Hydras and AoO

[Lord Zardoz]

A Hydra is able to use all of its heads for AoO due to its combat reflexes feat.

But when someone provokes an AoO against a Hydra, does the Hydra get 1 shot per head at the target, or just 1 shot per opportunity?

As a side note, I expect to run the Red Hand of Doom soon, and my players consist of a Fighter who uses mounted combat feats, 2 Clerics (one who tends to go for Melee, and one who goes for Support), and a Sorcerer with essentially no blasting spells, but does use Summon Monster and Enchantment to neutralize opponents. I expect that this fight will tear them a new one. Any suggestions on things I can arrange for them to buy in the town to increase their survivability?

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[starwed]

It is very simple: the rules for a hydra are badly written, and it's impossible to determine what was intended. Hopefully they put it in the FAQ soon, but in the meantime just rule however you want.

 

[Twowolves]

I have a similar question. It states in the write-up of the hydra that attempting to sever a head without Improved Sunder provokes attacks of opportunity, but from all the heads? It also states that you can ready an action to try to sever a head, but does this draw an AoO as well? It doesn't say that it won't draw an AoO, but stating this is kinda redundant, isn't it? Can't you ready an action to sunder almost anything in melee anyway? I'm going to use one of these soon, and inquiring minds wanna know.

 

[Infiniti2000]

A couple of previous hydra threads:

http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=180520
http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=162753

 

[FalcWP]

When I threw a Hydra against my players, I gave it one AoO per action that provoked an AoO. It still did a number on them. So, that's the way I'd run it. Given, my players were a bit short on slashing weapons, nobody had Improved Sunder, and the Druid's produce flame spells were the extent of the party's fire and acid arsenal (other than torches). So it was going to be rough either way. If your players are a bit more fit for dealing with Hydras (Greatsword wielding barbarian with Improved Sunder, folks with lots of ranks in Tumble, a sorcerer who loves making things burn), you might opt to give the Hydra more AoOs.

 

[Lord Zardoz]

I ran the encounter, and so did the players

Well, I ran the encounter, and I was right, it pretty much could have tore the party a new one. Happily, my players decided to run.

I did manage a few rules screw ups though, allowing a 5 foot step in a swamp for the players. Why did they send the Gnome to wander out into the swamp to scout out the wagon? But I used it too, so it evened out. If I had not spread out the attacks, I would have probably taken out 2, maybe 3 of the players. Instead, everyone lived, with the Gnome taking a chance when all 6 heads were attacking something else to simply duck into the water and make a Hide check, crawling away under the water while holding his breath.

Ultimately, fighting a Hydra in a swamp is not a "Good plan". No 5 foot step means melee is not a winning option.

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[moritheil]

Melee is rarely a winning option against hydras. Unless you're high enough of a level that the hydra isn't a real encounter.

 

[mikebr99]

Well, I ran the encounter, and I was right, it pretty much could have tore the party a new one. Happily, my players decided to run.

I did manage a few rules screw ups though, allowing a 5 foot step in a swamp for the players. Why did they send the Gnome to wander out into the swamp to scout out the wagon? But I used it too, so it evened out. If I had not spread out the attacks, I would have probably taken out 2, maybe 3 of the players. Instead, everyone lived, with the Gnome taking a chance when all 6 heads were attacking something else to simply duck into the water and make a Hide check, crawling away under the water while holding his breath.

Ultimately, fighting a Hydra in a swamp is not a "Good plan". No 5 foot step means melee is not a winning option.

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My party killed that Hydra in the first round (most spotted the head above water)... I've since nerfed Ray of Stupidity!

Mike