Ok, so I’m getting set to run some DW again, after a long break running other systems and I’m trying to get my head…

Ok, so I’m getting set to run some DW again, after a long break running other systems and I’m trying to get my head…

Ok, so I’m getting set to run some DW again, after a long break running other systems and I’m trying to get my head right, back into the mode of DW. I was going through some of the monsters for ideas and I found the hydra, a beast I’ve always enjoyed because of it’s excellent ability to really give it to a group even while all by itself. So, with no real initiative and with the monsters actions, mostly coming as a result/response to character choices, how would you run the hydra? How would you decide who gets attacked and when? As well as how many attacks it gets each “round”(assume 9 heads)  The only guidance (and I love limited guidance btw) is that it desires to attack many enemies at once and to regenerate. How fast would you feel is “right” for the heads to regenerate? I want the monster to feel very scary but not a frustrating auto-kill machine. Would love to get some thoughts and feedback from the community. Thanks!

9 thoughts on “Ok, so I’m getting set to run some DW again, after a long break running other systems and I’m trying to get my head…”

  1. Monsters don’t only act in response to players’ failure, they can act at any time you are given a golden opportunity, or the table looks to you to see what happens. While this will cover most of the times the players do something (no matter what they roll) keep your monsters and dangers proactive and deadly.

    Think about the potent fiction of the hydra. With so many heads, it can attack lots of things simultaneously while defending itself. Is it huge? what does it smash through with it’s mighty strength? 

    As for who gets attacked, ask yourself who is exposed or in danger? who hasn’t had anything to do lately? give them something to avoid, an opportunity to take, or reveal how bad things are for them right now.

    With all of it’s heads, a Hydra isn’t just one monster, it’s a group of individual monsters acting as one. Think of how you would run an orc warband as a single monster, with co-ordinated attacks and simultaneous actions.

  2. Do you think it would be acceptable to have the heads divided between multiple tasks? Three heads are acting defensively for the two heads who are attacking the party, while the remaining five heads are tackling two different environment based objects to setup a separate method of attacking the party. That seems super overpowered but do you think it is fictionally feasible? I’m not sure if, traditionally, a hydra generally only has a singular mental focus.

  3. My baseline would be to roughly divide up the heads between the players and have them attack using the group rules. (From memory +1 damage per additional attacker; I can’t find the citation at the moment.) Assuming a default of one reaction per player action, you’ll get a roughly even fight.

    Of course, those are just a starting point. The reality would be much more fluid based on the fiction.

  4. Thanks for the responses! Adrian Thoen sorry if I wasn’t clear. I’ve read the book and run the game (a bit) so i understand and ask all those questions in making decisions (not sure where you got the impression that I was saying monsters only act on player failure). I’m reaching out to get a feel for what other people feel would make sense in answer to those types of questions. Naturally, I’d ask my players, but then it would ruin the surprise. 🙂 Marques Jordan yes, I do think a Hydra might divide up attack, distraction, defensive duties amongst its heads. Great thought! Alan De Smet Ah the group rules, very good! I think I can integrate that somehow, particularly if some subsection of heads should gang up on a certain PC. Thanks!

  5. What about linking The regeneration move to the treasure guarded by T he hydra? The esperides tree; The hydra has to eat apples to regenerate (monster move). The pg could destroy The tree (and piss The gods a lot) Or stop The monster eating The apples.

  6. I like the idea that eating something triggers a regeneration. Now I imagine the party entering a small room full of unsuspecting Goblins. However they are smug, despite the odds being very much against them. They blow a whistle and two large doors in the room burst open and as a hydra strides through.

    The goblins stand to the side of the Hydra content to watch the party be eaten. But as the hydra starts to lose its head(s), remaining heads turn and start to devour the cheering goblins. I might just have to use this in my own game. Thank you Mike Beacom for introducing the hydra and Luca Colombini for sharing this idea. Awesome ^_^

  7. When I think hydra, I think of the cartoon movie Hercules. 

    That said, my hydra would probably have a lot of soft moves with cool setups:

    “One head bites into the ground in front of you, leaving a straight shot up its back to the rest of the heads…”

    “You’re holding on to one of the necks when another head opens it’s mouth to swallow you whole…”

    “You’ve been swallowed, but you notice that theirs no armor inside here…”

    Silly? Maybe. Heckafun? Hecka Yes! Boring? Never!

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