Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Paper Drake

Small · Dragon · CR 2 · Neutral

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

78 (12d6 + 36)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

-2

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Small

Type Dragon

Alignment Neutral

XP 450

Initiative Bonus +3

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 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 11

Languages

Common, Draconic

Traits

Bibliophile

The paper drake understands any written language it can see, provided it is touching the surface on which the words are written.

False Appearance (Book Form Only)

While the drake remains motionless, it is indistinguishable from an ordinary book.

Actions

Bite

+5 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d8+3 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d8 + 3) piercing damage.

Book Flap

+5 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d6+3 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) bludgeoning damage, and the drake can fly up to 15 feet without provoking opportunity attacks, as it flaps its pages.

Claw

+5 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d4+3 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (2d4 + 3) slashing damage.

Multiattack

The drake makes one Bite attack and one Claw attack, or it makes two Book Flap attacks.

Shredded Breath

Recharge 5–6

(Dragon Form Only) The drake exhales sharp shreds of paper in a 15-foot cone. Each creature in the area must make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw. On a failure, a creature takes 10 (4d4) slashing damage and is blinded until the end of its next turn. On a success, a creature takes half the damage and isn't blinded.

Bonus Actions

Fold

The paper drake can fold and reshape its papery body to change its size between Tiny, Small, and Medium. It can also use this bonus action to fold itself into the shape of a book, which doesn't have wings, or back into its Small form. Without wings, it loses its flying speed. Its statistics, other than its size and speed, are the same in each form. It reverts to its Small form if it dies.

About Paper Drake

Paper Drake is a small dragon with a Challenge Rating of 2. It has a neutral alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 13 and possesses 78 hit points (derived from 12d6 + 36).

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

GM Tips: Using Paper Drake

1 tips available

When using Paper 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.

Player Guide: Facing Paper Drake

1 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.

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 Paper Drake?: Paper Drake has a Challenge Rating of 2, making it appropriate for parties of level 2.0.
What type of creature is Paper Drake?: Paper Drake is a Small Dragon, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Paper Drake speak?: Paper Drake can communicate in Common, Draconic.