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Elder Shadow Drake

Large · Dragon · CR 7 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

16 (natural armor)

114 (12d10 + 48)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-1

WIS

-1

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Dragon

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 2900

Initiative Bonus +1

Movement

Walk 60 ft (18.3 m)

Fly 20 ft (6.1 m)

Swim 30 ft (9.1 m)

Climb 30 ft (9.1 m)

Crawl 30 ft (9.1 m)

Senses

Darkvision 120 ft (36.6 m)

Passive Perception 15

Saving Throws

Dexterity +4 Constitution +7 Charisma +4

Skills

Perception +5 Stealth +7

Languages

Common, Draconic, Umbral

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

cold

Damage Vulnerabilities

radiant

Traits

Shadow Sight

The drake has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks made while in dim light or darkness, and magical darkness doesn’t impede the drake’s darkvision.

Actions

Bite

+9 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d10+6 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (2d10 + 6) piercing damage.

Invisibility

The drake magically turns invisible until it attacks, uses Shadow Step, or starts its turn in sunlight, or until its concentration ends (as if concentrating on a spell). Any equipment the drake wears or carries is invisible with it. The drake must be in dim light or darkness to use this action.

Multiattack

The elder shadow drake makes one Bite attack and two Tail Slap attacks.

Stygian Breath

Recharge 5–6

The elder shadow drake spits a ball of black liquid on a point the dragon can see within 60 feet of it. The ball bursts into a 20-foot-radius sphere of black mist centered on that point for 1 minute. Each creature in the mist when it appears must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 42 (12d6) cold damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The mist spreads around corners, and its area is magical darkness. No natural light can illuminate the mist. If any of the mist overlaps with an area of light created by a spell of 1st level or lower, the spell creating the light is dispelled.

Tail Slap

+9 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 2d8+6 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d8 + 6) bludgeoning damage.

Bonus Actions

Shadow Step

The drake teleports, along with any equipment it is wearing or carrying, up to 60 feet to an unoccupied space it can see. The origin and destination spaces must be in dim light or darkness.

About Elder Shadow Drake

Elder Shadow Drake is a large dragon with a Challenge Rating of 7. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 16 and possesses 114 hit points (derived from 12d10 + 48).

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

GM Tips: Using Elder Shadow Drake

2 tips available

When using Elder Shadow 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.
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 Elder Shadow Drake

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 7.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 10 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 5,600 XP
Hard: 8,400 XP
Deadly: 11,200 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 Elder Shadow Drake?: Elder Shadow Drake has a Challenge Rating of 7, making it appropriate for parties of level 7.0.
What type of creature is Elder Shadow Drake?: Elder Shadow Drake is a Large Dragon, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Elder Shadow Drake speak?: Elder Shadow Drake can communicate in Common, Draconic, Umbral.