Hydra (BlizzCon 2008)

Hydra is a Tier 4 skill from the Wizard's Conjuring skill tree, summoning a hydra that attacks enemies with bolts of fire.

Background

Diablo III Skill [e]

Hydra Active, 5 ranks
Used by:	Wizard
Skill Description:
Creates a multi-headed beast that attacks your enemies with bolts of fire.
Skill Details:
Type:	Direct Damage
Quantity:	Unknown
Effect:	Turret shooting bolts
School:	Fire
Mana cost:	Unknown
Cast time:	Instant
Duration:	None
Cooldown:	1.5 sec
Synergies:	None
Requires:	N/A
Prereq of:	N/A

Among the many secrets of the Ancient Repositories, the Wizard found the Hydra spell to call forth a ward to dispatch of enemies from multiple directions.

Skill Design

This classic was in the skill tree, but not available to try at BlizzCon 2008, though players sorely wanted to try it out and see the improvements from Diablo I. Graphical, if nothing else.

It's interesting to contemplate what the Hydra (multi-strike) rune would do to Hydra. More than 3 heads per cast? Plus, Greek Mythology fans could geek out. Especially if they named their character Learnean.

Skill Rank Table

Rank 1: Damage dealt is unknown.

Only Rank 1 is currently known.

Synergies

There are no specific synergies, but combining the Hydra spell with a Hydra Rune would certainly have interesting results.

Skill Rune Effects

None known.

Development

The hydra spell was originally seen in Diablo I, then called Guardian. The principle was that three heads were summoned from the ground, shooting firebolts at enemies for a limited time. They are more fun to cast than efficient to kill anything with.

In Diablo II, they were turned into flaming heads, and got the name Hydra. While not dealing damage to anyone near the flames, the firebolts are of more use, especially if concentrating the fire on single targets at a time, and alternating skills while waiting for the cooldown.

You can see the most up to date version of the spell here.

Media

You can find pictures in the Diablo 3 screenshot and picture gallery:

References