Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Star Drake

Large · Dragon · CR 15 · Neutral

Source. Tome of Beasts

19 (natural armor)

189 (18d10+90)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Dragon

Alignment Neutral

XP 13000

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)

Fly 100 ft (30.5 m)

Swim 20 ft (6.1 m)

Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)

Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Truesight 120 ft (36.6 m)

Passive Perception 22

Saving Throws

Dexterity +8 Constitution +10 Intelligence +8 Wisdom +12 Charisma +10

Skills

Arcana +8 History +8 Insight +12 Perception +12 Religion +8

Languages

Celestial, Common, Draconic, Dwarvish, Elvish, Infernal, Primordial

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

cold, fire; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Condition Immunities

charmed, frightened, paralyzed, unconscious

Environments

Hills Mountain

Traits

Innate Spellcasting

the drake's innate spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 20). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

at will: faerie fire, moonbeam

3/day: plane shift

1/day each: gate, planar binding

Legendary Resistance (2/day)

If the star drake fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

Magic Resistance

The drake has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Magic Weapons

The drake's weapon attacks are magical.

Nimbus of Stars

The drake is surrounded by a whirling nimbus of tiny motes of starlight. A sighted creature that starts its turn within 10 feet of the drake must make a successful DC 18 Constitution saving throw or become incapacitated. At the start of a character's turn, a character can choose to avert its eyes and gain immunity against this effect until the start of its next turn, but it must treat the drake as invisible while the character's eyes are averted.

Actions

Bite

+10 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 2d10 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d10 + 5) piercing damage.

Breath Weapon

Recharge 5–6

The drake exhales either fire or frigid air in a 40-foot cone. Each creature in that area takes 78 (12d12) fire or cold damage, whichever the drake wishes, or half damage with a successful DC 18 Dexterity saving throw.

Claw

+10 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 3d6 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (3d6 + 5) slashing damage.

Multiattack

The drake makes one bite attack and two claw attacks.

Searing Star

1/day

+12 to hit, range 120 ft (36.6 m). Hit: 10d12 force damage.

Ranged Spell Attack: +12 to hit, range 120 ft., one target. Hit: 65 (10d12) force damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or be permanently blinded.

Legendary Actions

Bite Attack

Cost 1

The drake makes one bite attack.

Nova

Cost 2

The drake momentarily doubles the radius and intensity of its nimbus of stars. Every sighted creature within 20 feet of the drake must make a successful DC 18 Constitution saving throw or become blinded until the end of its next turn. Characters who are averting their eyes are immune to the nova.

Pale Sparks

Cost 1

The drake casts faerie fire or moonbeam.

About Star Drake

Star Drake is a large dragon with a Challenge Rating of 15. It has a neutral alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 19 and possesses 189 hit points (derived from 18d10+90).

Star Drake has communication capabilities including Celestial, Common, Draconic, Dwarvish, Elvish, Infernal, Primordial. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Star Drake

3 tips available

When using Star 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.
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.
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 Star Drake

3 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.
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.
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 15.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 19 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 24,000 XP
Hard: 36,000 XP
Deadly: 48,000 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 Star Drake?: Star Drake has a Challenge Rating of 15, making it appropriate for parties of level 15.0.
What type of creature is Star Drake?: Star Drake is a Large Dragon, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Star Drake speak?: Star Drake can communicate in Celestial, Common, Draconic, Dwarvish, Elvish, Infernal, Primordial.