Hydralisk

Hydralisks are middle-game ranged enemies

## Overview

Hydralisks are boss waves monsters that often accompany Queens. Their unique serpentine look make them easy to spot although they can sometimes hide behind terrain due to their relatively small size

They attack using ranged spines and usually proceed in groups although they do isolate themselves quite easily

### Abilities

#### Burrow

Allows the creature to hide into the ground. Burrowed units can only be seen by Detectors.

## Tactical Data

Hydralisks mostly appear during boss waves but they may also spawn during The Convoy mission or when the Kingdralisk spawns.

Their health is based on the health of zombies multiply 4 which gives them a moderate health pool compared to the fodder monsters fought up to now.

Being ranged, Hydralisks threatens most heroes who are not very fit to taking damage but their range is short and they are not very fast so it is simple to dodge them.

Hydralisks start appearing boss wave 30 and stop at wave 55, replaced in role by the variety of monsters from the Roach Pack which most of them possess ranged capabilities.

Unlike other monsters, Hydralisks aren't part of Unburrow waves although they have the ability to.

### Kingdralisk's court

When spawning, the Kingdralisk also spawns with an escort of 17 up to 102 Hydralisks (depending on players number) spread over the North Spawner, North West Spawner and the Boss Spawner

Hydralisks coming within a certain range of the Kingdralisk bounty boss are granted a super buff:

* 20% attack speed
* 30% movement speed
* 50% more damage
* +1 range

This passive, referred as Bound to the King, changes the ownership of the Hydralisk over 4.5 seconds in the process. It can be used as the easiest way to recognize buffed ones from non-buffed and can also be used as an indicator of King's proximity. The buff is permanent

While changing ownership, Hydralisks are stunned, use a specific animation and produce a sound.

## How To Not Die

Being ranged, like all ranged foes, heroes who are limited in resistance must kite on greater surfaces to dodge them. Hydralisks do not deal a lot of damage though so taking fire from them is more forgiving than a Queen.

However as stated before they usually move grouped so even if there is one lonely in an area the rest should be close so caution is advised. Because the data makes them spawn alongside Queens in their boss waves, both usually move together although over long distances the slower pace of Queens may create distance between the two.

Fighting Hydralisks is the same as fighting a Marine Zombie but with a greater range. They are still weak moving paper and most heroes will squash them easily.

As with all ranged monsters the main threat is being surprised in the Maze, enclosed areas or by the corner of a cliff by an unexpected group that would kill you because you couldn't see them beforehand. It is advised to either take larger turns or simply avoid such areas while it is certain Hydralisks are around. This only affects low life heroes as more resistant heroes can simply turn away or will have enough firepower to clear them before taking any real damage.

It should be noted that Hydralisks deal 33% more damage in melee than with their ranged weapon.

### Buffed Hydras

Bound to the King effectively put Hydralisks on steroids and they shall be attacked with great caution to avoid being overwhelmed. They get fast and hurt badly, dealing more damage than Queens.

As ranged, only one good thing to do, circle kiting around the Maze and surely end their existence. Avoid being greedy because mistakes are suddenly less forgiving due to the damage, attack speed and range increase

As short ranged, have someone kill them for you or take measured risks to kill them small amount by small amount.

As melee, only engage with enough health to be able to go in and go out. Because they have more range also means you will sustain more damage before being out of range and the damage gain often surpass the strength of your armor.

## Trivia

* Apart from its interaction with the Kingdralisk, Hydralisk is the only monster of Zombie World: Unity which does not have anything unique to Zombie World on it except statistics changes

* Mind Controlling Kingdralisk effectively put bounded Hydras in range to YOUR control and if you manage to save them away from the King until it dies or despawn you can effectively keep control over Hydralisks you gained ownership of during the Mind Control.