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Spider Drake

Large · Dragon · CR 9 · Lawful Evil

Source. Creature Codex

18 (natural armor)

136 (16d10+48)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-2

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Dragon

Alignment Lawful Evil

XP 5000

Initiative Bonus +1

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)

Fly 80 ft (24.4 m)

Swim 20 ft (6.1 m)

Climb 40 ft (12.2 m)

Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Darkvision 120 ft (36.6 m)

Blindsight 30 ft (9.1 m)

Passive Perception 17

Saving Throws

Dexterity +5 Constitution +7 Wisdom +7 Charisma +6

Skills

Perception +7 Stealth +5 Survival +7

Languages

Common, Draconic

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison

Condition Immunities

poisoned

Traits

Sticky Secretions

When the spider drake is hit with a melee attack, the attacker's weapon becomes stuck to the web fluid secreted from its scales. If the attacker didn't use a weapon, it must succeed on a DC 16 Strength saving throw or become restrained in the webbing. As an action, a creature can make a DC 16 Strength check, escaping or freeing its weapon from the secretions on a success.

Actions

Bite

+8 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 2d10+4 plus 2d6 poison damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d10 + 4) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) poison damage.

Claw

+8 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d6+4 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage.

Multiattack

The spider drake makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws. It can use Web in place of its bite attack.

Poison Breath

Recharge 5–6

The drake exhales poisonous gas in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, a creature takes 42 (12d6) poison damage and is poisoned. On a success, a creature takes half the damage and isn't poisoned. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Web

Recharge 5–6

+5 to hit, range 60/120 ft (18.3/36.6 m).

Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, range 60/120 ft., one Large or smaller creature. Hit: The creature is restrained by webbing. As an action, the restrained creature can make a DC 16 Strength check, escaping from the webbing on a success. The effect also ends if the webbing is destroyed. The webbing has AC 10, 5 hit points, vulnerability to fire damage, and immunity to bludgeoning, poison, and psychic damage.

About Spider Drake

Spider Drake is a large dragon with a Challenge Rating of 9. It has a lawful evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 18 and possesses 136 hit points (derived from 16d10+48).

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

GM Tips: Using Spider Drake

3 tips available

When using Spider 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.
Climbing Advantage: This creature can climb at 40 ft. It can use walls and ceilings for tactical positioning. Consider using 'Spider Climb' negation or fighting in open areas without vertical surfaces.
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.

Player Guide: Facing Spider Drake

3 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.
Climbing Defense: This creature can climb at 40 ft! It can use walls and ceilings for surprise attacks. Fight in open areas without vertical surfaces. 'Spider Climb' negation spells can help.
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.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 9.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 12 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 9,000 XP
Hard: 13,500 XP
Deadly: 18,000 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 Spider Drake?: Spider Drake has a Challenge Rating of 9, making it appropriate for parties of level 9.0.
What type of creature is Spider Drake?: Spider Drake is a Large Dragon, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Spider Drake speak?: Spider Drake can communicate in Common, Draconic.