Overview

While under the influence of the Naga-built machines. Hydross stays in water elemental form dealing frost damage, but when drawn away from the beams above the initial position it turns into nature elemental form, dealing poison damage. The longer it stays in one form, the more damage inflicted to the tank, due to the aura that affects every player engaged. Named Mark of Hydross in water elemental form and Mark of Corruption in nature elemental form, this aura will increase damage taken by frost, and nature abilities respectively. Starting with a small 10% increase in damage, the auras ramp up quickly to 25%, 50%, then 100%. At 250% the increase in damage is so high it makes healing the tank a game of luck, while at 500% any tank is obliterated almost instantly. To avoid the aura damage from ramping up, the tanks must switch Hydross into and out of the area of effect of the light beams at the spawn point. However, every time Hydross is transitioned from one phase to the other, four elemental spawn: Corrupted Spawns of Hydross when transitioned to nature, and Purified Spawn of Hydross when transitioned to water form. This prevents the raid from switching too often and forces the raid to deal with Hydross with the aura up to the 100% increased damage mark.

Resistance Gear

Since all damage done by Hydross is elemental damage, conventional high armor item sets for tanks are useless for this encounter. Gearing the tanks with items high in nature and frost resistance is a basic requirement for this encounter. The source for these items are reputation based vendors in Karazhan for The Violet Eye, and Zangarmarsh for the Cenarion Expedition items.

Suggested Warcraft Resistance Gear

• Iceguard Breastplate
  Binds when equipped

  Chest	Plate

  1450 Armor
  +49 Stamina
  +60 Frost Resistance
  Durability 165 / 165
  Requires Level 70Equip: Increases defense rating by 10 (4.23 @ L70).

• Iceguard Helm
  Binds when equipped

  Head	Plate

  1030 Armor
  +64 Stamina
  +50 Frost Resistance
  Durability 100 / 100
  Requires Level 70Equip: Increases defense rating by 20 (8.46 @ L70).

• Iceguard Leggings
  Binds when equipped

  Legs	Plate

  1110 Armor
  +55 Stamina
  +60 Frost Resistance
  Durability 120 / 120
  Requires Level 70

• The Frozen Eye
  Binds when equipped
  Unique-Equipped
  Finger
  +12 Stamina
  +35 Frost Resistance
  Requires Level 70
• Wildguard Breastplate
  Binds when equipped

  Chest	Plate

  1450 Armor
  +45 Stamina
  +60 Nature Resistance
  Durability 165 / 165
  Requires Level 70Equip: Increases defense rating by 14 (5.92 @ L70).

• Wildguard Helm
  Binds when equipped

  Head	Plate

  1178 Armor
  +58 Stamina
  +50 Nature Resistance
  Durability 100 / 100
  Requires Level 70Equip: Increases defense rating by 28 (11.84 @ L70).

• Wildguard Leggings
  Binds when equipped

  Legs	Plate

  1269 Armor
  +55 Stamina
  +60 Nature Resistance
  Durability 120 / 120
  Requires Level 70

• The Natural Ward
  Binds when equipped
  Unique-Equipped
  Finger
  +28 Stamina
  +35 Nature Resistance
  Requires Level 70

Raid Composition

Four tanks are required for this encounter. One to tank Hydross in frost phase, one for the nature phase, and two to tank the adds that spawn between transitions. While protection Warriors are more suited for tanking Hydross, the adds are best tanked by feral druids since they usually find it easier to generate threat on two targets at the same time. Seven healers can easily be enough, but for early learning attempts eight is probably better. This leaves room for 13 - 14 DPS classes. Hydross in frost form is not very melee- friendly. Compounded with the need to deal with multiple adds at the same time, the encounter skews in the favor of ranged classes, particularly those who can use area of effect abilities. If possible, a raid should consist of at least six AoE damage capable classes, and no more than three melee DPS classes. Two shadow Priest are also highly recommended, due to the mana regeneration they provide to classes that expend their man rapidly with area of effect spells. Finally, two hunters add a high degree of control to a raid group attempting this difficult to execute encounter.

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