Dragon

True dragons are winged, reptilelike creatures of ancient lineage. They are known and feared for their size, physical prowess, and magical abilities. The oldest dragons are among the most powerful creatures in the world.

The known varieties of true dragons (as opposed to other creatures that have the dragon type) fall into two broad categories: chromatic and metallic. The chromatic dragons are black, blue, green, red, and white; they are all evil and extremely fierce. The metallic dragons are brass, bronze, copper, gold, and silver; they are all good, usually noble, and highly respected by the wise.

All true dragons gain more abilities and greater power as they age. (Other creatures that have the dragon type do not.) They range in length from several feet upon hatching to more than 100 feet after attaining the status of great wyrm. The size of a particular dragon varies according to age and variety.

Though they are fearsome predators, dragons scavenge when necessary and can eat almost anything if they are hungry enough. A dragon’s metabolism operates like a highly efficient furnace and can metabolize even inorganic material. Some dragons have developed a taste for such fare.

Although goals and ideals vary among varieties, all dragons are covetous. They like to hoard wealth, collecting mounds of coins and gathering as many gems, jewels, and magic items as possible. Those with large hoards are loath to leave them for long, venturing out of their lairs only to patrol the immediate area or to get food. For dragons, there is no such thing as enough treasure. It’s pleasing to look at, and they bask in its radiance. Dragons like to make beds of their hoards, shaping nooks and mounds to fit their bodies. By the time a dragon matures to the age of great wyrm, hundreds of gems and coins may be imbedded in its hide.

All dragons speak Draconic.

The number in the left column is used whenever text in this section refers to math involving a dragon’s age category⁠—​for example, with frightful presence.

Combat

A dragon attacks with its powerful claws and bite, and can also use a breath weapon and special physical attacks, depending on its size. It prefers to fight on the wing, staying out of reach until it has worn down the enemy with ranged attacks. Older, more intelligent dragons are adept at sizing up the opposition and eliminating the most dangerous foes first (or avoiding them while picking off weaker enemies).

The accompanying table provides space and reach statistics for dragons of various sizes, plus the natural weapons a dragon of a certain size can employ and the damage those attacks deal.

Bite: Bite attacks deal the indicated damage plus the dragon’s Strength bonus. A dragon also can use its bite to snatch opponents if it has the Snatch feat.

Claw: Claw attacks deal the indicated damage plus half the dragon’s Strength bonus (round down). The dragon also can use its claws to snatch opponents if it has the Snatch feat. Claw attacks are secondary attacks, requiring a –⁠5 penalty on the attack roll. (Many dragons choose the Multiattack feat to lessen this penalty to –⁠2).

Wing: The dragon can slam opponents with its wings, even when flying. Wing attacks deal the indicated damage plus half the dragon’s Strength bonus (round down) and are treated as secondary attacks.

Tail Slap: The dragon can slap one opponent each round with its tail. A tail slap deals the indicated damage plus 1½ times the dragon’s Strength bonus (round down) and is treated as a secondary attack.

Crush (Ex): This special attack allows a flying or jumping dragon of at least Huge size to land on opponents as a standard action, using its whole body to crush them. Crush attacks are effective only against opponents three or more size categories smaller than the dragon (though it can attempt normal overrun or grapple attacks against larger opponents).

A crush attack affects as many creatures as can fit under the dragon’s body. Creatures in the affected area must succeed on a Reflex save (DC equal to that of the dragon’s breath weapon) or be pinned, automatically taking bludgeoning damage during the next round unless the dragon moves off them. If the dragon chooses to maintain the pin, treat it as a normal grapple attack. Pinned opponents take damage from the crush each round if they don’t escape.

A crush attack deals the indicated damage plus 1½ times the dragon’s Strength bonus (round down).

Tail Sweep (Ex): This special attack allows a dragon of at least Gargantuan size to sweep with its tail as a standard action. The sweep affects a half-circle with a radius of 30 feet (or 40 feet for a Colossal dragon), extending from an intersection on the edge of the dragon’s space in any direction. Creatures within the swept area are affected if they are four or more size categories smaller than the dragon. A tail sweep automatically deals the indicated damage plus 1½ times the dragon’s Strength bonus (round down). Affected creatures can attempt Reflex saves to take half damage (DC equal to that of the dragon’s breath weapon).

Grappling: Dragons do not favor grapple attacks, though their crush attack (and Snatch feat, if they know it) use normal grapple rules.

A dragon can always use its breath weapon while grappling, as well as its spells and spell-like or supernatural abilities, provided it succeeds on Concentration checks.

Breath Weapon (Su): Using a breath weapon is a standard action. Once a dragon breathes, it can’t breathe again until 1d4 rounds later. If a dragon has more than one type of breath weapon, it still can breathe only once every 1d4 rounds. A blast from a breath weapon always starts at any intersection adjacent to the dragon and extends in a direction of the dragon’s choice, with an area as noted on the table below. If the breath weapon deals damage, creatures caught in the area can attempt Reflex saves to take half damage; the DC depends on the dragon’s age and variety, and is given in each individual entry. (Damage is typically a number of a certain type of dice⁠—​d4, d6, d8, d10, etc.⁠—​equal to twice the dragon’s age category number. The type of dice is the same for a particular variety of dragon.) Saves against nondamaging breath weapons use the same DC; the kind of saving throw is noted in the variety descriptions. The save DC against a breath weapon is 10 + ½ dragon’s HD + dragon’s Con modifier.

Breath weapons come in two basic shapes, line and cone, whose areas vary with the dragon’s size.

Frightful Presence (Ex): A young adult or older dragon can unsettle foes with its mere presence. The ability takes effect automatically whenever the dragon attacks, charges, or flies overhead. Creatures within a radius of 30 feet × the dragon’s age category are subject to the effect if they have fewer HD than the dragon.

