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{{monster info|the Lernaean hydra}}
''For a list of all reptiles, see [[list of reptiles and amphibians]].''

==Useful Info==
'''The Lernaean hydra''' ("'''Lerny'''" for short) is a unique [[hydra]] with [[27]] heads. Each head can do up to 18 dmg for a total of 486, though very strongly biased around the average of 260, and reduced 27 times by [[AC]]/[[EV]] rolls. In addition, it has about twice the HP of a regular hydra, has 30 [[HD]], and can knock down [[Wall#Mangrove|trees]] by simply moving through them. Other than that, it behaves exactly like a normal hydra (notably that it swims and regenerates quickly).

Lerny can occasionally be found in [[Swamp]]:4. If Swamp hasn't generated in your game, it may very rarely appear inside a specific [[runed door]] [[vault]] ("nicolae_hydra_factorization"). It can also appear as a [[zombie]] or [[skeleton]] in one ending.

==Strategy==
This monster ''is'' a threat, and perhaps ranks among the more dangerous monsters in the game. But to a careful, reasonably well-prepared player, it is less dangerous than it first appears:
*Lerny is a melee-only monster that's relatively frail - despite the HP, Lerny has ''no'' AC and minimal EV, so it can be dealt with by sufficiently strong ranged attacks. Even melee characters can use [[throw]]ables or [[wand]]s. It has no resistances except for poison, and it cannot see invisible.
*Each head checks AC/EV/SH separately, so a heavily armoured player is unlikely to die in 1-2 hits. A character with 40+ AC (generally from high [[Armour skill]] and highly enchanted armour) can expect to take on average 20-30 damage/turn from this monster. By comparison, a character with about 20 AC will take twice as much damage/turn.

Still, Lerny can deal massive damage. In theory, it can 1-turn kill even a heavily armoured character. Great care should be taken to not let Lerny into melee range.

Also, keep in mind that you don't ''have'' to kill every monster possible. Lerny's worth a good chunk of experience, but if you don't have a safe way to kill it, just grab the rune and go. Alternatively, you can come back after you've explored other areas and gotten stronger, since you'll only need the Swamp's rune once you're ready to open the [[Realm of Zot]].

===Tackling Lerny===
*If Lerny is far away and clumped up with a bunch of monsters, a [[scroll of immolation]] + ranged attacks can be brutally effective. Ideally, haste and flight should be used in case something goes wrong. You can also use [[summon]]s, [[undead]], or other allies as immolation fodder for a similar effect.
*A [[phantom mirror]] can be brutally effective against Lerny. The phantom often moves first, so it's likely to kill (or severely damage) the original.
*Lerny can't see invisible, although note that if you're in water and not flying, invisibility does not work.

Swarming with allies without Inner Flame/immolation generally ''doesn't'' work due to Lerny's ability to redirect leftover attacks. [[Summon Cactus Giant]] isn't effective either, as the spines will only affect a hydra once per turn. Sufficiently powerful allies like [[Malign Gateway]] can work, though.

===Tips & Tricks===
*Lerny is a hydra, with the usual head-cutting mechanics:
**Flaming edged weapons do cut off heads, but going from 27 to 26 heads doesn't make a big difference. If you have a renewable/cheap means of escape, you might be able to chip away at the head count.
**Lerny is capped at 27 heads. Non-flaming edged weapons still cause the healing, but won't increase the number of heads. While a normal edged weapon will likely prove ineffective, a weapon of [[freezing]] can at least slow Lerny down (letting you escape).
**Lerny is much easier to fight when encountered as a zombie. On top of the usual weaknesses for [[derived undead]], such as lowered [[speed]] and [[willpower]], its heads will not regrow when severed, and it will not regenerate health.

==Trivia==
The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lernaean_Hydra Lernaean Hydra] was a monster in Greek mythology that was killed by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hercules Hercules] as one of his Twelve Labors.

The Lernaean hydra - Revision history

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