Monster · CR 24 (62,000 XP) · 2024 rules

Ancient Gold Dragon

Gargantuan dragon, lawful good

  • Armor Class 22 (natural armor)
  • Hit Points 546 ()
  • Speed 40 ft., fly 80 ft., swim 40 ft.
  • Initiative +16 (26)
  • Saving Throws ,
  • Skills , , ,
  • Immunities fire
  • Senses Blindsight 60 ft., Darkvision 120 ft., Passive Perception 27
  • Languages Common, Draconic
  • Challenge 24 (62,000 XP; PB +7)

Traits

Amphibious. The dragon can breathe air and water.

Legendary Resistance (4/Day, or 5/Day in Lair). If the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

Actions

Multiattack. The dragon makes three Rend attacks. It can replace one attack with a use of (A) Spellcasting to cast Guiding Bolt (level 4 version) or (B) Weakening Breath.

Rend. Melee Attack Roll: to hit, reach 15 ft. 19 () Slashing damage plus 9 () Fire damage.

Fire Breath (Recharge 5–6). Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 24, each creature in a 90-foot Cone. Failure: 71 () Fire damage. Success: Half damage.

Weakening Breath. Strength Saving Throw: DC 24, each creature that isn’t currently affected by this breath in a 90-foot Cone. Failure: The target has Disadvantage on Strength-based D20 Test and subtracts 5 () from its damage rolls. It repeats the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. After 1 minute, it succeeds automatically.

Spellcasting. The dragon casts one of the following spells, requiring no Material components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 24, with spell attacks):

  • At Will: Detect Magic, Guiding Bolt, Shapechange
  • 1/Day Each: Flame Strike, Word of Recall, Zone of Truth

Legendary Actions

Banish. Charisma Saving Throw: DC 24, one creature the dragon can see within 120 feet. Failure: 24 () Force damage, and the target has the Incapacitated condition and is transported to a harmless demiplane until the start of the dragon’s next turn, at which point it reappears in an unoccupied space of the dragon’s choice within 120 feet of the dragon. Failure or Success: The dragon can’t take this action again until the start of its next turn.

Guiding Light. The dragon uses Spellcasting to cast Guiding Bolt (level 4 version).

Pounce. The dragon moves up to half its Speed, and it makes one Rend attack.

Tip: click any dice or bonus to roll it. Shift-click rolls with advantage.

From the System Reference Document 5.2.1 by Wizards of the Coast LLC, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Credits