Adult Black Dragon#

Source: Monster Manual p. 88, Princes of the Apocalypse, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, Candlekeep Mysteries, Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen, Keys from the Golden Vault. Available in the SRD

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.

With deep-socketed eyes and broad nasal openings, a black dragon’s face resembles a skull. Its curving, segmented horns are bone-colored near the base and darken to dead black at the tips. As a black dragon ages, the flesh around its horns and cheekbones deteriorates as though eaten by acid, leaving thin layers of hide that enhance its skeletal appearance. A black dragon’s head is marked by spikes and horns. Its tongue is flat with a forked tip, drooling slime whose acidic scent adds to the dragon’s reek of rotting vegetation and foul water.

When it hatches, a black dragon has glossy black scale. As it ages, its scales become thicker and duller, helping it blend in to the marshes and blasted ruins that are its home.

Brutal and Cruel#

All chromatic dragons are evil, but black dragons stand apart for their sadistic nature. A black dragon lives to watch its prey beg for mercy, and will often offer the illusion of respite or escape before finishing off its enemies.

A black dragon strikes at its weakest enemies first, ensuring a quick and brutal victory, which bolsters its ego as it terrifies its remaining foes. On the verge of defeat, a black dragon does anything it can to save itself, but it accepts death before allowing any other creature to claim mastery over it.

Foes and Servants#

Black dragons hate and fear other dragons. They spy on draconic rivals from afar, looking for opportunities to slay weaker dragons and avoid stronger ones. If a stronger dragon threatens it, a black dragon abandons its lair and seeks out new territory.

Evil lizardfolk venerate and serve black dragons, raiding humanoid settlements for treasure and food to give as tribute and building crude draconic effigies along the borders of their dragon master’s domain.

A black dragon’s malevolent influence might also cause the spontaneous creation of evil shambling mounds that seek out and slay good creatures approaching the dragon’s lair.

Kobolds infest the lairs of many black dragons like vermin. They become as cruel as their dark masters, often torturing and weakening captives with centipede bites and scorpion stings before delivering them to sate the dragon’s hunger.

Wealth of the Ancients#

Black dragons hoard the treasures and magic items of crumbled empires and conquered kingdoms to remind themselves of their greatness. The more civilizations a dragon outlasts, the more entitled it feels to claim the wealth of current civilizations for itself.

A Black Dragon’s Lair#

Black dragons dwell in swamps on the frayed edges of civilization. A black dragon’s lair is a dismal cave, grotto, or ruin that is at least partially flooded, providing pools where the dragon rests, and where its victims can ferment. The lair is littered with the acid-pitted bones of previous victims and the fly-ridden carcasses of fresh kills, watched over by crumbling statues. Centipedes, scorpions, and snakes infest the lair, which is filled with the stench of death and decay.

Chromatic Dragons#

The black, blue, green, red, and white dragons represent the evil side of dragonkind. Aggressive, gluttonous, and vain, chromatic dragons are dark sages and powerful tyrants feared by all creatures-including each other.

Driven by Greed#

Chromatic dragons lust after treasure, and this greed colors their every scheme and plot. They believe that the world’s wealth belongs to them by right, and a chromatic dragon seizes that wealth without regard for the humanoids and other creatures that have “stolen” it. With its piles of coins, gleaming gems, and magic items, a dragon’s hoard is the stuff of legend. However, chromatic dragons have no interest in commerce, amassing wealth for no other reason than to have it.

Creatures of Ego#

Chromatic dragons are united by their sense of superiority, believing themselves the most powerful and worthy of all mortal creatures. When they interact with other creatures, it is only to further their own interests. They believe in their innate right to rule, and this belief is the cornerstone of every chromatic dragon’s personality and worldview. Trying to humble a chromatic dragon is like trying to convince the wind to stop blowing. To these creatures, humanoids are animals, fit to serve as prey or beasts of burden, and wholly unworthy of respect.

Dangerous Lairs#

A dragon’s lair serves as the seat of its power and a vault for its treasure. With its innate toughness and tolerance for severe environmental effects, a dragon selects or builds a lair not for shelter but for defense, favoring multiple entrances and exits, and security for its hoard.

Most chromatic dragon lairs are hidden in dangerous and remote locations to prevent all but the most audacious mortals from reaching them. A black dragon might lair in the heart of a vast swamp, while a red dragon might claim the caldera of an active volcano. In addition to the natural defenses of their lairs, powerful chromatic dragons use magical guardians, traps, and subservient creatures to protect their treasures.

Queen of Evil Dragons#

Tiamat the Dragon Queen is the chief deity of evil dragonkind. She dwells on Avernus, the first layer of the Nine Hells. As a lesser god, Tiamat has the power to grant spells to her worshipers, though she is loath to share her power. She epitomizes the avarice of evil dragons, believing that the multiverse and all its treasures will one day be hers and hers alone.

