D&D (2024) 2025's Ancient Green Dragon Stat Block From The New Monster Manual

The new ancient green dragon from the 2025 Monster Manual was previewed at Gen Con.

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[cbwjm]

We totally don't need scores, but that killing that would send people into a tizzy and talk about how wotc is ruining everything they love.

Yeah, that's true. Maybe when the "Everything is ruined!" people quieten down WotC can remove the scores to get them talking again.

 

[ezo]

Umm... am I missing the obvious? Where it the bite attack???

 

[MonsterEnvy]

Umm... am I missing the obvious? Where it the bite attack???

It's the Rend Attack. Rend is the bite or claws.

 

[ezo]

It's the Rend Attack. Rend is the bite or claws.

Same damage? Silly...

 

[Quickleaf]

Initiative: This feels really big to me. The old Ancient Green has a +1 initiative. This version has a +8 and advantage. They went from likely going last, to likely faster than anyone NOT specialized in initiative. That means they are far more likely to make the opening move, especially alongside their deceptive natures.

The new surprise rule for 2024 D&D is "if you're surprised you have disadvantage to initiative", is that right?

Seems like they're basically saying with Battle Ready that "the dragon can't be surprised."

 

[MonsterEnvy]

The new surprise rule for 2024 D&D is "if you're surprised you have disadvantage to initiative", is that right?

Seems like they're basically saying with Battle Ready that "the dragon can't be surprised."

Yep, plus an easier chance of going first.

 

[Asisreo]

If I'm an ancient green dragon, I'm negotiating with the party to try to get them to not go directly in combat, especially when I'm not in my lair.

I think this creature's more manipulative than combative, but I also think that it would like to appear earlier in the adventure and be more of a looming threat that parleys with the party rather than a shut-in that only appears at the end of the adventure when the party is ready and willing to fight it.

 

[mamba]

On Dragon Attacks: I am seeing a lot of people talking about the old Dragon having a bite, claw, and tail attack. And while technically true.... I think people forget how it was supposed to work RAW

RAW Ancient Green Multiattack read: The dragon can use its Frightful Prescence. It then makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws

The tail attack was not included on that. So on its turn, it couldn't use the tail. The Tail attack was specifically ONLY a legendary action.

no, I remember, I still think having distinct attacks rather than one generic Rend is better

 

[dave2008]

When I saw the lack of Dragon Fear, I wondered if they were doing that, placing some iconic "all dragons do this" abilities in the generic "dragon" entry, to open up room in the statblock

That would be cool, but I think it has probably just gone out of fashion. IIRC the time dragons and gem dragons do not have it either

 

[dave2008]

no, I remember, I still think having distinct attacks rather than one generic Rend is better

I can see a case for both, but I think an iconic creature like a dragon, and an ancient one at that, should have lots of tools and just a single rend limits that. However, they did give it other cool toys to play with so I still think it is a better than the 2014 version in totality. And still not as good as my own dragons!