# Ancient Black Dragon

*Gargantuan Dragon (Chromatic), Chaotic Evil*

- **Armor Class:** 22
- **Hit Points:** 367 (21d20 + 147)
- **Speed:** 40 ft., Fly 80 ft., Swim 40 ft.
- **Initiative**: +6 (16)

|STAT|SCORE|MOD|SAVE|
| --- | --- | --- | ---- |
| STR | 27 | +8 | +8 |
| DEX | 14 | +2 | +9 |
| CON | 25 | +7 | +7 |
| INT | 16 | +3 | +3 |
| WIS | 15 | +2 | +9 |
| CHA | 22 | +6 | +6 |

- **Immunities**: Acid
- **Skills**: Perception +16, Stealth +9
- **Senses**: blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft.; Passive Perception 26
- **Languages**: Common, Draconic
- **CR** 21 (XP 33,000, or 41,000 in lair)

## Traits

***Amphibious.*** The dragon can breathe air and water.

***Legendary Resistance (4/Day, or 5/Day in Lair).*** If the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.


## Actions

***Multiattack.*** The dragon makes three Rend attacks. It can replace one attack with a use of Spellcasting to cast *Acid Arrow* (level 4 version).

***Rend.*** *Melee Attack Roll:* +15, reach 15 ft. 17 (2d8 + 8) Slashing damage plus 9 (2d8) Acid damage.

***Acid Breath (Recharge 5-6).*** *Dexterity Saving Throw*: DC 22, each creature in a 90-foot-long, 10-foot-wide Line. *Failure:*  67 (15d8) Acid damage. *Success:*  Half damage.

***Spellcasting.*** The dragon casts one of the following spells, requiring no Material components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 21, +13 to hit with spell attacks):

- **At Will:** *Detect Magic*, *Fear*, *Acid Arrow*
- **1e/Day Each:** *Create Undead*, *Speak with Dead*, *Vitriolic Sphere*

## Legendary Actions

***Cloud of Insects.*** *Dexterity Saving Throw*: DC 21, one creature the dragon can see within 120 feet. *Failure:*  33 (6d10) Poison damage, and the target has Disadvantage on saving throws to maintain  Concentration until the end of its next turn. *Failure or Success*:  The dragon can't take this action again until the start of its next turn.

***Frightful Presence.*** The dragon uses Spellcasting to cast *Fear*. The dragon can't take this action again until the start of its next turn.

***Pounce.*** The dragon moves up to half its Speed, and it makes one Rend attack.

