Ancient Flame Dragon

Gargantuan Dragon Chaotic Evil

• Armor Class: 22 (natural armor)
• Hit Points: 518 (28d20 + 224)
• Speed: walk 80 ft. fly 40 ft.
• Challenge Rating: 23 (50,000 XP)
• Source: Tome of Beasts 2023, page 117

• Saving Throws: Dex +9, Con +15, Wis +10, Cha +13
• Skills: Deception +13, Perception +17, Persuasion +13, Stealth +9
• Damage Vulnerabilities: False
• Damage Immunities: fire
• Damage Resistances: False
• Condition Immunities: False
• Senses: blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 27
• Languages: Common, Draconic, Ignan

Special Abilities

• Fire Incarnate: Creatures with resistance to fire damage don't have resistance to the fire damage dealt by the flame dragon. A creature with immunity to fire damage is still immune to the dragon's fire damage.
• Heated Body: A creature that touches the flame dragon or hits it with a melee attack while within 5 feet of it takes 14 (4d6) fire damage.
• Legendary Resistance (3/Day): If the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

Actions

• Multiattack: The dragon uses its Frightful Presence. It then makes one Bite attack and two Claw attacks.
• Bite: Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (2d10 + 6) piercing damage plus 14 (4d6) fire damage.
• Claw: Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d6 + 6) slashing damage.
• Tail: Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d8 + 6) bludgeoning damage.
• 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 21 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.
• Fire Breath (Recharge 5-6): The dragon exhales fire in a 90-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 23 Dexterity saving throw, taking 91 (26d6) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. Each creature in that area must also succeed on a DC 21 Wisdom saving throw or go on a rampage for 1 minute. A rampaging creature must attack the nearest creature other than the dragon on its turn. If no other creature is near enough to move to and attack, the rampaging creature stalks off in a random direction, seeking a target for its rage. The rampaging creature can repeat the Wisdom saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Bonus Actions

• Shifting Flames: The dragon magically transforms into a Gargantuan or smaller fire-based Elemental (such as a salamander, magma mephit, or fire elemental) or back into its true form, which is a Dragon. Without wings or other way of flying, it loses its flying speed. Its statistics, other than its size and speed, are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying transforms with it. It reverts to its true form if it dies.
• 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 feet of the dragon must succeed on a DC 21 Dexterity saving throw or take 13 (2d6 + 6) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. The dragon can then fly up to half its flying speed.

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.

Legendary Actions

• 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 feet of the dragon must succeed on a DC 21 Dexterity saving throw or take 13 (2d6 + 6) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. The dragon can then fly up to half its flying speed.

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