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Great Wyrm Red Dragon

Gargantuan · Dragon · CR 26 · Chaotic Evil

Armor Class
22
Hit Points and Hit Dice
897 (46d20+414)
Challenge Rating CR
26

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR
30
+10
DEX
10
+0
CON
28
+9
INT
18
+4
WIS
16
+3
CHA
22
+6

Overview

Category Monsters
Size Gargantuan
Type Dragon
Alignment Chaotic Evil
XP 90000
Initiative Bonus +0

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 24

Saving Throws

Dexterity +8 Constitution +17 Wisdom +11 Charisma +14

Skills

Intimidation +14 Perception +11 Stealth +8

Languages

Common, Draconic, two more

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities
fire

Traits

Innate Spellcasting

The dragons spellcasting ability is Charisma (save DC 22). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components.
- 3/Day Each: Command, Hold Person, glyph of warding, Wall of Fire
- 1/Day Each: Antimagic Field, Dominate Monster, storm of vengeance

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 charcoal. If it has no more uses of this ability, its Armor Class is reduced to 20 until it finishes a long rest.

Searing Heat

A creature that touches the dragon or hits it with a melee attack for the first time on a turn takes 14 (4d6) fire damage.

Seething Rage

When the dragon is first bloodied, it immediately recharges its breath weapon, if its not already available. Its inner flame erupts, burning brightly in its eyes and mouth. After taking damage from its Searing Heat ability, a creature with resistance to fire damage loses it, and a creature with immunity to fire damage reduces it to resistance. Either effect lasts until the start of the creatures next turn.

Volcanic Tyrant

The dragon is immune to the effects of poisonous gases caused by volcanic environments. It also ignores difficult terrain caused by lava.

Actions

Bite

+18 to hit, reach 15 ft (4.6 m). Hit: 4d10+10 plus 2d8 fire damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +18 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 32 (4d10 + 10) piercing damage plus 9 (2d8) fire damage.

Claw

+18 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 4d8+10 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +18 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 28 (4d8 + 10) slashing damage.

Fire Breath

Recharge 5–6

The dragon exhales a blast of fire in a 90-foot cone. Each creature in that area makes a DC 25 Dexterity saving throw taking 98 (28d6) fire damage on a failed save or half damage on a success. A creature that fails the saving throw also takes 11 (2d10) ongoing fire damage. While affected by this ongoing damage it is frightened of the dragon. 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 attack it can Spit Fire.

Spit Fire

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 save also takes 11 (2d10) ongoing fire damage. A creature can use an action to end the ongoing damage.

Tail

+18 to hit, reach 20 ft (6.1 m). Hit: 3d8+10 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +18 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target. Hit: 23 (3d8 + 10) 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.

Taskmaster

When a creature within 60 feet fails an ability check or saving throw, the dragon roars a command to it. The creature can roll a d10 and add it to the result of the roll, possibly turning the failure into a success.

Legendary Actions

Cruel Tyranny

Cost 1

The dragon uses its Cruel Tyranny action.

Roar

Cost 1

Each creature of the dragons choice within 120 feet that can hear it makes a DC 22 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 25 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 Great Wyrm Red Dragon

Great Wyrm Red Dragon is a gargantuan dragon with a Challenge Rating of 26. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 22 and possesses 897 hit points (derived from 46d20+414).

Great Wyrm Red Dragon has communication capabilities including Common, Draconic, two more. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Great Wyrm Red Dragon

3 tips available

When using Great Wyrm Red 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.
  • 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 Great Wyrm Red 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 26.

High-Level Solo Encounter:

This creature is too powerful for a single level-20 character. You need 4.0 character(s) at maximum level (20) to face this creature.

Experience Point Thresholds:

  • Medium: 70,200 XP
  • Hard: 105,300 XP
  • Deadly: 140,400 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 Great Wyrm Red Dragon?
Great Wyrm Red Dragon has a Challenge Rating of 26, making it appropriate for parties of level 26.0.
What type of creature is Great Wyrm Red Dragon?
Great Wyrm Red Dragon is a Gargantuan Dragon, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Great Wyrm Red Dragon speak?
Great Wyrm Red Dragon can communicate in Common, Draconic, two more.

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