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Ancient Black Dragon

Gargantuan · Dragon · CR 20 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Black Flag SRD

21 (natural armor)

355

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

+13

INT

WIS

CHA

+10

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Gargantuan

Type Dragon

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 25000

Initiative Bonus +8

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)

Passive Perception 19

Saving Throws

Strength +9 Dexterity +8 Constitution +13 Intelligence +3 Wisdom +9 Charisma +10

Languages

Common,Draconic

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

acid,poisoned

Traits

Acidic Vapors

After the black dragon uses its Acid Breath, acid clings to its mouth, throat, and nostrils for a time, evaporating as the dragon breathes. While the dragon's Acid Breath is unavailable, acidic vapors surround it, and each creature that starts its turn within 30 feet of the dragon must succeed on a DC 21 CON save or be poisoned until the start of its next turn.

Amphibious

The dragon can breathe air and water.

Legendary Resistance (3/Day)

If the dragon fails a save, it can choose to succeed instead.

Actions

Acid Breath

Recharge 5–6

The dragon exhales acid in a 90-foot line that is 10 feet wide. Each creature in that line must make a DC 21 DEX save, taking 67 (15d8) acid damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Bite

+15 to hit, reach 15 ft (4.6 m). Hit: 2d10+9 plus 2d8 acid damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 20 (2d10+9) piercing damage plus 9 (2d8) acid damage.

Claw

+15 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 2d6+9 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d6+9) slashing damage.

Elemental Roar (Costs 2 Actions)

The dragon roars at up to two creatures of its choice within 120 feet of it. Each target must succeed on a DC 18 CHA save or be vulnerable to acid damage until the end of its next turn. A target resistant to acid damage isn't resistant to it for the duration. A target immune to acid damage is still immune to it, even if the target fails the save.

Frightful Presence

Each creature of the dragon's choice that is within 120 feet of the dragon and aware of it must succeed on a DC 18 WIS save or be frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature's save is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the dragon's Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.

Multiattack

The dragon uses its Frightful Presence. It then makes one Bite attack and two Claw attacks.

Tail

+15 to hit, reach 20 ft (6.1 m). Hit: 2d8+9 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (2d8+9) bludgeoning damage.

Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions)

The dragon beats its wings. Each creature within 15 feet of the dragon must succeed on a DC 23 DEX save or take 16 (2d6+9) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. The dragon can then fly up to half its flying speed without provoking opportunity attacks.

Legendary Actions

Detect

Cost 1

The dragon automatically detects every creature and trap within 30 feet of it, pinpointing the current location of each.

Elemental Roar

Cost 2

Tail Attack

Cost 1

The dragon makes a Tail attack.

Wing Attack

Cost 2

About Ancient Black Dragon

Ancient Black Dragon is a gargantuan dragon with a Challenge Rating of 20. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 21 and possesses 355 hit points (derived from None).

Ancient Black Dragon has communication capabilities including Common,Draconic. 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 20.

High-Level Solo Encounter:

This creature is too powerful for a single level-20 character. You need 2.0 character(s) at maximum level (20) to face this creature.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 42,000 XP
Hard: 63,000 XP
Deadly: 84,000 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 Black Dragon?: Ancient Black Dragon has a Challenge Rating of 20, making it appropriate for parties of level 20.0.
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.