Tiamat is a gigantic dragon whose five heads reflect the forms of the chromatic dragons that worship her-black, blue, green, red, and white. She is a terror on the battlefield, capable of annihilating whole armies with her five breath weapons, her formidable spellcasting, and her fearsome claws.

Tiamat’s most hated enemy is Bahamut the Platinum Dragon, with whom she shares control of the faith of dragonkind. She also holds a special enmity for Asmodeus, who long ago stripped her of the rule of Avernus and who continues to curb the Dragon Queen’s power.

Dragons#

True dragons are winged reptiles of ancient lineage and fearsome power. They are known and feared for their predatory cunning and greed, with the oldest dragons accounted as some of the most powerful creatures in the world. Dragons are also magical creatures whose innate power fuels their dreaded breath weapons and other preternatural abilities.

Many creatures, including wyverns and dragon turtles, have draconic blood. However, true dragons fall into the two broad categories of chromatic and metallic dragons. The black, blue, green, red, and white dragons are selfish, evil, and feared by all. The brass, bronze, copper, gold, and silver dragons are noble, good, and highly respected by the wise.

Though their goals and ideals vary tremendously, all true dragons covet wealth, hoarding mounds of coins and gathering gems, jewels, and magic items. Dragons with large hoards are loath to leave them for long, venturing out of their lairs only to patrol or feed.

True dragons pass through four distinct stages of life, from lowly wyrmlings to ancient dragons, which can live for over a thousand years. In that time, their might can become unrivaled and their hoards can grow beyond price.