A potentially affected creature that succeeds on a Will save (DC 10 + ½ dragon’s HD + dragon’s Cha modifier) remains immune to that dragon’s frightful presence for 24 hours. On a failure, creatures with 4 or less HD become panicked for 4d6 rounds and those with 5 or more HD become shaken for 4d6 rounds. Dragons ignore the frightful presence of other dragons.

Spells: A dragon knows and casts arcane spells as a sorcerer of the caster level (CL) indicated in its variety description, gaining bonus spells for a high Charisma score. Some dragons can also cast spells from the cleric list or cleric domain lists as arcane spells.

Spell-Like Abilities: A dragon’s spelllike abilities depend on its age and variety. It gains the abilities indicated for its age plus all previous ones. Its age category or its sorcerer caster level, whichever is higher, is the caster level for these abilities. The save DC is 10 + dragon’s Cha modifier + spell level. All spell-like abilities are usable once per day unless otherwise noted.

Damage Reduction: Young adult and older dragons have damage reduction. Their natural weapons are treated as magic weapons for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.

Immunities (Ex): All dragons have immunity to sleep and paralysis effects. Each variety of dragon has immunity to one or two additional forms of attack no matter what its age, as given in its description.

Spell Resistance (Ex): As dragons age, they become more resistant to spells and spell-like abilities, as indicated in the variety descriptions.

Blindsense (Ex): Dragons can pinpoint creatures within a distance of 60 feet. Opponents the dragon can’t actually see still have total concealment against the dragon.

Keen Senses (Ex): A dragon sees four times as well a human in shadowy illumination and twice as well in normal light. It also has darkvision out to 120 feet.

Dragon Skills: All dragons have skill points equal to (6 + Int modifier, minimum 1) × (Hit Dice + 3). Most dragons purchase the following skills at the maximum ranks possible: Listen, Search, and Spot. The remaining skill points are generally spent on Concentration, Diplomacy, Escape Artist, Intimidate, Knowledge (any), Sense Motive, and Use Magic Device at a cost of 1 skill point per rank. All these skills are considered class skills for dragons. (Each dragon has other class skills as well, as noted in the variety descriptions.)

Dragon Feats: All dragons have one feat, plus an additional feat per 3 Hit Dice, just like any other creature. Dragons favor Alertness, Blind-Fight, Cleave, Flyby Attack, Hover, Improved Initiative, Improved Sunder, Power Attack, Snatch, Weapon Focus (claw or bite), Wingover, and any metamagic feat that is available and useful to sorcerers.

Dragon Overland Movement

Chromatic and metallic dragons are exceedingly strong flyers and can cover vast distances quickly. A dragon’s overland flying speed is a function of its tactical fly speed, as shown on the table below.

Dragons do not tire as quickly as other creatures when moving overland on the ground. If a dragon attempts a hustle or a forced march, check for nonlethal damage once every 2 hours instead of every hour (see Overland Movement).

Dragon Society

Although all dragons are believed to have come from the same roots tens of thousands of years ago, the present varieties keep to themselves and cooperate only under extreme circumstances, such as a powerful mutual threat. Good dragons never work with evil dragons, however, though a few neutral specimens have been found with either. Gold dragons occasionally associate with silver dragons.

When evil dragons of different varieties encounter one another, they usually fight to protect their territories. Good dragons are more tolerant, though also very territorial, and usually try to work out differences in a peaceful manner.

Dragons follow a number of reproductive strategies to suit their needs and temperaments. These help assure the continuation of a dragon’s bloodline, no matter what happens to the parent or the parent’s lair. Young adults, particularly evil or less intelligent ones, tend to lay clutches of 1d4+1 eggs all around the countryside, leaving their offspring to fend for themselves. These hatch into clutches of dragons, usually juvenile or younger, which stick together until they can establish their own lairs.

Older and more intelligent dragons form families consisting of a mated pair and 1d4+1 young. Mated dragons are always adults or mature adults; offspring found with their parents are of wyrmling (01–10 on d%), very young (11–30), young (31–50), juvenile (51–90), or young adult (91–100) age. Shortly after a dragon reaches young adult (or rarely, juvenile) age, it leaves its parents to establish a lair of its own.

A pair of mated dragons beyond mature adult age usually splits up, independence and the lust for treasure driving them apart. Older females continue to mate and lay eggs, but only one parent stays in the lair to raise young. Often an older female lays many clutches of eggs, keeping one to tend herself and one for her mate, and leaving the rest untended. Sometimes a female dragon places an egg or a wyrmling with nondraconic foster parents.

Dragonhide

Armorsmiths can work with the hides of dragons to produce armor or shields of masterwork quality (see Dragonhide under Special Materials).

Chromatic Dragons

Chromatic dragons form the evil branch of dragonkind. They are aggressive, greedy, vain, and nasty.

These are the varieties of chromatic dragons:

• Black dragon
• Blue dragon
• Green dragon
• Red dragon
• White dragon

Black Dragon

The statistics block below contains details for more than one age category of this dragon. Use the horizontal scrollbar below it to display the desired one or select from the links below that.

1. Bite reach is treated as if a dragon is one size larger; see Space/Reach. Feat attack modifiers are not included; adjust after selecting them.

Wyrmling • Very young • Young • Juvenile • Young adult • Adult • Mature adult • Old • Very old • Ancient • Wyrm • Great wyrm

The dragon’s head looks decidedly like a skull thanks to its deep-socketed eyes and wide, flat nasal opening. It has forward-curving horns and a spinal crest that peaks just behind the head and tapers off about three quarters of the way down the neck. An acidic smell surrounds the dragon, whose scales are mostly dull ebony and dark gray.

Black dragons are evil-tempered, cunning, and malevolent, characteristics that are reflected in their crafty, sinister faces.

