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Ancient Shadow Dragon

Gargantuan · Dragon · CR 24 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Monstrous Menagerie

296 (16d20+128)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Gargantuan

Type Dragon

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 62000

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)

Fly 80 ft (24.4 m)

Swim 40 ft (12.2 m)

Climb 40 ft (12.2 m)

Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Darkvision 240 ft (73.2 m)

Passive Perception 20

Saving Throws

Dexterity +10 Constitution +15 Intelligence +10 Wisdom +10

Skills

Deception +15 Insight +10 Nature +10 Perception +10 Stealth +10

Languages

Common, Draconic, one more

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

necrotic, poison

Damage Resistances

acid, cold, fire, lightning, thunder; damage from nonmagical weapons

Condition Immunities

fatigue, frightened, grappled, paralyzed, poisoned, prone, restrained

Traits

Essence Link

The essence dragon is spiritually linked to a specific area or landmark. The dragon gains no benefit from a long rest when more than 1 mile away from its linked area. If the dragon dies, the area it is linked to loses its vital essence until it forms a new essence dragon, which can take centuries. When a creature first enters an area that has lost its vital essence in this way, they gain a level of fatigue and a level of strife. This fatigue and strife can be removed only by completing a long rest outside the area.

Evil

The dragon radiates an Evil aura.

Incorporeal Movement

The dragon can move through other creatures and objects. It takes 17 (3d10) force damage if it ends its turn inside an object.

Innate Spellcasting

The dragons spellcasting ability is Charisma (save DC 23). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components.
- 3/Day Each:Darkness, Detect Evil and Good, Bane, Create Undead,
- 1/Day: Hallow, Magic Jar

Legendary Resistance (3/Day)

When the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. When it does, it becomes more solid, losing its Incorporeal trait and its damage resistances, until the end of its next turn.

Actions

Anguished Breath

Recharge 5–6

The dragon exhales a shadowy maelstrom of anguish in a 90-foot cone. Each creature in that area makes a DC 23 Wisdom saving throw taking 81 (18d8) necrotic damage and gaining a level of strife on a failed save or half damage on a success.

Bite

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

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

Claws

+15 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 3d8+8 plus 2d8 necrotic damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (3d8 + 8) slashing damage plus 9 (2d8) necrotic damage.

Grasp of Shadows

The dragon targets a creature within 60 feet forcing it to make a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw. On a failure it is grappled by tendrils of shadow (escape DC 23) and restrained while grappled this way. The effect ends if the dragon is incapacitated or uses this ability again.

Multiattack

The dragon uses Grasp of Shadows then attacks once with its bite and twice with its claws.

Reactions

Lash Out

When a creature the dragon can see hits it with a melee weapon attack, the dragon makes a claw attack against the attacker.

Legendary Actions

Corrupting Presence

Cost 1

Each creature of the dragons choice within 120 feet and aware of it must succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or gain a level of strife. Once a creature has passed or failed this saving throw, it is immune to the dragons Corrupting Presence for the next 24 hours.

Horrid Whispers

Cost 2

A creature that can hear the dragon makes a DC 23 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, the creature takes 18 (4d8) psychic damage, and the dragon regains the same number of hit points.

Lurk

Cost 1

If the dragon is in dim light or darkness, it magically becomes invisible until it attacks, causes a creature to make a saving throw, or enters an area of bright light. It can't use this ability if it has taken radiant damage since the end of its last turn.

Slip Through Shadows

Cost 1

If the dragon is in dim light or darkness, it magically teleports up to 60 feet to an unoccupied space that is also in dim light or darkness. The dragon can't use this ability if it has taken radiant damage since the end of its last turn.

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.

About Ancient Shadow Dragon

Ancient Shadow Dragon is a gargantuan dragon with a Challenge Rating of 24. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 21 and possesses 296 hit points (derived from 16d20+128).

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

GM Tips: Using Ancient Shadow Dragon

4 tips available

When using Ancient Shadow 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.
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.
Incorporeal Movement: This creature can pass through objects and walls! Use 'Magic Circle', 'Forcecage', or other magical barriers. Physical obstacles are ineffective.

Player Guide: Facing Ancient Shadow 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.
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.
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.
Hit Incorporeal Creature: This creature can pass through objects! Use magical weapons or spells. Physical attacks may not work. 'Magic Missile' or 'Spiritual Weapon' are effective.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 24.

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: 60,000 XP
Hard: 90,000 XP
Deadly: 120,000 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 Shadow Dragon?: Ancient Shadow Dragon has a Challenge Rating of 24, making it appropriate for parties of level 24.0.
What type of creature is Ancient Shadow Dragon?: Ancient Shadow Dragon is a Gargantuan Dragon, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Ancient Shadow Dragon speak?: Ancient Shadow Dragon can communicate in Common, Draconic, one more.