LA Pythium Hydras

[Lingchih]

Just started a game with the Serpent Cult. Wow, want a variety of magic paths? It's a bit mind-boggling to come up with a strategy with this much to choose from.

I'm wondering about the Hydras though. They cost 250 gold, and they only have 6 hp? That seems to be a lot of money for something that could easily die from a stray arrow, or one hit from a broadsword. Is this a mistake, or are they really meant to be that weak?

[Jazzepi]

I think the point with those hydras is to get body etheral, and luck to cast on them.

Jazzepi

[Sombre]

-sigh-

6hp is just for the first head.

They have several forms, all with different hps. If they 'die' they switch to the next form. So the total hp from the 9 forms is more like 80 or so. They're actually very durable units.

Be aware that they currently have two bugs. Firstly if they lose heads they will grow them back after combat, but no longer be sacred. Only the very first form is sacred.

Secondly if they are reduced to a certain number of heads (3 is it?) they will not grow them back ater combat.

[Lingchih]

Ahh, I see. I sent a troop of them into combat though, and (without any buffs), they still died very quickly.

I think they're crap. I won't recruit any more of them unless someone tells me how to use them effectively.

[Zylithan]

wow. thats a very cool mechanic

[Jazzepi]

Lingchih said:
Ahh, I see. I sent a troop of them into combat though, and (without any buffs), they still died very quickly.

I think they're crap. I won't recruit any more of them unless someone tells me how to use them effectively.

I just did!

Jazzepi

[Baalz]

I was pretty impressed, I played around with them and a group of 4 hydras didn't run into an idie province they couldn't take without a loss (I'm sure there are some, I didn't play around that long) and I didn't do any buffing at all. Granted that's not the cheapest expansion force but they certainly have their uses and they're practically resource free. That fear plus 9 initial attacks plus area poison damage seems to be pretty effective at routing units and the multiple forms give them enough survivability to last a couple rounds. When I tried just 2 they died pretty quick, but 4 were able to spread the damage enough and hit hard enough round one that everybody ran away (the fear aura stacks to).

[Lingchih]

Well, I did send mine (2 big Hyrda, 7 little Hydra) up against a couple of dozen Knights, so I guess I should give them another try under more favorable circumstances.

[Juzza]

Knights are probably the worst thing you can send hydras against, 'd give them another try.

[Sombre]

Actually I think hydras are good vs knights - the lance hit can only take one head off them, they have multiple attacks to overcome the def and they have poison to overcome the armour. Almost a classic counter in fact.