Illustration Xan Drake

Ancient Bronze Dragon

System Reference Document 5.1
Challenge 22
(41,000 XP)
Robinloft Estimated CR 22
Gargantuan dragon, lawful good
Armor Class 22 (natural armor)
Hit Points 444 (24d20+192)
Speed 40 ft., fly 80 ft., swim 40 ft.
STR
29 (+9)
DEX
10 (+0)
CON
27 (+8)
INT
18 (+4)
WIS
17 (+3)
CHA
21 (+5)
Saving Throws Dex +7, Con +15, Wis +10, Cha +12
Skills Insight +10, Perception +17, Stealth +7
Damage Immunities lightning
Senses blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 27
Languages Common, Draconic
Environments coastal
Amphibious.

The dragon can breathe air and water.

Legendary Resistance (3/Day).

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

Actions

Multiattack. The dragon can use its Frightful Presence. It then makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +16 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 20 (2d10 + 9) piercing damage.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +16 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d6 + 9) slashing damage.
Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +16 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (2d8 + 9) bludgeoning damage.
Breath Weapons (Recharge 5–6).

The dragon uses one of the following breath weapons.
Lightning Breath. The dragon exhales lightning in a 120-foot line that is 10 feet wide. Each creature in that line must make a DC 23 Dexterity saving throw, taking 88 (16d10) lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Repulsion Breath. The dragon exhales repulsion energy in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 23 Strength saving throw. On a failed save, the creature is pushed 60 feet away from the dragon.

Change Shape.

The dragon magically polymorphs into a humanoid or beast that has a challenge rating no higher than its own, or back into its true form. It reverts to its true form if it dies. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying is absorbed or borne by the new form (the dragon’s choice).
In a new form, the dragon retains its alignment, hit points, Hit Dice, ability to speak, proficiencies, Legendary Resistance, lair actions, and Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores, as well as this action. Its statistics and capabilities are otherwise replaced by those of the new form, except any class features or legendary actions of that form.

Frightful Presence.

Each creature of the dragon’s choice that is within 120 feet of the dragon and aware of it must succeed on a DC 20 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature’s saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the dragon’s Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.

Legendary Actions

The dragon can take 3 legendary actions choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature's turn. The dragon regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
Detect. The dragon makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
Tail Attack. The dragon makes a tail attack.
Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions). The dragon beats its wings. Each creature within 15 ft. of the dragon must succeed on a DC 24 Dexterity saving throw or take 16 (2d6 + 9) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. The dragon can then fly up to half its flying speed.

Dragons

No ear has escaped tales of the most fearsome beasts known as dragons. While many of these tales are old and these creatures are rare, dragons are quite real indeed.

Dragons appear in amazing variety, both in appearance and in temperament. Many are full of malice and greed while others are models of benevolent majesty and confident kindness. Reptile-like, most dragons are covered in scales of unusual toughness and savage beauty. Most grow ever larger as they age—in maturity reaching enormous size.

While dragons seem ready to rule all the lands, if they were so inclined, tales suggest that their ancient enmity with giants and humanoids keeps them in check. Even so, they often dominate the landscape surrounding their lairs.

Mind the Legends. Adventurers should familiarize themselves with the dangers of aggressive dragons they might encounter. While usually solitary, they are at their most defensive when guarding their lair, especially if there is a clutch of eggs. In addition to fearsome physical attacks, most dragons can use their breath as a weapon. You are advised to heed the local legends. It is best to know whether you are up against fire, lightning, icy cold, poison, acid, or some other danger.

True Dragons

While there are creatures, such as the wyvern, that are dragon-kin, a true dragon is the most majestic and formidable of beasts.

A true dragon is a reptilian creature with four legs and a pair of wings. They grow throughout their lives to enormous size and can defend themselves with a fiery, icy, poisonous, acidic or otherwise extraordinary breath weapon.

Metallic Dragons

The so-called metallic dragons are majestic guardians and protectors. While they acknowledge and value their own high station in the world, they acknowledge the value and worth of the lives of humanoids and beasts. This altruism separates them from the chromatic dragons.

Metallic dragons do, however, have some things in common with their chromatic cousins. All dragons have a touch of avarice and are possessive of their lairs and their hoards of treasure. A metallic dragon, however, might be hiding away dangerous items for the good of others and might even be convinced to part with a few items to serve some noble objective.

Metallic dragons are known to come in five varieties that are named after their appearance of their gleaming scales: brass, copper, bronze, silver, and gold.

Scholarship suggests that their natural life span is centuries long, if not unlimited, and they grow in size and power over the decades and centuries. Mature metallic dragons of all varieties are said to possess the ability to take the form of a human or beast and some have been discovered visiting or living among us.

Bronze Dragons

“In storm-wracked coasts and tumultuous shores, where waves crash with thunderous applause and tempests sing their age-old ballads, the Bronze Dragon dives and dances, guardian of sea and sky.”

Bronze dragons are the valiant sentinels of the coastal realms, taking great pride in their roles as protectors and often forming bonds with the creatures of the sea and the peoples of the shorelines.

Tidal Grace. Bronze dragons bear scales that glisten like wet sand, their wings and ridges tinged with verdigris. Their serpentine bodies move with unmatched elegance both in the sky and beneath the waves, and their eyes shimmer with the depth of the ocean’s mysteries.

Guardians of the Gulf. These dragons have a penchant for coastal territories, establishing lairs in secluded sea caves or beneath coral formations. They are known to aid sailors in distress and have a deep affinity with aquatic creatures, often rallying them against shared threats.

Stormchasers. Adept at harnessing the power of storms, bronze dragons test those they encounter and defend their territories from malicious intruders.

Deep Deliberators. Thoughtful and introspective, bronze dragons value honor and courage. They are slow to anger, preferring dialogue over combat, and often serve as mediators in disputes both above and below the waves.

Ancient Bronze Dragon

Not yet described

Known Relationships

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