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Ancient White Dragon

Gargantuan · Dragon · CR 17 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Black Flag SRD

20 (natural armor)

301

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

+14

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Gargantuan

Type Dragon

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 18000

Initiative Bonus +6

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)

Burrow 40 ft (12.2 m)

Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Darkvision 120 ft (36.6 m)

Passive Perception 19

Saving Throws

Strength +8 Dexterity +6 Constitution +14 Intelligence +0 Wisdom +9 Charisma +9

Languages

Common,Draconic

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

cold

Traits

Ice Walk

The dragon can move across and climb icy surfaces without needing to make an ability check. In addition, difficult terrain composed of ice or snow doesn't cost it extra movement.

Legendary Resistance (3/Day)

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

Numbing Chill

When the white dragon hasn't unleashed its Cold Breath, the cold builds up within it and ripples outward from it. While the dragon's Cold Breath is available, it emits a numbing chill, and each creature that starts its turn within 30 feet of the dragon must succeed on a DC 22 CON save or its speed is halved.

Actions

Bite

+14 to hit, reach 15 ft (4.6 m). Hit: 2d10+8 plus 2d8 cold damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (2d10+8) piercing damage plus 9 (2d8) cold damage.

Claw

+14 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 2d6+8 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d6+8) slashing damage.

Cold Breath

Recharge 5–6

The dragon exhales an icy blast in a 90-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 22 CON save, taking 63 (14d8) cold damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

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 17 CHA save or be vulnerable to cold damage until the end of its next turn. A target resistant to cold damage isn't resistant to it for the duration. A target immune to cold 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 17 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

+14 to hit, reach 20 ft (6.1 m). Hit: 2d8+8 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (2d8+8) 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 22 DEX save or take 15 (2d6+8) 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 White Dragon

Ancient White Dragon is a gargantuan dragon with a Challenge Rating of 17. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 20 and possesses 301 hit points (derived from None).

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

GM Tips: Using Ancient White Dragon

4 tips available

When using Ancient White 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.
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.
Cold Damage Strategy: Cold-based attacks can slow or freeze. Prepare 'Heat Metal' or fire spells as countermeasures. Ice terrain can be used to create difficult terrain for melee characters.

Player Guide: Facing Ancient White 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.
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.
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.
Cold Damage Protection: This creature deals cold damage! Get cold resistance or use fire spells. Avoid water surfaces - they can freeze and create difficult terrain. 'Heat Metal' can counter cold.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 17.

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: 30,600 XP
Hard: 45,900 XP
Deadly: 61,200 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 White Dragon?: Ancient White Dragon has a Challenge Rating of 17, making it appropriate for parties of level 17.0.
What type of creature is Ancient White Dragon?: Ancient White Dragon is a Gargantuan Dragon, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Ancient White Dragon speak?: Ancient White Dragon can communicate in Common,Draconic.