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Protean%20Hydra">Protean Hydra</a> is prevented by removing +1/+1 counters from it. The card states:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Whenever a +1/+1 counter is removed from Protean Hydra, put two +1/+1 counters on it at the beginning of the next end step.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>So if a -1/-1 counter is placed on it, it cancels out one +1/+1 counter. Is the counter still considered to be 'removed' or does it just disappear?</p>
<p>Main Question: If Protean Hydra has a -1/-1 counter placed on it (say for example by <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Contagion%20Clasp">Contagion Clasp</a>), will it receive 2 +1/+1 counters?</p>

<magic-the-gathering>
Do negative counters trigger Protean Hydra?
ovaltein
# Do negative counters trigger Protean Hydra?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-02-26)

Damage to [Protean Hydra](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Protean%20Hydra) is prevented by removing +1/+1 counters from it. The card states:

> Whenever a +1/+1 counter is removed from Protean Hydra, put two +1/+1 counters on it at the beginning of the next end step.

So if a -1/-1 counter is placed on it, it cancels out one +1/+1 counter. Is the counter still considered to be 'removed' or does it just disappear?

Main Question: If Protean Hydra has a -1/-1 counter placed on it (say for example by [Contagion Clasp](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Contagion%20Clasp)), will it receive 2 +1/+1 counters?

**Tags:** magic-the-gathering


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2014-02-26. Score: 7 | Accepted answer

Yes, it is removed and you get the EOT trigger. Per [Gatherer](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Protean+Hydra):

> If a -1/-1 counter is put on Protean Hydra while it has +1/+1 counters on it, that -1/-1 counter and a +1/+1 counter will be removed from it as a state-based action. This will cause Protean Hydra's last ability to trigger.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2014-02-27. Score: 3

Yes.

> 704.5r If a permanent has both a +1/+1 counter and a -1/-1 counter on it, N +1/+1 and N -1/-1 counters are **removed** from it, where N is the smaller of the number of +1/+1 and -1/-1 counters on it.

There is actually a time where both the +1/+1 and the -1/-1 counters are on the Hydra. They are both removed the next time Stated-Based Actions are performed (State-based actions are performed right before a player would get priority. e.g. after a spell resolves, but not during the resolution of a spell).

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: State-based actions are performed right before a player would get priority.  
> **username_4**: So if there were a card like "Put a -1/-1 counter on target creature. Then gain X life, where X i the number of counters on that creature", then you would get the life from both the +1/+1 counter and the -1/-1 counter, because they are both there at the time. Correct?  
> **username_5**: @username_4 Yes, that's correct. A real example would be the modular mechanic. See the ruling on [Arcbound Ravager](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=75487)  
> **username_2**: @username_4, Correct. Here's an another scenario: Say you have a creature with a single +1/+1 counter with a total P/T of 1/1 and you gave it a -1/-1 counter. It would go to the graveyard, and Undying wouldn't trigger.  

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