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Cave Dragon Wyrmling

Medium · Dragon · CR 2 · Neutral Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

16 (natural armor)

52 (7d8 + 21)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-1

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Dragon

Alignment Neutral Evil

XP 450

Initiative Bonus +1

Movement

Walk 20 ft (6.1 m)

Fly 20 ft (6.1 m)

Swim 10 ft (3 m)

Climb 10 ft (3 m)

Burrow 30 ft (9.1 m)

Crawl 10 ft (3 m)

Senses

Blindsight 10 ft (3 m)

Tremorsense 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 14

Saving Throws

Dexterity +3 Constitution +5 Wisdom +2 Charisma +3

Skills

Perception +4 Stealth +3

Languages

Draconic

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison

Condition Immunities

blinded, poisoned

Traits

Darkness Shroud

The cave dragon naturally suppresses light near it. Bright light within 15 feet of the dragon becomes dim light, and dim light within 15 feet becomes nonmagical darkness.

Magical Tunneler

The cave dragon can burrow through nonmagical unworked earth and stone. While doing so, the dragon can choose whether to leave the material it moves through undisturbed or leave a 5-foot diameter tunnel in its wake.

Actions

Bite

+6 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d10+4 plus 1d6 poison damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d10 + 4) piercing damage plus 3 (1d6) poison damage.

Poison Breath

Recharge 5–6

The dragon exhales a cone of black, poisonous gas in a 15-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, a creature takes 14 (4d6) poison damage and is poisoned until the end of its next turn. On a success, a creature takes half the damage and isn't poisoned.

About Cave Dragon Wyrmling

Cave Dragon Wyrmling is a medium dragon with a Challenge Rating of 2. It has a neutral evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 16 and possesses 52 hit points (derived from 7d8 + 21).

Cave Dragon Wyrmling has communication capabilities including Draconic. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Cave Dragon Wyrmling

2 tips available

When using Cave Dragon Wyrmling 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.
Burrowing Tactics: This creature can burrow at 30 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 Cave Dragon Wyrmling

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.
Burrowing Defense: This creature can burrow at 30 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 2.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 4 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 600 XP
Hard: 900 XP
Deadly: 1,200 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 Cave Dragon Wyrmling?: Cave Dragon Wyrmling has a Challenge Rating of 2, making it appropriate for parties of level 2.0.
What type of creature is Cave Dragon Wyrmling?: Cave Dragon Wyrmling is a Medium Dragon, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Cave Dragon Wyrmling speak?: Cave Dragon Wyrmling can communicate in Draconic.