Is the Hydra now an AUTO TAKE? | Astra Militarum Tactics

[@gilesparkes2922]

When you hear the order to use the anti aircraft gun on the emperor's finest. - Are we the baddies?

[@justaguy-i1v]

I mean we’ve got skulls everywhere… why is that?

[@aoofmg6684]

WE have them to cherrish mortality and as a reminder of the living god sitting upon the golden throne to protect us. They have them because they are heretics!

[@robouteguilliman6662]

The removal of the +1/-1 thing it had in 8th is the only thing that really makes it viable as a take all comers

[@obscurian5156]

Auto cannon, old reliable. None of the swingy-ness of the lascannon, more punching power than heavy bolter. When you absolutely need a few wounds, your boy, autocannon is here for you.

[@jasongarfitt1147]

Does this mean the leman Russ exterminator is usable again?

[@jasongarfitt1147]

@@TheGreatArtichoke exterminator is the autocannon one so I'll assume you meant executioner

[@TheKodiak72]

@@jasongarfitt1147 No. The Russ Exterminator only has 6 shots. Youre better off taking a Hydra for that role.

[@brycedery9596]

@@TheKodiak72 The exterminator is good at pinning things and shooting into its own combat, with 3flamers and it's not trivial.

[@DarrinSK]

@@TheKodiak72 Russ is tougher though.

[@BaileyBecca]

I personally think this is one of if not the coolest looking vehicles in the guard codex

[@arturotorres7209]

I like the hydra when you add the pinning fire order cause what ever you don't kill has a good chance to be slowed down

[@CountingHouse]

Yeah keep them in that kill zone a while longer, and when the times right hose them down with "Gunners Kill on Sight". I love the guard so much as you have to plan to fight as a balanced and cohesive force to be effective.

[@imadequate3376]

Couple that with a death strike missile and you can lock down important units in the death zone and nuke em. If you don't have at least one manticore and death strike are you REALLY playing guard?

[@joelwashere5382]

Loving these unit reviews Mordian! Tom has done a great job on the thumb nails as well! Stoked to here about the hydra being good! Just finished painting 3 of them 😁

[@troyjernigan5303]

Hydra has always been my favorite non-MBT guard vehicle. Glad to see I might actually get to use it this edition!

[@sairence]

The Hydra has a good datasheet, really good. The funny thing is that they way Arks has nerfed fliers probably means it's main target has kinda disappeared.

[@markdorn8873]

Does it still get a bonus vs flyers, or just aircraft? If it's the latter, your point is spot on, but if not, there are still plenty of flyers out there waiting for a hail of flak.

[@masonshilling6821]

I also wonder this question

[@sairence]

@@markdorn8873 The doubleshots and additional +1 to hit is only vs aircraft now.

[@nonya_bidness]

even still, 72" hvy8 s7 ap-2 D2 @bs4+ with 11wounds is pretty powerful for 110pts, particularly if we're gonna be in for a meta full of marines. for comparison, 240pts in tau gets you a heavy burst cannon riptide, 36" hvy12 s6 ap-2 D2 @bs4+ with 14wounds. yeah, the riptide can jump-shoot-jump for free, but damn if that ain't good rates on the hydra for the firepower it puts out really the hydra's only issue is it competes against so many other amazing datasheets for the heavy supp slot

[@sairence]

Oh for sure. Main issue it has is the same that pretty much any other heavy support choice right now, which is "But is taking you better than taking another Russ?" The much lower price in combination with decent firepower might give it a niche in some lists. Definitley more than the majority of other stuff.

[@truckingjoe7715]

I remember when the Hydra had the "interceptor" special rule. When a unit deep strikes, roll an attack against it. The fun of this was when terminators deep striked.

[@samjsnz]

It kind of has this back with a stratagem, but only against aircraft arriving from reserve

[@joshuacollins5860]

I can see a great argument for a Hydra in smaller points armies, where it can shred infantry and vehicles alike. In a larger army, it's points are enough to consider tossing into a list for gaining that firepower. Personally, I love auto cannons, while not great, they are truly a jack of all trades weapon that will absolutely stack up chip wounds and help tip a fight in your favor. Another fringe benefit is that a Hydra might not get focused down until later turns, whereas a Leman Russ would attract far more incoming dedicated AT fire, giving you several turns of firing to help pay for it's points investment.

[@snufflebunny539]

The stupid Tyranid gargoyle swarm when I send 18 flak rounds at them

[@ravajaxe]

But gargoyles are not aircraft. Hydra will not work at best against them. Only against Harpy and Hive Crone.

