Hydra Rune

Hydra Runes are one of the types of runes found in Diablo III. See the runes page for more information about skill runes in Diablo III. Other than their name and the fact that they are socketed, Diablo III's skill runes have little in common with the item runes found in Diablo II.

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Hydra Rune Function

Each type of rune has the same function, a function that is modified by the quality of the rune. This is a minor hydra rune, with "minor" being a modification of hydra rune. There are multiple quality levels of runes, five or six as of Blizzcon 2008, though exactly how many there will be has not yet finalized. (These can be thought of as similar to the five qualities of gems found in Diablo II.)

Hydra runes were previously known as "multistrike" runes, a name that was a bit less picturesque, but that made the function more obvious. Hydras, besides being a Sorceress skill in Diablo II, were multi-headed dragons of Greek mythology, creatures capable of regrowing two heads in the place of each head that was chopped off. The connection of that concept to the multi-striking rune seems fairly clear.

Hydra Rune Skill Effects

A few examples have yet been given for how specific skills are affected by runes socketed into them. Since each rune is (as best we know) going to work with every active skill, the hydra rune will (presumably) add a similar bonus to every other active skill in the game. Multiple impacts to melee hits, multiple charges to lightning spells, etc.

All of these functions are subject to modification or change during the continuing development process.

Witch Doctor: Skull of Flame

A hydra rune adds extra bounces to the Witch Doctor's thrown Skull of Flame spell. This one was shown at a presentation at Blizzcon 2008 (October), and the rune caused each thrown Skull of Flame to bounce several times, dealing additional explosive fire damage each time. Nothing is known about how many bounces this rune would add with each quality level, if each hit deals the full or somewhat reduced damage, if there are additional mana costs, etc. All those issues will be resolved with further play testing.

Wizard: Mirror Image

When a hydra rune is socketed in the Wizard's Mirror Image skill, the number of duplicates created is increased. (October 2008.)

Wizard: Teleport

A hydra rune added to the Teleport skill causes a temporary duplicate of the Wizard to be created when the Wizard teleports. The duplicate draws enemy attention for as long as it persists. (October 2008.)

Wizard: Electrocute

This skill is boosted considerably with a hydra rune, turning it into a sort of chain lightning, with the sizzling bolt hopping to lock onto and cook additional targets. (October 2008.)