RED DRAGON, ADULT – 5e stats

Huge dragon (chromatic dragon), chaotic evil

Armor Class 19 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points 256 (19d12+133)
Speed 40 ft., climb 40 ft., fly 80 ft.

Proficiency Bonus +6
Proficiency Bonus +8 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
27 (+8)	10 (+0)	25 (+7)	16 (+3)	13 (+1)	21 (+5)

Saving Throws Dex +6, Con +13, Wis +7, Cha +11
Skills Perception +13, Stealth +6
Damage Immunities fire
Senses blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 23
Languages Common, Draconic
Challenge 17 (18,000 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: +14 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: (2d10 + 8) piercing damage plus (2d6)fire damage.
• Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: (2d6 + 8) slashing damage.
• Kick (suggested). Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target behind the dragon. Hit: 14 (2d6 + 8) slashing damage. The target must succeed on a DC 22 Dexterity saving throw or be kicked back 10 feet. If the target is kicked back, it must succeed on a DC 22 Constitution saving throw or fall prone.
• Plummet (suggested). Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 5 ft., one or more targets on the ground. Hit: 18 (2d10 + 8) 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 (+6) 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 21 Constitution saving throw or be pinned under the dragon, taking 19 (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 21 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 22 Dexterity saving throw or be grappled (escape DC 22) 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 15 (2d6 + 8) 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: +14 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: (2d8 + 8) bludgeoning damage.  In addition, the target must succeed on a DC 22 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: +14 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d6 + 8) bludgeoning damage.  In addition, the target must succeed on a DC 22 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 22 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 ft. of the dragon and aware of it must succeed on a DC 19 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.
• Fire Breath (Recharge 5-6). The dragon exhales fire in a 60-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 21 Dexterity saving throw, taking 63 (18d6) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

LEGENDARY ACTIONS

Adult Red 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 Red 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 22 Dexterity saving throw or take 15 (2d6 + 8) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. The dragon can then fly up to half its flying speed.

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DESCRIPTION

The Adult Red Dragon is one of the most fearsome and powerful creatures in the world of D&D. It is a huge dragon with a scaly red body, a long tail, a beaked snout, and swept-back horns. Its eyes glow with fire and its breath is a deadly weapon of flame. The Adult Red Dragon is driven by greed and pride, and seeks to amass a vast hoard of treasure and dominate all other beings. It is fiercely territorial and will not tolerate any intrusion into its lair.

COMBAT

The Adult Red Dragon is a formidable opponent in combat, using its physical strength, natural armor, and magical abilities to overwhelm its enemies. It can attack with its bite, claws, and tail, inflicting severe damage with each strike. It can also use its frightful presence to instill fear in those who face it, making them more vulnerable to its attacks. The Adult Red Dragon’s most devastating weapon is its fire breath, which it can unleash in a wide cone of searing flames that can incinerate anything in its path. The Adult Red Dragon is immune to fire damage and has high resistance to other forms of harm. It can also use its legendary actions to detect, attack, or fly away at the end of another creature’s turn.

HABITAT / SOCIETY

The Adult Red Dragon prefers to lair in high mountains or hills, where it can survey its domain from above. It often chooses caverns under snow-capped peaks, or deep halls of abandoned mines or dwarven strongholds. It favors lairs with volcanic or geothermal activity, as it enjoys the heat and the hazards that deter intruders. The Adult Red Dragon guards its hoard jealously and will not share it with anyone. It considers itself superior to all other creatures and will not tolerate any challenge to its authority. It may occasionally ally with other evil beings, such as cultists or warlords, but only if it benefits from their service or tribute.

ECOLOGY

The Adult Red Dragon is a carnivorous predator that feeds on large animals, such as cattle, deer, or horses. It may also hunt humanoids, especially those who trespass on its territory or provoke its wrath. The Adult Red Dragon does not need to eat often, as it can sustain itself with the magic of its hoard. The Adult Red Dragon rarely mates, as it views other dragons as rivals or threats. It may seek out a mate only if it desires to produce offspring that will inherit its legacy or expand its influence. The Adult Red Dragon lays a clutch of eggs in a hidden chamber within its lair and guards them until they hatch. The young dragons are then left to fend for themselves, as the parent dragon does not care for them or teach them anything.

Red Dragon is employed as material component to empower the following spells:

• Burning Hands