Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Elder Shadow Drake

Large · Dragon · CR 7 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts

16 (natural armor)

114 (12d10+48)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-1

WIS

-1

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Dragon

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 2900

Initiative Bonus +1

Movement

Walk 20 ft (6.1 m)

Fly 60 ft (18.3 m)

Swim 10 ft (3 m)

Climb 10 ft (3 m)

Crawl 10 ft (3 m)

Senses

Darkvision 120 ft (36.6 m)

Passive Perception 15

Saving Throws

Dexterity +4 Constitution +7 Charisma +4

Skills

Perception +5 Stealth +7

Languages

Common, Draconic, Umbral

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

cold

Damage Vulnerabilities

radiant

Condition Immunities

paralyzed, unconscious

Environments

Forest or Jungle

Traits

Shadow Blend

In areas of dim light or darkness, an elder shadow drake is treated as invisible. Artificial illumination, such as a lantern or a light or continual flame spell, does not negate this ability; nothing less than true sunlight or a daylight spell does. The drake cannot use its Speed Surge or its Stygian Breath while invisible. An elder shadow drake can suspend or resume this ability at will, so long as the drake is in dim light or darkness.

Shadow Jump (3/Day)

An elder shadow drake can travel between shadows as if by means of a dimension door spell. This magical transport must begin and end in an area of dim light or darkness, and the distance must be no more than 60 feet.

Speed Surge (3/Day)

The elder shadow drake takes one additional move action on its turn. It can use only one speed surge per round.

Actions

Bite

+9 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 3d10 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 22 (3d10 + 6) piercing damage.

Multiattack

The drake makes one bite attack and one tail slap attack.

Stygian Breath

Recharge 5–6

The elder shadow drake exhales a ball of black liquid that travels up to 60 feet before exploding into a cloud of frigid black mist with a 20-foot radius. Each creature in that sphere takes 42 (12d6) cold damage, or half damage with a successful DC 15 Constitution saving throw. Within the area of effect, the mist snuffs out nonmagical light sources and dispels magical light of 1st level or lower.

Tail Slap

+9 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 3d8 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (3d8 + 6) bludgeoning damage.

About Elder Shadow Drake

Elder Shadow Drake is a large dragon with a Challenge Rating of 7. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 16 and possesses 114 hit points (derived from 12d10+48).

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

GM Tips: Using Elder Shadow Drake

2 tips available

When using Elder Shadow 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 Elder Shadow 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 7.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 10 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 5,600 XP
Hard: 8,400 XP
Deadly: 11,200 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 Elder Shadow Drake?: Elder Shadow Drake has a Challenge Rating of 7, making it appropriate for parties of level 7.0.
What type of creature is Elder Shadow Drake?: Elder Shadow Drake is a Large Dragon, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Elder Shadow Drake speak?: Elder Shadow Drake can communicate in Common, Draconic, Umbral.