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Ancient Cave Dragon

Gargantuan · Dragon · CR 25 · Neutral Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

20 (natural armor)

507 (26d20 + 234)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

+10

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Gargantuan

Type Dragon

Alignment Neutral Evil

XP 75000

Initiative Bonus +1

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)

Swim 20 ft (6.1 m)

Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)

Burrow 40 ft (12.2 m)

Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Blindsight 60 ft (18.3 m)

Tremorsense 120 ft (36.6 m)

Passive Perception 29

Saving Throws

Dexterity +9 Constitution +17 Wisdom +11 Charisma +12

Skills

Perception +19 Stealth +9

Languages

Common, Darakhul, Draconic

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison

Condition Immunities

blinded, poisoned

Traits

Darkness Aura

The cave dragon emits magical darkness in a 30-foot radius around it. The darkness moves with the dragon and spreads around corners. Darkvision can’t penetrate this darkness, and no natural light can illuminate it. If any of the darkness overlaps with an area of light created by a spell of 4th level or lower, the spell creating the light is dispelled. At the start of each of its turns, the dragon chooses whether this aura is active. A successful dispel magic (DC 15) cast on the dragon suppresses this aura for 1 minute.

Legendary Resistance (3/Day)

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

Magical Tunneler

The cave dragon can burrow through any unworked earth and stone. While doing so, the dragon can choose whether to leave the material it moves through undisturbed or leave a 15-foot diameter tunnel in its wake.

Spiked Climb

The dragon uses its spikes to hold itself in place while climbing, allowing it to climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check. If it climbs upside down on a ceiling or suspends itself on a vertical surface while leaving its claws free, it can’t use the Ruff Spikes reaction.

Actions

Bite

+18 to hit, reach 15 ft (4.6 m). Hit: 2d10+10 plus 4d6 poison damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +18 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (2d10 + 10) piercing damage plus 14 (4d6) poison damage.

Claw

+18 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 2d6+10 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +18 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (2d6 + 10) 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 20 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.

Multiattack

The dragon uses its Frightful Presence. It then makes three attacks: one with its Bite and two with its Claws.

Poison Breath

Recharge 5–6

The dragon exhales a cone of black, poisonous gas in a 90-foot cone. Each target in that area must make a DC 25 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, a creature takes 91 (26d6) poison damage and is poisoned until cured by the greater restoration spell or similar magic. On a success, a creature takes half the damage and isn't poisoned.

Tail

+18 to hit, reach 20 ft (6.1 m). Hit: 2d8+10 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +18 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (2d8 + 10) bludgeoning damage.

Reactions

Ruff Spikes

When a creature moves to a space within 10 feet of the cave dragon, the dragon flares its many feelers and spikes. The creature must succeed on a DC 25 Dexterity saving throw or take 13 (3d8) piercing damage and be prevented from entering that space.

Legendary Actions

Detect

Cost 1

The dragon makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.

Limb Sweep

Cost 2

The dragon sweeps its wingless limbs outward. Each creature within 10 feet of the dragon must succeed on a DC 25 Dexterity saving throw or take 15 (2d6 + 8) bludgeoning damage and be pushed up to 10 feet away from the dragon and knocked prone.

Tail Attack

Cost 1

The dragon makes a Tail attack.

About Ancient Cave Dragon

Ancient Cave Dragon is a gargantuan dragon with a Challenge Rating of 25. It has a neutral evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 20 and possesses 507 hit points (derived from 26d20 + 234).

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

GM Tips: Using Ancient Cave Dragon

1 tips available

When using Ancient Cave Dragon in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

Burrowing Tactics: This creature can burrow at 40 ft. It can ambush from underground or escape combat by digging. Use 'Earthbind' or create difficult terrain to limit burrowing. Consider fighting in areas without soft ground.

Player Guide: Facing Ancient Cave Dragon

1 strategies available

When your party encounters this creature, keep these strategies in mind:

Burrowing Defense: This creature can burrow at 40 ft! It can ambush from underground. Use 'Earthbind', create difficult terrain, or fight on hard surfaces. 'Stone Shape' can seal burrows.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 25.

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: 65,000 XP
Hard: 97,500 XP
Deadly: 130,000 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 Ancient Cave Dragon?: Ancient Cave Dragon has a Challenge Rating of 25, making it appropriate for parties of level 25.0.
What type of creature is Ancient Cave Dragon?: Ancient Cave Dragon is a Gargantuan Dragon, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Ancient Cave Dragon speak?: Ancient Cave Dragon can communicate in Common, Darakhul, Draconic.