[Hydra Set Survey] Do you prefer to have more Hydra HEADS or would you prefer more HYDRAS?

PTR Feedback
6

Well, I don’t think that the problem is caused by ES and DW.
The problem is caused as we dont have anything else then ES and DW.

1 Like
7

But Es and Dw buffs all spenders. If you had an alternative, this would still be prefered as you would also have mantle of channeling shoulders.

1 Like
8

It would totally depend on the new items we would get.
The rest would be only a little balancing problem.

For Hydra Set for example we could get a 2 handed staff that increases damage done and decreases damage received for each active Hydra.

Or maybe something like this:
Increases your damage and attack speed for each active Hydra.
The Wizard releases Hydra skills now and then, just like an additional Hydra.

Here are some more suggestions I have made:

9

I think B, there is a huge but to it, because the hydras would need an instant nerf taking into consideration both the total damage buff and the buff the two new items give. Having said that this set brings old memories from D2. The play style reminds me of the trapsin, even though the hydras existed as a sorceress spell even back then. The difference is that the hydras has a midrange and in general the distances are totally different in D3 compared to D2. Which is okay with me, tired to hear all the complaints about D3 vs D2.
Mobility and the current dps and DR loss is a bigger problem.
I also agree on the idea of a new pair off main hand offhand to get out of this temptation to go for the Deathwhish/Etched Sigil.

1 Like
10

I’ll go with A. The extra heads idea is very unique, and if they work out the issues with them falling off to quickly, it will function just fine.

There’s not a lot of difference between the two approaches, I just like that one more.

1 Like
11

I had suggested exactly this in past.

However, in my opinion this new Hydra Set is not like the D2 Trap Assa. Only 2 Hydras are just not enough :wink:

12

I like my wizard to play like the DH Marauder of 2014 patch 2.0.6.
Cast down 5 Hydras, freezes the whole screen and stay behind in safety.

Option B sounds exactly like that.
But having 10 heads of Option A still works just the same

1 Like
13

Yeah, I also kinda imagine it to work like that, except that the Hydra’s themselves would only do 30-40% of the total damage, the rest from some other skills. Like buff other skills as well when for each Hydra that is active.

I always saw Hydra as being more of a support damage dealing skill rather than a main damage dealer.

14

Bingo! (20 characters)

15

This is a very good question.

I get why just adding heads is more interesting, as it limits how many continual casts you need to make. So instead of having to summon 4 Hydras everytime you have moved, it is easier to just summon 2.

It also creates less clutter and screen noise in a multiplayer environment where filling the screen with effects isn’t really a good thing. And a more unique change to the skill.

But the new Magistrate effect makes it much more appealing to have more active at one time.

To me it is more about the playstyle, as the channeling part is the biggest drawback for me to even judge what would fit it best.

2 Likes
16

I prefer B
Also rework etched sigil and Death Wish in a way that it cannot be used with Hyrda builds

2 Likes
17

Option B - more hydras = more active playstyle with an enpahsis to control the battle field through how you place your hydras.

I also agree that this set needs to include items that make channeling redundant!

1 Like
18

The one that lags the least in high grifts!

19

I prefer the option A but making mammoth rune multihead with the set on.

20

I prefer B.

  • I reckon they should double the number of Hydras so that with Serpent Sparker, you would get 4 Hydras.
  • Damage reduction should be a flat X% if you have one hydra active
  • B would make Mammoth an option… they’d all be options
  • additionally, the damage on the 6pc shouldn’t have to scale with the number of Hydras… that gameplay really sucks
2 Likes
21

@Azathoth That’s why I am tempted for more hydras :wink:
I also think that a new combination of wand and source inspired by the Unstable Scepter/ Triumvirate would create a nice alternative to the Deathwhish/ES.
But more control of the environment would be a huge benefit.
As for the damage I think as it is gives us enough, so increasing the number of hydras must decrease the bonus damage!
Of course that goes for the dama reduction as well, the good more hydras and heads would slower degradation of both dps and DR.

1 Like
22

I prefer option B. I don’t really feel the difference with a hydras with more heads except the buff icon telling me so.

1 Like
23
  • 2-Piece Bonus: Double the duration and the number of Hydras.

THEN

  • 4-Piece Bonus: Damage taken is reduced by 20% for each Hydra alive as long as there is one available. Each time you take damage, a Hydra head dies.
  • 6-Piece Bonus: Hydras deal 2500% increased damage for each Hydra alive.

OR

  • 4-Piece Bonus: Damage taken is reduced by 5% for each Hydra head alive as long as there is one available. Each time you are supposed to take damage, a Hydra head dies instead while you take no damage. Also gain Dominance passive.
  • 6-Piece Bonus: Hydras deal 1000% increased damage for each Hydra head alive.
1 Like
24

My stance on it as well. Especially if we’re still forced to channel to make it even half way decent as we can’t afford ‘to waste’ time casting 4 Hydras for instance.

Unless of course, the Set (or another item) give us the ability to get summon 2 Hydra’s with one cast.

25

Neither. Both alternatives suck, because the entire set sucks.

Hydra should be one of the several skills the set should buff, not be the focus of the set.