Black dragons 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 a hatchling, 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 lair in large, damp caves and multichambered underground caverns. They smell of rotting vegetation and foul water, with an acidic undertone. Older dragons hide the entrance to their lairs using plant growth. Black dragons dine primarily on fish, mollusks, and other aquatic creatures. They also hunt for red meat but like to “pickle” it by letting it lie in ponds within the lair for days before eating it.

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.

Combat

Black dragons prefer to ambush their targets, using their surroundings as cover. When fighting in heavily forested swamps and marshes, they try to stay in the water or on the ground; trees and leafy canopies limit their aerial maneuverability. When outmatched, a black dragon attempts to fly out of sight, so as not to leave tracks, and hide in a deep pond or bog.

Breath Weapon (Su): A black dragon has one type of breath weapon, a line of acid. The range of that line, the damage dice, and the DC of the Reflex save to take half damage are in the statistics block for a black dragon of a particular age category.

Water Breathing (Ex): A black dragon can breathe underwater indefinitely and can freely use its breath weapon, spells, and other abilities while submerged.

Spell-Like Abilities: Black dragons that are at least juvenile age category have one or more spell-like abilities based on their age category as shown below. See Spell-Like Abilities for caster level, DCs, and other information.

• Juvenile or older: darkness; 3/day, radius 10 feet per age category.
• Adult or older: corrupt water; 1/day.
• Old or older: plant growth; 1/day.
• Ancient or older: insect plague; 1/day.
• Great wyrm or older: charm reptiles; 3/day.

Corrupt Water (Sp): Once per day an adult or older black dragon can stagnate 10 cubic feet of water, making it become still, foul, and unable to support animal life. The ability spoils liquids containing water. Magic items (such as potions) and items in a creature’s possession must succeed on a Will save (DC equal to that of the dragon’s frightful presence) or become fouled. This ability is the equivalent of a 1st-level spell. Its range is equal to that of the dragon’s frightful presence.

Charm Reptiles (Sp): A great wyrm black dragon can use this ability three times per day. It works as a mass charm monster spell that affects only reptilian animals. The dragon can communicate with any charmed reptiles as though casting a speak with animals spell. This ability is the equivalent of a 1st-level spell.

Skills: Hide, Move Silently, and Swim are considered class skills for black dragons. See Dragon Skills for class skills common to all dragon varieties. The maximum ranks listed in the statistics block are for class skills; cross-class skill rank maximums are half that, unrounded.

Source: Monster Manual (version 3.5), page 70.

Blue Dragon

The statistics block below contains details for more than one age category of this dragon. Use the horizontal scrollbar below it to display the desired one or select from the links below that.

1. Bite reach is treated as if a dragon is one size larger; see Space/Reach. Feat attack modifiers are not included; adjust after selecting them.

Wyrmling • Very young • Young • Juvenile • Young adult • Adult • Mature adult • Old • Very old • Ancient • Wyrm • Great wyrm

The dragon has dramatic frilled ears and a single massive horn emerging from its snout. The smell of ozone lingers in the air near the dragon, whose azure-tinged scales glitter in the sun.

Blue dragons are vain and territorial. They are one of the dragon varieties best adapted to digging into sand.

A blue dragon’s scales vary in color from an iridescent azure to a deep indigo, polished to a glossy finish by blowing desert sands. The size of its scales increases little as the dragon ages, although they do become thicker and harder. Its hide tends to hum and crackle faintly with builtup static electricity. These effects intensify when the dragon is angry or about to attack, giving off an odor of ozone and sand.

Their vibrant color makes blue dragons easy to spot in barren desert surroundings. However, they often burrow into the sand so only part of their heads are exposed. Blue dragons love to soar in the hot desert air, usually flying in the daytime when temperatures are highest. Some nearly match the color of the desert sky and use this coloration to their advantage.

Blue dragons lair in vast underground caverns, where they also store their treasure. Although they collect anything that looks valuable, they are most fond of gems—especially sapphires. They are sometimes are forced to eat snakes, lizards, and desert plants to sate their great hunger but especially prefer herd animals such as camels. When they get the chance, they gorge themselves on these creatures.

Combat

Typically, blue dragons attack from above or burrow beneath the sands until opponents come within 100 feet. Older dragons use their special abilities, such as hallucinatory terrain, in concert with these tactics to mask the land and improve their chances to surprise the target. Blue dragons run from a fight only if they are severely damaged, since they view retreat as cowardly.

Breath Weapon (Su): A blue dragon has one type of breath weapon, a line of lightning. The range of that line, the damage dice, and the DC of the Reflex save to take half damage are in the statistics block for a blue dragon of a particular age category.

Sound Imitation (Ex): A juvenile or older blue dragon can mimic any voice or sound it has heard, anytime it likes. Listeners must succeed on a Will save (DC equal to that of the dragon’s frightful presence) to detect the ruse.

Spells: In addition to casting sorcerer spells as described under Spells, a juvenile or older blue dragon can learn cleric spells and those from the Air, Evil, and Law domains as if they were sorcerer spells.

Spell-Like Abilities: Blue dragons of any age category have one or more spell-like abilities based on that age category as shown below. See Spell-Like Abilities for caster level, DCs, and other information.

• 3/day⁠—​create/destroy water (wyrmling or older)
• 3/day⁠—​ventriloquism (adult or older)
• 1/day⁠—​hallucinatory terrain (old or older)
• 1/day⁠—​veil (ancient or older)
• 1/day⁠—​mirage arcana (great wyrm)

Create/Destroy Water (Sp): A blue dragon of any age can use this ability three times per day. It works like the create water spell, except that the dragon can decide to destroy water instead of creating it, which automatically spoils unattended liquids containing water. Magic items (such as potions) and items in a creature’s possession must succeed on a Will save (DC equal to that of the dragon’s frightful presence) or be ruined. (Yes, dragons less than young adult age can’t use frightful presence; just calculate this DC for younger dragons as if they could for purposes of this spell-like ability only.) This ability is the equivalent of a 1st-level spell.

