Ability Scores
Core attributes and their modifiers.
Overview
Movement
Senses
Saving Throws
Skills
Languages
Common, Draconic, one more
Resistances & Immunities
Traits
Ambusher
When submerged in water, the dragon has advantage on Stealth checks. If the dragon hits a creature that can't see it with its bite, it can deal piercing damage and grapple the target simultaneously.
Amphibious
The dragon can breathe air and water.
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:Fog Cloud, Pass Without Trace, Legend Lore, Speak with Dead
- 1/Day Each: Create Undead, insect plague
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 mud. If it has no more uses of this ability, its Armor Class is reduced to 20 until it finishes a long rest.
Ruthless (1/Round)
After scoring a critical hit on its turn, the dragon can immediately make one claw attack.
Actions
Acid Breath
The dragon exhales sizzling acid in a 90-foot-long 10-foot-wide line. Each creature in that area makes a DC 22 Dexterity saving throw taking 85 (19d8) acid damage on a failed save or half damage on a success. A creature that fails the save is blinded until the end of its next turn.
Acid Spit
The dragon targets a creature within 60 feet forcing it to make a DC 22 Dexterity saving throw. The creature takes 22 (4d10) acid damage on a failure or half damage on a success. A creature that fails the save also takes 11 (2d10) ongoing acid damage. A creature can use an action to end the ongoing damage.
Bite
+15 to hit, reach 15 ft (4.6 m). Hit: 4d10+8 plus 2d8 piercing damage.
Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 30 (4d10 + 8) piercing damage plus 9 (2d8) acid damage. Instead of dealing piercing damage the dragon can grapple the target (escape DC 23) and a Huge or smaller creature grappled in this way is restrained. While grappling a creature the dragon can't bite or use Acid Spit against another target.
Claw
+15 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 3d8+8 slashing damage.
Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (3d8 + 8) slashing damage.
Multiattack
The dragon attacks once with its bite and twice with its claws. In place of its bite attack it can use Acid Spit.
Tail
+15 to hit, reach 20 ft (6.1 m). Hit: 3d8+8 bludgeoning damage.
Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (3d8 + 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
Darkness
The dragon creates a 40-foot-radius sphere of magical darkness originating from a point it can see within 120 feet. Darkvision can't penetrate this darkness. The darkness lasts for 1 minute or until the dragon uses this action again.
Roar
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
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
The dragon beats its wings. Each creature within 15 feet makes a DC 22 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 Ancient Black Dragon
Ancient Black Dragon is a gargantuan dragon with a Challenge Rating of 23. It has a chaotic evil alignment.
In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 22 and possesses 367 hit points (derived from 21d20+147).
Ancient Black Dragon has communication capabilities including Common, Draconic, one more. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.
GM Tips: Using Ancient Black Dragon
2 tips available
GM Tips: Using Ancient Black Dragon
When using Ancient Black Dragon in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:
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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.
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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.
Player Guide: Facing Ancient Black Dragon
2 strategies available
Player Guide: Facing Ancient Black Dragon
When your party encounters this creature, keep these strategies in mind:
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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.
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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.
Encounter Building Calculator
Encounter Building Calculator
Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):
This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 23.
High-Level Solo Encounter:
This creature is too powerful for a single level-20 character. You need 3.0 character(s) at maximum level (20) to face this creature.
Experience Point Thresholds:
- Medium: 55,200 XP
- Hard: 82,800 XP
- Deadly: 110,400 XP
Based on D&D 5e Dungeon Master's Guide encounter building guidelines. CR roughly equals party level for medium encounters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the challenge rating of Ancient Black Dragon?
- Ancient Black Dragon has a Challenge Rating of 23, making it appropriate for parties of level 23.0.
- What type of creature is Ancient Black Dragon?
- Ancient Black Dragon is a Gargantuan Dragon, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
- What languages does Ancient Black Dragon speak?
- Ancient Black Dragon can communicate in Common, Draconic, one more.
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