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Adult Red Dragon

Huge · Dragon · CR 20 · Chaotic Evil

Armor Class
19
Hit Points and Hit Dice
310 (23d12+161)
Challenge Rating CR
20

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR
26
+8
DEX
10
+0
CON
24
+7
INT
16
+3
WIS
14
+2
CHA
20
+5

Overview

Category Monsters
Size Huge
Type Dragon
Alignment Chaotic Evil
XP 25000
Initiative Bonus +0

Movement

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

Senses

Darkvision 120 ft (36.6 m)
Blindsight 60 ft (18.3 m)
Passive Perception 22

Saving Throws

Dexterity +6 Constitution +13 Wisdom +8 Charisma +11

Skills

Intimidation +11 Perception +9 Stealth +6

Languages

Common, Draconic, one more

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities
fire

Traits

Innate Spellcasting

The dragons spellcasting ability is Charisma (save DC 19). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components.
- 3/Day Each:Command, Hold Person, glyph of warding, Wall of Fire

Legendary Resistance (3/Day)

When the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. When it does, it sheds some of its scales, which turn to sand. If it has no more uses of this ability, its Armor Class is reduced to 17 until it finishes a long rest.

Searing Heat

A creature that touches the dragon or hits it with a melee attack for the first time on a turn takes 7 (2d6) fire damage.

Volcanic Tyrant

The dragon is immune to the effects of poisonous gases caused by volcanic environments. It also ignores difficult terrain caused by lava.

Actions

Bite

+14 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 3d10+8 plus 1d8 fire damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 24 (3d10 + 8) piercing damage plus 4 (1d8) fire damage.

Claw

+14 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 3d8+8 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (3d8 + 8) slashing damage.

Fire Breath

Recharge 5–6

The dragon exhales a blast of fire in a 60-foot cone. Each creature in that area makes a DC 21 Dexterity saving throw taking 73 (21d6) fire damage on a failed save or half damage on a success. A creature that fails the saving throw also takes 5 (1d10) ongoing fire damage. While affected by this ongoing damage it is frightened of the dragon. A creature can use an action to end the ongoing damage.

Multiattack

The dragon attacks once with its bite and twice with its claws. In place of its bite attack it can Spit Fire.

Spit Fire

The dragon targets a creature within 60 feet forcing it to make a DC 21 Dexterity saving throw. The creature takes 22 (4d10) fire damage on a failure or half damage on a success. A creature that fails the save also takes 5 (1d10) ongoing fire damage. A creature can use an action to end the ongoing damage.

Tail

+14 to hit, reach 15 ft (4.6 m). Hit: 2d8+8 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (2d8 + 8) bludgeoning damage and the dragon pushes the target 10 feet away.

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

Cruel Tyranny

Cost 1

The dragon uses its Cruel Tyranny action.

Roar

Cost 1

Each creature of the dragons choice within 120 feet that can hear it makes a DC 19 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 Red Dragon

Adult Red Dragon is a huge dragon with a Challenge Rating of 20. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 19 and possesses 310 hit points (derived from 23d12+161).

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

GM Tips: Using Adult Red Dragon

3 tips available

When using Adult Red 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.
  • Climbing Advantage: This creature can climb at 40 ft. It can use walls and ceilings for tactical positioning. Consider using 'Spider Climb' negation or fighting in open areas without vertical surfaces.
  • Fire Damage Mitigation: This creature deals fire damage. Advise players to have fire resistance ready or use water-based tactics. Consider environmental fire hazards that could backfire on the creature.

Player Guide: Facing Adult Red 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.
  • Climbing Defense: This creature can climb at 40 ft! It can use walls and ceilings for surprise attacks. Fight in open areas without vertical surfaces. 'Spider Climb' negation spells can help.
  • Fire Damage Protection: This creature deals fire damage! Get fire resistance from spells like 'Resistance' or potions. Avoid fighting near flammable objects. Water spells can counter fire attacks.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 20.

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: 42,000 XP
  • Hard: 63,000 XP
  • Deadly: 84,000 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 Red Dragon?
Adult Red Dragon has a Challenge Rating of 20, making it appropriate for parties of level 20.0.
What type of creature is Adult Red Dragon?
Adult Red Dragon is a Huge Dragon, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Adult Red Dragon speak?
Adult Red Dragon can communicate in Common, Draconic, one more.

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