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Sanddrift Drake

Large · Dragon · CR 6 · Neutral

Source. Tome of Beasts 2

16 (natural armor)

102 (12d10+36)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-2

WIS

CHA

-2

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Dragon

Alignment Neutral

XP 2300

Initiative Bonus +4

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)

Swim 20 ft (6.1 m)

Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)

Burrow 40 ft (12.2 m)

Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Tremorsense 30 ft (9.1 m)

Passive Perception 15

Skills

Perception +5 Stealth +7 Survival +5

Languages

Draconic

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

fire

Damage Resistances

poison

Condition Immunities

blinded

Traits

Desert Camouflage

The drake has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide in sandy terrain.

Sand Glide

The drake can burrow through nonmagical sand and worked earth. While doing so, the drake doesn’t disturb the material it moves through.

Actions

Bite

+7 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 2d8+4 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one creature. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) piercing damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or its speed is halved for 1 minute. If the target's speed is already halved and it fails the saving throw, it is paralyzed for 1 minute instead. The creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Claw

+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d6+4 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage.

Heatwave Breath

Recharge 6

The drake exhales superheated air in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 21 (6d6) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. If a creature fails the saving throw by 5 or more, it suffers one level of exhaustion.

Multiattack

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

About Sanddrift Drake

Sanddrift Drake is a large dragon with a Challenge Rating of 6. It has a neutral alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 16 and possesses 102 hit points (derived from 12d10+36).

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

GM Tips: Using Sanddrift Drake

3 tips available

When using Sanddrift Drake in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

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.
Climbing Advantage: This creature can climb at 20 ft. It can use walls and ceilings for tactical positioning. Consider using 'Spider Climb' negation or fighting in open areas without vertical surfaces.
Fire Damage Mitigation: This creature deals fire damage. Advise players to have fire resistance ready or use water-based tactics. Consider environmental fire hazards that could backfire on the creature.

Player Guide: Facing Sanddrift Drake

3 strategies available

When your party encounters this creature, keep these strategies in mind:

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.
Climbing Defense: This creature can climb at 20 ft! It can use walls and ceilings for surprise attacks. Fight in open areas without vertical surfaces. 'Spider Climb' negation spells can help.
Fire Damage Protection: This creature deals fire damage! Get fire resistance from spells like 'Resistance' or potions. Avoid fighting near flammable objects. Water spells can counter fire attacks.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 6.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 9 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 4,200 XP
Hard: 6,300 XP
Deadly: 8,400 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 Sanddrift Drake?: Sanddrift Drake has a Challenge Rating of 6, making it appropriate for parties of level 6.0.
What type of creature is Sanddrift Drake?: Sanddrift Drake is a Large Dragon, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Sanddrift Drake speak?: Sanddrift Drake can communicate in Draconic.