[@snufflebunny539]

@@ravajaxe won't stop me shooting at them

[@brucehemming9749]

The hydra was my first forgeworld kit which I bought in 1999 not long after forgeworld started business anecdotally I was in the RAF at the time ….. I just thought the model was cool at the time and missed the irony. great video thanks for sharing your thoughts 👍🍻

[@thevoxdeus]

If aircraft weren't so nerfed, it would be an auto-include, but it's still pretty darn good.

[@madnessabounds1337]

Awesome! I just picked up a Hydra to go with my growing parking lot

[@StrikerFox808]

Ive run a hydra in a list back in the day, just because it could direct fire infantry and just shred them, regardless of any aircraft. just having aircraft was an added bonus. It was always a staple in the lists i ran, but now, its even more deadly. so yeah, its a sleeper for sure, and if i ever pick up the guard again, it would deff be in my list.

[@SneakyBeeBuzzBuzz]

Also been saying for the past few days that the Hydra is a sleeper now that AoC is gone Gonna be fitting 2 into my list (Local meta has a lot of power armour)

[@chrisdowning3153]

These auto cannons are popping off! Its popping off!

[@Troommate]

Love the look of it wish I could see it played more

[@dabluflcn]

What goes around comes around. This is giving me 5e flashbacks.

[@bobthegenestealer1313]

They did the Wyvern dirty. The quad mortar is literally on the same turret as the Hydra auto cannons but didn't get the turret rule.

[@tobiasm268]

Absolutely I Love Hydras I used to have to kit bash to build them I am going to start an Armored Army. I think this will be my first Addition. I love your Insite Thank You 🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾

[@jsirhanis]

I've been running 3 Hydras alongisde my other tanks in my last few games and they're rock solid. The damage they do over the course of the game really adds up and it is very reliable. They've always got a good target due to their weapon profile and unlimited range. Their biggest issue before AoO was not enough heavy support slots but now you can have your Russ tanks as well as a few Hydras for long range support.

[@venkelos6996]

I'm inclined to agree that the Hydra seems pretty good, especially if GW doesn't errata it away from 16 shots, at +2 vs flyers, but with flyers sort of being less valuable, in the 30k ground wars simulator it is, I'm glad to see that the Hydra still has other value. On a related topic, I'm looking forward to the Valkyrie video like this. It's sort of a shame, but I feel like "air superiority" might not still be a thing, in 40k, and that the Valkyrie loses out hard. It's a transport, bur Guard...don't necessarily NEED transports, and when they do, they have the Chimera. I don't recall anything Guard having any "hop out of the Valkyrie" synergies, or the vehicle having anything special in the form of Stratagems, so I'm wondering if they still have any real value, when compared to other choices in their book? I know Elysians isn't still really a thing, and especially with the delay to entering from Reserves, but it's sort of a shame, because I liked the old air cav standard, and now I feel like it won't see use. Since you are good at these things, and make videos about lots of different units, here's hoping you will cover the Valkyrie soon, and either confirm its diminished value, or share with me something I missed. We already had the Master of the Fleet, so he's not going to do anything to improve them, but maybe I missed something else?

[@josiahstreetman8806]

What I really like it for is against light vehicles like Harlequin boats for example

[@pabloalonsolasagabaster658]

it would be good agaisnt ork flyers if it wasn´t for the ramshackle rool. Kind of sad, since they are the few factions that use flyers

[@jasongarfitt1147]

At first I was "meh" about the hydra, but then I saw a video of the gepard in action and the hydra is basically a gepard with twice the number of guns so now I want one

[@NapoleonicWargaming]

Check out the Shilka ;)

[@jasongarfitt1147]

@@NapoleonicWargaming the hydra is like if the shilka and gepard had a baby

[@Gregwin47]

Are flyers that common still? Feel like plasma cannons on russ just shred marines. I killed a 10 man Squad of Deathwing Terminators with 3 squads of Kasrkin in a turn….. marines probably aren’t an issue?

[@ItsBofu]

The 72" range is the big benefit here. A lot of people seem to keep ignoring the range when comparing different weapons/units.

[@Gregwin47]

@@ItsBofu it’s because of the LOS rules in 9th. All the shooting basically happens in the middle 24inches

[@lordkroak6670]

Reminds me of the mission in WoW where you mow down the Japanese with an A.A. gun

[@tracesosebee5485]

With the Arks of Omen detachment rules, I have plenty of heavy support slots for one of these now

[@viridisxiv766]

i have a forgeworld original. *dusts off hydra whilst laughing maniacally.

