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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[dave2008]

WotC have a come a long way, but they remain 5-10 years behind in designing monsters IMO.

It is not about being behind the times, I mean most people still consider 4e monster design some of the best and that was WotC 16 years ago! It is just a difference in philosophy.

I do agree a tail attack of some sort would be appreciated.

 

[Stalker0]

Where is the tail sweep? Look at that picture, why does a dragon like that not have a tail sweep?

Its possible this is a green dragon thing. Perhaps green dragon tails just aren't that strong compared to other dragons? if that's the case I am fine with it. Again the green is more a mental creature than a physical one (even if it is a dragon physically its a lot weaker than other kinds)

 

[AnotherGuy]

Its possible this is a green dragon thing. Perhaps green dragon tails just aren't that strong compared to other dragons? if that's the case I am fine with it. Again the green is more a mental creature than a physical one (even if it is a dragon physically its a lot weaker than other kinds)

Ok and the wing buffet?

 

[dave2008]

Its possible this is a green dragon thing. Perhaps green dragon tails just aren't that strong compared to other dragons? if that's the case I am fine with it. Again the green is more a mental creature than a physical one (even if it is a dragon physically its a lot weaker than other kinds)

FYI, in the previews they mentioned that the black is physically weaker than the other dragons, not the green. Not how I handle them, but that is what they said?!

 

[dave2008]

Ok and the wing buffet?

In 1e we had claw/claw/bite and that was it. Don't get greedy!

 

[Stalker0]

It is just a difference in philosophy.

I will agree that part of my issue with WOTC monster design is (especially at high levels) is their assumptions about party competencies.

Now personally I have no issues with assuming "newbie" status at low levels. A lot of players at those levels are new to the game or new to their characters...and so yeah you want to be a bit more softball.

But to me, if your playing 15+ level dnd.....then you better bring it. This isn't amateur hour, you should have a good understanding of dnd, and likely have played your character for a while. Now sure people do a 20th level one shot for fun, but that shouldn't be the assumed norm. And further, high level dnd has tons of ways to correct for mistakes. If your party messed up and someone died, ressurection is SUPER EASY. I mean hell if the party TPKs, they probably have an in with a god at that level anyway so maybe they get sent back "just because".

So that is my philosophical disagreement. I think WOTC designs both low and high level monsters with casual groups in mind, and I don't agree with that.

 

[dave2008]

I will agree that part of my issue with WOTC monster design is (especially at high levels) is their assumptions about party competencies.

Now personally I have no issues with assuming "newbie" status at low levels. A lot of players at those levels are new to the game or new to their characters...and so yeah you want to be a bit more softball.

But to me, if your playing 15+ level dnd.....then you better bring it. This isn't amateur hour, you should have a good understanding of dnd, and likely have played your character for a while. Now sure people do a 20th level one shot for fun, but that shouldn't be the assumed norm. And further, high level dnd has tons of ways to correct for mistakes. If your party messed up and someone died, ressurection is SUPER EASY. I mean hell if the party TPKs, they probably have an in with a god at that level anyway so maybe they get sent back "just because".

So that is my philosophical disagreement. I think WOTC designs both low and high level monsters with casual groups in mind, and I don't agree with that.

That was not the philosophy I was referring to, but I agree with your thoughts here.

 

[AnotherGuy]

Besides blowing back your enemies with a wing buffet, you could have an ability to push a missile off course as a parry-like reaction, possibly include a rend with a grapple for its bite on a crit or +5 over the mark, a missed claw attack would require forced movement to successfully dodge... and so much more. Anyways it is what it is.

 

[Zaukrie]

Since the word "bloodied" supposedly re-appears in this edition, I had high hopes that we'd see the feature return that breath weapons recharge when the dragon becomes bloodied. That was one of the simplest but coolest rules in 4e and I wanted to see it back. Too bad. Easy enough to house rule, though.

EDIT: confirmed that bloodied is an official term in the new PHB. Makes this even more of a shame.

Agreed.

Overall, this looks like an improvement in layout, ease of use, and effectiveness of this creature. So that's great. Still not how I'd last things out, but that's fine.

 

[Zaukrie]

Besides blowing back your enemies with a wing buffet, you could have an ability to push a missile off course as a parry-like reaction, possibly include a rend with a grapple for its bite on a crit or +5 over the mark, a missed claw attack would require forced movement to successfully dodge... and so much more. Anyways it is what it is.

That's why I added this stuff in some work I did. Way more controller abilities for these massive, powerful, beings.