Hydra

Huge monstrosity

Armor Class: 5
Hit Dice: 5–12 (one per head; average 17–42 hp)
Movement: 120 ft
Attacks: One bite per head (1d6 each)
Morale: 9
Alignment: Neutral
XP: 500–1,200

Description

The Hydra is a massive, serpentine creature with multiple heads on long necks. All heads attack simultaneously. Each head has its own hit points — 6 hp per head — and a head is severed when it takes 6 or more points of damage in a single blow.

Special Abilities

Multiple Simultaneous Attacks: All heads bite in a single round. A 5-headed Hydra makes 5 attack rolls per round.

Severing Heads: A head can be severed by dealing 6 or more damage to it in one blow. Track each head's HP separately. When all heads are severed, the Hydra dies.

Fight as Fighter: A Hydra with N heads fights with the attack bonus of an N-th level fighter.

Tactics / Encounter / Notes

Hydras are encountered with 5 to 12 heads (determine randomly or by dungeon level). The more heads, the more attacks and hit points. Targeting individual heads is the most effective strategy. Hydras do not use tactics beyond attacking everything they can reach.

25% chance the encounter is at their lair.

Treasure

Hydra lairs contain Type B treasure.