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Drake, Cactus

Medium · Dragon · CR 4 · Neutral Good

Source. Tome of Beasts 3

14 (natural armor)

75 (10d8+30)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-1

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Dragon

Alignment Neutral Good

XP 1100

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 20 ft (6.1 m)

Swim 10 ft (3 m)

Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)

Crawl 10 ft (3 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Tremorsense 30 ft (9.1 m)

Passive Perception 11

Skills

Perception +1

Languages

Common, Draconic

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Resistances

fire, lightning

Condition Immunities

paralyzed, unconscious

Traits

False Appearance

While motionless indistinguishable from tall branched cactus.

Offering of Flesh

Spends 1 min carefully cutting its own flesh inflicting 10 slashing to itself to remove small piece of pulpy material. Pulp is edible and provides Med or smaller creature 1 quart of water and nourishment equivalent to one meal. Pulp provides nourishment only if drake offered it willingly.

Regeneration

Regains 5 hp at start of its turn. If it takes cold or poison this doesn’t function at start of its next turn. Dies only if it starts its turn with 0 hp and doesn’t regenerate.

Thorny Body

A creature that touches it or hits it with melee attack while within 5 ft. of it: DC 13 Dex save or take 4 (1d8) piercing damage.

About Drake, Cactus

Drake, Cactus is a medium dragon with a Challenge Rating of 4. It has a neutral good alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 14 and possesses 75 hit points (derived from 10d8+30).

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

GM Tips: Using Drake, Cactus

2 tips available

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

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.
Regeneration Counterplay: This creature regenerates HP each turn! Players must deal enough damage to overcome regeneration. Certain damage types (acid, fire) may suppress regeneration. Plan sustained damage output.

Player Guide: Facing Drake, Cactus

2 strategies available

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

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.
Counter Regeneration: This creature regenerates HP each turn! Deal enough damage to overcome regeneration. Use acid or fire damage if it suppresses regeneration. Plan sustained damage output.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

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

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 6 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 2,000 XP
Hard: 3,000 XP
Deadly: 4,000 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 Drake, Cactus?: Drake, Cactus has a Challenge Rating of 4, making it appropriate for parties of level 4.0.
What type of creature is Drake, Cactus?: Drake, Cactus is a Medium Dragon, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Drake, Cactus speak?: Drake, Cactus can communicate in Common, Draconic.