Skills: Bluff, Hide, and Spellcraft are considered class skills for blue dragons. See Dragon Skills for class skills common to all dragon varieties. The maximum ranks listed in the statistics block are for class skills; cross-class skill rank maximums are half that, unrounded.

Source: Monster Manual (version 3.5), page 72.

Green Dragon

The statistics block below contains details for more than one age category of this dragon. Use the horizontal scrollbar below it to display the desired one or select from the links below that.

1. Bite reach is treated as if a dragon is one size larger; see Space/Reach. Feat attack modifiers are not included; adjust after selecting them.

Wyrmling • Very young • Young • Juvenile • Young adult • Adult • Mature adult • Old • Very old • Ancient • Wyrm • Great wyrm

The dragon has a toothy, curving jaw line and rows of hornlets over its eyes. There is a cluster of hornlets at the chin. A crest begins just behind the eyes and runs the length of the body, rising to full height just behind the skull. The odor of chlorine clings to the dragon, whose scales radiate with a glowing emerald shine.

Green dragons are belligerent and tend to attack without provocation.

A wyrmling green dragon’s scales are thin, very small, and a deep shade of green that appears nearly black. As the dragon ages, the scales grow larger and lighter, turning shades of forest, emerald, and olive green, which helps it blend in with its wooded surroundings.

Green dragons make their lairs in forests; the older the forest and bigger the trees, the better. They prefer caves in cliffs or hillsides and can be detected by the stinging odor of chlorine. Although they have been known to eat practically anything, including shrubs and small trees when they are hungry enough, green dragons especially prize elves and sprites.

Combat

Green dragons initiate fights with little or no provocation, picking on creatures of any size. If the target is intriguing or seems formidable, the dragon stalks the creature to determine the best time to strike and the most appropriate tactics to use. If the target appears weak, the dragon makes its presence known quickly⁠—​it enjoys evoking terror. Sometimes the dragon elects to control a humanoid creature through intimidation and suggestion. Green dragons especially like to question adventurers to learn more about their society and abilities, what is going on in the countryside, and if there is treasure nearby.

Breath Weapon (Su): A green dragon has one type of breath weapon, a cone of corrosive (acid) gas. The range of that cone, the damage dice, and the DC of the Reflex save to take half damage are in the statistics block for a green dragon of a particular age category.

Water Breathing (Ex): A green dragon can breathe underwater indefinitely and can freely use its breath weapon, spells, and other abilities while submerged.

Spell-Like Abilities: Green dragons of adult or older age category have one or more spell-like abilities based on that age category as shown below. See Spell-Like Abilities for caster level, DCs, and other information.

• 3/day⁠—​suggestion (adult or older)
• 3/day⁠—​dominate person (ancient or older)
• 1/day⁠—​plant growth (old or older)
• 1/day⁠—​command plants (great wyrm)

Skills: Bluff, Hide, and Move Silently are considered class skills for green dragons. See Dragon Skills for class skills common to all dragon varieties. The maximum ranks listed in the statistics block are for class skills; cross-class skill rank maximums are half that, unrounded.

Source: Monster Manual (version 3.5), page 74.

Red Dragon

The statistics block below contains details for more than one age category of this dragon. Use the horizontal scrollbar below it to display the desired one or select from the links below that.

1. Bite reach is treated as if a dragon is one size larger; see Space/Reach. Feat attack modifiers are not included; adjust after selecting them.

Wyrmling • Very young • Young • Juvenile • Young adult • Adult • Mature adult • Old • Very old • Ancient • Wyrm • Great wyrm

The dragon has horns extending back over the neck, frilled ears, and smaller horns at the cheeks and chin, with rows of horns over the brows. The nose is beaklike and sports a small horn. A frill begins behind the head and runs to the tip of the tail. The dragon reeks of smoke and sulfur, and its scales shine with shades of crimson and scarlet.

Red dragons are the most covetous of all dragons, forever seeking to increase their treasure hoards. They are exceptionally vain, which is reflected in their proud bearing and disdainful expression.

The small scales of a wyrmling red dragon are a bright glossy scarlet, making the dragon easily spotted by predators and hunters, so it stays underground and does not venture outside until it is more able to take care of itself. Toward the end of young age, the scales turn a deeper red, and the glossy texture is replaced by a smooth, dull finish. As the dragon grows older, the scales become large, thick, and as strong as metal. The neck frill and wings are an ash blue or purple-gray toward the edges, becoming darker with age. The pupils of a red dragon fade as it ages; the oldest red dragons have eyes that resemble molten lava orbs.

Red dragons lair in large caves that extend deep into the earth, which shimmer with the heat of their bodies and are marked by a sulfurous, smoky odor. However, they always have a high perch nearby from which to haughtily survey their territory, which they consider to be everything in sight. This high perch sometimes intrudes upon the territory of a silver dragon, and for this reason red dragons and silver dragons are often enemies.

Red dragons are meat eaters by preference, and their favorite food is a human or elven youth. Sometimes they charm villagers into regularly sacrificing townsfolk to them.

Combat

Because red dragons are so confident, they seldom pause to appraise an adversary. On spotting a target, they make a snap decision whether to attack, using one of many strategies worked out ahead of time. A red dragon lands to attack small, weak creatures with its claws and bite rather than obliterating them with its breath weapon, so as not to destroy any treasure they might be carrying.

Breath Weapon (Su): A red dragon has one type of breath weapon, a cone of fire. The range of that cone, the damage dice, and the DC of the Reflex save to take half damage are in the statistics block for a red dragon of a particular age category.

Spells: In addition to casting sorcerer spells as described under Spells, a young or older red dragon can learn cleric spells and those from the Chaos, Evil, and Fire domains as if they were sorcerer spells.

Spell-Like Abilities: Red dragons of juvenile or older age category have one or more spell-like abilities based on that age category as shown below. See Spell-Like Abilities for caster level, DCs, and other information.

