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Moon Drake

Medium · Dragon · CR 5 · Neutral

Source. Creature Codex

76 (9d8+36)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Dragon

Alignment Neutral

XP 1800

Initiative Bonus +5

Movement

Walk 25 ft (7.6 m)

Fly 100 ft (30.5 m)

Swim 12 ft (3.7 m)

Climb 12 ft (3.7 m)

Crawl 12 ft (3.7 m)

Senses

Darkvision 120 ft (36.6 m)

Passive Perception 14

Skills

Arcana +4 Insight +7

Languages

Celestial, Common, Draconic

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Resistances

varies (see Moonbound)

Damage Vulnerabilities

varies (see Moonbound)

Condition Immunities

paralyzed, unconscious

Traits

Curative Saliva

The moon drake's saliva can be bottled, distilled, and used in 1-ounce doses. An afflicted lycanthrope that drinks this concoction is instantly cured of lycanthropy, requiring no saving throw. This draught can't cure a natural-born lycanthrope of the curse of lycanthropy.

Moonbound

A moon drake's power waxes and wanes with the moon. Under a full moon, it has resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical attacks and its weapon attacks deal an additional 3 (1d6) radiant damage. Under a new moon, it has vulnerability to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage. Under any other moon, it gains no extra traits.

Actions

Bite

+8 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d6+5 plus 1d10 radiant damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) piercing damage plus 5 (1d10) radiant damage. A shapechanger that takes radiant damage from this attack instantly reverts to its true form and can't assume a different form for 1d4 rounds.

Claw

+8 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d6+5 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d6 + 5) slashing damage.

Lunarbeam

Recharge 5–6

The drake exhales searing moonlight in a 60-foot line that is 5 feet wide. Each creature in that area must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 33 (6d10) radiant damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. A shapechanger makes its saving throw with disadvantage. If it fails, it also instantly reverts to its true form and can't assume a different form for 1d4 rounds.

Moonlight Nip

+6 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m).

Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature afflicted with lycanthropy. Hit: The target must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be cured of lycanthropy (it can willingly fail this save). This attack can't cure a natural born lycanthrope of the curse of lycanthropy.

Multiattack

The moon drake makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws.

Reactions

Form of Moonlight

When the moon drake takes damage or is restrained, it can transmute its physical form into an incorporeal form of pure moonlight until the end of its next turn. While in this form, it has resistance to cold, fire, and lightning damage and immunity to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical attacks. While in this form, the drake can pass through openings at least 1 inch wide and through transparent objects. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its turn inside an object.

About Moon Drake

Moon Drake is a medium dragon with a Challenge Rating of 5. It has a neutral alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 15 and possesses 76 hit points (derived from 9d8+36).

Moon Drake has communication capabilities including Celestial, Common, Draconic. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Moon Drake

4 tips available

When using Moon Drake 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.
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.
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.
Lightning Damage Awareness: Lightning attacks often have long range and high speed. Advise players to use cover and avoid metal armor/weapons. Water surfaces amplify lightning damage - avoid fighting near water.

Player Guide: Facing Moon Drake

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.
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.
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.
Lightning Damage Protection: This creature deals lightning damage! Avoid metal armor and weapons. Use cover and avoid water surfaces. 'Iron Skin' or 'Protection from Energy' can help.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 5.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 7 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 3,000 XP
Hard: 4,500 XP
Deadly: 6,000 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 Moon Drake?: Moon Drake has a Challenge Rating of 5, making it appropriate for parties of level 5.0.
What type of creature is Moon Drake?: Moon Drake is a Medium Dragon, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Moon Drake speak?: Moon Drake can communicate in Celestial, Common, Draconic.