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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[Stalker0]

@Stalker0 I do want to follow up with you on the flavoring of Rend. You like that is flexible and can be reflavored* however you want. I agree with that idea. However, what if a want my attack to have different mechanics? A claw to push, a bite to grapple, a tail to stun, etc. Do those attacks then need a different action? Do those extra effects fall under reflavoring?

you could simply say:

Rend X damage. On a hit you can perform one of the following:

• push the creature 10 feet
• grapple the target (if you don't already have someon grappled)
• stun a target with Dc X con save (no more than 1/round)

something like that. Heck there is precedent for it, there are monsters that get a choice of options with the attacks.

 

[Crimson Longinus]

PS, no one really made a fuss about this with the time dragons in the Planescape books, see below. I noted it, but I don't really care to much about time dragons so I don't recall saying anything about it myself.

I didn't pay attention, as I think the bloat of dragon types is silly. Five chromatic dragons is all I need.

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

I personally like the move away from separate attacks that just deal different types of physical damage. It opens up space for more interesting actions/attacks and as a DM I can easily say “this rend is using its tail, so it deals bludgeoning damage instead of piercing.” Coming up with fun, unique actions/attacks is more difficult to design on the fly.

 

[dave2008]

I personally like the move away from separate attacks that just deal different types of physical damage. It opens up space for more interesting actions/attacks and as a DM I can easily say “this rend is using its tail, so it deals bludgeoning damage instead of piercing.” Coming up with fun, unique actions/attacks is more difficult to design on the fly.

sure, but the separate physical attacks could have fun unique traits too. The bite could grapple and swallow. The tail can push, knock prone, or stun (or all three). So I think there is a place of separate attacks on something as big and iconic as a dragon

 

[dave2008]

you could simply say:

Rend X damage. On a hit you can perform one of the following:

• push the creature 10 feet
• grapple the target (if you don't already have someon grappled)
• stun a target with Dc X con save (no more than 1/round)

something like that. Heck there is precedent for it, there are monsters that get a choice of options with the attacks.

yep, I thought of that and even started to make a sample dragon. But it didn't save much space and I don't really feel that is more simple than having 3 separate attacks. IDK, it is kind of 6 in one and a half dozen in the other. The bonus for separate attacks is it is very simple to understand from the get go. However, it is only really useful if there are significant differences between the attacks

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

sure, but the separate physical attacks could have fun unique traits too. The bite could grapple and swallow. The tail can push, knock prone, or stun (or all three). So I think there is a place of separate attacks on something as big and iconic as a dragon

Yeah, but that’s not how they were in 5e. I would enjoy that too, but I still prefer the catch all Rend over the previous system’s implementation.

 

[dave2008]

OK, I did a little experiment with the Ancient Green, see below. First is the preview anceint green and second is a mildly revised ancient green with a bite and tail attack added. It takes up almost the same space, but provide more interersting options IMO. What do you think.

Disclaimer: This is not my take on an ancient green, just trying to see if rend only has value.

WotC 2024 Ancient Green:

Dave2008 revision to 2024 green:

Combo of the two w/ wing attack:

 

[MonsterEnvy]

OK, I did a little experiment with the Ancient Green, see below. First is the preview anceint green and second is a mildly revised ancient green with a bite and tail attack added. It takes up almost the same space, but provide more interersting options IMO. What do you think.

Disclaimer: This is not my take on an ancient green, just trying to see if rend only has value.

WotC 2024 Ancient Green:
View attachment 375172

Dave2008 revision to 2024 green:
View attachment 375173

Why did you take away several of its traits?

 

[Blue]

I think I like the idea of making Legendary Actions just Reactions. It was a distinction without a difference to account for having more than one. Although, a successful slow spell can really turn the tide now (you know, after getting past Legendary Resistance).

I'm not so sure that I like spells like Shocking Grasp suddenly being worth spending a Legendary Resistance on so that they don't lose the ability to do reactions. It seems like it's making an additional category of save-or-suck spells, but only against solo creatures.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

I'm not so sure that I like spells like Shocking Grasp suddenly being worth spending a Legendary Resistance on so that they don't lose the ability to do reactions. It seems like it's making an additional category of save-or-suck spells, but only against solo creatures.

Shocking Grasp works differently now. I recall it only affecting opportunity attacks now.