Skorne: Desert Hydra Bites Bites Bites Bites Bites
There is a new king gargantuan and it isn’t a troll. Come check out Skorne’s many headed threat.
What is the Desert Hydra?
The new Gargantuan spoiled so long ago is finally here for skorne in MKIII. It also received some love from the Skorne errata before it even was released. The Desert Hydra costs 38 points and is FA:2. It definitely has a different feel versus the mammoth and also has the most attacks in the game! It gives you a very versatile model ,in ranged and melee power, combined with respectable boxes and ARM value.
What Does the Desert Hydra Do?
The Desert Hydra has a defense of 9 which is nothing special. It has ARM 19 which is pretty strong for a faction that has an agoniser it it. This means in melee that is ARM21 to 23 depending on buffs. The Hydra has a RNG 6 POW12 Spray and a POW18 bite. How many you ask? That is the crazy part. It has 5 BASE Initial attacks. Similar to Tyhpon it is sporting the multiple heads rule. Not similar to Typhon it has 5 heads instead of 3!!!
This really opens up the Hydra as a versatile model and what makes it even better is that it is both MAT/RAT of 6. We are not talking about RAT0 Victor but an actually respectable to hit roll on 5 attacks.
Now he is only Fury 4 but, that is in line with most of the gargantuans. His Threshold is 8 so you are looking at 50/50s for most frenzy checks. I advise not leaving fury on a 38 point model if possible.
Hydra Special Rules:
- Circular Vision: A pretty useless rule but fluffy.
- Multiple Heads 5: I can’t stress how versatile this model is. It can kill a heavy and then spray down infantry too!
- Regeneration d3+3: With so many initial attacks the hydra can be left with nothing to do with its fury.
- Snacking: Be sure to kill the hydra before surrounding it with infantry or it will heal up to full real fast.
- Concentrated Blase: Need to reach out a little farther how about 10″ Spray at POW16. This is great for killing higher armor models like cavalry with multiple boxes.
- Critical Grievous: If it doesn’t somehow destroy your heavy when it attacks it, good chance you won’t be able to heal it.
Hydra Aniumus: Sand Storm
Huge bubble around the caster lowering the RNG of attacks. Skorne is already pretty sturdy vs shooting and this Animus only reinforces that notion. You have to get even closer to kill things with guns…
Lists with the Hydra:
You can go a few routes as the Hydra is very versatile. One way is to make him fast as possible. With Xerxis2 or Makeda1 and a Titan Gladiator the Hydra is clocking in a 9″ SPD. That is a guaranteed alpha vs a lot of factions with a 9 attack model will usually get the job done.
The other route is more of a brick where the enemy bounces off the Hydra and everything gets cleaned up after it failed to kill your big body.
I like Xerxis1 because he can really brick up like the best of them. Check this list out.
Skorne Army – 75 / 75 points
(Xerxis 1) Tyrant Xerxis [+28]
– Agonizer [6]
– Titan Gladiator [15]
– Desert Hydra [38]
– Basilisk Krea [7]
– Archidon [10]
Paingiver Beast Handlers (max) [7]
Orin Midwinter, Rogue Inquisitor [5]
Praetorian Karax (max) [11]
– Praetorian Karax Officer & Standard [4]
This list is armored UP! The Hydra is sitting at least a 21 vs shooting and melee if not more with agonizer and krea bubbles. Throw in defenders ward and Feat and even collosals will have a hard time putting a dent into you. Karax can safely make it up the field while the Archidon can be a long range threat that can pick off annoying solos. Orin keeps you safe from debuffs on the hydra ensuring maximum totals.
Revenant’s Final Thought:
The Desert Hydra is not only a great model on the field it is also a great hobby piece. One of the cooler kits I have seen. I have mine sitting on my desk not wanting to put him away. With a base 5 attacks and the ability to buy 4 more in a faction that can buff to hit rolls this guy is great. Can he put as much work in as 4 archidons is a decent question because you can get that many for a mere 2 points more.
It is versatile, has good abilities , and doesn’t suffer from anything besides a high point investment.
I give it a A-
~What do you think of the Desert Hydra BoLS? Please share in the comments below.
