D&D (2024) Another look at Dragons: CR 27 Ancient Red Dragon

[dave2008]

I am in the process of updating some stat blocks to the 2024 standards for my forthcoming Tiamat "book." The first one I am looking at is for an Ancient Red Dragon consort of Tiamat. Using the new rules and revising how damage is applied I think I have a much more threatening monster. What are your thoughts?

PS - This is a draft, I still need to clean some things up.

Here is the 2024 CR version. I increased AC, HP, and damage. I nerfed its draconic recovery and reduced its proficient saving throws from 4 - 2 (this gave more HP/DPR to work with). I also removed the Legendary Reactions (most became Legendary Actions), but they were not calculated into the 2014 CR because they didn't cause damage.

Here was my 2014 CR version.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

I don't understand how draconic actions and exarch of tiamat work together. Are draconic actions only availavle after exarch of tiamat activates?
It does not say so in the draconic action entry.

Also is recharge breath weapon not a bad use of an action if it has only 1/3 chance to work?
Edit: ah. I see: it is an action that recharges on a 5 or 6.

 

[TiQuinn]

I am in the process of updating some stat blocks to the 2024 standards for my forthcoming Tiamat "book." The first one I am looking at is for an Ancient Red Dragon consort of Tiamat. Using the new rules and revising how damage is applied I think I have a much more threatening monster. What are your thoughts?

PS - This is a draft, I still need to clean some things up.

View attachment 398285

So your dragon’s fire breath isn’t a cone but something more like a shapable cloud?

 

[Reynard]

@dave2008 Do you mind linking the previous version. I am curious what needed to be updated to match 2024.

 

[Matrix Sorcica]

I am not sure I like the 'use legendary actions to use breath' model. Does it not just result in the dragon having less stuff to do when it's trying to solo a party? Could you give a few words what's the idea here?

Also a bit sceptical that any creature, no matter who, is knocked prone on a rend.

Besides that - awesome!

 

[Reynard]

I am not sure I like the 'use legendary actions to use breath' model. Does it not just result in the dragon having less stuff to do when it's trying to solo a party? Could you give a few words what's the idea here?

That breath is a nuke tho, so my guess is that it is necessary to hit the damage math.

Also a bit sceptical that any creature, no matter who, is knocked prone on a rend.

Yeah. Maybe "creatures smaller than colossal are knocked prone."

 

[GreatestHonor]

1. I like the charging breath mechanic. Gives a brief chance to almost certain death.

2. In the Colossal trait, i would change “pushed” to “forcibly moved”, so that Ephelmon cannot be pulled either.

3. Will you add the “War Party” action you had before where he could summon githyanki?

4. Also, why power word kill? I’m not complaining, but I wouldn’t think to add that to a dragon necessarily. Have i missed some lore for Ephelemon?

5. I see that he cannot shapeshift. Have you stopped giving that to dragons or is that for another reason?

 

[dave2008]

I don't understand how draconic actions and exarch of tiamat work together. Are draconic actions only availavle after exarch of tiamat activates?
It does not say so in the draconic action entry.

Also is recharge breath weapon not a bad use of an action if it has only 1/3 chance to work?
Edit: ah. I see: it is an action that recharges on a 5 or 6.

Draconic Actions become active when Exarch of Tiamat activates (like mythic actions). I thought it is redundant to mention that in both places, but I will look at that again and see if I can make it more clear

 

[aco175]

I'm not sure on this power. I like the idea of it, but it feels like a gotcha to the players. Shouldn't it just be built in to the base stats and it an 'Exarch' bonus of 300hp and +2 to CR or such?

Picky, but dispel not dispell. Also not sure if spells are capitalized in the new books.

 

[dave2008]

So your dragon’s fire breath isn’t a cone but something more like a shapable cloud?

Actually, I imagine it as a narrow cone (20' wide at the base) and the dragon moves its head around to cover a larger area (could be 40' "line" or roughly cone shape or whatever).