• 4–12/day⁠—​locate object (juvenile or older; daily uses equal red dragon’s age category)
• 3/day⁠—​suggestion (old or older)
• 1/day⁠—​find the path (ancient or older)
• 1/day⁠—​discern location (great wyrm)

Skills: Appraise, Bluff, and Jump are considered class skills for red dragons. See Dragon Skills for class skills common to all dragon varieties. The maximum ranks listed in the statistics block are for class skills; cross-class skill rank maximums are half that, unrounded.

Source: Monster Manual (version 3.5), page 75.

White Dragon

The statistics block below contains details for more than one age category of this dragon. Use the horizontal scrollbar below it to display the desired one or select from the links below that.

1. Bite reach is treated as if a dragon is one size larger; see Space/Reach. Feat attack modifiers are not included; adjust after selecting them.

Wyrmling • Very young • Young • Juvenile • Young adult • Adult • Mature adult • Old • Very old • Ancient • Wyrm • Great wyrm

The dragon has a beaked nose, spiny dewlaps, and a crest supported by a single, back-curving spine. A crisp, faintly chemical odor accompanies the dragon, whose scales glisten like snow.

Among the smallest and least intelligent of dragonkind, most white dragons are simply animalistic predators. Their faces express single-minded ferocity rather than the shrewdness of their more powerful kin.

The scales of a wyrmling white dragon glisten like mirrors. As the dragon ages, the sheen disappears, and by very old age, scales of pale blue and light gray are mixed in with the white.

White dragons’ lairs are usually icy caves and deep underground chambers that open away from the warming rays of the sun. They store all of their treasure within the lair, preferably in caverns coated in ice, which reflect the gems. White dragons are especially fond of diamonds.

Although white dragons are able to eat nearly anything, they are very particular and will consume only food that has been frozen. Usually a dragon devours a creature killed by its breath weapon while the carcass is still stiff and frigid. It buries other kills in snowbanks until they are suitably frozen.

White dragons’ natural enemies are frost giants, who kill the dragons for food and armor and capture them to use as guards.

Combat

White dragons prefer sudden assaults, swooping down from aloft or bursting from beneath water, snow, or ice. They loose their breath weapon, then try to knock out a single opponent with a follow-up attack.

Breath Weapon (Su): A white dragon has one type of breath weapon, a cone of cold. The range of that cone, the damage dice, and the DC of the Reflex save to take half damage are in the statistics block for a white dragon of a particular age category.

Icewalking (Ex): This ability works like the spider climb spell, but the surfaces the dragon climbs must be icy. It is always in effect. This works with the icy rime created by its freezing fog spell-like ability, if it has it.

Spell-Like Abilities: White dragons of juvenile or older age category have one or more spell-like abilities based on that age category as shown below. See Spell-Like Abilities for caster level, DCs, and other information.

• 3/day⁠—​fog cloud (juvenile or older)
• 3/day⁠—​gust of wind (adult or older)
• 3/day⁠—​freezing fog (old or older; treated as a 5th-level spell)
• 3/day⁠—​wall of ice (ancient or older)
• 1/day⁠—​control weather (great wyrm)

Skills: Hide, Move Silently, and Swim are considered class skills for white dragons. See Dragon Skills for class skills common to all dragon varieties. The maximum ranks listed in the statistics block are for class skills; cross-class skill rank maximums are half that, unrounded.

Source: Monster Manual (version 3.5), page 77. Hyperlinked the freezing fog spell-like ability to the later freezing fog spell in the Spell Compendium.

Metallic Dragons

Metallic dragons make up the good branch of dragonkind, but they are every bit as aggressive as their evil cousins when threatened or challenged. They also tend to be covetous and proud.

Brass Dragon

The statistics block below contains details for more than one age category of this dragon. Use the horizontal scrollbar below it to display the desired one or select from the links below that.

1. Bite reach is treated as if a dragon is one size larger; see Space/Reach. Feat attack modifiers are not included; adjust after selecting them.

Wyrmling • Very young • Young • Juvenile • Young adult • Adult • Mature adult • Old • Very old • Ancient • Wyrm • Great wyrm

The dragon’s head has a massive plate at the forehead and bladelike horns at the chin. A frill runs the length of the neck, and the dragon has mantalike wings. The dragon smells like sunbaked sand, and its scales glisten like polished brass.

Brass dragons are notoriously talkative. They may have useful information, but usually share it only after long rambling and hinting for a gift.

At birth, a brass dragon’s scales are a dull, mottled brown. As the dragon gets older, the scales become more brassy until they reach a warm, burnished appearance. The grand head-plates of a brass dragon are smooth and metallic, and it sports bladed chin horns that grow sharper with age. Wings and frills are mottled green toward the edges, darkening with age. As the dragon grows older, its pupils fade until the eyes resemble molten metal orbs.

Brass dragons love intense, dry heat and spend most of their time basking in the desert sun. They are accompanied by a tangy metallic or sandy odor. They lair in high caves, preferably facing east to enjoy the morning warmth, and their territories always contain several spots where they can sunbathe and trap unwary travelers in conversation.

Brass dragons can and will eat almost anything if the need arises, but they normally consume very little. They are able to get nourishment from the morning dew, a rare commodity in their habitat, and have been seen carefully lifting it off plants with their long tongues.

Because they share similar habitats, blue dragons are brass dragons’ worst enemies. The larger blues have the advantage in one-on-one confrontations, so brass dragons usually try to evade them until they can rally their neighbors for a mass attack.

Combat

Brass dragons would rather talk than fight. If an intelligent creature tries to leave without engaging in conversation, the dragon might force compliance in a fit of pique, using suggestion or a dose of sleep gas. A creature put to sleep may wake to find itself pinned or buried to the neck in the sand until the dragon’s thirst for small talk is slaked. When faced with real danger, younger brass dragons fly out of sight, then hide by burrowing into the sand. Older dragons spurn this ploy but still prefer to have the advantage in combat.

