Bodak Five-Headed Hydra* (CR 8)

Huge Undead
Alignment: Always chaotic evil
Initiative: +3 (Dex); Senses: scent, Listen +5, and Spot +5


AC: 20 (-2 size, +3 Dex, +9 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 17
Hit Dice: 5d12 (35 hp); DR: 10/cold iron
Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +3
Speed: 10 ft., swim 10 ft.
Space: 15 ft./10 ft.
Base Attack +2; Grapple +14
Attack: bite +4 melee
Full Attack: 5 bites +4 melee
Damage: Bite 1d10+4
Special Attacks/Actions: Death gaze
Abilities: Str 19, Dex 16, Con -, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 11
Special Qualities: Acid resistance 10, electricity immunity, fast healing 15, fire resistance 20, flashbacks, sunlight vulnerability, undead traits
Feats: Combat Reflexes; Iron Will; Toughness
Skills: Listen +5, Spot +5, and Swim +12
Advancement: -
Climate/Terrain: Any
Organization: Solitary or gang (2-4)
Treasure/Possessions: 1/10 coins; 50% goods; 50% items

Source: Dragon #307
Dragon Compendium Vol. 1

Death Gaze (Su): Death, range 30 feet, Fortitude negates (DC 12). Corporeal creatures (except constructs, oozes, plants, and undead) who die from this attack are transformed into bodaks in one day.

Flashbacks (Ex): From time to time, a bodak sees something that reminds of its almost-forgotten life. At the start of every encounter, there is a 5% chance that it notices something about an opponent (randomly determined, if more than one opponent is present) that causes it to recall its life. If this happens, the bodak takes no action for 1 round and thereafter suffers a -2 morale penalty to all attacks directed at that opponent.

Sunlight Vulnerability (Ex): Bodak hydras loathe sunlight, for its merest touch burns their impure flesh. Each round of exposure to the direct rays of the sun deals 1 point of damage to the creature.

Undead Traits: Immune to mind-influencing effects, poison, sleep, paralysis, stunning, disease, death effects, and any effect that requires a Fortitude save unless it also works on objects. It is not subject to critical hits, subdual damage, ability damage, ability drain, energy drain, or death from massive damage. A bodak cannot be raised, and resurrection works only if it is willing. The creature has darkvision (60-foot range)

Skills: Hydras receive a +2 racial bonus on Listen and Spot checks, thanks to their multiple heads.

Feats: A hydra's Combat Reflexes allows it to use all its heads for attacks of opportunity each round.

Bodak hydras can attack with all their heads at no penalty, even if they move or charge during the round. Each head can either bite or use its death gaze ability.

A bodak hydra can be killed either by severing all its heads or by slaying its body. To sever a head, an opponent must hit the monster's neck with a slashing weapon and deal damage equal to the hydra's original hit point total, divided by its original number of heads, in one blow. (The player says where the attack is aimed just before making the attack roll.) For example, a single blow dealing 10 or more points of damage severs a head from a five-headed hydra with 52 hp. Any excess damage is lost. A bodak hydra that loses a head can no longer attack with the severed head but suffers no other penalties. A severed head does not regrow.