[@TheMartianrebel]

Its time to shine has come

[@torazoul]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't there a rule that forbids improving to hit and to wound rolls beyond +1 or -1 (meaning +2 or -2 is not possible)? So following that logic, the best BS the Hydra could get would be 3+. Did that change?

[@plupp14]

No it did not change, but most flyers are supersonic giving anyone who shots at them a -1 which in combination with the Hydras +2 vs flyers makes it useful to keep the 3+ to hit

[@Cadiaforever]

Aircraft can always deepstrike from reserves

[@JohnnyRico118]

I like the look and concept of the Hydra, it's just a mobile gun platform and after the new guard codex release, I decided to get one since it seems so much more viable now. It's autocannons are 72" and AP2, which is what all autocannons should be. It basically gets autocannons that aren't crap and autocannons are cool. Against air targets, does it hit on 3's or 2's? Because you have +1 from turret weapon, +1 from shooting at an air unit, and then the air unit makes anything that targets it shoot with -1.

[@thesheeteels8252]

3’s. It’s a plus two to hit modifier, so it’s immune to minus one to hit, though.

[@yokogaijinjr.5061]

However it ignores the -1 hard to hit penalty from aircraft, so with the turret rule and +1 to hit against aircraft, you get a 2 pluses to hit, however it’s capped at hitting on 3’s, however, even if the opponent deployed behind a dense cover terrain, it will still hit on 3’s.

[@markdorn8873]

It's nice to be spoiled for choice, and I have a Hydra turret just waiting for a mount...

[@bubuhotep]

So, I won my match against Grey Knights yesterday with my seven russes. Reduced my opponent to five models by turn three.

[@ollx5699]

Hey was wondering if you’d taken a look at the blitz division regimental doctrine. As in arks of omen you’ll no longer have to pay cp for reservers you can have massive squadrons coming in from reserves on turn 2, as if it’s turn 3. (Tonnes of hellhound variants for example) seems like there maybe some good potential there? Would luv to here ur opinion on it.

[@carldooley9344]

How do squadrons work in this codex? Everything seems to have the Squadron keyword but the only thing that can actually be taken in a squadron are the Sentinels.

[@Beowulf-eg2li]

Shame my main opponent in my group are vehicle spam orks, ramshackle really cripples autocannons for me haha

[@jamesloder8652]

Would you recommend playing 2 or do you think just throwing in 2 for seasoning is sufficient?

[@quadcannon]

Finally, my Hydra's time has come!

[@foxtayle683]

It's the 88 of the Guard!

[@strawberrypuddin8919]

Can we get the 10th edition opinions on the Hydra?? I literally bought one because of this video but now I'm afraid it's lost Its luster in 10th.

[@ShasOGuelLa]

So Smart Missile System is back in vogue?

[@benclark3457]

When will someone talk about that then i.e the cost of 2 LR Executioners with PC sponsons VS 3 Hydras in a 'C0m1ng Mahr33n meta'. Points cost is exactly the same if you go for track guards and 10pts cheaper if you don't. 8 Executioner shots + 4 PC shots + 6 hull Heavy Bolter shots vs 24 Hydra Autocannon shots and 9 HB shots. Seems like it would've been interesting to compare now rather than later since its exactly what you're describing and would make a good video to update later on. I'm not sold on Hydras at all as if I wanted a cheap little dakka tank (Which I REALLY do, GW 80-110 point light tank hint hint) as Hellhounds would be a much better choice for that seeing as they will be in a position to take damage as well as dish it out, albeit not quite as well vs Marines. Or perhaps Hydras really are that good; as good as a squad of Scions/Kasrkin. As good as 2 LRMBT's. Mordian Propaganda or actual god unit ready to shoot everything to death? Maybe I should make a Mech Chinerma chassis Horde for myself and find out. Hmmmmm.

[@ExternalDialogue]

The hydra battery from legends is... weird. Its only 80 points and it has the artillery keyword, which means it can benefit from Master of Ordinance and Expert Bombadiers. You are sacrificing being able to move and it cant take orders till they unbork the keywords. Still though, being able to stack up to a 0+ bs is kinda insane. -1+ if it gets access to orders. Meaning even the sneakiest units in the game is still impossible to miss. EDIT: Also if they update it with Regimental, and you take Swift as the Wind you can actually move it 2 inches every turn instead of being stationary.

[@plasticskulls]

Is it a 10/10. i need a rating! I only work in numbers 😩

[@NemFX]

It was always an auto take for me. The skies are mine.

[@thomasshaw61]

Notmanypeoplearegoingtobeusingfliersanymore,ifyoucan,tusethemin thefirstturn?!

[@youthere7327]

now aoc is out the ap2 is great on this thing

[@dunham2900]

I have been preaching about the hydra since the codex came out. It is great especially now that AOC is gone.

