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Ancient Light Dragon

Gargantuan · Dragon · CR 22 · Neutral Good

Source. Creature Codex

22 (natural armor)

407 (22d20+176)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Gargantuan

Type Dragon

Alignment Neutral Good

XP 41000

Initiative Bonus +0

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)

Fly 80 ft (24.4 m)

Swim 20 ft (6.1 m)

Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)

Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Darkvision 120 ft (36.6 m)

Blindsight 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 22

Saving Throws

Dexterity +7 Constitution +15 Wisdom +12 Charisma +11

Skills

Arcana +11 Nature +11 Perception +12 Persuasion +11 Religion +11

Languages

Celestial, Draconic

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

radiant; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Damage Resistances

fire

Condition Immunities

blinded

Traits

Ethereal Sight

The dragon can see 60 feet into the Ethereal Plane when it is on the Material Plane, and vice versa.

Illumination

The dragon sheds bright light in a 30-foot radius and dim light for an additional 30 feet.

Incorporeal Movement

The dragon can move through other creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its turn inside an object.

Legendary Resistance (3/Day)

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

Void Traveler

The light dragon travels from star to star and does not require air, food, drink, or sleep. When flying between stars, the light dragon magically glides on solar winds, making the immense journey through the void in an impossibly short time.

Actions

Bite

+15 to hit, reach 15 ft (4.6 m). Hit: 2d10+8 piercing damage.

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

Breath Weapon

Recharge 5–6

The dragon uses one of the following breath weapons:
Radiant Breath. The dragon exhales radiant energy in a 90-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 23 Dexterity saving throw, taking 77 (14d10) radiant damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Flaring Breath. The dragon emits a flash of dazzling light from its maw in a 90-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 23 Constitution saving throw or be blinded. Undead within the area of effect must also make a DC 23 Wisdom saving throw or be turned for 1 minute. Undead of CR 3 or lower who fail the saving throw are instantly destroyed.

Claw

+15 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 2d6+8 slashing damage.

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

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 23 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature's saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the dragon's Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.

Tail

+15 to hit, reach 20 ft (6.1 m). Hit: 2d8+8 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +15 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 10 feet of the dragon must succeed on a DC 23 Dexterity saving throw or take 15 (2d6 + 8) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. The dragon can then fly up to half its flying speed.

Legendary Actions

Detect

Cost 1

The dragon makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.

Tail Attack

Cost 1

The dragon makes a tail attack.

Wing Attack

Cost 2

About Ancient Light Dragon

Ancient Light Dragon is a gargantuan dragon with a Challenge Rating of 22. It has a neutral good alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 22 and possesses 407 hit points (derived from 22d20+176).

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

GM Tips: Using Ancient Light Dragon

2 tips available

When using Ancient Light 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.
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 Light 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.
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 22.

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: 50,600 XP
Hard: 75,900 XP
Deadly: 101,200 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 Light Dragon?: Ancient Light Dragon has a Challenge Rating of 22, making it appropriate for parties of level 22.0.
What type of creature is Ancient Light Dragon?: Ancient Light Dragon is a Gargantuan Dragon, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Ancient Light Dragon speak?: Ancient Light Dragon can communicate in Celestial, Draconic.