Ancient Black Dragon

Gargantuan / dragon / Chaotic Evil / CR 21

Armor Class22
Hit Points367 (21d20 + 147)
Speed40 ft, fly 80 ft, swim 40 ft
Challenge21
Proficiency-
STR27+8
DEX14+2
CON25+7
INT16+3
WIS15+2
CHA22+6
Saving Throws

Dexterity +9, Wisdom +9

Skills

Perception +16, Stealth +9

Initiative

+16

Senses

Blindsight 60 ft, Darkvision 120 ft

Languages

Common, Draconic

Damage immunities

Acid

Traits

Amphibious

The ancient black dragon can breathe air and water.

Legendary Resistance

special

4/day (5/day in lair). If the ancient black dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

Actions

Multiattack

action

The ancient black dragon makes three Rend attacks. It can replace one attack with a use of Spellcasting to cast Melf's Acid Arrow (level 4 version).

Rend

action

Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 5 ft.. Hit: 17 (2d8 + 8) slashing plus 9 (2d8) acid damage.

Acid Breath

action

Recharge 5–6. Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 22, each creature in a 90-foot-long, 10-foot-wide Line.
Failure: 67 (15d8) acid damage.
Success: Half damage.

Spellcasting

action

1 use per day. The ancient black dragon casts one of the following spells, requiring no Material components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 21, +13 to hit with spell attacks):
At Will: Detect Magic, Fear, Melf's Acid Arrow (level 4 version)
1/Day Each: Create Undead, Speak with Dead, Vitriolic Sphere (level 5 version)

Legendary Actions

3 legendary actions (4 in its lair). Only one legendary action can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature's turn. This creature regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

Cloud of Insects

legendary

Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 21, one creature the ancient black dragon can see within 120 feet.
Failure: 33 (6d10) poison damage, and the target has Disadvantage on saving throws to maintain Concentration} until the end of its next turn.
Failure or Success: The ancient black dragon can't take this action again until the start of its next turn.

Frightful Presence

legendary

The ancient black dragon casts Fear. The ancient black dragon can't take this action again until the start of its next turn.

Pounce

legendary

The ancient black dragon moves up to half its Speed, and it makes one Rend attack.

Prepared Spells

Detect Magic, Fear, Melf'S Acid Arrow, Create Undead, Speak With Dead, Vitriolic Sphere, Fear

Creature Rules

Black Dragons

Referenced spells