Breath Weapon (Su): A brass dragon has two types of breath weapon, a line of fire and a cone of sleep. Creatures within the cone must succeed on a Will save or fall asleep, regardless of HD, for 1d6 rounds plus 1 round per age category of the dragon. The range of that line or cone, the damage dice of the line of fire, and the DC of the Reflex save to take half damage from the fire or the Will save to negate the sleep gas are in the statistics block for a brass dragon of a particular age category.

Spell-Like Abilities: Brass dragons of any age category have one or more spell-like abilities based on that age category as shown below. See Spell-Like Abilities for caster level, DCs, and other information.

• At will⁠—​speak with animals (any age category)
• 3/day⁠—​endure elements (juvenile or older; radius 10 ft. × dragon’s age category)
• 1/day⁠—​suggestion (adult or older)
• 1/day⁠—​control winds (old or older)
• 1/day⁠—​control weather (ancient or older)
• 1/day⁠—​summon djinn (great wyrm or older; works as the 7th-level spell summon monster VII except it can only summon one djinni)

Skills: Bluff, Gather Information, and Survival are considered class skills for brass dragons. See Dragon Skills for class skills common to all dragon varieties. The maximum ranks listed in the statistics block are for class skills; cross-class skill rank maximums are half that, unrounded.

Source: Monster Manual (version 3.5), page 79.

Bronze Dragon

The statistics block below contains details for more than one age category of this dragon. Use the horizontal scrollbar below it to display the desired one or select from the links below that.

1. Bite reach is treated as if a dragon is one size larger; see Space/Reach. Feat attack modifiers are not included; adjust after selecting them.

Wyrmling • Very young • Young • Juvenile • Young adult • Adult • Mature adult • Old • Very old • Ancient • Wyrm • Great wyrm

The dragon has a ribbed and fluted crest sweeping back from its cheeks and eyes. The ribs in the crests end in curving horns. The dragon also has small horns on its lower jaw and chin. It has a beaklike snout and a small head frill, as well as a tall neck frill. The scent of the sea surrounds the dragon, and its scales have a metallic, golden brown cast.

Bronze dragons are inquisitive and enjoy polymorphing into small, friendly animals to observe adventurers. They are fascinated by warfare, eagerly joining an army for a just cause⁠—​and good pay.

A bronze wyrmling’s scales are yellow tinged with green, showing only a hint of bronze. As the dragon approaches adulthood, its color deepens slowly to a darker, rich bronze tone. Very old dragons develop a blue-black tint to the edges of their scales. Powerful swimmers, they have webbed feet and smooth, flat scales. The pupils of its eyes fade as a dragon ages, until in the oldest the eyes resemble glowing green orbs.

Bronze dragons like coastal hills near deep fresh water or salt water. They often visit the depths to cool off or hunt for pearls and sunken treasure. They prefer caves that are accessible only from the water, but their lairs are always dry—they do not lay eggs, sleep, or store treasure underwater. A smell of sea spray lingers about them. Bronze dragons eat aquatic plants and some varieties of seafood. They especially prize shark meat. They also dine on the occasional pearl.

Combat

Bronze dragons dislike killing animals and would rather bribe them (perhaps with food) or force them away magically. They use detect thoughts to learn intelligent creatures’ intentions. When attacking they blind their opponents with fog cloud and then charge or, if flying, snatch them up. Against seafaring opponents they conjure up a storm or use their tails to smash the vessels’ hulls. If a dragon is inclined to be lenient, ships might be merely becalmed, fogbound, or broken-masted.

Breath Weapon (Su): Bronze dragons have two types of breath weapon, a line of lightning and a cone of repulsion gas. Creatures within the cone must succeed on a Will save or be compelled to do nothing but move away from the dragon for 1d6 rounds plus 1 round per age category of the dragon. This is a mind-affecting compulsion enchantment effect. The range of that line or cone, the damage dice of the line of lightning, and the DC of the Reflex save to take half damage from the lightning or the Will save to negate the repulsion gas are in the statistics block for a bronze dragon of a particular age category.

Water Breathing (Ex): A bronze dragon can breathe underwater indefinitely and can freely use its breath weapon, spells, and other abilities while submerged.

Alternate Form (Su): A young or older bronze dragon can assume any animal or humanoid form of Medium size or smaller as a standard action three times per day. The dragon can remain in its animal or humanoid form until it chooses to assume a new one or return to its natural form. See Alternate Form.

Spell-Like Abilities: Bronze dragons of any age category have one or more spell-like abilities based on that age category as shown below. See Spell-Like Abilities for caster level, DCs, and other information.

• At will⁠—​speak with animals (any age category)
• 3/day⁠—​create food and water (adult or older)
• 3/day⁠—​fog cloud (adult or older)
• 3/day⁠—​detect thoughts (old or older)
• 3/day⁠—​control water (ancient or older)
• 1/day⁠—​control weather (great wyrm)

Skills: Disguise, Swim, and Survival are considered class skills for bronze dragons. See Dragon Skills for class skills common to all dragon varieties. The maximum ranks listed in the statistics block are for class skills; cross-class skill rank maximums are half that, unrounded.

Source: Monster Manual (version 3.5), page 80.

Copper Dragon

The statistics block below contains details for more than one age category of this dragon. Use the horizontal scrollbar below it to display the desired one or select from the links below that.

1. Bite reach is treated as if a dragon is one size larger; see Space/Reach. Feat attack modifiers are not included; adjust after selecting them.

Wyrmling • Very young • Young • Juvenile • Young adult • Adult • Mature adult • Old • Very old • Ancient • Wyrm • Great wyrm

The dragon has massive thighs and shoulders, with a short face and broad, smooth brow plates jutting over the eyes. Long, flat horns extend back from the brow plates in a series of overlapping segments. The dragon also has backswept cheek ridges and frills on the backs of the lower jaws that sweep forward slightly. Layers of triangular blades point down from the chin. The dragon has an acrid odor, and its reddish scales have a metallic shine.

