Hydra - Revision history

Humeral: dragon form chops off heads

2025-01-06T15:18:49Z

dragon form chops off heads

Ge0ff: hydra form is no more

2024-12-20T09:38:49Z

hydra form is no more

Ge0ff: bump v

2024-12-20T09:38:15Z

bump v

EllieV: /* Strategy */

2024-12-19T04:53:43Z

‎Strategy

EllieV: /* Strategy */

2024-12-19T04:52:38Z

‎Strategy

Patrick2011b: /* Strategy */ slight rw to account for fast swimming

2024-03-10T00:00:13Z

‎Strategy: slight rw to account for fast swimming

Hordes: /* Strategy */

2024-03-09T23:46:17Z

‎Strategy

Ge0ff: mention Blade Hands change in History

2024-02-18T15:04:53Z

mention Blade Hands change in History

Hordes: /* Tips & Tricks */

2024-02-17T08:25:15Z

‎Tips & Tricks

Hordes: /* Tips & Tricks */

2024-02-17T08:24:51Z

‎Tips & Tricks

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 [[Hydra]]s are notoriously dangerous melee monsters found most often in [[the Lair]] and [[the Swamp]]. They begin life with 4-8 heads, with each head giving an extra attack. [[HD]], [[XP]], and [[willpower]] are not affected by head count. While hydras cannot [[fly]], they can swim quickly through water.
-If a melee attack considered "Slashing" does at least 4 damage, it will cut off the hydra's head. Usually, slashing a head off will cause the hydra to heal and grow two more (a net gain of 1 head). The following weapons will cut off hydra heads: [[Axes]], [[Long Blades]], 2-handed [[Polearms]], [[lajatang]]s, and [[Unarmed Combat]] with the [[Claws]] 3 [[mutation]]. All other weapons and all other forms of damage will not cut hydra heads. However, if a slashing weapon has the [[flaming]] brand, then the hydra's head will be cauterized; this prevents the regrowth / healing (resulting in a net loss of 1 head).
+If a melee attack considered "Slashing" does at least 4 damage, it will cut off the hydra's head. Usually, slashing a head off will cause the hydra to heal and grow two more (a net gain of 1 head). The following weapons will cut off hydra heads: [[Axes]], [[Long Blades]], 2-handed [[Polearms]], [[lajatang]]s, being in [[dragon form]], and [[Unarmed Combat]] with the [[Claws]] 3 [[mutation]]. All other weapons and all other forms of damage will not cut hydra heads. However, if a slashing weapon has the [[flaming]] brand, then the hydra's head will be cauterized; this prevents the regrowth / healing (resulting in a net loss of 1 head).
 A hydra can have a maximum of 20 heads. A hydra will die instantly if its last head is cut off. If a hydra dies this way, its [[corpse]] and any [[derived undead]] will have 1 head. [[Zombie]], [[skeleton]], and [[simulacra]] hydras will not regrow heads, even if a slashing weapon does not have flaming. A [[spectral thing|spectral]] hydra cannot have its heads cut off.

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 *Prior to [[0.16]], short swords and rapiers dealt slashing damage and could remove heads.
 *Prior to [[0.12]], hydras were not [[cold-blooded]] creatures, except [[the Lernaean hydra]].
 [[Category:Featured_Article]]

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-{{version031}}
+{{version032}}
 ''For a list of all reptiles, see [[list of reptiles and amphibians]].''
 {{monster info}}
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 *Spellcasters tend to have an easier time. Hydras have 0 AC and minimal EV, meaning that a few solid ranged attacks are likely to kill it. These characters will have trouble if the hydra gets into melee range, though. To avoid this, use the [[Blink]] spell, an escape item, or run away.
 :Most level 3+ [[Conjurations]] can kill a hydra in 3-6 hits. Summoners can use [[Summon Blazeheart Golem]] to explode. Hexers will have a tougher time, due to the hydra's above-average [[willpower]], but a [[scroll of vulnerability]] can work.
-*The [[confusion]] status can result in a many-headed Hydra attacking itself to death in short order. Consider using [[Confusing Touch]] if melee is unavoidable.
+*The [[confusion]] status can result in a many-headed hydra attacking itself to death in short order. Consider using [[Confusing Touch]] if melee is unavoidable.
 ===Alternatives to Edged Weapons===
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 ==See also==
-* [[Hydra Form]]
+*[[Hydra Form]]
 [[Category:Featured_Article]]