Dragon Age Categories

"name": "Adult Black Dragon"
"size": "Huge"
"type": "dragon"
"alignment": "Chaotic Evil"
"ac": !!int "19"
"ac_class": "natural armor"
"hp": !!int "195"
"hit_dice": "17d12 + 85"
"modifier": !!int "2"
"stats":
  - !!int "23"
  - !!int "14"
  - !!int "21"
  - !!int "14"
  - !!int "13"
  - !!int "17"
"speed": "40 ft., fly 80 ft., swim 40 ft."
"saves":
  - "dexterity": "+7"
  - "constitution": "+10"
  - "wisdom": "+6"
  - "charisma": "+8"
"skillsaves":
  - "name": "[Perception](03.PlayerLog&Handouts/Mechanics/CLI/rules/skills.md#Perception)"
    "desc": "+11"
  - "name": "[Stealth](03.PlayerLog&Handouts/Mechanics/CLI/rules/skills.md#Stealth)"
    "desc": "+7"
"damage_immunities": "acid"
"senses": "blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 21"
"languages": "Common, Draconic"
"cr": "14"
"traits":
  - "desc": "The dragon can breathe air and water."
    "name": "Amphibious"
  - "desc": "If the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead."
    "name": "Legendary Resistance (3/Day)"
"actions":
  - "desc": "The dragon can use its Frightful Presence. It then makes three attacks:\
      \ one with its bite and two with its claws."
    "name": "Multiattack"
  - "desc": "Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit:\
      \ 17 (2d10 + 6) piercing damage plus 4 (d8) acid damage."
    "name": "Bite"
  - "desc": "Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit:\
      \ 13 (2d6 + 6) slashing damage."
    "name": "Claw"
  - "desc": "Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit:\
      \ 15 (2d8 + 6) bludgeoning damage."
    "name": "Tail"
  - "desc": "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](03.PlayerLog&Handouts/Mechanics/CLI/rules/conditions.md#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."
    "name": "Frightful Presence"
  - "desc": "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."
    "name": "Acid Breath (Recharge 5-6)"
"legendary_actions":
  - "desc": "The dragon makes a Wisdom ([Perception](03.PlayerLog&Handouts/Mechanics/CLI/rules/skills.md#Perception))\
      \ check."
    "name": "Detect"
  - "desc": "The dragon makes a tail attack."
    "name": "Tail Attack"
  - "desc": "The dragon beats its wings. Each creature within 10 feet of the dragon\
      \ must succeed on a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw or take 13 (2d6 + 6) bludgeoning\
      \ damage and be knocked [prone](03.PlayerLog&Handouts/Mechanics/CLI/rules/conditions.md#Prone).\
      \ The dragon can then fly up to half its flying speed."
    "name": "Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions)"
"lair_actions":
  - "desc": "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:"
    "name": ""
  - "desc": "- Pools of water that the dragon can see within 120 feet of it surge\
      \ outward in a grasping tide. Any creature on the ground within 20 feet of such\
      \ a pool must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be pulled up to 20\
      \ feet into the water and knocked [prone](03.PlayerLog&Handouts/Mechanics/CLI/rules/conditions.md#Prone).\
      \  \n- A cloud of swarming insects fills a 20-foot-radius sphere centered on\
      \ a point the dragon chooses within 120 feet of it. The cloud spreads around\
      \ corners and remains until the dragon dismisses it as an action, uses this\
      \ lair action again, or dies. The cloud is lightly obscured. Any creature in\
      \ the cloud when it appears must make on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw,\
      \ taking 10 (3d6) piercing damage on a failed save, or half as much damage\
      \ on a successful one. A creature that ends its turn in the cloud takes 10 (3d6)\
      \ piercing damage.  \n- Magical darkness spreads from a point the dragon chooses\
      \ within 60 feet of it, filling a 15-foot-radius sphere until the dragon dismisses\
      \ it as an action, uses this lair action again, or dies. The darkness spreads\
      \ around corners. A creature with [darkvision](03.PlayerLog&Handouts/Mechanics/CLI/rules/senses.md#Darkvision)\
      \ can't see through this darkness, and nonmagical light can't illuminate it.\
      \ If any of the effect's area overlaps with an area of light created by a spell\
      \ of 2nd level or lower, the spell that created the light is dispelled.  "
    "name": ""
  - "desc": "At your discretion, a legendary ([adult](03.PlayerLog&Handouts/Mechanics/CLI/bestiary/dragon/adult-black-dragon.md)\
      \ or [ancient](03.PlayerLog&Handouts/Mechanics/CLI/bestiary/dragon/ancient-black-dragon.md))\
      \ black dragon can use one or more of the following additional lair actions\
      \ while in its lair:\n\n- Filth Burst. The dragon chooses a point on the\
      \ ground it can see within 120 feet of it. A 20-foot-radius, 20-foot-high cylinder\
      \ of watery filth centered on that point erupts from the ground until initiative\
      \ count 20 on the next round. Each creature in the cylinder when it appears\
      \ or that ends its turn there must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking\
      \ 10 (3d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful\
      \ one. The cylinder is \"difficult terrain\".  \n- Grasping Muck. Tendrils\
      \ of roiling muck extend from the dragon's lair to grasp up to three creatures\
      \ of the dragon's choice that it can see within the lair. A targeted creature\
      \ must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be [restrained](03.PlayerLog&Handouts/Mechanics/CLI/rules/conditions.md#Restrained)\
      \ until initiative count 20 on the next round.  \n- Noxious Gas. A bubble\
      \ of swamp gas erupts in a 20-foot-radius sphere centered on a point the dragon\
      \ can see within its lair. Each creature in the area must succeed on a DC 15\
      \ Constitution saving throw or be [poisoned](03.PlayerLog&Handouts/Mechanics/CLI/rules/conditions.md#Poisoned)\
      \ for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of\
      \ its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.  "
    "name": "Additional Lair Actions"
"regional_effects":
  - "desc": "The region containing a legendary black dragon's lair is warped by the\
      \ dragon's magic, which creates one or more of the following effects:"
    "name": ""
  - "desc": "- The land within 6 miles of the lair takes twice as long as normal to\
      \ traverse, since the plants grow thick and twisted, and the swamps are thick\
      \ with reeking mud.  \n- Water sources within 1 mile of the lair are supernaturally\
      \ fouled. Enemies of the dragon that drink such water regurgitate it within\
      \ minutes.  \n- Fog lightly obscures the land within 6 miles of the lair.  "
    "name": ""
  - "desc": "If the dragon dies, vegetation remains as it has grown, but other effects\
      \ fade over d10 days."
    "name": ""
  - "desc": "Any of these effects might appear in the area around a black dragon's\
      \ lair, in addition to or instead of the effects described in the Monster Manual:\n\
      \n- Ennui. Creatures that spend a year within 10 miles of the dragon's lair\
      \ are filled with listless despair.  \n- Grating Spies. Trilling, obnoxious\
      \ birds, bugs, and reptiles follow any Humanoid creatures unknown to the dragon\
      \ within 6 miles of the lair, imposing disadvantage on Dexterity ([Stealth](03.PlayerLog&Handouts/Mechanics/CLI/rules/skills.md#Stealth))\
      \ checks. The dragon can suppress this effect at will.  \n- Rotting Domain.\
      \ Stinging bugs are aggressive and the air is heavy with the odor of rot within\
      \ 6 miles of the lair.  "
    "name": "Additional Regional Effects"
"source":
  - "MM"
  - "PotA"
  - "GoS"
  - "CM"
  - "DSotDQ"
  - "KftGV"
"image": "03.PlayerLog&Handouts/Mechanics/CLI/bestiary/dragon/token/adult-black-dragon.webp"

^statblock

Environment#

swamp