This document updates the MM1 chromatic dragons (and the dracolich) with the new solo
guidelines laid out in DMG2, the monster design philosophy and format of MM3, along with
some new powers I’ve made up to make these dragons more interesting tougher opponents,
and to highlight their “core concept” and role. I’ve given the chromatic dragons a more
predatory and fierce feel to differentiate them from their metallic kin. Chromatic dragons are
vain, greedy, and predatory creatures; canny adventurers can exploit these traits to gain the upper hand against these dragons.
Here are the “core concepts” of each chromatic dragon:
• Black: Lurking horrors attacking from shadows and dragging prey away.
• Blue: Masters of the sky nearly undefeatable while airborne.
• Green: Cunning deceivers who never fight fair and set up pitched battles.
• Red: Malign wyrms of vast power that bask in the adulation of mortals.
• White: Blood-thirsty beasts with a single-minded focus on their next meal.
• Dracolich: Utterly terrifying monstrosities which sap the life from their foes.
Here’s a summary of the changes I made:
• Adjusted Hit Points: Quadruple (x4) not quintuple (x5) for monsters 11th level or higher.
• Damage: Double static damage (e.g. 1d8+5 becomes 1d8+10).
• Lowered Defenses: Reduce AC and two lower defenses by 2 each.
• Avoid “Stun Lock”: Each chromatic has a different way it can shake off conditions.
• Better When Bloodied: In addition to the bloodied breath of all dragons, each chromatic
has one of its powers improved when it is bloodied.
• “Predatory” Power: Adult and older chromatics have a new “predatory” power.
• Replaced Resistance: A more exciting feature has replaced the chromatic’s resistance.
• Vulnerability: Each chromatic now has a unique vulnerability savvy heroes can exploit.
A fight with a chromatic dragon shouldn’t drag on. It should be one of the most dynamic fights in the game. Hope these revised chromatic dragons take the “drag” out, and turn “on” the awesome in your game."
