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Hydra

Huge · Dragon · CR 8 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Black Flag SRD
Armor Class
15 (natural armor)
Hit Points and Hit Dice
166
Challenge Rating CR
8

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR
20
+5
DEX
12
+1
CON
20
+5
INT
2
-4
WIS
10
+0
CHA
6
-2

Overview

Category Monsters
Size Huge
Type Dragon
Alignment Chaotic Evil
XP 3900
Initiative Bonus +1

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)
Swim 30 ft (9.1 m)
Climb 15 ft (4.6 m)
Crawl 15 ft (4.6 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)
Passive Perception 10

Saving Throws

Strength +5 Dexterity +1 Constitution +5 Intelligence -4 Wisdom +0 Charisma -2

Languages

-

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Resistances
Multiple Heads

Traits

Hold Breath

The hydra can hold its breath for 1 hour.

Multiple Heads

The hydra has five heads and is resistant to the blinded, charmed, deafened, frightened, stunned, and unconscious conditions.
Whenever the hydra takes 25 or more damage in a single turn, one of its heads dies. If all its heads die, the hydra dies. At the end of its turn, it grows two heads for each of its heads that died since its last turn, unless it has taken fire damage since its last turn. The hydra regains 10 HP for each head regrown in this way.

Reactive Heads

For each head the hydra has beyond one, it gets an extra reaction that can be used only for opportunity attacks.

Wakeful

While the hydra sleeps, at least one of its heads is awake.

Actions

Bite

+8 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 1d10+5 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (1d10+5) piercing damage.

Multiattack

The hydra makes as many Bite attacks as it has heads.

Noxious Breath (Recharge Special)

Recharge 6

The hydra exhales poisonous gas in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 16 CON save, taking 40 (9d8) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. While the hydra has five or more heads, this action has a recharge of 6. The recharge range increases for each head the hydra has below five. For example, a hydra that starts its turn with two heads can recharge this feature on a 3, 4, 5, or 6.

Bonus Actions

Bloody Burst

The hydra squeezes the stumps of its severed heads, spraying blood and gore. Each creature within 5 feet of the hydra must succeed on a DC 16 CON save or be incapacitated until the end of its next turn and poisoned for 1 minute. A poisoned creature can repeat the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

About Hydra

Hydra is a huge dragon with a Challenge Rating of 8. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 15 and possesses 166 hit points (derived from None).

Hydra has communication capabilities including -. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Hydra

1 tips available

When using Hydra in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

  • Aquatic Combat: This creature can swim at 30 ft. It has advantage in water environments. Consider fighting on land or using water-based spells against it.

Player Guide: Facing Hydra

1 strategies available

When your party encounters this creature, keep these strategies in mind:

  • Aquatic Combat Defense: This creature can swim at 30 ft! It has advantage in water. Fight on land if possible. Use 'Control Water' or drain water sources to limit its mobility.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 8.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 11 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

  • Medium: 7,200 XP
  • Hard: 10,800 XP
  • Deadly: 14,400 XP

Based on D&D 5e Dungeon Master's Guide encounter building guidelines. CR roughly equals party level for medium encounters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the challenge rating of Hydra?
Hydra has a Challenge Rating of 8, making it appropriate for parties of level 8.0.
What type of creature is Hydra?
Hydra is a Huge Dragon, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Hydra speak?
Hydra can communicate in -.

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