Hydra (Dungeons & Dragons)
Encyclopedia
In the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
roleplaying game, the hydra is a reptilian magical beast
that has anywhere from five to twelve heads.
(1974), where they were described as large dinosaurs with multiple heads.
(1977), and Expert Set
(1981 & 1983). The hydra was also later featured in the Dungeons & Dragons Game
set (1991), the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991), and the Classic Dungeons & Dragons Game set (1994).
The Expert Set also featured the flying hydra and the sea hydra.
The pig-headed hydra appeared in Top Ballista
(1989).
Karakos the Zargosian Hydra appeared in the Hollow World book Milenian Sceptre (1992).
The hydra of the Dragonlance
campaign setting
appeared in the Tales of the Lance boxed set, in the "World Book of Ansalon" booklet (1992).
The aquatic Lernaean hydra appeared in the module, Axe of the Dwarvish Lords (1999).
The hydra is further detailed in Dragon #272 (June 2000), in "The Ecology of the Hydra."
A hydra is not very intelligent, and therefore usually neutral in alignment. They usually live alone in swamps, and are generally always the most dangerous predator in the area they inhabit.
In the Eberron
campaign setting, the hydra is the heraldic beast of the dragonmarked House Phiarlan.
The cryohydra is another relative of the standard hydra, this one being able to breathe jets of frost.
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
roleplaying game, the hydra is a reptilian magical beast
Magical beast (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, magical beast is a type of creature, or "creature type". Magical beasts are similar to animals in many ways, but usually have a higher intelligence, and possess supernatural or extraordinary abilities....
that has anywhere from five to twelve heads.
Dungeons & Dragons (1974-1976)
The hydra was one of the first monsters introduced in the earliest edition of the game, in the Dungeons & Dragons "white box" setDungeons & Dragons (1974)
The original Dungeons & Dragons boxed set by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson was published by TSR, Inc. in 1974. It initially included the original edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game...
(1974), where they were described as large dinosaurs with multiple heads.
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)
The hydra appears in the first edition Monster Manual (1977), where it is described as an a multi-headed reptilian monster found in marshes, swamps, and subterranean lairs. The book includes the cryohydra, the Lernaean hydra, and the pyrohydra.Dungeons & Dragons (1977-1999)
This edition of the D&D game included its own version of the hydra, in the Dungeons & Dragons Basic SetDungeons & Dragons Basic Set
The original Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set boxed set was first published by TSR, Inc. in 1977, and comprised a separate edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, distinct from the first edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons game, which was initially published in the same...
(1977), and Expert Set
Dungeons & Dragons Expert Set
The Expert Set is an expansion boxed set for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It was first published in 1981 as an expansion to the Basic Set.-1981 printing:The D&D Basic Set saw a major revision in 1981 by Tom Moldvay...
(1981 & 1983). The hydra was also later featured in the Dungeons & Dragons Game
Dungeons & Dragons Game (1991 boxed set)
The New Easy to Master Dungeons & Dragons Game is an accessory for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, published in 1991....
set (1991), the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991), and the Classic Dungeons & Dragons Game set (1994).
The Expert Set also featured the flying hydra and the sea hydra.
The pig-headed hydra appeared in Top Ballista
Top Ballista
Top Ballista is an accessory for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Contents:Top Ballista is a "Creature Crucible" supplement and campaign setting that describes Serraine, the city of the skygnomes - which fly magical biplanes...
(1989).
Karakos the Zargosian Hydra appeared in the Hollow World book Milenian Sceptre (1992).
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)
The hydra, cryohydra, Lernaean hydra, and pyrohydra appear first in the Monstrous Compendium Volume One (1989), and are reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).The hydra of the Dragonlance
Dragonlance
Dragonlance is a shared universe created by Laura and Tracy Hickman, and expanded by Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis under the direction of TSR, Inc. into a series of popular fantasy novels. The Hickmans conceived Dragonlance while driving in their car on the way to TSR for a job application...
campaign setting
Campaign setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A campaign is a series of individual adventures, and a campaign setting is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place...
appeared in the Tales of the Lance boxed set, in the "World Book of Ansalon" booklet (1992).
The aquatic Lernaean hydra appeared in the module, Axe of the Dwarvish Lords (1999).
Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 edition (2000-2002)
The hydra, cryohydra, Lernaean hydra, and pyrohydra appear in the Monster Manual for this edition (2000). This book included the five-headed hydra, the six-headed hydra, the seven-headed hydra, the eight-headed hydra, the nine-headed hydra, the ten-headed hydra, the eleven-headed hydra, and the twelve-headed hydra.The hydra is further detailed in Dragon #272 (June 2000), in "The Ecology of the Hydra."
Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition (2003-2007)
The hydra appears in the revised Monster Manual for this edition (2003), with the same variations from the 3rd edition Monster Manual.Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008-)
The hydra appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2008).Description
A hydra is an especially deadly monster, since every time a head is severed, two new ones grow in its place.A hydra is not very intelligent, and therefore usually neutral in alignment. They usually live alone in swamps, and are generally always the most dangerous predator in the area they inhabit.
In the Eberron
Eberron
Eberron is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, set in a period after a vast destructive war on the continent of Khorvaire...
campaign setting, the hydra is the heraldic beast of the dragonmarked House Phiarlan.
Variants
The pyrohydra is a relative of the standard hydra that is able to breathe fire from its heads.The cryohydra is another relative of the standard hydra, this one being able to breathe jets of frost.