a can of worms: questions about the hydra.

[Runestar]

For example, would you let a PC with a Dex 18 and Combat Reflexes make 5 AoO against a single foe all at once (that is, for provoking just the once)?

Sure, if the PC had the ability to make multiple attacks as an attack action.

 

[krupintupple]

Sure, if the PC had the ability to make multiple attacks as an attack action.

i tend to think along this line as well.

 

[frankthedm]

simply put, i'm curious about the hydra. i've noticed that on the SRD, it's 'attack' and 'full attack' option list the same number. does this mean that it gets no added benefit from a full attack? i checked the MM1 and it had the same numbers as well.

You are right. There is not a lot reason for a hydra to take the full attack action.

the following scares the heck out of me:
as written, does that mean that if you provoke mr hydra, you get dinged by as many AoO's as he has heads, as opposed to the usual 1 ( or 1 + dex, for combat reflexes)?

Normally not even combat Reflexes lets you take more than one AoO per AoO opportunity.


I feel the hydra should get one AoO per opportunity, with the ability to take a number of AoOs equal to it's number of heads. IMHO this is more in line with the majority of other CR4s, using the 5 headed hydra for example.

Having seen them in play, using "all heads on each AoO" is far too punishing on characters not focusing on AC. I saw one attack barrage send a front liner from full health to die hard. Now on its own turn that's a possibility with a critter that can full attack at will. Letting that also happen on an AoO feels a bit overboard.

http://www.enworld.org/forum/d-d-3rd-edition-rules/197534-hydra-rules.html

http://www.enworld.org/forum/d-d-3rd-edition-rules/180520-pyrohydra.html

[

 

[HeavenShallBurn]

*Delurks*
Yay the Hydra question regenerates it's many head yet again. Short answer is that it could be interpreted either way. In fact there have been enormous dozen page threads on both this and WoTC forums as well as Sage answers on it, and they're contradictory. So just make whatever decision you feel is appropriate at your table nobody's really wrong here.

Personally I rule that the Hydra can attack with all their heads as a single standard attack and can make a AoO with all heads as a single action. It's all part of the Hydra's nature, all those heads attacking like a pirahna swarm. It does cause a change in the difficulty of a melee and impacts encounter design consideration should take that into account.

 

[Shin Okada]

I usually interpret the rule as frankthedm does. Giving multiple AoOs per occasion will just make hydras something PCs should entirely avoid approaching. Then, PCs will just try to nuke it from distance and will never actually try to go into melee with them. And that will make encounters with hydras boring. I want to let PCs try shivering heads.

 

[Hrothgar Rannúlfr]

I like to think of each of the hydra's heads as a separate entity that threatens all of the hydra's normal area. Therefore, each head may make an attack of opportunity when anything is done to provoke an AoO in the area threatened by the heads.

To me, it seems natural that each head can make an attack of opportunity off of a single provocation.