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| Source | Monster Manual 🛒 |
|---|---|
| Size | Gargantuan |
| Type | dragon |
| Alignment | chaotic good |
| Armor Class | 20 (natural) |
| Hit Points | 297 (17d20) |
| Challenge Rating | 20 (25000 XP) |
| Ability Scores | STR 27, DEX 10, CON 25, INT 16, WIS 15, CHA 19 |
| Full rules | open5e.com ↗ |
The Ancient Brass Dragon is far more than just another powerful opponent – it embodies the perfect blend of devastating combat abilities and fascinating personality. These mighty brass dragons are known for their love of conversation and philosophical discussions, making them unique encounters in any D&D campaign.
A Dragon of Extremes
With a challenge rating of 20, the Ancient Brass Dragon belongs to the most dangerous creatures in the Monster Manual 🛒. Its 297 hit points and an armor class of 20 make it a true colossus that challenges even experienced adventurers. Particularly impressive is its immunity to fire damage – an advantage it knows how to use skillfully.
The chaotic good alignment distinguishes it from many other powerful dragons. It’s not a blindly raging destroyer, but a complex character with its own motivations and convictions. This trait opens countless narrative possibilities for Dungeon Masters beyond the classic “kill the dragon” scenario.
Deadly Versatility in Combat
In combat, the Ancient Brass Dragon shows its true power through two different breath weapons. Its fire breath transforms a 90-foot line into an inferno, while its sleep breath renders opponents unconscious for up to 10 minutes in a 90-foot cone. This versatility makes it unpredictable – your players never know which weapon will be used next.
Its *Frightful Presence* can strike entire groups with fear and terror, while its legendary actions ensure it remains dangerous even between character turns. Particularly the *Wing Attack* can completely change the battlefield by knocking opponents prone and opening new positioning opportunities for the dragon.
Shapechanging as a Narrative Tool
The *Change Shape* ability makes the Ancient Brass Dragon a master of deception. It can walk among mortals in humanoid or animal form, weave intrigues, or appear as a mysterious mentor. This shapeshifting ability opens endless storytelling possibilities – perhaps the friendly innkeeper was an ancient dragon all along!
Use in the Campaign
Ancient Brass Dragons are perfect as complex NPCs that go far beyond simple end bosses. They could function as wise advisors who trade their centuries-old knowledge for interesting stories. Or they become powerful allies whose help comes at a high price. In desert campaigns, they can appear as rulers of vast territories, whose favor determines the success or failure of a mission.
For Dungeon Masters seeking epic encounters, the Dungeon Master’s Guide 🛒 offers further ideas for integrating such powerful creatures. The Ancient Brass Dragon is definitely an opponent that can shape an entire campaign!
This article was created using AI, based on data from the 5e-database project (D&D 5e System Reference Document, licensed under CC BY 4.0).
