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Ancient Brass Dragon

Gargantuan · Dragon · CR 22 · Chaotic Evil

Armor Class
20
Hit Points and Hit Dice
367 (21d20+147)
Challenge Rating CR
22

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR
26
+8
DEX
10
+0
CON
24
+7
INT
20
+5
WIS
16
+3
CHA
18
+4

Overview

Category Monsters
Size Gargantuan
Type Dragon
Alignment Chaotic Evil
XP 41000
Initiative Bonus +0

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)
Fly 80 ft (24.4 m)
Swim 20 ft (6.1 m)
Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)
Burrow 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 23

Saving Throws

Dexterity +7 Constitution +14 Wisdom +10 Charisma +11

Skills

Arcana +12 History +12 Nature +12 Perception +10 Persuasion +11 Religion +12 Stealth +7

Languages

Common, Draconic, three 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: comprehend languages, Identify, Commune, Legend Lore
  • 1/Day: Teleport, True Seeing

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 sand. If it has no more uses of this ability, its Armor Class is reduced to 18 until it finishes a long rest.

Scholar of the Ages

The brass dragon gains a d4 expertise die on Intelligence checks made to recall lore. If it fails such a roll, it can expend one use of its Legendary Resistance trait to treat the roll as a 20.

Self-Sufficient

The brass dragon can subsist on only a quart of water and a pound of food per day.

Actions

Bite

+15 to hit, reach 15 ft (4.6 m). Hit: 4d10+8 plus 2d8 fire damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 30 (4d10 + 8) piercing damage plus 9 (2d8) fire 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 Molten Spit 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 staff.

Claws

+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.

Molten Breath

The dragon exhales molten glass in a 90-foot-long 10-foot-wide line. Each creature in the area makes a DC 22 Dexterity saving throw taking 70 (20d6) fire damage on a failed save or half damage on a success. A creature that fails the save is also blinded until the end of its next turn.

Molten Spit

The dragon targets a creature within 60 feet forcing it to make a DC 22 Dexterity saving throw. The creature takes 22 (4d10) fire damage on a failure or half damage on a success. A creature that fails the saving throw also takes 11 (2d10) ongoing fire damage. 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 it can use Molten Spit.

Sleep Breath

The dragon exhales sleep gas in a 90-foot cone. Each creature in the area makes a DC 22 Constitution saving throw. On a failure a creature falls unconscious for 10 minutes or until it takes damage or someone uses an action to wake it.

Staff

+15 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d8+8 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (1d8 + 8) bludgeoning damage.

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

Analyze

Cost 1

The dragon evaluates one creature it can see within 60 feet. It learns the creatures resistances, immunities, vulnerabilities, and current and maximum hit points. That creatures next attack roll against the dragon before the start of the dragons next turn is made with disadvantage.

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 23 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 Brass Dragon

Ancient Brass Dragon is a gargantuan dragon with a Challenge Rating of 22. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 20 and possesses 367 hit points (derived from 21d20+147).

Ancient Brass Dragon has communication capabilities including Common, Draconic, three more. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Ancient Brass Dragon

3 tips available

When using Ancient Brass 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 40 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.
  • 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 Ancient Brass 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.
  • Burrowing Defense: This creature can burrow at 40 ft! It can ambush from underground. Use 'Earthbind', create difficult terrain, or fight on hard surfaces. 'Stone Shape' can seal burrows.
  • 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 22.

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: 50,600 XP
  • Hard: 75,900 XP
  • Deadly: 101,200 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 Brass Dragon?
Ancient Brass Dragon has a Challenge Rating of 22, making it appropriate for parties of level 22.0.
What type of creature is Ancient Brass Dragon?
Ancient Brass Dragon is a Gargantuan Dragon, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Ancient Brass Dragon speak?
Ancient Brass Dragon can communicate in Common, Draconic, three more.

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