Hydra: Head of Decay — guide

In short

Hydra: Head of Decay is one of the heads in the Hydra clan boss fight. It is the poison head: it stacks Poison and Leech, and its passives punish careless HP Burn timing. Farm it for Hydra chests, gear and clan resources; higher difficulties give better rewards.

Mechanics

• Dripping Jaws (A1): AoE attack that places three 5% Poison debuffs for 2 turns and has a chance to place Leech. Poison ticks off MAX HP, so high-HP tanks suffer more.
• Leech Disease (A2): AoE that places a 5% Poison for 3 turns and instantly detonates all Poison on champions under Leech. This is the main team-killer without cleanse.
• Blinding Smog (A3): places a Poison Cloud buff on all Hydra heads for 2 turns; it cannot be removed or transferred. Just survive the window.
• Bloat (passive): when this head is decapitated, it hits all heads under HP Burn. That is a bonus, not a penalty: more heads under HP Burn means more damage for you.
• All-powerful Mist (passive): this head takes double damage from HP Burn, but AoE damage to all heads is reduced; MAX HP-based damage against this head is capped, and HP Burn ticks are capped too. Immune to control, Poison, Petrification, HP swap and duration change effects.

What your team needs

• Accuracy: 200+ for HP Burn and Decrease DEF on higher difficulties; the exact target depends on the stage.
• Speed: 180–220+ on key supports so cleanse and Block Debuffs land before A2.
• Survivability: high HP/DEF, but remember Poison hits MAX HP, so do not stack HP without cleanse.
• Effects: HP Burn is your main damage; Decrease DEF and Weaken speed up head kills; Cleanse and Block Debuffs answer Poison and Leech; Decrease ATK helps survive direct hits.
• Resistance: RES can stop Poison, but cleanse is more reliable.

Teams

• Budget: Geomancer (HP Burn), Skraank (HP Burn), Uugo (Decrease DEF/Block Buffs), Rector Drath (heal/revive), Whisper (damage), Kael (damage and Poison for other heads). Works through two HP Burn sources and support.
• Mid-game: Geomancer, Demytha (Block Damage/cleanse), Uugo, Whisper, Skraank, Rector Drath. Block Damage and cleanse let you survive Poison detonation.
• Endgame: Cardiel (support/cleanse), Underpriest Brogni (shields/Block Debuffs), Mithrala Lifebane (cleanse/HP Burn), Geomancer, Firrol The Barkhorn (HP Burn), Acrizia (MAX HP damage for other heads). HP Burn plus debuff protection.

Common mistakes

• Not cleansing Poison and Leech — A2 detonates and wipes the team.
• Using MAX HP damage on the Decay head: the cap makes it nearly pointless.
• Decapitating Decay when other heads have no HP Burn — you lose free passive damage.
• Trying to control the head with Stun/Freeze/Provoke — it is immune.
• Forgetting the neck: a decapitated head revives if you do not finish it.

Tips

• Stack HP Burn on other heads before decapitating Decay — the passive hits them all.
• Save cleanse or Block Debuffs for A2; do not waste them on A1.
• Do not bring Toxic or Stun sets for this head — it is immune to Poison and control.
• Lifesteal and Immortal help survival; Speed and Accuracy are for supports.
• Do not rely on Warmaster/Giantslayer masteries: their damage is capped on this head.