Monster
Shadow Dragon
Official reference · XMM · 2024
- Creature type
- Dragon
- Size
- Huge
- Armor class
- 16
- Hit points
- 189 (18d12 + 72)
- Speed
- Walk 40 ft., Climb 40 ft., Fly 80 ft.
- Challenge rating
- 13
- Alignment
- Chaotic Evil
- Strength
- 21
- Dexterity
- 19
- Constitution
- 18
- Intelligence
- 14
- Wisdom
- 12
- Charisma
- 18
- Passive Perception
- 21
- Initiative
- +14
- Saving Throws
- dex: +9; wis: +6
- Skills
- perception: +11; stealth: +14
- Senses
- Blindsight 30 ft., Darkvision 120 ft.
- Languages
- Common, Draconic
- Resistances
- special: See Living Shadow
- Immunities
- necrotic
Traits
Legendary Resistance (3/Day, or 4/Day in Lair)
If the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
While in Dim Light or Darkness, the dragon has Resistance to damage that isn't Force, Psychic, or Radiant.
Sunlight Sensitivity
While in sunlight, the dragon has Disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls.
Actions
Multiattack
The dragon makes three Rend attacks.
Rend
Melee Attack: +10, reach 10 ft. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) Slashing damage plus 3 (1d6) Necrotic damage.
Shadow Breath (Recharge 5–6)
Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 17, each creature in a 60-foot Cone. Failure: 35 (10d6) Necrotic damage. Success: Half damage. Success or Failure: A Humanoid reduced to 0 Hit Points by this damage dies, and a Shadow rises from the corpse. The shadow is under the dragon's control and shares the dragon's Initiative count but acts immediately after the dragon.
Bonus actions
Shadow Stealth
While in Dim Light or Darkness, the dragon takes the Hide action.
Legendary action uses: 3 (4 in its lair). The creature can use one option at the end of another creature’s turn and regains spent uses at the start of its turn.
Legendary actions
Pounce
The dragon moves up to half its Speed, and it makes one Rend attack.
Veil of Shadow
The dragon uses Shadow Stealth, and one creature of its choice that it can see within 10 feet of it takes 10 (3d6) Necrotic damage. The dragon can't take this action again until the start of its next turn.
Regional effects
The region around a shadow dragon's lair is twisted by its presence, creating the following effects:
- Negative Energy Suffusion: Whenever a creature within 1 mile of the lair regains Hit Points from a spell, it subtracts 1d10 from the number of Hit Points regained.
- Stifling Shadows: Within 1 mile of the lair, effects that normally create Bright Light instead create Dim Light, and creatures there have Advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks.
If the dragon dies or moves its lair elsewhere, these effects end immediately.