Okay, I need help on the 7-headed Hydra. I managed to get him once out of luck (chain freezing + crit hits), but can't get to 5. I have a reasonable set of weapons and scrolls, but at this point I don't know the best way to use them to target this dude. So if anyone can help with strategy, I'd be forever grateful! (I don't even know what elements this dude is weak to.)

[Spoiler=My Stats]Health: 1367 Strength: 1368 Defense: 1368 Speed: 1368[/spoiler] [Spoiler=My Gear] [/spoiler] [Spoiler=My Scrolls]xMany [/spoiler]

So my strategy up til now has always been to attempt to chain freeze. So Specs and typically the Trident paired with my Sonar Scream. After frozen, I'll bomb (Item Hunters and Acorn) and PWhirlpool scroll. From there, might use my Rainbow Vortex with Trident/Knocker while continuing to try to freeze. I have the Cobalt Eternal and Sancturia Exodin for when I need some defense. I've used the Soma in past for the sake of the curses. And of course a healer (might switch back to Pheonix now that my One Ring isn't bringing in enough healing.)

That being said, it's not working for the Hydra. I just hit T9 the other day, so I added the Rift Staff to my armory. I've also just purchased the Bludgeon, and had the Rapier sitting in my vault. (Also just got an Aftershocks Scroll, so that'll probably be used going forward.)

Think I might go with a strategy of freezing, then hitting with my Recycle Blaster and Soma and praying a bit. But not sure what weapons I should be bringing in to battle to get the best bang for my buck.

Should I finally spring for the Reviver of the Lion? What about the Frost Thorn? What about the Large Gutting Knife? Deadwood Scissorbeak?

tl;dr: What the heck should my armory look like for the Hydra, and what is the best way to use it?

[edit] Ultimate strategy: Trident + Helmet (to freeze) + Aftershocks Scroll Trident + something to damage + Shriek scroll (to freeze) Rapier + Soma + Aftershocks/Gelaspell Rapier / Trident + AoN + Aftershocks

I've since given up as my luck just wasn't good enough to get in the fights. But it's theoretically possible.

I'm not sure if a t9 will be able to do it too easily. your best bet might be to try to borrow and go for all chain freezes.

I posted what I used with my t10 pet here and the wins weren't too hard.

Well, I'm sure as hell going to try. :P Perhaps with enough luck. Looked at your post and I seem to be on the right track. Assuming I get a hold of an Amulet, does the following lineup seem reasonable?

Amulet of Neutrality Blessed Trident of the Banished One Rapier of Error Intricate Energized Helmet Soma Tablets Recycle Blaster Rainbow Vortex Phoenix Quill (Unfortunately don't have the Malhuili, Tasselled Aegis, or Psycho Smasher.)

Order wise, that'd probably be freeze with Helmet first. Blast with Soma and Recycle (+PWhirlpool). Amulet with every hit after, using the Rapier probably.

I'd not use the recycle blaster and get another healing infinite use weapon just for those turns where you hope to tank a hit.

Malhuili is easily replaced by any weapon with a good heal on it. tasselled aegis can be replaced by any infinite use healer, psycho smasher can be replaced with a shriek but as long as you have the AP to equip one (or more, definitely more is better) you can always try to borrow some

I do trident+helmet to freeze trident + other attacker + freeze scroll somas + RoE + a scroll that does damage (or heal if you need) to freeze RoE as long as he's frozen, if not frozen, RoE with a full block if you're at full health, if not trident + full block to heal

You're a lifesaver. <3 I'll definitely give this a go. Currently trying to find a CSC seller for a Shriek scroll, but once I get that I'll try to do some battles without the Amulet. (And wait for my inquiry to be answered on the lending board.)

(Also damn I'm glad I have 87 AP points on my battler.)

saw your post on the battle chat, how close are you getting? just got home from picking my gf up at work and made dinner so I'm here for awhile :)

@ kbbob Not very, unfortunately. :/ Admittedly, I've only done a handful of battles with the new set so far though. I've managed to get him down to 3k before my luck runs out. He has some very strong hits. Going to give it a few more shots til I give up and wait for an Amulet.

[edit] Luck is just super not on my side tonight. Can't seem to get many freeze chains (the damn Shriek scroll has more often than not refused to kick in.)

