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Ey guys,

Im looking at converting some Hydra Flak heavys for my guard. I just wanna see if other people have used em and are worth fielding, or just bring artillery instead? Comments on the Hydras?

Hydras are one of the best units in the Guard codex. A monster against transports and skimmers, and has decent anti-infantry ability as well. I recommend 2 squadrons of 2.

Interesting. I was thinking about a fat squad of 3, since I got the Imperial Strongpoint for my birthday and it comes w/3 flak cannons.

Hydras are excellent units, definitely one of the best in the book, huge utility with a tiny price tag. They're probably more cost effective buys than any of the artillery units in all honesty.

Hydra's are beasts, the only problem is when they get nerfed in the next edition because they are stupidly overpowered

especially against Space elf jet bike spam

I do love Hydras...I think you're best overloading the Heavy Support slot with 3, then running 2 cheaper artillery pieces like Manticores. 2 Manticores and 3 Hydras comes to about 1/3 of a 1,500 pt army and puts out a TON of hurt.


Hydras do benefit from overloading since they depend on volume, not shot quality, for effect on target. An extra 75 pts for what you get is fairly miniscule, and then your squadron can absorb damage and still remain effective.

For serious effect against AV12 skimmers like Storm Ravens and Vendettas, you do need 3 of them.

I've always liked them as an MSU multiplier. Run 3 mechanized platoons with a melta PCS and 2 AC/GL squads each, 3 individual vendettas, 3 individual hydras, and 2 melta CCS's, and now you've got 17 independent AV12 tanks on the board with a ton of long range firepower and you could care less about losses.

Vakathi, that wounds like a brutal list, Could ya help me mae that list?

Why are hydras so much better against skimmers? Sorry I'm not very familiar with IG

Holy crap Vaktathi, that's one hell of a list. I likes.

PraetorDave - They deny the 4+ SMF save that most skimmers rely on, as well as the cover save from turboboosting bikes.

I like them but they are hard to get. As of last check, the only way to get them was FW unless you can find them on ebay.

A way around this I found is to take a manticore, cut off the racks, turn them so they are stacked vertically, then attach some autocannons with lascannon barrels.

-cgmckenzie

Imperial Strongpoint comes w/ 3 hydra flak cannons which i just mount on Chimeras, thats how I did it.

Also to answer why Hydras are better is that they are 2 twin linked autocannons with auto targeting systems which deny the cover saves used by skimmers.