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Ancient Black Dragon

Gargantuan · Dragon · CR 23 · Chaotic Evil

Armor Class
22
Hit Points and Hit Dice
367 (21d20+147)
Challenge Rating CR
23

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR
26
+8
DEX
14
+2
CON
24
+7
INT
16
+3
WIS
14
+2
CHA
18
+4

Overview

Category Monsters
Size Gargantuan
Type Dragon
Alignment Chaotic Evil
XP 50000
Initiative Bonus +2

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)
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 +9 Constitution +14 Wisdom +9 Charisma +11

Skills

History +10 Perception +9 Stealth +9

Languages

Common, Draconic, one more

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities
acid

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

Recharge 5–6

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

Cost 1

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

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 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

When using Ancient Black 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 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

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 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

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

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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