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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[Ben Hidu]

Not exactly surprised: there are things I like and things I don't.

So this seems to confirm that Legendary Actions are gone, the may have also gotten rid of Lair Actions (can't be 100% sure from what we have here), which would be a shame, as this stat block has modifiers for when it is in its lair. I don't like the lack of separate bite and claw attacks nor the lack of damage in the rend attack. I do like that this is clearly a "green dragon" stat block and not just a dragon stat block with poison breath.

I also thought breath weapon damage and HP would go down, but they kept it the same and upped respectively.

Rend should do more damage, but the reactions are interesting and the spellcasting is appreciated.

It also got a significant Charisma bump

I'm thinking there will be more on green dragon lairs including lair actions on the next page. Otherwise they'd be removing both lair actions and regional effects. Also I have a hard time believing that just one extra legendary resistance is worth 9,000 xp

 

[dave2008]

I'm thinking there will be more on green dragon lairs including lair actions on the next page. Otherwise they'd be removing both lair actions and regional effects. Also I have a hard time believing that just one extra legendary resistance is worth 9,000 xp

FYI, in a recent interview they claimed people didn't use lair actions because they were not in the stat block. That was the reason for the change, That makes me think lair actions are gone from the 2024 book (though not gone as I can still use my 2014 and Fizban's of course).

Also, the dragon gets one extra use of Legendary Resistance and one extra Reaction in its lair. So it essentially gains 30 extra HP and deals an extra 27 damage (IIRC). So that is the reason for the XP bump

 

[Shardstone]

FYI, in a recent interview they claimed people didn't use lair actions because they were not in the stat block. That was the reason for the change, That makes me think lair actions are gone from the 2024 book (though not gone as I can still use my 2014 and Fizban's of course).

Also, the dragon gets one extra use of Legendary Resistance and one extra Reaction in its lair. So it essentially gains 30 extra HP and deals an extra 27 damage (IIRC). So that is the reason for the XP bump

Lair actions being gone would absolutely suck.

But, I expected this. I like their innovations with Reactions, but this just tells me that once again, the best monster are monsters you design yourself and that draw from a number of different disciplines.

I've started using three different types of stat block lately; Mearls has invented two more on his patreon; and I've started using your Legendary Action Pool and your "big monster, multiple stat blocks for each piece) stat-block styles as well. With over 7 different ways to design stat blocks, each allowing for very different tactical experiences, my combats have become fresh and fun again. It's a shame WotC will never understand the wealth of genius out in its third party areas, because this could be a game where combat is actually top-tier fun but instead it's not.

 

[TheDungeonMathster]

FYI, in a recent interview they claimed people didn't use lair actions because they were not in the stat block. That was the reason for the change, That makes me think lair actions are gone from the 2024 book (though not gone as I can still use my 2014 and Fizban's of course).

Also, the dragon gets one extra use of Legendary Resistance and one extra Reaction in its lair. So it essentially gains 30 extra HP and deals an extra 27 damage (IIRC). So that is the reason for the XP bump

How do you get the 30 extra hit points from one legendary resistance?

 

[Thommy H-H]

How do you get the 30 extra hit points from one legendary resistance?

That's how much each use of Legendary Resistance adds to the effective hit points for the purposes of calculating CR, for a creature of CR 11 or higher.

 

[TheDungeonMathster]

Shoot... I wish I knew that. Where does it reference that? Is it in the DMG? (Sorry, I shouldn't be lazy... I will also try to look for it).

 

[TheDungeonMathster]

That's how much each use of Legendary Resistance adds to the effective hit points for the purposes of calculating CR, for a creature of CR 11 or higher.

Nevermind. I found it. Thanks.

 

[dave2008]

How do you get the 30 extra hit points from one legendary resistance?

As others have pointed out - it is in the DMG. Since you missed this, here are a few other things people often miss:

• Magic resistance adds +2 to effective AC
• prof. in 3-4 saves adds +2 to effective AC
• prof. in 5-6 saves adds +4 to effective AC

 

[TheDungeonMathster]

As others have pointed out - it is in the DMG. Since you missed this, here are a few other things people often miss:

• Magic resistance adds +2 to effective AC
• prof. in 3-4 saves adds +2 to effective AC
• prof. in 5-6 saves adds +4 to effective AC

Completely off-topic, so I will ask there, but why doesn't A5E take those into account?

 

[Siravia]

FYI, in a recent interview they claimed people didn't use lair actions because they were not in the stat block. That was the reason for the change, That makes me think lair actions are gone from the 2024 book (though not gone as I can still use my 2014 and Fizban's of course).

Also, the dragon gets one extra use of Legendary Resistance and one extra Reaction in its lair. So it essentially gains 30 extra HP and deals an extra 27 damage (IIRC). So that is the reason for the XP bump

Which interview? Would love to read