Do you think Hydras might be worth it

[patchestheclown]

Hey all, I've always loved the Hydra model but they never really make it into my lists because honestly they are kinda bad. However with the tau codex about to hit and already with custode bikes being prevalent and eldar bikes around a lot I was giving the Hydra another thought because of that +1 to hit vs. units with fly keyword it actually becomes pretty deadly even with a -1 BS penalty on the board (or at least it doesn't become an ork).

 

Thoughts? I'm still thinking they are too expensive but I could see it being a nasty surprise especially vs tau... hmmmm

[NatBrannigan]

Pricey, but mine's done... ok.

 

Tends to be something on the board with the fly keyword (mines been decent against Plague Drones) where it's good, but I'm not sure it's ever been worth the points really.

 

To be honest the only time it's made a telling impact on any game is when I used it to charge a Land Raider bearing down on an objective, tying it up in combat. Not exactly in the job description!

[Withershadow]

I don't think Hydras are worth it, and GW agrees, because they discounted autocannons across the board but left the Hydra alone.

 

Hydra batteries on the other hand, are a lot more reasonable at 75 points each.

[zero88]

If you play Vostroyan then a Hydra buffed with their stratagem against a flying target is super cool.. 8 shots hitting on 2s! Edited March 9, 2018 by zero88

[Feral_80]

What's to like on a Hydra? Autocannons sadly suck.

With the absurd amount of wounds that the average flyer vehicle has, Hydras are never going to kill any at S 7 AP -1 D 2.

They can be useful against stuff like jetbikes or Necron vehicles, but honestly that is way too situational unless you know you will face many.

[WarriorFish]

I agree, the Hydra isn't very good sadly. It's a shame as I was hoping 8th would give it a shot in the arm. As mentioned unless you're up against a lot of Fly keywords you're going to struggle to get much from it and can find better ways to spend those points :confused:

[mertbl]

It's not a good anti flyer but it is a good anti "Fly" keyword. Hitting on 3's, wounding most on 3's. It'll shred some stuff.

[Withershadow]

The auto cannon profile sadly falls short for anti vehicle duty in this edition. Before you glanced the average vehicle on a 4 or 5, and only needed to do that 3 times. Against the typical armored 8th edition target, you’re still wounding on 4 or 5 but now are also saved against 50% of the time and have to do that 6 times.

[SanguinaryGuardsman]

Autocannons need to be ap -2 or 3 dmg.  The math just doesnt add up.  Heavy bolters are better vs infantry and lascannons/missiles are better vs vehicles.  Autocannons are just kind of bad vs everything.

[Withershadow]

They are pretty good against very light armor like IG Sentinels, Eldar War Walkers/Vypers/Jetbikes/Wraithguard, Custodes Jetbikes, Tau Crisis Suits, and I guess some of the Necron stuff too (haven't looked at latest codex or even Index since no one plays them around here).

 

Mechanicus Dragoons and Crimson Hunters would be on this list if they weren't stacking -2 to hit most of the time.

 

The point discount was nice, but not really enough. AP-2 I think would be appropriate since the gun is always described as being far more effective than heavy bolters in the books at punching holes in armor.

[KhorneHunter57x]

I'd like to see the Hydra's guns get some sort of damage and/or AP boost against targets with Fly, to represent the flak rounds those are spitting out.

[MrZakalwe]

As far as I can tell the niche of the Autocannon is killing Stormshield Terminators and other 2w 3++ targets (there are more floating around than you'd assume).

[Feral_80]

Make the normal autocannon equal to the Predator uber-autocannon (D 3, for absolutely no reason) and it starts to get more interesting.

 

Besides one-shotting annoying stuff like Necron Wraiths, AM Bullgryns, basic Custodes, etc., it will also be more worthwhile against vehicles. It won't go through armour too often, but when it does it will definitely hurt. And it will be really dangerous against light vehicles, such as Ork Trukks and Dark Eldar. Which is exactly what it should do.

[Withershadow]

Making the predator autocannon more than just an autocannon started in 30K where it for some reason had +1S and double the shots. But yes, AP-2 or even better D3 would go a long way.

[JBugman]

Two things: thanks for discussing the Hydra.  Sorry it hasn't found its place in this edition.  And thanks for discussing, to a lesser extent, the Autocannon which I've used to...ok...success last edition.  It's multiple shots did well before but not this edition, so I'll be thinking about what to replace them with.  Missile launchers or Heavy Bolters?  We'll see.

 

Regards

[Feral_80]

Definitely heavy bolter, if that is the choice.

Missiles are our other awful awful weapon, as bad or possibly even worse than autocannons.

[duz_]

Heavy bolter is my favourite weapon for guard right now :)

[Withershadow]

I actually like twin heavy stubbers even more, but yes, heavy bolters are a very solid option. Adequate strength to wound most infantry on a 3+, or the tougher ones on a 4+, armor modifier, and a good rate of fire.