This is my [Hydroid Prime] build for resource farming. It utilizes higher strength for quicker killing of entangled targets, as well as to hopefully take care of them before your team mates do. The additional range helps to blanket larger areas such as on defense missions.

[Corrosive Projection] is one of the best auras in my opinion. Any amount of armor stripping allows the magnetic damage from the tentacles to do better work at killing quicker for that sweet, sweet 100% additional drop from [Pilfering Swarm]. [Energy Siphon] also works, though this build generates plenty of energy on its own.

Be sure to have a companion with either [Vacuum] or [Fetch].

As for survivability, Arcane resistance is good with [Redirection] to [Protect] from pesky toxin procs sneaking behind your shields. Arcane energize is recommended to ensure you are never out of energy near your tentacles and due to the squad buff, though is certainly not needed. Keep in mind recasting onto an area causes a burst of more damage to targets as tentacles re-ensnare them, so don't be afraid of using your energy.