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Hoarfrost Drake

Medium · Dragon · CR 2 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 2

14 (natural armor)

52 (8d8+16)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

-1

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Dragon

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 450

Initiative Bonus +2

Movement

Walk 20 ft (6.1 m)

Fly 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 10 ft (3 m)

Climb 10 ft (3 m)

Crawl 10 ft (3 m)

Senses

Darkvision 90 ft (27.4 m)

Passive Perception 13

Saving Throws

Constitution +4

Skills

Perception +3 Stealth +4

Languages

Common, Draconic

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

cold

Damage Vulnerabilities

fire

Traits

Ice Walk

The hoarfrost drake can move across and climb icy surfaces without needing to make an ability check. Additionally, difficult terrain composed of ice or snow doesn’t cost it extra movement.

Icy Scales

The hoarfrost drake has advantage on ability checks and saving throws made to escape a grapple.

Actions

Bite

+4 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d6+2 plus 1d4 cold damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage plus 2 (1d4) cold damage.

Claw

+4 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d4+2 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) slashing damage.

Cloud of Riming Ice

Recharge 5–6

The hoarfrost drake creates a cloud of freezing fog that rimes everything in frost. Each creature within 20 feet of it must make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, the target takes 14 (4d6) cold damage and must succeed on a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw or drop whatever it's holding. On a success, the target takes half the damage and doesn't drop what it's holding.

The area becomes difficult terrain until the end of the hoarfrost drake's next turn. A creature that enters the area or ends its turn there must succeed on a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or fall prone.

Multiattack

The hoarfrost drake makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws.

Reactions

Retaliatory Slip

When a creature grapples the drake, the drake can immediately attempt to escape. If it succeeds, it can make a bite attack against the creature that grappled it.

About Hoarfrost Drake

Hoarfrost Drake is a medium dragon with a Challenge Rating of 2. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 14 and possesses 52 hit points (derived from 8d8+16).

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

GM Tips: Using Hoarfrost Drake

2 tips available

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