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Rust Drake

Medium · Dragon · CR 8 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts

17 (natural armor)

161 (19d8+76)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

-1

CHA

-1

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Dragon

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 3900

Initiative Bonus +2

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Fly 100 ft (30.5 m)

Swim 15 ft (4.6 m)

Climb 15 ft (4.6 m)

Burrow 5 ft (1.5 m)

Crawl 15 ft (4.6 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 13

Skills

Perception +3 Stealth +5

Languages

Common, Draconic

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison

Damage Vulnerabilities

acid

Condition Immunities

paralyzed, poisoned

Environments

Caves Ruins Underworld Urban

Actions

Bite

+8 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 3d8 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (3d8 + 5) piercing damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution save or contract Rust Drake Lockjaw.

Multiattack

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

Rust Drake Lockjaw

This disease manifests symptoms in 1d4 days, when the affected creature experiences painful muscle spasms, particularly in the jaw. After each long rest, the creature must repeat the saving throw. If it fails, the victim takes 1d3 Dexterity damage and is paralyzed for 24 hours; if the saving throw succeeds, the creature takes no damage and feels well enough to act normally for the day. This continues until the creature dies from Dexterity loss, recovers naturally by making successful saving throws after two consecutive long rests, or is cured with lesser restoration or comparable magic. After the disease ends, the victim recovers 1d3 lost Dexterity with each long rest; greater restoration or comparable magic can restore it all at once.

Tail Swipe

+8 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d8 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) bludgeoning damage.

Vomits Scrap

Recharge 5–6

A rust drake can vomit forth a 15-foot cone of rusted metal. Targets in the affected area take 55 (10d10) slashing damage, or half damage with a successful DC 15 Dexterity saving throw. In addition, affected creatures must also make a successful DC 15 Constitution saving throw or contract Rust Drake Tetanus.

About Rust Drake

Rust Drake is a medium dragon with a Challenge Rating of 8. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 17 and possesses 161 hit points (derived from 19d8+76).

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

GM Tips: Using Rust Drake

2 tips available

When using Rust 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.
Burrowing Tactics: This creature can burrow at 5 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 Rust 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.
Burrowing Defense: This creature can burrow at 5 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 8.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 11 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 7,200 XP
Hard: 10,800 XP
Deadly: 14,400 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 Rust Drake?: Rust Drake has a Challenge Rating of 8, making it appropriate for parties of level 8.0.
What type of creature is Rust Drake?: Rust Drake is a Medium Dragon, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Rust Drake speak?: Rust Drake can communicate in Common, Draconic.