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Adult Bronze Dragon

Huge · Dragon · CR 18 · Chaotic Evil

Armor Class
18
Hit Points and Hit Dice
287 (23d12+138)
Challenge Rating CR
18

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR
24
+7
DEX
10
+0
CON
22
+6
INT
16
+3
WIS
14
+2
CHA
18
+4

Overview

Category Monsters
Size Huge
Type Dragon
Alignment Chaotic Evil
XP 20000
Initiative Bonus +0

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)
Fly 80 ft (24.4 m)
Swim 60 ft (18.3 m)
Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)
Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Darkvision 120 ft (36.6 m)
Blindsight 60 ft (18.3 m)
Passive Perception 21

Saving Throws

Dexterity +6 Constitution +12 Wisdom +8 Charisma +10

Skills

Insight +8 Perception +8 Stealth +6

Languages

Common, Draconic, one more

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities
lightning

Traits

Amphibious

The dragon can breathe air and water.

Innate Spellcasting

The dragons spellcasting ability is Charisma (save DC 18). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components.
- 3/Day Each:Fog Cloud, Speak with Animals, Commune with Nature, speak with plants

Legendary Resistance (3/Day)

When the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. When it does, some of its scales fall away and turn to sea foam. If it has no more uses of this ability, its Armor Class is reduced to 16 until it finishes a long rest.

Oracle of the Coast

The dragon can accurately predict the weather up to 7 days in advance and is never considered surprised while conscious. Additionally, by submerging itself in a body of water and spending 1 minute in concentration, it can cast Scrying, requiring no components. The Scrying orb appears in a space in the same body of water.

Actions

Bite

+13 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 3d10+7 plus 1d8 lightning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 23 (3d10 + 7) piercing damage plus 4 (1d8) lightning damage.

Breath Weapons

Recharge 5–6

The dragon uses one of the following breath weapons:

Change Shape

The dragon magically takes the shape of a humanoid or beast or changes back into its true form. It reverts to its true form if it dies. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying is absorbed or borne by the new form (dragons choice). In the new form the dragons stats are unchanged except for its size. It can't use Lightning Pulse Breath Weapons Tail Attack or Wing Attack except in dragon form. In beast form it can attack only with its bite and claws if appropriate to its form. If the beast form is Large or smaller the reach of these attacks is reduced to 5 feet. In humanoid form it can attack only with its trident.

Claw

+13 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 3d8+7 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 20 (3d8 + 7) slashing damage.

Lightning Breath

The dragon exhales lightning in a 90-foot-long 5-foot-wide line. Each creature in the area makes a DC 20 Dexterity saving throw taking 69 (13d10) lightning damage on a failed save or half damage on a success. A creature that fails the saving throw can't take reactions until the end of its next turn.

Lightning Pulse

The dragon targets one creature within 60 feet forcing it to make a DC 20 Dexterity saving throw. The creature takes 22 (4d10) lightning damage on a failure or half damage on a success. If the initial target is touching a body of water all other creatures within 20 feet of it and touching the same body of water must also make the saving throw against this damage.

Multiattack

The dragon attacks with its bite and twice with its claws. In place of its bite it can use Lightning Pulse.

Ocean Surge

The dragon exhales a torrent of seawater in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in the area makes a DC 20 Strength saving throw. A creature that fails is pushed 30 feet away from the dragon and knocked prone while one that succeeds is pushed only 15 feet away.

Tail

+13 to hit, reach 15 ft (4.6 m). Hit: 3d8+7 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 20 (3d8 + 7) bludgeoning damage and the dragon pushes the target 10 feet away.

Trident

+13 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d6+7 piercing damage.

Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (1d6 + 7) piercing damage.

Reactions

Tail Attack

When a creature the dragon can see within 10 feet hits the dragon with a melee attack, the dragon makes a tail attack against it.

Legendary Actions

Foresight

Cost 2

The dragon focuses on the many sprawling futures before it and predicts what will come next. Attacks against it are made with disadvantage until the start of its next turn.

Roar

Cost 1

Each creature of the dragons choice within 120 feet that can hear it makes a DC 18 Charisma saving throw. On a failure, it is frightened for 1 minute. A creature repeats the saving throw at the end of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. When it succeeds on a saving throw or the effect ends for it, it is immune to Roar for 24 hours.

The dragon can take 3 legendary actions

Cost 1

Only one legendary action can be used at a time and only at the end of another creatures turn. It regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

Wing Attack

Cost 1

The dragon beats its wings. Each creature within 15 feet makes a DC 21 Dexterity saving throw. On a failure, it is pushed 10 feet away and knocked prone. The dragon can then fly up to half its fly speed.

About Adult Bronze Dragon

Adult Bronze Dragon is a huge dragon with a Challenge Rating of 18. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 18 and possesses 287 hit points (derived from 23d12+138).

Adult Bronze Dragon has communication capabilities including Common, Draconic, one more. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Adult Bronze Dragon

3 tips available

When using Adult Bronze Dragon in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

  • Flight Control Strategy: Target flying creatures with spells like 'Hold Person', 'Web', or 'Grease' to ground them. Without flight restriction, they can escape melee range easily. Consider area denial spells below their flight altitude to force them into disadvantageous positions.
  • Aquatic Combat: This creature can swim at 60 ft. It has advantage in water environments. Consider fighting on land or using water-based spells against it.
  • Lightning Damage Awareness: Lightning attacks often have long range and high speed. Advise players to use cover and avoid metal armor/weapons. Water surfaces amplify lightning damage - avoid fighting near water.

Player Guide: Facing Adult Bronze Dragon

3 strategies available

When your party encounters this creature, keep these strategies in mind:

  • Counter Flight Advantage: This creature can fly! Use ranged attacks, reach weapons, or spells like 'Thunderwave' to push it away. Consider 'Gust of Wind' or 'Earthbind' to ground it. Melee characters need fly speed or flight magic to engage.
  • Aquatic Combat Defense: This creature can swim at 60 ft! It has advantage in water. Fight on land if possible. Use 'Control Water' or drain water sources to limit its mobility.
  • Lightning Damage Protection: This creature deals lightning damage! Avoid metal armor and weapons. Use cover and avoid water surfaces. 'Iron Skin' or 'Protection from Energy' can help.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 18.

High-Level Solo Encounter:

This creature is too powerful for a single level-20 character. You need 2.0 character(s) at maximum level (20) to face this creature.

Experience Point Thresholds:

  • Medium: 34,200 XP
  • Hard: 51,300 XP
  • Deadly: 68,400 XP

Based on D&D 5e Dungeon Master's Guide encounter building guidelines. CR roughly equals party level for medium encounters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the challenge rating of Adult Bronze Dragon?
Adult Bronze Dragon has a Challenge Rating of 18, making it appropriate for parties of level 18.0.
What type of creature is Adult Bronze Dragon?
Adult Bronze Dragon is a Huge Dragon, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Adult Bronze Dragon speak?
Adult Bronze Dragon can communicate in Common, Draconic, one more.

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