Copper dragons are incorrigible pranksters, joke tellers, and riddlers. Most are good-natured but also have a covetous, miserly streak. They are powerful jumpers and climbers.

At birth, a copper dragon’s scales have a ruddy brown color with a metallic tint. As the dragon gets older, the scales become finer and more coppery, assuming a soft, warm gloss by young adult age. Very old dragons’ scales pick up a green tint. A copper dragon’s pupils fade with age, and the eyes of great wyrms resemble glowing turquoise orbs.

Copper dragons like dry, rocky uplands and hilltops. They lair in narrow caves and often conceal the entrances using move earth and stone shape. Within the lair, they construct twisting mazes with open tops that allow the dragon to fly or jump over intruders.

Copper dragons are determined hunters, considering good sport at least as important as the food. They are known to eat almost anything, including metal ore. However, they prize monstrous scorpions and other large poisonous creatures (they say the venom sharpens their wit).

Because copper dragons often inhabit hills in sight of red dragons’ lairs, conflicts between the two varieties are inevitable. The smaller coppers usually run for cover until they can even the odds.

Combat

A copper dragon appreciates wit and usually doesn’t harm creatures that can relate a joke, humorous story, or riddle the dragon has not heard before. It quickly gets annoyed with anyone who doesn’t laugh at its jokes or accept its tricks with good humor. It likes to taunt and annoy opponents into giving up or acting foolishly.

An angry copper dragon prefers to mire foes using transmute rock to mud. The dragon pushes trapped opponents into the mud or snatches and carries them aloft. A copper dragon tries to draw airborne enemies into narrow, stony gorges where it can use its spider climb ability and maneuver them into colliding with the walls.

Breath Weapon (Su): A copper dragon has two types of breath weapon, a line of acid and a cone of slow gas. Creatures within the cone must succeed on a Fortitude save or be slowed for 1d6 rounds plus 1 round per age category of the dragon. The range of that line or cone, the damage dice of the line of acid, and the DC of the Reflex save to take half damage from the acid or the Fortitude save to negate the slow gas are in the statistics block for a copper dragon of a particular age category.

Spider Climb (Ex): A copper dragon can climb on stone surfaces as though using the spider climb spell.

Spell-Like Abilities: Copper dragons of adult or older age categories have one or more spell-like abilities based on that age category as shown below. See Spell-Like Abilities for caster level, DCs, and other information.

• 2/day⁠—​stone shape (adult or older)
• 1/day⁠—​transmute rock to mud or transmute mud to rock (old or older)
• 1/day⁠—​wall of stone (ancient or older)
• 1/day⁠—​move earth (great wyrm)

Skills: Bluff, Hide, and Jump are considered class skills for copper dragons. See Dragon Skills for class skills common to all dragon varieties. The maximum ranks listed in the statistics block are for class skills; cross-class skill rank maximums are half that, unrounded.

Source: Monster Manual (version 3.5), page 82.

Gold Dragon

The statistics block below contains details for more than one age category of this dragon. Use the horizontal scrollbar below it to display the desired one or select from the links below that.

1. Bite reach is treated as if a dragon is one size larger; see Space/Reach. Feat attack modifiers are not included; adjust after selecting them.

Wyrmling • Very young • Young • Juvenile • Young adult • Adult • Mature adult • Old • Very old • Ancient • Wyrm • Great wyrm

The dragon has large, smooth, twin horns that sweep back from its nose and brow. Twin frills adorn its long neck, and whiskers around its mouth look like the barbels of a catfish. Its saillike wings start at its shoulders and trace down to the tip of its tail. The dragon smells of saffron and incense, and its scales glisten like polished gold.

Gold dragons are graceful, sinuous, and wise. They hate injustice and foul play, often embarking on self-appointed quests to promote good. A gold dragon often assumes human or animal guise.

On hatching, a gold dragon’s scales are dark yellow with golden metallic flecks. The flecks get larger as the dragon matures until, at the adult stage, the scales are completely golden. Gold dragons’ faces are bewhiskered and sagacious; as they age, their pupils fade until the eyes resemble pools of molten gold.

Gold dragons can live anywhere. Their lairs are secluded and always made of stone, whether caves or castles. These usually have loyal guards: animals appropriate to the terrain, storm giants, or good cloud giants. Giants usually form a mutual defensive agreement with a dragon.

Gold dragons usually sustain themselves on pearls or small gems. Such gifts are well received, as long as they are not bribes.

Combat

Gold dragons usually parley before fighting. When conversing with intelligent creatures, they use Intimidate and Sense Motive to gain the upper hand. In combat, they employ bless and their luck bonus; older dragons use their luck bonus at the start of each day. They make heavy use of spells in combat. Among their favorites are cloudkill, delayed blast fireball, fire shield, globe of invulnerability, maze, sleep, slow, and stinking cloud.

Breath Weapon (Su): A gold dragon has two types of breath weapon, a cone of fire and a cone of weakening gas. Creatures within a cone of weakening gas must succeed on a Fortitude save or take 1 point of Strength damage per age category of the dragon. The range of the cones, the damage dice of the fire, and the DC of the Reflex save to take half damage from the fire or the Fortitude save to negate the weakening gas are in the statistics block for a gold dragon of a particular age category.

Alternate Form (Su): A gold dragon can assume any animal or humanoid form of Medium size or smaller as a standard action three times per day. The dragon can remain in its animal or humanoid form until it chooses to assume a new one or return to its natural form. See Alternate Form.

Water Breathing (Ex): A gold dragon can breathe underwater indefinitely and can freely use its breath weapon, spells, and other abilities while submerged (the cone of fire becomes a cone of superheated steam underwater).

