[Nikolai]

Hydras are Pythium's answer to most rushes. But you have to see it coming... making enemy advance through clouds of poison is great.

Of course, if Prince of Death or Ghost is coming to visit, you will be beaten and left with capital at best.

By the way, I have stopped a Vanheim rush with 6 ATs chaining smite... but I was lucky because Vanheim player only sent 14 Vans at first. And rest of them were spread. Still lost the game (to next enemy)

It's not about beating rush, it's about convincing neighbour it is not worth it. When rush fails, both players end out of running for victory.