Fortitude +19, Reflex +17, Will +21
Acrobatics +19, Arcana +23, Athletics +21, Crafting +21, Diplomacy +18, Performance +20, Society +19, Survival +19
Darkvision, Magicsense 60 feet Imprecise, Scent 60 feet Imprecise
Common, Draconic
Paralyzed, Sleep
Actions & Abilities
Claw
Damage: 2d6+10 Slashing
Jaws
Damage: 2d6+10 Piercing
Tail
Damage: 2d10+10 Bludgeoning
Magic Sense
The rune dragon is aware of any active magical abilities and effects within the listed range. When the dragon Seeks, it gains the benefits of a 4th-rank detect magic spell within the listed range (in addition to the normal benefits of Seeking).
Runic Scales
The rune dragon's scales function as runestones. The rune dragon can't use the effects or abilities of the runes etched on its scales, but they can transfer these runes to appropriate objects. Transferring a rune to or from an item in this way requires 1 minute, during which the dragon is . The process is automatic and doesn't require a check, but if the dragon stops or is interrupted in this process, the rune is destroyed. A rune dragon can have any number of runes etched on its scales, though they typically have only a handful of runes etched on their scales at a time.
+2 Status to All Saves vs. Arcane
Retributive Rune
Trigger A creature within 15 feet damages the rune dragon
Effect With a burst of runic magic, the rune dragon uses their detonating rune ability on the triggering creature and immediately causes the rune to detonate if it didn't automatically do so.
Detonating Rune
The rune dragon's Strikes and abilities can leave a detonating rune on their targets. If a creature would receive a detonating rune while they already have one, instead of adding another rune, their current detonating rune activates, dealing 4d6[untyped] damage to the target and expending the rune. The detonating rune's damage type matches the dragon's current Shifting Rune. A creature can use an Interact action to remove the rune. Detonating runes fade after 1 minute if not detonated.
Draconic Frenzy
The dragon makes two claw Strikes and one tail Strike in any order.
Draconic Momentum
The dragon recharges their Runic Breath whenever they score a critical hit with a Strike.
Runic Breath
The dragon launches hundreds of exploding runes that detonate upon impact, dealing 9d6[untyped|options:area-damage] damage in a ( save). The damage type of this ability is determined by Shifting Rune. Creatures who fail the save are also affected by detonating rune. The dragon can't use Runic Breath again for {1d4 rounds}.
Shifting Runes
The rune dragon chooses between acid, cold, electricity, fire, or sonic damage. The runes etched upon the dragon shift, forming runes of that energy on its scales. The dragon gains immunity to that damage type, and their detonating runes and Runic Breath deal that damage type. Anyone trained in Arcana can immediately recognize the energy type of the etched rune without a check.
Push 10 feet
Creature Abilities
Magic Sense. The rune dragon is aware of any active magical abilities and effects within the listed range. When the dragon Seeks, it gains the benefits of a 4th-rank detect magic spell within the listed range (in addition to the normal benefits of Seeking).
Runic Scales. The rune dragon's scales function as runestones. The rune dragon can't use the effects or abilities of the runes etched on its scales, but they can transfer these runes to appropriate objects. Transferring a rune to or from an item in this way requires 1 minute, during which the dragon is . The process is automatic and doesn't require a check, but if the dragon stops or is interrupted in this process, the rune is destroyed. A rune dragon can have any number of runes etched on its scales, though they typically have only a handful of runes etched on their scales at a time.
Retributive Rune. Trigger A creature within 15 feet damages the rune dragon
Effect With a burst of runic magic, the rune dragon uses their detonating rune ability on the triggering creature and immediately causes the rune to detonate if it didn't automatically do so.
Detonating Rune. The rune dragon's Strikes and abilities can leave a detonating rune on their targets. If a creature would receive a detonating rune while they already have one, instead of adding another rune, their current detonating rune activates, dealing 4d6[untyped] damage to the target and expending the rune. The detonating rune's damage type matches the dragon's current Shifting Rune. A creature can use an Interact action to remove the rune. Detonating runes fade after 1 minute if not detonated.
Draconic Frenzy. The dragon makes two claw Strikes and one tail Strike in any order.
Draconic Momentum. The dragon recharges their Runic Breath whenever they score a critical hit with a Strike.
Runic Breath. The dragon launches hundreds of exploding runes that detonate upon impact, dealing 9d6[untyped|options:area-damage] damage in a ( save). The damage type of this ability is determined by Shifting Rune. Creatures who fail the save are also affected by detonating rune. The dragon can't use Runic Breath again for {1d4 rounds}.
Shifting Runes. The rune dragon chooses between acid, cold, electricity, fire, or sonic damage. The runes etched upon the dragon shift, forming runes of that energy on its scales. The dragon gains immunity to that damage type, and their detonating runes and Runic Breath deal that damage type. Anyone trained in Arcana can immediately recognize the energy type of the etched rune without a check.
Source, license, and attribution
Source: Pathfinder Monster Core 2 (remaster-core-2026-08-10)
This product is licensed under the ORC License located at the Library of Congress at TX 9-307-067 and available online at various locations. All warranties are disclaimed as set forth therein. Attribution: Pathfinder Monster Core 2 (c) 2025, Paizo Inc.; Authors: Alexander Augunas, Jesse Benner, Joshua Birdsong, Logan Bonner, Jason Bulmahn, James Case, Jessica Catalan, John Compton, Paris Crenshaw, Adam Daigle, Katina Davis, Jesse Decker, Darrin Drader, Felix Dritz, Brian Duckwitz, Robert N. Emerson, Scott Fernandez, Eleanor Ferron, Hexe Fey, Benjamin Fields, Keith Garret, Scott Gladstein, Leo Glass, Matthew Goodall, Alice Grizzle, T.H. Gulliver, Sen H.H.S., Steve Hammond, Tim Hitchcock, Joan Hong, Vanessa Hoskins, James Jacobs, Brian R. James, Michelle Jones, TJ Kahn, Mikko Kallio, Jason Keeley, Joshua Kim, Avi Kool, John Laffan, Lyz Liddell, Luis Loza, Colm Lundberg, Ron Lundeen, Mahpiya, Philippe-Antoine Menard, Jacob W. Michaels, Patchen Mortimer, Dennis Muldoon, Andrew Mullen, Quinn Murphy, Dave Nelson, Jason Nelson, K. Tessa Newton, Tim Nightengale, Samantha Phelan, Randy Price, Stephen Radney-MacFarland, BJ Recio, Jessica Redekop, Mikhail Rekun, Patrick Renie, Alex Riggs, David N. Ross, Simone D. Sallé, Michael Sayre, David Schwartz, Mark Seifter, Chris Sims, Rodney Sloan, Shay Snow, Kendra Leigh Speedling, Amber Stewart, Jeffrey Swank, Tan Shao Han, Russ Taylor, William Thompson, Jason Tondro, Clark Valentine, Ruvaid Virk, Andrew White, Landon Winkler, and Linda Zayas-Palmer. Adaptation: Myth Meister PF2e Remaster Compendium, 2026. If you use this Adapted Licensed Material, please credit Myth Meister. The normalized rules records and rules-reference text in the Myth Meister PF2e Remaster Compendium are Adapted Licensed Material offered under the ORC License. Reserved Material in this product includes the Myth Meister name and logos, application source code, visual design and trade dress, and original campaign content. Pathfinder, Paizo, product logos, artwork, maps, trade dress, setting lore, characters, deities, locations, organizations, events, plots, and other Paizo Reserved Material are not included. Myth Meister is not affiliated with or endorsed by Paizo Inc. Expressly Designated Licensed Material: None.