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Ancient Silver Dragon

Gargantuan · Dragon · CR 23 · Lawful Good

Source. 5e 2024 Rules

22 (natural armor)

468 (24d20 + 216)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

+10

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Gargantuan

Type Dragon

Alignment Lawful Good

XP 50000

Initiative Bonus +14

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 26

Saving Throws

Strength +10 Dexterity +7 Constitution +9 Intelligence +4 Wisdom +9 Charisma +8

Skills

History +11 Perception +16 Stealth +7

Languages

Common, Draconic

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

cold

Traits

Legendary Resistance (4/Day, or 5/Day in Lair)

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

Actions

Cold Breath

Recharge 5–6 Cost 1

Constitution Saving Throw: DC 24, each creature in a 90-foot Cone. Failure: 67 (15d8) Cold damage. Success: Half damage.

Multiattack

Cost 1

The dragon makes three Rend attacks. It can replace one attack with a use of (A) Paralyzing Breath or (B) Spellcasting to cast Ice Knife (level 2 version).

Paralyzing Breath

Cost 1

Constitution Saving Throw: DC 24, each creature in a 90-foot Cone. First Failure The target has the Incapacitated condition until the end of its next turn, when it repeats the save. Second Failure The target has the Paralyzed condition, and it repeats the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. After 1 minute, it succeeds automatically.

Rend

Cost 1

+17 to hit, reach 15 ft (4.6 m). Hit: 2d8+10 slashing plus 2d8 cold damage.

Melee Attack Roll: +17, reach 15 ft. 19 (2d8 + 10) Slashing damage plus 9 (2d8) Cold damage.

Spellcasting

Cost 1

The dragon casts one of the following spells, requiring no Material components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 23, +15 to hit with spell attacks):

At Will: Detect Magic, Hold Monster, Ice Knife, Shapechange
1/Day Each: Control Weather, Ice Storm, Teleport, Zone of Truth

Legendary Actions

Chill

Cost 1

The dragon uses Spellcasting to cast Hold Monster. The dragon can't take this action again until the start of its next turn.

Cold Gale

Cost 1

Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 23, each creature in a 60-foot-long, 10-foot-wide Line. Failure: 14 (4d6) Cold damage, and the target is pushed up to 30 feet straight away from the dragon. Success: Half damage only. Failure or Success: The dragon can't take this action again until the start of its next turn.

Pounce

Cost 1

The dragon moves up to half its Speed, and it makes one Rend attack.

About Ancient Silver Dragon

Ancient Silver Dragon is a gargantuan dragon with a Challenge Rating of 23. It has a lawful good alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 22 and possesses 468 hit points (derived from 24d20 + 216).

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

GM Tips: Using Ancient Silver Dragon

2 tips available

When using Ancient Silver 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.
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 Silver 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.
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 23.

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: 55,200 XP
Hard: 82,800 XP
Deadly: 110,400 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 Ancient Silver Dragon?: Ancient Silver Dragon has a Challenge Rating of 23, making it appropriate for parties of level 23.0.
What type of creature is Ancient Silver Dragon?: Ancient Silver Dragon is a Gargantuan Dragon, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Ancient Silver Dragon speak?: Ancient Silver Dragon can communicate in Common, Draconic.