Gargantuan dragon (chromatic dragon), Lawful evil
Armor Class 22 (natural armor)
Hit Points 481 (26d20 + 208)
Speed 40 ft., burrow 40 ft., fly 80 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +7
Proficiency Bonus +11 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 (+9) | 10 (+0) | 27 (+8) | 18 (+4) | 17 (+3) | 21 (+5) |
Saving Throws Dex +7, Con +15, Wis +10, Cha +12
Skills Perception +17, Stealth +7
Damage Immunities lightning
Senses blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 27
Languages Common, Draconic
Challenge 23 (50,000 XP)
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: +16 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 20 (2d10 + 9) piercing damage plus 19 (2d10 + 8) lightning damage.
- Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +16 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d6 + 9) slashing damage.
- Kick (suggested). Melee Weapon Attack: +16 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target behind the dragon. Hit: 16 (2d6 + 9) slashing damage. The target must succeed on a DC 24 Dexterity saving throw or be kicked back 10 feet. If the target is kicked back, it must succeed on a DC 24 Constitution saving throw or fall prone.
- Plummet (suggested). Melee Weapon Attack: +16 to hit, reach 5 ft., one or more targets on the ground. Hit: 20 (2d10 + 9) bludgeoning 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 (+7) 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 23 Constitution saving throw or be pinned under the dragon, taking 21 (2d10 + 8) 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 23 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 24 Dexterity saving throw or be grappled (escape DC 24) 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 16 (2d6 + 9) 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: +16 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (2d8 + 9) bludgeoning damage. In addition, the target must succeed on a DC 24 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: +16 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d6 + 9) bludgeoning damage. In addition, the target must succeed on a DC 24 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 24 Strength saving throw or be pushed 20 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 20 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.
- Lightning Breath (Recharge 5-6). The dragon exhales lightning in a 120-foot line that is 10 feet wide. Each creature in that line must make a DC 23 Dexterity saving throw, taking 88 (16d10) lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
LEGENDARY ACTIONS
The 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. The dragon regains spent legendary actions at the start of its 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 15 feet of the dragon must succeed on a DC 24 Dexterity saving throw or take 16 (2d6 + 9) 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 ancient blue dragon is a gargantuan, winged reptile with scales as dark as night and a fearsome appearance. Its long, sinuous neck supports a horned head with a snout that drips with corrosive acid. Its eyes glow with a malevolent green light, and its teeth and claws are razor-sharp. An ancient blue dragon is about 80 feet long from nose to tail, and weighs about 32,000 pounds. It is one of the most powerful and feared of the chromatic dragons.
COMBAT
An ancient blue dragon is a cunning and vicious fighter, preferring to ambush its prey from the cover of water or darkness. It uses its lightning breath to weaken or kill multiple foes at once, and then tears into them with its bite and claws. It is also adept at using its environment to its advantage, such as collapsing structures, triggering traps, or creating hazards with its acid. An ancient blue dragon is not afraid to retreat if the battle turns against it, but it will not forget or forgive those who challenge it. It can also use its legendary actions to detect, attack, or fly away from its enemies.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
An ancient blue dragon typically lives in a barren place, such as a desert or a wasteland, where it can soar through the skies and prey on the creatures below. It makes its lair in a cave or ruin that is partially submerged or near a body of water. It decorates its lair with the bones and treasures of its victims, and guards it fiercely from intruders. An ancient blue dragon is solitary and territorial, and does not tolerate other dragons or creatures in its domain. It may occasionally ally with other evil beings, such as cultists or lizardfolk, but only for its own benefit. An ancient blue dragon is also very orderly and hierarchical, and expects respect and obedience from those who serve it.
ECOLOGY
An ancient blue dragon is a carnivore that feeds on any living creature it can catch, such as fish, reptiles, birds, mammals, or humanoids. It prefers to hunt at night or in stormy conditions, using its darkvision and blindsight to locate its prey. It can also breathe underwater, allowing it to surprise aquatic creatures or pursue fleeing enemies. An ancient blue dragon’s acid is not only a weapon, but also a tool for breaking down organic matter and dissolving metal. An ancient blue dragon’s scales are highly resistant to lightning, but vulnerable to cold.
Blue Dragon is employed as component to empower the following spells: