If you are running a Hydra Sorcerer in Diablo 4 Season 9, and still waiting on a lucky drop for the 
Harlequin Crest (Shako), don’t worry! There are other options in the meantime.
Players have shared their tips for the Hydra Sorcerer build, and what you can use to replace the most wanted Mythic Unique! You can take a look at the post here:
What Can You Use if You Don’t Have Shako
In the Reddit thread mentioned above, players are recommending 
Hail of Verglas as a surprisingly strong substitute. By swapping out 
Firewall for 
Ice Shards, you can take advantage of Verglas’ 5-second damage multiplier (up to 100%) after Ice Shards hit. One player even reported jumping an entire Torment tier after making the change.
Another suggestion is the 
Axial Conduit gear, which does not directly boost 
Hydra damage but provides increased maximum mana and resource generation. This is a perfect synergy with the 
Serpentine Aspect, which scales Hydra size and power based on how much mana you have.
These adjustments may slightly affect the standard Hydra rotation, but the payoff seems well worth it, especially while waiting for that mysterious Shako drop.
Players also discussed some early-game rune synergies, such as full resource refills after avoiding damage, which can help you instantly pop max-resource Hydras for big burst potential.
While it will not directly replace Harlequin Crest, these are great alternatives in the meantime, that will allow you to progress further in Torment Tiers and give you more chances to get the Shako!
For more details on the actual Hydra Sorcerer Build, you can also check out our in-depth guide:
Hydra Sorcerer Build for Diablo 4 Season 9