Spells: In addition to casting sorcerer spells as described under Spells, a young or older gold dragon can learn cleric spells and those from the Law, Luck, and Good domains as if they were sorcerer spells.

Spell-Like Abilities: Gold dragons of juvenile or older age categories have one or more spell-like abilities based on that age category as shown below. See Spell-Like Abilities for caster level, DCs, and other information.

• 3/day⁠—​bless (juvenile or older)
• 1/day⁠—​luck bonus (adult or older)
• 3/day⁠—​detect gems (old or older)
• 1/day⁠—​geas/quest (old or older)
• 1/day⁠—​sunburst (ancient or older)
• 1/day⁠—​foresight (great wyrm)

Luck Bonus (Sp): Once per day an adult or older gold dragon can touch a gem, usually one embedded in the dragon’s hide, and enspell it to bring good luck. As long as the dragon carries the gem, it and every good creature in a 10-foot radius per age category of the dragon receives a +1 luck bonus on all saving throws and similar rolls, as for a stone of good luck. If the dragon gives an enspelled gem to another creature, only that bearer gets the bonus. The effect lasts 1d3 hours plus 3 hours per age category of the dragon but ends if the gem is destroyed. This ability is the equivalent of a 2nd-level spell.

Detect Gems (Sp): An old or older gold dragon can use this ability three times per day. This is a divination effect similar to a detect magic spell, except that it finds only gems. The dragon can scan a 60-degree arc each round: By concentrating for 1 round it knows if there are any gems within the arc; 2 rounds of concentration reveal the exact number of gems; and 3 rounds reveal their exact location, type, and value. This ability is the equivalent of a 2nd-level spell.

Skills: Disguise, Heal, and Swim are considered class skills for gold dragons. See Dragon Skills for class skills common to all dragon varieties. The maximum ranks listed in the statistics block are for class skills; cross-class skill rank maximums are half that, unrounded.

Source: Monster Manual (version 3.5), page 84.

Silver Dragon

The statistics block below contains details for more than one age category of this dragon. Use the horizontal scrollbar below it to display the desired one or select from the links below that.

1. Bite reach is treated as if a dragon is one size larger; see Space/Reach. Feat attack modifiers are not included; adjust after selecting them.

Wyrmling • Very young • Young • Juvenile • Young adult • Adult • Mature adult • Old • Very old • Ancient • Wyrm • Great wyrm

A smooth, shiny plate forms the dragon’s face. It has a frill that rises high over its head and continues down the neck and back to the tip of the tail. Long spines with dark tips support the frill. It has two smooth, shiny horns, and wings that are wide and sleek. The dragon has the scent of rain, and its scales gleam like liquid metal.

Silver dragons are regal and statuesque. They cheerfully assist good creatures that are in genuine need and often take the forms of kindly old men or fair damsels when associating with humans. A silver wyrmling’s scales are blue-gray with silver highlights. As the dragon approaches adulthood, its color gradually brightens until the individual scales are scarcely visible. From a distance, these dragons look as if they have been sculpted from pure metal. Silver dragons are sometimes known as shield dragons because of the silvery plates on their heads. As a silver dragon grows older, its pupils fade until in the oldest the eyes resemble orbs of mercury.

Silver dragons prefer aerial lairs on secluded mountain peaks or amid the clouds themselves. A faint smell of rain always accompanies them. Even in clouds, though, the lair always has a magical area with a solid floor for laying eggs and storing treasure.

Silver dragons seem to prefer human form to their own, and they often have mortal companions, even forming deep friendships. Inevitably, however, a dragon resumes its true form and departs for a time. Silver dragons have a taste for human cuisine and can live on such fare indefinitely. Because they lair in similar territories, silver dragons and red dragons often come into conflict. Duels between the two varieties are furious and deadly, but silver dragons generally get the upper hand by working together against their foes, often with human allies.

Combat

Silver dragons are not violent and avoid combat except when faced with highly evil or aggressive foes. If necessary, they use fog cloud or control weather to blind or confuse opponents before attacking. When angry, they use reverse gravity to fling enemies helplessly into the air, where they can be snatched. Against flying opponents, a silver dragon hides in clouds (creating some with control weather on clear days), then jumps to the attack when it has the advantage.

Breath Weapon (Su): A silver dragon has two types of breath weapon, a cone of cold and a cone of paralyzing gas. Creatures within a cone of paralyzing gas must succeed on a Fortitude save or be paralyzed for 1d6 rounds plus 1 round per age category of the dragon. The range of the cones, the damage dice of the cold, and the DC of the Reflex save to take half damage from the cold or the Fortitude save to negate the paralyzing gas are in the statistics block for a silver dragon of a particular age category.

Alternate Form (Su): A silver dragon can assume any animal or humanoid form of Medium size or smaller as a standard action three times per day. The dragon can remain in its animal or humanoid form until it chooses to assume a new one or return to its natural form. See Alternate Form.

Cloudwalking (Su): A silver dragon can tread on clouds or fog as though on solid ground. The ability functions continuously but can be negated or resumed at will.

Spells: In addition to casting sorcerer spells as described under Spells, a young or older silver dragon can learn cleric spells and those from the Air, Good, Law, and Sun domains as if they were sorcerer spells.

Spell-Like Abilities: Silver dragons of juvenile or older age categories have one or more spell-like abilities based on that age category as shown below. See Spell-Like Abilities for caster level, DCs, and other information.

• 2/day⁠—​feather fall (juvenile or older)
• 3/day⁠—​fog cloud (adult or older)
• 3/day⁠—​control winds (old or older)
• 1/day⁠—​control weather (ancient or older)
• 1/day⁠—​reverse gravity (great wyrm)

Skills: Bluff, Disguise, and Jump are considered class skills for silver dragons. See Dragon Skills for class skills common to all dragon varieties. The maximum ranks listed in the statistics block are for class skills; cross-class skill rank maximums are half that, unrounded.

Source: Monster Manual (version 3.5), page 86.