- I have the Large Gutting Knife as my main healer and could lend it to you for awhile if you think it would help any.

you have to watch out for the anti-freeze blessing that looks like I think if it's active, you won't be able to get a freeze

I think it'll take a lot of losses but the wins will be possible.

are you using pylonics/shards at all? you may want to have those equipped just in case it's a close battle?

Ah, I'll keep an eye out for that curse then. Probably hasn't helped much. And I honestly forgot about Pylonics and Shards- I'll grab some of them, though it hasn't been close enough yet. (Got him down to 2k before dying the last time.

I think I'm good, but thanks for the offer! My Trident, Bludgeon, and Knocker all have health attached. Mostly it's just not enough in the long run. His hits are too big.

is good for a full block, they're nice for really close battles near the end is good for another freeze is another freezer

then for shards you just want to match whatever icons he does. death, fire, magma, earth maybe?

- no problem, just let me know if you change your mind for any reason. I don't think Tos is going to have any chance. Her stats are pretty close to the same as yours and she isn't nearly that well equipped. I will definitely be watching to see how you do and what finally works - and also rooting for your success.

Well if I find a working combination I can lend out my armory. Will definitely keep you posted.

- thanks, much appreciated. From what I'm reading I would need an entire armory - including scrolls to stand a ghost of a chance. :-)

Wish I had something that would help you. Will you settle for some encouragement? I have lots of that handy. I did find that Tharg (T8) got totally wiped out when he tried to fight/freeze the five headed hydra but he was able to get the last six of his ten wins by fighting a long drawn out defensive battle. A single attack/healer (he used the Large Gutting Knife), some good defense weapon, plus the Aftershocks Scroll. I had an UltimaPlus Tag and a Phoenix Quill for extra healing. It wasn't pretty and he took a few losses, but he did squeak by. I don't know if that sort of really long defensive game is viable for the seven headed hydra though. Too many chances for him to use his big weapons and/or get a critical hit. Anyway, just a thought.

Man this Hydra is difficult!

Even with the Amulet of Neutrality backing me up, my luckiest time was getting him down to 1k. I've had numerous battles of him turning on his anti-freeze on turn one, and others where he crit hits me on the first turn. Just can't pack a big enough punch on the turns he is frozen to do much. I think I'll try back tomorrow night after I have a chance to stock up on potions and shards.

(Also seriously need to get myself one of these Amulets. It's amazing!)

- wow, that is a looong haul. Congratulations on getting in a win! Hope you have better luck tomorrow if you come back.

- would the [item2=Hydragellos Maniacal Core] help ? It's probably the only thing I have that might be useful. Don't know how it would compare to what she is already trying to hit with (or how much dark the hydra blocks.

getting to 1k is really close, I'd stick with it =) how are you modded? is all your AP filled up?

that blocks light right? I don't think he does much light

Looks like my mods are a general assortment, with no weapon particularly tailored. Perhaps I should go back in for the Rapier if I'm planning on trying to freeze more with it.

As for AP, I have 87 for my main pet and my current scroll set uses 83: Aftershocks (15), Shriek of Despair (15), Gelaspell (18), Sonar Scream (19), Cobalt Eternal (8), Sancturia Exodin (8) (Also in my library are 4 Perilous Whirlpools (7)) Looking at it now, I might be better off killing the Gelaspell or Sonar Scream in exchange for carrying a few more CE or SE.

I'll go back in and try for another kill this evening once I have a chance to potion it up. I honestly don't even know how I was lucky enough to get a win on my very first try. I think I used up my luck quota in one go.

they look pretty good actually. I hardly ever use blessing of natural armor and opt for parched instead but that works.

hm you could probably move out the sonar scream for another shriek or two more cobalts. you could even get out the gelaspell too if you think another shriek or more cobalts would be more beneficial. I think that's something to try out

okay just let me know when :) if you can get one win easily, you can get another with some effort so don't give up just yet

@ kbbob (@ arixen) All right, I'm calling it. I definitely used all my luck on that very first battle, and just can't make a dent. I'm worn out. Perhaps if I magically get some boosters and such before the end of the event... At least there's next year.

I ended up swapping my Sonar Scream with two more Cobalts which did help quite a bit (and if I had the CSC or sP to drop, I'd buy another Shriek.)

kbbob- thank you so much on the advice and lending. You're damn amazing.

[edit]And a note to any others who read this, I'd be more than happy to lend my armory/scrolls. Just let me know.