5e:Black Dragon
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Black Dragon Overview [1]
The most evil-tempered and vile of the chromatic dragons, black dragons collect the wreckage and treasures of fallen peoples. These dragons loathe seeing the weak prosper and revel in the collapse of humanoid kingdoms. They make their homes in fetid swamps and crumbling ruins where kingdoms once stood.
Variant: Dragons as Innate Spellcasters
[3] Many dragons have the ability to innately cast spells. Their Spellcasting Ability is Charisma, which also determines the number of spells it can cast.
Black Dragon's Lair
[4] Black dragons lair in swamps, especially in caves, grottos, and ruined buildings.
Lair Actions
[4] When fighting inside its lair, an black dragon can use lair actions. On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the dragon takes a lair action to cause one of the following effects; the dragon can’t use the same effect two rounds in a row:
- Grasping Tide
- Cloud of swarming insects
- Magical Darkness
Regional Effects
[4] The region near a black dragon's lair
- Difficult Terrain
- Water Fouled
- Fog
If the dragon dies, effects fade over 1d10 days.
List of Black Dragons
5 Black Dragons
| Monster | Size | Type | Tags | Alignment | HP | CR | Habitat | Marked | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Dragon Overview | Overview | Dragon, Chromatic Dragon, Black Dragon | Swamp | Noncanon | Varied | ||||
| Adult Black Dragon | Huge | Dragon | Chromatic Dragon, Black Dragon | Chaotic Evil | 195 | 14 | Swamp | Canon | SRD-OGL v5.1 |
| Ancient Black Dragon | Gargantuan | Dragon | Chromatic Dragon, Black Dragon | Chaotic Evil | 367 | 21 | Swamp | Canon | SRD-OGL v5.1 |
| Black Dragon Wyrmling | Medium | Dragon | Chromatic Dragon, Black Dragon | Chaotic Evil | 33 | 2 | Swamp | Canon | SRD-OGL v5.1 |
| Young Black Dragon | Large | Dragon | Chromatic Dragon, Black Dragon | Chaotic Evil | 127 | 7 | Swamp | Canon | SRD-OGL v5.1 |
3.5e lore
Black dragon are sometimes known as skull dragons because of their skeletal faces. Adding to the skeletal impression is the gradual deterioration of the hide around the base of the horn and the cheekbones. This deterioration increases with age and does not harm the dragon. On hatching, a black dragon’s scales are thin, small, and glossy. As the dragon ages, they become larger, thicker, and duller, helping it camouflage itself in swamps and marshes.
Black dragons are especially fond of coins. Older dragons sometimes capture and question humanoids about stockpiles of gold, silver, and platinum coins before killing them.
- Breath weapon: Line of Acid
- Habitat: Boggy Swamps
- Diet: Fish, mollusks, aquatic creatures, some red meat from terrestrial animals
- Preferred Treasure: Gold Coins
- Alignment: Chaotic Evil
- Image: Wizards.com image
- Notes:
- Black dragons are the most vile-tempered and cruel of all chromatic dragons, apart from their love of bargaining. Black dragons are distinguished by their horns, which protrude from the sides of their heads and wrap around, projecting forward. A large frill adorns the upper part of the neck. They smell like rotting vegetation and foul water, or like the powerful acid they can breathe.
- Black dragons are fierce hunters that will normally attack from the water. They will often prey on fish, crabs, birds, turtles, crocodiles, lizardfolk, chuuls, hydras, and green dragons that are smaller and younger than they are. Their enemies include green dragons and swamp landwyrms.
- Black dragons are not noted as good parents, relying more upon disguise and hiding to protect their eggs than upon guarding them. Black dragon eggs must be submerged in strong acid while incubating. Their wyrmlings (babies) are exceptionally cruel with insatiable appetites for nearly anything organic. As a black dragon matures, its scales gradually grow lighter. The oldest black dragons appear almost purple in color; hence the name of Cormyr's Purple Dragon knights stems from the legend of the great black dragon Thauglor, who once dominated the area encompassed by the present kingdom.
- A black dragon typically lairs in a large cave or underground chamber next to a swamp or murky pond. Their lairs always have two entrances: one underwater through the adjacent swamp/pond, and one above-ground, disguised amidst the undergrowth.
- In combat, black dragons prefer ambushes to straightforward fighting. They are vicious and ruthless adversaries, and their acidic bile can easily work its way under the heaviest armor. Their heavily wooded habitats prevent them from flying very high in combat.
Sources and Notes
- Christopher Perkins, et. al.. Monster Manual (5e) (5e 2014) (2014-09-30). Wizards of the Coast. p. 89.. Licensed © Wizards of the Coast (used under 'fair use' clause). ↑
- Christopher Perkins, et. al.. Monster Manual (5e) (5e 2014) (2014-09-30). Wizards of the Coast. p. 89. Licensed: © Wizards of the Coast (used under 'fair use' clause). ↑
- Christopher Perkins, et. al.. Monster Manual (5e) (5e 2014) (2014-09-30). Wizards of the Coast. p. 86. (paraphrased) Licensed:© Wizards of the Coast (used under 'fair use' clause). ↑
- Monster Manual (5e) p.89. (summarized) Licensed © Wizards of the Coast (used under 'fair use' clause) ↑
- Wizards RPG Team. SRD v3.5 (3.5e) (2003). Wizards of the Coast. Licensed: OGL. ↑
- Wikipedia - Black Dragon (accessed 2019-11-17) ↑
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