Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Ghost Dragon

Large · Undead · CR 11 · Any Alignment

Source. Creature Codex

126 (23d10)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Undead

Alignment Any Alignment

XP 7200

Initiative Bonus +4

Movement

Fly 60 ft (18.3 m)

Senses

Darkvision 120 ft (36.6 m)

Passive Perception 17

Saving Throws

Dexterity +8 Wisdom +7

Skills

Perception +7 Stealth +8

Languages

any languages it knew in life

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

cold, necrotic, poison

Damage Resistances

acid, fire, lightning, thunder; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Condition Immunities

charmed, exhaustion, frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained

Traits

Ethereal Sight

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

Incorporeal Movement

The ghost 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.

Actions

Claw

+8 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 2d6+4 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage.

Etherealness

The ghost dragon enters the Ethereal Plane from the Material Plane, or vice versa. It is visible on the Material Plane while it is in the Border Ethereal, and vice versa, yet it can't affect or be affected by anything on the other plane.

Horrifying Breath

Recharge 5–6

The ghost dragon exhales a blast of icy terror in a 30-foot cone. Each living creature in that area must make a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, a creature takes 44 (8d10) psychic damage and is frightened for 1 minute. On a success, it takes half the damage and isn't frightened. A frightened target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Multiattack

The ghost dragon makes one claw attack and one withering bite attack.

Withering Bite

+8 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d10+4 necrotic damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d10 + 4) piercing damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or take 18 (4d8) necrotic damage.

About Ghost Dragon

Ghost Dragon is a large undead with a Challenge Rating of 11. It has a any alignment alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 14 and possesses 126 hit points (derived from 23d10).

Ghost Dragon has communication capabilities including any languages it knew in life. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Ghost Dragon

2 tips available

When using Ghost 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 Ghost 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 11.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 15 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 13,200 XP
Hard: 19,800 XP
Deadly: 26,400 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 Ghost Dragon?: Ghost Dragon has a Challenge Rating of 11, making it appropriate for parties of level 11.0.
What type of creature is Ghost Dragon?: Ghost Dragon is a Large Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Ghost Dragon speak?: Ghost Dragon can communicate in any languages it knew in life.