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.

​

 

[mamba]

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.

It probably is a little better, but to me it would still be better to have distinct attacks, and a tail swipe reaction

 

[mamba]

And I'll happily lose "swat them with my tail" as a distinct attack to get a miasma reaction cloud and multiple spells.

except that this is a false dichotomy, it could gain that and more and keep the tail swipe

 

[Tales and Chronicles]

That would be weird. I guess they could make it a Red Dragon exclusive, but Dragon Fear is beyond iconic.

Temporary fix until we see more of about dragons:

Dragonfear: When you roll initiative against a dragon, you must make a Wis save against a DC equal the dragon's DC or be frightened of it until the end of your next turn. You must make the save again when the dragon uses its breath or score a critical hit.

 

[Crimson Longinus]

Also, while they aren't unique, this does do something else I really like.

A green dragon's claws? Poisonous. Their tail attack? Poisonous. Their wings? Poisonous.

By making Rend one attack, this dragon is literally always oozing poison from every scale of their body. Which is a fun visual.

That is exactly what I don't like it. Poison bite? Sure. Poison wings? Eh...

And It will be even weirder with fire wings etc.

 

[Hexmage-EN]

I am wondering how the designer of the ancient green dragon expects the fight to go. As written, it can potentially target creatures with its at-will charm monster spell 8 to 10 times per round. Does the dragon just pacify everyone and then pick them off one by one after that?

 

[Sulicius]

I am wondering how the designer of the ancient green dragon expects the fight to go. As written, it can potentially target creatures with its at-will charm monster spell 8 to 10 times per round. Does the dragon just pacify everyone and then pick them off one by one after that?

The dragon can still only concentrate on one spell at a time

 

[Crimson Longinus]

I am wondering how the designer of the ancient green dragon expects the fight to go. As written, it can potentially target creatures with its at-will charm monster spell 8 to 10 times per round. Does the dragon just pacify everyone and then pick them off one by one after that?

That is very dangerous, but it doesn't sound like a satisfying and exiting fight to me.

 

[Crimson Longinus]

I whish dragons could do more exiting things with their attacks. Why cannot a lizard size of a buss knock people around with their tail, or just eat them whole? Some other monsters have such mechanics, why not dragons?

 

[dave2008]

It probably is a little better, but to me it would still be better to have distinct attacks, and a tail swipe reaction

As I mentioned I do like distinct actions, though I can see how to flavor the rend as any of them. However, I don't like the tail attack as a reaction for a beast this size. I would make it an action.

 

[dave2008]

That is exactly what I don't like it. Poison bite? Sure. Poison wings? Eh...

And It will be even weirder with fire wings etc.

It works for me. I can see everything about the dragon being poisonous. I still prefer separate attacks, but I'm fine with poison everywhere!