Adult Black Dragon — D&D 5e Monster Stats (CR 14)

Q: What are Adult Black Dragon's AC and HP in D&D 5e?

Adult Black Dragon has an Armor Class of 19 and 195 hit points (17d12+85).

Q: What Challenge Rating is a Adult Black Dragon?

Adult Black Dragon is CR 14, worth 11,500 XP — roughly a fair fight for a party of four characters of a similar level.

Q: Does Adult Black Dragon have legendary actions?

Yes. Adult Black Dragon has 3 legendary action options, taken at the end of other creatures' turns, which makes it far more dangerous in a solo fight.

Armor Class19

Hit Points195 (17d12+85)

Speed40 ft., fly 80 ft., swim 40 ft.

ChallengeCR 14 (11,500 XP)

STR

23

(+6)

DEX

14

(+2)

CON

21

(+5)

INT

14

(+2)

WIS

13

(+1)

CHA

17

(+3)

Saving ThrowsDEX +7, CON +10, WIS +6, CHA +8

SkillsPerception +11, Stealth +7

Immunitiesacid

Sensesblindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 21

LanguagesCommon, Draconic

Special Abilities

Amphibious. The dragon can breathe air and water.

Legendary Resistance. 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: +11 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (2d10 + 6) piercing damage plus 4 (1d8) acid damage.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d6 + 6) slashing damage.

Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 15 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 16 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.

Acid Breath. The dragon exhales acid in a 60-foot line that is 5 feet wide. Each creature in that line must make a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw, taking 54 (12d8) acid damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

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 10 ft. of the dragon must succeed on a DC 19 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.

Running Adult Black Dragon in an encounter

As a CR 14 threat worth 11,500 XP, Adult Black Dragon is a fair challenge for a party of four at a comparable level. Its legendary actions let it act between the party's turns, so it holds up as a solo boss rather than needing a horde around it. Use the XP value with the encounter builder to slot it into a balanced fight.

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