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Young Cave Dragon

Large · Dragon · CR 9 · Neutral Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

17 (natural armor)

189 (18d10 + 90)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Dragon

Alignment Neutral Evil

XP 5000

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 40 ft (12.2 m)

Crawl 10 ft (3 m)

Senses

Blindsight 30 ft (9.1 m)

Tremorsense 90 ft (27.4 m)

Passive Perception 19

Saving Throws

Dexterity +5 Constitution +9 Wisdom +5 Charisma +6

Skills

Perception +9 Stealth +5

Languages

Common, Darakhul, Draconic

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison

Condition Immunities

blinded, poisoned

Traits

Darkness Shroud

The cave dragon naturally suppresses light near it. Bright light within 30 feet of the dragon becomes dim light, and dim light within 30 feet becomes nonmagical darkness. If this shroud overlaps bright light created by a spell of 2nd level or lower, the spell creating the light is dispelled.

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.

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

+10 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 2d10+6 plus 2d6 poison damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (2d10 + 6) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) poison damage.

Claw

+10 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d6+6 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d6 + 6) slashing damage.

Multiattack

The dragon makes one Bite attack and two Claw attacks.

Poison Breath

Recharge 5–6

The dragon exhales a cone of black, poisonous gas in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 17 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, a creature takes 42 (12d6) poison damage and is poisoned for 1 minute. On a success, a creature takes half the damage and isn't poisoned. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Reactions

Ruff Spikes

When a creature moves to a space within 5 feet of the cave dragon, the dragon flares its many feelers and spikes. The creature must succeed on a DC 17 Dexterity saving throw or take 4 (1d8) piercing damage and be prevented from entering that space.

About Young Cave Dragon

Young Cave Dragon is a large dragon with a Challenge Rating of 9. It has a neutral evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 17 and possesses 189 hit points (derived from 18d10 + 90).

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

GM Tips: Using Young Cave Dragon

2 tips available

When using Young Cave Dragon 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 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 Young Cave Dragon

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 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 9.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 12 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 9,000 XP
Hard: 13,500 XP
Deadly: 18,000 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 Young Cave Dragon?: Young Cave Dragon has a Challenge Rating of 9, making it appropriate for parties of level 9.0.
What type of creature is Young Cave Dragon?: Young Cave Dragon is a Large Dragon, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Young Cave Dragon speak?: Young Cave Dragon can communicate in Common, Darakhul, Draconic.