Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Hydra

Huge · Monstrosity · CR 8 · Unaligned

Source. 5e 2024 Rules

15 (natural armor)

184 (16d12 + 80)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-4

WIS

CHA

-2

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Huge

Type Monstrosity

Alignment Unaligned

XP 3900

Initiative Bonus +4

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)

Swim 40 ft (12.2 m)

Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)

Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 16

Saving Throws

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

Skills

Perception +6

Traits

Hold Breath

The hydra can hold its breath for 1 hour.

Multiple Heads

The hydra has five heads. Whenever the hydra takes 25 damage or more on a single turn, one of its heads dies. The hydra dies if all its heads are dead. At the end of each of its turns when it has at least one living head, the hydra 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 20 Hit Points when it grows new heads.

Reactive Heads

For each head the hydra has beyond one, it gets an extra Reaction that can be used only for Opportunity Attacks.

Actions

Bite

Cost 1

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

Melee Attack Roll: +8, reach 10 ft. 10 (1d10 + 5) Piercing damage.

Multiattack

Cost 1

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

About Hydra

Hydra is a huge monstrosity with a Challenge Rating of 8. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 15 and possesses 184 hit points (derived from 16d12 + 80).

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 40 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 40 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 Monstrosity, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.