5e Cards
Challenge 21: 21

Ancient Black Dragon

Gargantuan dragon, chaotic evil

Armor Class
22 (natural armor)
Hit Points
367 (21d20+147)
Speed
40 ft., fly 80 ft., swim 40 ft.
STR
27 (+8)
DEX
14 (+2)
CON
25 (+7)
INT
16 (+3)
WIS
15 (+2)
CHA
19 (+4)
Saving Throws
Dex +9, Con +14, Wis +9, Cha +11
Skills
Perception +16, Stealth +9
Damage Immunities
acid
Senses
blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 26
Languages
Common, Draconic
Challenge
21 (33,000 XP)
Proficiency Bonus
+7

Amphibious. The dragon can breathe air and water.

Legendary Resistance (3/Day). 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: +15 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (2d10 + 8) piercing damage plus 9 (2d8) acid damage.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d6 + 8) slashing damage.

Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (2d8 + 8) 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 19 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 (Recharge 5-6). The dragon exhales acid in a 90-foot line that is 10 feet wide. Each creature in that line must make a DC 22 Dexterity saving throw, taking 67 (15d8) acid damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Legendary Actions

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.

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 ft. of the dragon must succeed on a DC 23 Dexterity saving throw or take 15 (2d6 + 8) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. The dragon can then fly up to half its flying speed.

How many for your party

Copies of the ancient black dragon (33,000 XP each) against a party of four characters of the same level. Build mixed fights in the encounter builder.

Number of Ancient Black Dragon for each difficulty, party of four
Party levelEasyMediumHardDeadly
Level 17——12–20
Level 18——12–20
Level 19——12–20
Level 20—1—2–20

In these lists

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Questions

What CR is the Ancient Black Dragon?

The Ancient Black Dragon is challenge 21, worth 33,000 XP, with a proficiency bonus of +7.

How many hit points does the Ancient Black Dragon have?

367 hit points (21d20+147), with AC 22 from natural armor.

How many should I use against four 17th-level characters?

Against four level 17 characters, 1 is hard by the encounter XP budget.