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Rust Drake

Medium · Dragon · CR 8 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

17 (natural armor)

161 (19d8 + 76)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

-1

CHA

-1

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Dragon

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 3900

Initiative Bonus +2

Movement

Walk 80 ft (24.4 m)

Fly 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 40 ft (12.2 m)

Climb 40 ft (12.2 m)

Crawl 40 ft (12.2 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 15

Skills

Perception +5 Stealth +5

Languages

Common, Draconic

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison

Damage Vulnerabilities

acid

Condition Immunities

poisoned

Traits

Rust Drake Lockjaw

A creature infected with this disease manifests symptoms 1d4 days after infection, which include painful muscle spasms, particularly in the jaw. At the end of each long rest, the infected creature must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be paralyzed for 1 hour and have its Dexterity score reduced by 1d4. This reduction lasts until the disease is cured. If the disease reduces the creature’s Dexterity to 0, the creature dies. A creature that succeeds on two saving throws recovers from the disease.

Actions

Bite

+8 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 3d8+5 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (3d8 + 5) piercing damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution save or contract the rust drake lockjaw disease (see the Rust Drake Lockjaw trait).

Multiattack

The drake makes one Bite attack and two Tail Swipe attacks.

Tail Swipe

+8 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d8+5 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) bludgeoning damage.

Vomit Scrap

Recharge 5–6

The rust drake vomits forth a 15-foot cone of rusted metal. Each creature in the area must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw, taking 22 (5d8) slashing damage and 22 (5d8) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. In addition, each creature that failed the saving throw must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or contract the rust drake lockjaw disease (see the Rust Drake Lockjaw trait).

About Rust Drake

Rust Drake is a medium dragon with a Challenge Rating of 8. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 17 and possesses 161 hit points (derived from 19d8 + 76).

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

GM Tips: Using Rust Drake

1 tips available

When using Rust 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 Rust 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 8.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 11 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 7,200 XP
Hard: 10,800 XP
Deadly: 14,400 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 Rust Drake?: Rust Drake has a Challenge Rating of 8, making it appropriate for parties of level 8.0.
What type of creature is Rust Drake?: Rust Drake is a Medium Dragon, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Rust Drake speak?: Rust Drake can communicate in Common, Draconic.