[@DiceandGlory]

Is it against fliers or aircraft. They're slightly different. Raiders fly but they're not aircraft.

[@jasongarfitt1147]

It was"fly" keyword in 8th codex, now it is the "aircraft" keyword

[@benclark3457]

Its against 'aircraft'. Unless the rumoured 10e rules change flying hive tyrant to 'aircraft' can't see it getting much use. Which is a shame. Hellhounds would be a better use of the points imo as they'll absorb damge as well and we have plenty of re-roll 1s for plasma against marines? I really want to believe this MG propaganda though as I was just thinking Guard lack a nippy little light tank/vehicle for 80-110 points thats got dakka. Unfortunately I thnik GW are just trying to shft stock. But maybe I'm wrong and this will be an unforseen antidote to an unseen marine horde meta..

[@jackchan3235]

Could you next time show a list with a hydra ?

[@redredleg4051]

A hydra is most of the cost of a Leman Russ with plasma turret and 3 heavy bolters. So short an unforeseen flyer meta, I think the Russ is a better value.

[@lemanruss7218]

It's 110 pts vs 155 for a base russ or 165 with sponson hvy bolters. That's 50 points less

[@thevoxdeus]

Not too many things in WH40k match the value of the Russ.

[@neilburns3121]

The Hydra does outrange the russ by a country mile, doesn't mean much on the newer board size but it's something to consider

[@Swrdfshtrmbns]

When you start doing the napkin math against aircraft, you said it hits on a 3+, but I thought you said earlier it is 2+ against aircraft.

[@Ottuln]

Most aircraft give a -1 to hit. Hydra is 4+ BS, +1 to hit from turret (3+), +1 to hit from targeting aircraft (2+), -1 to hit from aircraft ability (3+). If the aircraft is hovering or you give the Take Aim order then it's 2+ again, but you can't do that during the Flak Barrage order.

[@lesdodoclips3915]

@@Ottuln you can’t put take aim in a hyrdra because its not platoon Even if you could, you can only improve or worsen bs by a maximum of 1.

[@SneakyBeeBuzzBuzz]

@@lesdodoclips3915 At least it can get 'GKOS' but I feel like you're rather gonna slap that on one of your Russ

[@sammcloughlin]

Does making two hit rolls not mean you roll twice for each shot rather than being heavy 16?

[@ThePungljung]

Technically yes. But you could still end up with 16 hits.

[@sammcloughlin]

@@ThePungljung but it doesn't say make two shots. It's essentially an in built reroll as it is written

[@ThePungljung]

@@sammcloughlin no. If you make multiple hit rolls for an attack all the rolls can hit and later wound. Its the same as melee weapons with "big strikes" and "sweeping blows"

[@ThePungljung]

@@sammcloughlin since I cant fall asleep just yet i found a source as well. Check the core rule book errata: page 363 rare rules "attacks that make multiple hit rolls" Cheers and happy gaming

[@sammcloughlin]

@@ThePungljung thanks!

[@bloodangelspacemarine9597]

The flak panzer

[@jasongarfitt1147]

The double gepard

[@foxinhenhouse420]

I love how KZbin is confused and thinks your video is a World of Tanks video

[@marasmusine]

I won't be auto-taking a Hyrda, because I don't own one.

[@ravajaxe]

I'm not so hyped for the hydra. And there are two main reasons. First, coming back to what you said about its impressive 72 inches range. Well it is not so much impressive if your opponents insist on playing on "standardized" WTC terrain (or similar), or if you play in a WTC-style tournament. On such boards with ridiculous amount of terrain pieces, the average range you can trace is about 18"-24", and rarely more. So the hydra long range becomes irrelevant. Secondly, the aircrafts have been severely neutered by the last dataslate. I would not count on them being prevalent anymore. It was by the time of eldar aircraft utter dominance (craftworld and/or drukhari) in 8th edition, that having a good Hydra would have been handy. Alas, its statline was very underwhelming even against its preffered target. Now the Hydra is good, but way too late. Just use Leman Russes instead, until GW nerfs them eventually. They are much more versatile, and resilient.

[@Ottuln]

For a tournament I'd consider keeping one around and look for good positioning in matches without flyers, especially if you know the local meta is likely to have them. If they have a flyer it completely negates it as it is super difficult, often impossible, to stop them from being shot on the way in.

[@titouanlange396]

The turret rules is not needed for the astra militarum, seems like a AoC wierd patch put on a now new and fixed ( and really strong now ) codex

[@webkam]

hi, i live next door to you... please stop yelling its really lame