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Adult White Dragon

Huge · Dragon · CR 16 · Chaotic Evil

Armor Class
18
Hit Points and Hit Dice
250 (20d12+120)
Challenge Rating CR
16

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR
22
+6
DEX
12
+1
CON
22
+6
INT
8
-1
WIS
14
+2
CHA
14
+2

Overview

Category Monsters
Size Huge
Type Dragon
Alignment Chaotic Evil
XP 15000
Initiative Bonus +1

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)
Fly 80 ft (24.4 m)
Swim 40 ft (12.2 m)
Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)
Burrow 30 ft (9.1 m)
Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Darkvision 120 ft (36.6 m)
Blindsight 60 ft (18.3 m)
Passive Perception 20

Saving Throws

Dexterity +6 Constitution +11 Wisdom +7 Charisma +7

Skills

Intimidation +7 Perception +7 Stealth +6

Languages

Common, Draconic

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities
cold

Traits

Cold Mastery

The dragons movement and vision is not hindered by cold, icy surfaces, snow, wind, or storms. Additionally, the dragon can choose to burrow through snow and ice without leaving a trace.

Innate Spellcasting

The dragons spellcasting ability is Charisma (save DC 15). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components.
- 3/Day Each: Dominate Beast, Fire Shield, Animal Friendship, Sleet Storm

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 ice. If it has no more uses of this ability, its Armor Class is reduced to 16 until it finishes a long rest.

Actions

Bite

+11 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 3d10+6 plus 1d8 cold damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 22 (3d10 + 6) piercing damage plus 4 (1d8) cold damage.

Claw

+11 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 3d8+6 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (3d8 + 6) slashing damage.

Cold Breath

Recharge 5–6

The dragon exhales a 60-foot cone of frost. Each creature in the area makes a DC 19 Constitution saving throw. On a failure it takes 52 (15d6) cold damage and its speed is reduced to 0 until the end of its next turn. On a success it takes half damage.

Multiattack

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

Spit Ice

The dragon targets a creature within 60 feet forcing it to make a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw. On a failure the target takes 16 (3d10) cold damage and its speed is reduced to 0 until the end of its next turn. On a success it takes half damage.

Tail

+14 to hit, reach 15 ft (4.6 m). Hit: 2d8+6 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d8 + 6) 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

Raging Storm

1/day Cost 1

For 1 minute, gusts of sleet emanate from the dragon in a 40-foot-radius sphere, spreading around corners. The area is lightly obscured and the ground is difficult terrain The first time a creature moves on its turn while in the area, it must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or fall prone (or fall if it is flying).

Roar

Cost 1

Each creature of the dragons choice within 120 feet that can hear it makes a DC 15 Charisma saving throw. On a failure, it is frightened for 1 minute. A creature repeats the saving throw at the end of its turn, 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 19 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 White Dragon

Adult White Dragon is a huge dragon with a Challenge Rating of 16. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 18 and possesses 250 hit points (derived from 20d12+120).

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

GM Tips: Using Adult White Dragon

4 tips available

When using Adult White 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.
  • Burrowing Tactics: This creature can burrow at 30 ft. It can ambush from underground or escape combat by digging. Use 'Earthbind' or create difficult terrain to limit burrowing. Consider fighting in areas without soft ground.
  • Aquatic Combat: This creature can swim at 40 ft. It has advantage in water environments. Consider fighting on land or using water-based spells against it.
  • Cold Damage Strategy: Cold-based attacks can slow or freeze. Prepare 'Heat Metal' or fire spells as countermeasures. Ice terrain can be used to create difficult terrain for melee characters.

Player Guide: Facing Adult White Dragon

4 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.
  • Burrowing Defense: This creature can burrow at 30 ft! It can ambush from underground. Use 'Earthbind', create difficult terrain, or fight on hard surfaces. 'Stone Shape' can seal burrows.
  • Aquatic Combat Defense: This creature can swim at 40 ft! It has advantage in water. Fight on land if possible. Use 'Control Water' or drain water sources to limit its mobility.
  • Cold Damage Protection: This creature deals cold damage! Get cold resistance or use fire spells. Avoid water surfaces - they can freeze and create difficult terrain. 'Heat Metal' can counter cold.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 16.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 20 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

  • Medium: 27,200 XP
  • Hard: 40,800 XP
  • Deadly: 54,400 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 White Dragon?
Adult White Dragon has a Challenge Rating of 16, making it appropriate for parties of level 16.0.
What type of creature is Adult White Dragon?
Adult White Dragon is a Huge Dragon, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Adult White Dragon speak?
Adult White Dragon can communicate in Common, Draconic.

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