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Ancient Copper Dragon

Gargantuan · Dragon · CR 23 · Chaotic Evil

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

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR
26
+8
DEX
12
+1
CON
24
+7
INT
20
+5
WIS
16
+3
CHA
18
+4

Overview

Category Monsters
Size Gargantuan
Type Dragon
Alignment Chaotic Evil
XP 50000
Initiative Bonus +1

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 23

Saving Throws

Dexterity +8 Constitution +14 Wisdom +10 Charisma +11

Skills

Deception +11 Perception +10 Stealth +8

Languages

Common, Draconic, three more

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities
acid

Traits

Flow Within the Mountain

The dragon has advantage on Stealth checks made to hide in mountainous regions. By spending 1 minute in concentration while touching a natural stone surface, the dragon can magically merge into it and emerge from any connected stone surface within a mile.

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:Hideous Laughter, Suggestion, Mislead, Polymorph
- 1/Day: Irresistible Dance, Mass Suggestion

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 stone. If it has no more uses of this ability, its Armor Class is reduced to 19 until it finishes a long rest.

Actions

Acid Breath

The dragon spits acid in a 90-foot-long 10-foot-wide line. Each creature in the 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 acid damage.

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

Breath Weapons

Recharge 5–6

The dragon uses one of the following breath weapons:

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.

Multiattack

The dragon attacks with its bite and twice with its claws. In place of its bite it can use Acid Spit.

Slowing Breath

The dragon exhales toxic gas in a 90-foot cone. Each creature in the area makes a DC 22 Constitution saving throw becoming slowed for 1 minute on a failure. A creature repeats the saving throw at the end of each of its turns ending the effect on itself on a success.

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.

War Pick

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

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

Bonus Actions

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 Acid 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 war pick.

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

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.

Tricksters Gambit

Cost 2

The dragon magically teleports to an unoccupied space it can see within 30 feet and creates two illusory duplicates in different unoccupied spaces within 30 feet. These duplicates have an AC of 11, and a creature that hits one with an attack can make a DC 19 Intelligence (Investigation) check, identifying it as a fake on a success. The duplicates disappear at the end of the dragons next turn but otherwise mimic the dragons actions perfectly, even moving according to the dragons will.

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 Copper Dragon

Ancient Copper 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 21 and possesses 367 hit points (derived from 21d20+147).

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

GM Tips: Using Ancient Copper Dragon

2 tips available

When using Ancient Copper 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.

Player Guide: Facing Ancient Copper 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.
  • 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.

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 Copper Dragon?
Ancient Copper Dragon has a Challenge Rating of 23, making it appropriate for parties of level 23.0.
What type of creature is Ancient Copper Dragon?
Ancient Copper Dragon is a Gargantuan Dragon, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Ancient Copper Dragon speak?
Ancient Copper Dragon can communicate in Common, Draconic, three more.

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