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 *Spellcasters tend to have an easier time. Hydras have 0 AC and minimal EV, meaning that a few solid ranged attacks are likely to kill it. These characters will have trouble if the hydra gets into melee range, though. To avoid this, use the [[Blink]] spell, an escape item, or run away.
 :Most level 3+ [[Conjurations]] can kill a hydra in 3-6 hits. Summoners can use [[Summon Blazeheart Golem]] to explode. Hexers will have a tougher time, due to the hydra's above-average [[willpower]], but a [[scroll of vulnerability]] can work.
-*While somewhat difficult to apply, the [[confusion]] status can result in a many-headed Hydra attacking itself to death in short order. Consider using [[Confusing Touch]] if melee is unavoidable and safer options are unavailable.
+*The [[confusion]] status can result in a many-headed Hydra attacking itself to death in short order. Consider using [[Confusing Touch]] if melee is unavoidable.
 ===Alternatives to Edged Weapons===

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 *Spellcasters tend to have an easier time. Hydras have 0 AC and minimal EV, meaning that a few solid ranged attacks are likely to kill it. These characters will have trouble if the hydra gets into melee range, though. To avoid this, use the [[Blink]] spell, an escape item, or run away.
 :Most level 3+ [[Conjurations]] can kill a hydra in 3-6 hits. Summoners can use [[Summon Blazeheart Golem]] to explode. Hexers will have a tougher time, due to the hydra's above-average [[willpower]], but a [[scroll of vulnerability]] can work.
 ===Alternatives to Edged Weapons===

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 ==Strategy==
-Hydras are 100% speed, melee only animals that can't open [[door]]s or [[see invisible]]. If you have normal move speed, you can simply retreat, and enter from a different stair (unless the hydra's camping the Lair:1 entrance).
+Hydras are 100% speed, melee only animals that can't open [[door]]s or [[see invisible]], though they do swim quickly. Unless the hydra's camping a branch entrance, there's water around, or you move slower than average, you can simply retreat, and enter from a different stair.
-Even if you **are** skilled with a [[flaming]] edged weapon, hydras are strong combatants. An adventurer first venturing into Lair is unlikely to win a fair fight. Remember that you don't have to kill everything in Crawl!  You can go down a different staircase, escape with a [[scroll of teleport]], or take a detour to another branch.
+Even if you ''are'' skilled with a [[flaming]] edged weapon, hydras are strong combatants. An adventurer first venturing into Lair is unlikely to win a fair fight. Remember that you don't have to kill everything in Crawl!  You can go down a different staircase, escape with a [[scroll of teleport]], or take a detour to another branch.
 ===Tips & Tricks===
 *Hydras max out at 20 heads, at which point they get 20 individual melee attacks per turn. Don't let this happen.
 *They have [[poison resistance]], so [[poison]], [[curare]], and [[Mephitic Cloud]] won't work.
-*Hydras are [[cold-blooded]], so [[cold]] damage (either from a weapon of [[freezing]] or [[Ice Magic]]) has a chance to slow them down. Stay away from edged freezing weapon, however, as heads will still grow back.
+*Hydras are [[cold-blooded]], so [[cold]] damage (either from a weapon of [[freezing]] or [[Ice Magic]]) has a chance to slow them down. Edged freezing weapons are not recommended, however, as heads will still grow back.
 *Spellcasters tend to have an easier time. Hydras have 0 AC and minimal EV, meaning that a few solid ranged attacks are likely to kill it. These characters will have trouble if the hydra gets into melee range, though. To avoid this, use the [[Blink]] spell, an escape item, or run away.
-: Most level 3+ [[Conjurations]] can kill a hydra in 3-6 hits. Summoners can use [[Summon Blazeheart Golem]] to explode. Hexers will have a tougher time, due to the hydra's above-average [[willpower]], but a [[scroll of vulnerability]] can work.
+:Most level 3+ [[Conjurations]] can kill a hydra in 3-6 hits. Summoners can use [[Summon Blazeheart Golem]] to explode. Hexers will have a tougher time, due to the hydra's above-average [[willpower]], but a [[scroll of vulnerability]] can work.
 ===Alternatives to Edged Weapons===
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 **[[Lugonu]]: With high Invocations, you may be able to [[banish]] hydras to [[the Abyss]].
 **[[Qazlal]]: Blasting hydras with Upheaval works, though it chews through piety.
-**[[Trog]]/[[Berserker]]: Summoning one or two ogres to pound them to a pulp is viable. High [[HD]] trolls can usually win a fight, even though they cut hydra heads.
+**[[Trog]]: Summoning one or two ogres to pound them to a pulp is viable. High [[HD]] trolls can usually win a fight, even though they cut hydra heads.
 *Failing that, ranged weaponry can work well. Other than [[launcher]]s, the following are easily accessible:
 **Attack [[wand]]s: Even at low [[Evocations]], a [[wand of iceblast]] or [[wand of acid]] can usually kill a hydra in 2-5 hits. This is a safe course of action for most characters.

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 ==History==
 *Prior to [[0.25]], the now-obsolete [[wand of scattershot]] was particularly effective in killing them, as hydras have 0 AC.
 *Prior to [[0.20]], the [[Captain's Cutlass]] dealt slicing damage and chopped hydra heads.