Huge dragon (chromatic dragon), chaotic evil
Armor Class 19 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points 195 (17d12+85)
Speed 40 ft., fly 80 ft., swim 40 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +5
Proficiency Bonus +7 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 (+6) | 14 (+2) | 21 (+5) | 14 (+2) | 13 (+1) | 17 (+3) |
Saving Throws Dex +7, Con +10, Wis +6, Cha +8
Skills Perception +11, Stealth +7
Damage Immunities acid
Senses blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 21
Languages Common, Draconic
Challenge 14 (11,500 XP)
Amphibious. The dragon can breathe air and water.
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
ACTIONS
- Multiattack. The dragon can use its Frightful Presence. It then makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws.
- Multiattack (suggested). The dragon can use its Frightful Presence. It then makes four attacks.
- Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (2d10 + 6) piercing damage plus 9 (1d8 + 5) acid damage.
- Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d6 + 6) slashing damage.
- Kick (suggested). Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target behind the dragon. Hit: 13 (2d6 + 6) slashing damage. The target must succeed on a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw or be kicked back 10 feet. If the target is kicked back, it must succeed on a DC 19 Constitution saving throw or fall prone.
- Plummet (suggested). Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft., one or more targets on the ground. Hit: 16 (2d10 + 5) piercing damage. The dragon can use this attack only if it is flying or jumping and descends at least 30 feet straight toward the target. The dragon can target a number of creatures equal to its proficiency bonus (+5) that are in a 15-foot radius of where it lands. The dragon makes a separate attack roll for each target. The target must succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or be pinned under the dragon, taking 16 (2d10 + 5) bludgeoning damage at the start of each of the dragon’s turns until the dragon moves or the target escapes. The target can use its action to make a DC 18 Strength check, ending the effect on itself on a success. The dragon can’t use its breath weapon or wing attack on the same turn as this attack.
- Snatch (suggested). When the dragon flies at least 20 feet straight toward a creature that is two or more size categories smaller than itself and then hits it with a claw attack on the same turn, the dragon can use its bonus action to try to snatch the creature. The target must succeed on a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw or be grappled (escape DC 19) by the dragon and lifted into the air. While grappled in this way, the target is restrained and has disadvantage on Strength checks and Strength saving throws. The dragon can only snatch one creature at a time. At the start of each of the dragon’s turns, it can choose to squeeze the snatched creature, dealing 13 (2d6 + 6) slashing damage to it. Alternatively, the dragon can make an attack roll against the snatched creature to transfer it to its mouth. On a hit, the creature is no longer grappled by the claw, but by the bite. On a miss, the creature falls and takes falling damage as normal.
- Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d8 + 6) bludgeoning damage. In addition, the target must succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or be stunned until the end of the dragon’s next turn. The dragon can make this attack as a bonus action if it uses its Multiattack action on its turn.
- Wing Buffet (suggested). Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d6 + 6) bludgeoning damage. In addition, the target must succeed on a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw or be knocked prone. The dragon can make this attack as a bonus action if it uses its Multiattack action on its turn. Each creature in the area must succeed on a DC 19 Strength saving throw or be pushed 15 feet away from the dragon due to the gust of wind produced by the wing buffet.
- Frightful Presence. Each creature of the dragon’s choice that is within 120 feet of the dragon and aware of it must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature’s saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the dragon’s Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.
- Acid Breath (Recharge 5-6). The dragon exhales acid in a 60-foot line that is 5 feet wide. Each creature in that line must make a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw, taking 54 (12d8) acid damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
LEGENDARY ACTIONS
Adult Black Dragon can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Adult Black Dragon regains spent legendary actions at the start of their turn.
- Detect. The dragon makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
- Tail Attack. The dragon makes an additional attack.
- Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions). The dragon beats its wings. Each creature within 10 ft. of the dragon must succeed on a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw or take 13 (2d6 + 6) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. The dragon can then fly up to half its flying speed.
5th Edition Advanced Mode
Limiting the power of a character and making the overall difficulty of the game harder, does not reduce the creativity, indeed it does quite the opposite.
The Game Master has the option to use any and all of the instances proposed in this guide, or just some of them according to their preference.
It is the lack of something that move and motivate characters, not the abundance of it
DESCRIPTION
An adult black dragon is a huge, winged reptile with a long, sinuous neck and a horned head. Its scales are glossy and ebony, reflecting little light. Its eyes are glowing red, and its teeth are razor-sharp. Its claws and tail are formidable weapons, and its breath weapon is a line of corrosive acid that can dissolve flesh and metal alike. An adult black dragon is about 40 feet long and weighs about 16,000 pounds.
An adult black dragon is a cunning and malevolent creature that delights in spreading fear and pain. It is driven by greed and spite, and it hoards treasure and slaves in its dismal lair. It is fiercely territorial and will attack any intruders without mercy. It prefers to ambush its prey from the air or the water, using its stealth and perception to gain the advantage. It is also adept at manipulating and deceiving others, using its charisma and intelligence to further its goals.
COMBAT
An adult black dragon is a formidable opponent in combat, using its physical and magical abilities to overwhelm its enemies. It can use its multiattack to bite, claw, and tail-slap its foes, or use its frightful presence to cause them to flee in terror. It can also use its acid breath to unleash a devastating blast of acid that can melt armor and flesh. It can use its legendary actions to detect, tail attack, or wing attack at the end of another creature’s turn, gaining more opportunities to strike.
An adult black dragon is also capable of using lair actions to manipulate its environment to its advantage. It can cause pools of water to form or disappear, create areas of darkness or fog, or animate plants to entangle or harm its foes. These lair actions occur on initiative count 20, and the dragon can’t use the same effect two rounds in a row.
An adult black dragon is resistant to acid damage and immune to being frightened. It can also use its legendary resistance to succeed on a saving throw that it would otherwise fail, up to three times per day.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
An adult black dragon dwells in swamps, marshes, or bogs on the frayed edges of civilization. It prefers a dismal cave, grotto, or ruin that is at least partially flooded, providing pools where it can rest and where its victims can ferment. Its lair is littered with the acid-pitted bones of previous victims and the fly-ridden carcasses of fresh kills, watched over by crumbling statues. Centipedes, scorpions, and snakes infest the lair, which is filled with the stench of death and decay.
An adult black dragon is a solitary creature that rarely associates with others of its kind, except for mating purposes. It views other dragons as rivals or enemies, and will often fight them for territory or treasure. It may sometimes ally with other evil creatures that share its goals or serve its interests, such as cultists, lizardfolk, or yuan-ti. It may also keep slaves or thralls that worship it as a god or fear it as a tyrant.
ECOLOGY
An adult black dragon is a carnivorous predator that feeds on any living creature that it can catch or kill. It prefers fresh meat, but will also consume rotting flesh or bones if necessary. It may also eat plants or fungi that grow in its swampy domain, especially if they have medicinal or magical properties.
An adult black dragon has a significant impact on its environment, both physically and socially. Its acid breath can erode soil and stone, creating pits and tunnels that alter the landscape. Its presence can also affect the weather, creating storms or droughts that suit its mood. Its influence can also spread fear and corruption among the nearby settlements, inspiring cults or rebellions that serve its agenda.