Hydros from the Disney version of Hercules (D&D 2024 / Level Up: Advanced 5E)
Let’s get it out of the way: there are a ton of things wrong with Disney’s version of Hercules. Just straight down the line inaccuracies (probably more of those than…accuracies?), rampant misogyny, inflated masculinity…it’s a real list. EVEN SO—and bear in mind I am a person with a Film Studies degree and a minor in Classics—it’s a good flick. Killer villain performance by James Woods. Phil is some of Devito’s best work. Megara is complex and dope (oh my god is my love for my wife somehow sourced out of Megara? Shiiiiit I think at least part of it is. Gonna table that to just be a constant background thought for the next 7 years.) Yes as I was saying it’s a good movie. It sticks with you.
Equal parts of both those aspects are the depictions of the Titans in Hercules as gigantic embodiments of the elements themselves that could go toe-to-toe with Godzilla. Are these like the elder pantheon we know? Hades no. Are they dope AF? Hades yes. Will they make for good monsters in a D&D or Level Up* game? Hades YES.
I’m bringing the blog back to the basics folks and present to you the “Titan” HYDROS!
* If you’re like “why is <insert line here> like that”: this is a hybridized statblock, part D&D 2024 and part Level Up: Advanced Fifth Edition.
(more free Greek 5E stuff here -> https://mikemyler.com/dd-5e-ancient-greece/)
Titanic Elemental, Chaotic Neutral
Armor Class 19                                                      Initiative +5 (15)
Hit Points 350 (20d20+140)
Speed 60 ft., Swim 80 ft.
Skills Arcana +12, Nature +12, Perception +13
Resistances Acid, Fire, Thunder; Bludgeoning, Piercing, Slashing
Immunities Cold, Lightning, Poison; Charmed, Exhaustion/Fatigue, Frightened, Paralyzed, Petrified, Poisoned, Stunned, Unconscious
Senses Blindsight 30 ft., Darkvision 240 ft., Passive Perception 23
Languages Aquan, Auran, Common, Primordial
Challenge 24 (62,000 XP; PB +7; Maneuver DC 22)
Chilling Aura. At the end of each of Hydros’ turns, each creature in a 10-foot Emanation originating from it takes 10 (4d4) Cold damage. A creature that touches Hydros or hits it with a melee attack while within 10 feet of it takes 9 (4d4) Cold damage.Â
Creeping Cold. When a creature takes 30 or more Cold damage from Hydros in a single round, the creature’s Speed is reduced by 15 feet and it can’t take Reactions until the end of Hydros’ next turn.
Elemental Concentration. Hydros does not need to concentrate on Conjure Elemental spells that it casts.
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Hydros fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. When it does so its Chilling Aura is reduced by 1d4 Cold damage.
Magic Resistance. Hydros has Advantage on saving throws made against spells and other magical effects.
Magic Weapons. Hydros’s weapon attacks are magical.
Mixed Tongue. Hydros prefers to speak in a hybrid of Aquan and Auran. Creatures that know both languages have Advantage on Wisdom (Insight) and Charisma checks made against Hydros.
Winter Step. Hydros ignores Difficult Terrain created by ice or snow.
Multiattack. Hydros attacks twice.
Slam. Melee Attack Roll: +14, reach 15 ft. Hit: 20 (3d8+7) Slashing damage plus 9 (2d8) Cold damage.
Ice Shard. Ranged Attack Roll: +14, range 200/800 ft. Hit: 21 (4d6+7) Piercing damage plus 9 (2d8) Cold damage.
Freezing Breath (Recharge 3–6). Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 22, each creature in a 120-foot Line that is 15 feet wide. Failure: 32 (5d12) Cold damage and 31 (9d6) Piercing damage. Success: Half damage. A creature that takes at least 30 Cold damage reduces its Speed by half until the end of its next turn.
Spellcasting. Hydros casts one of the following spells, requiring no Material components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 22, +14 to hit with spell attacks):
        At Will: Control Water, Create Food and Water (water only), Ice Storm, Sleet Storm
        5/Day: Conjure Elemental (air or water only)
        3/Day: Cone of Cold, Freezing Sphere, Wall of Ice
Legendary Action Uses: 3. Immediately after another creature’s turn, Hydros can expend a use to take one of the following actions. It regains all expended uses at the start of each of its turns.
Attack. Hydros makes a Slam or Ice Shard attack.
Exploding Form. Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 22, each creature within 30 feet of Hydros. Failure: 18 (4d8) Piercing damage plus 9 (2d8) Cold damage. Success: Half damage.Â
Snowstorm. Hydros is surrounded by a 20-foot Emanation of ice and snow until the start of its next turn. For the duration creatures have Disadvantage on ranged weapon attacks against Hydros. A creature can use a Bonus Action aiming to negate this Legendary Action’s effects for the next ranged weapon attack it makes against Hydros so long as the attack is made immediately after aiming and before moving or taking a Reaction.
Casts a Spell (Costs 2 Actions). Hydros casts a spell.
Snap you made it all the way down here! I like you.
If you are in need of high level monsters (or some high level play) wander over to www.epic5e.com for more of that. Otherwise check out the Classic NPC Codex on Kickstarter now and drop a pledge to snag over 50 more baddies for your toolbox (battlechefs, mages, ogres—it’s all there), a few of which are pretty chonky.
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