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System Reference Document 5.2.1
Ancient Black Dragon
Gargantuan Dragon (Chromatic), Chaotic Evil
AC 22  Initiative +16 (26)
HP 367 (21d20 + 147)
Speed 40 ft., Fly 80 ft., Swim 40 ft.
MOD SAVE MOD SAVE 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
Skills Perception +16, Stealth +9
Immunities Acid
Senses Blindsight 60 ft., Darkvision 120 ft.; 
Passive Perception 26
Languages Common, Draconic
CR 21 (XP 33,000, or 41,000 in lair; PB +7)
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 suc-
ceed 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. Hit: 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: Acid Arrow (level 4 version), Detect 
Magic, Fear
1/Day Each: Create Undead, Speak with Dead, Vitriolic 
Sphere (level 5 version)
Legendary Actions
Legendary Action Uses: 3 (4 in Lair). Immediately after 
another creature’s turn, the dragon can expend a use to 
take one of the following actions. The dragon regains all 
expended uses at the start of each of its turns.
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.
Black Pudding
Black Pudding
Large Ooze, Unaligned
AC 7  Initiative −3 (7)
HP 68 (8d10 + 24)
Speed 20 ft., Climb 20 ft.
MOD SAVE MOD SAVE MOD SAVE
Str 16 +3 +3 Dex 5 −3 −3 Con 16 +3 +3
Int 1 −5 −5 WIS 6 −2 −2 Cha 1 −5 −5
Immunities Acid, Cold, Lightning, Slashing; Charmed, 
Deafened, Exhaustion, Frightened, Grappled, Prone, 
Restrained
Senses Blindsight 60 ft.; Passive Perception 8
Languages None
CR 4 (XP 1,100; PB +2)
Traits
Amorphous. The pudding can move through a space 
as narrow as 1 inch without expending extra move-
ment to do so.
Corrosive Form. A creature that hits the pudding with a 
melee attack roll takes 4 (1d8) Acid damage. Nonmag-
ical ammunition is destroyed immediately after hitting 
the pudding and dealing any damage. Any nonmagical 
weapon takes a cumulative −1 penalty to attack rolls 
immediately after dealing damage to the pudding and 
coming into contact with it. The weapon is destroyed if 
the penalty reaches −5. The penalty can be removed by 
casting the Mending spell on the weapon. 
 In 1 minute, the pudding can eat through 2 feet of 
nonmagical wood or metal.
Spider Climb. The pudding can climb difficult surfaces, 
including along ceilings, without needing to make an 
ability check.
Actions
Dissolving Pseudopod. Melee Attack Roll: +5, reach 
10 ft. Hit: 17 (4d6 + 3) Acid damage. Nonmagical ar-
mor worn by the target takes a −1 penalty to the AC it 
offers. The armor is destroyed if the penalty reduces its 
AC to 10. The penalty can be removed by casting the 
Mending spell on the armor.
Reactions
Split. Trigger: While the pudding is Large or Medium 
and has 10+ Hit Points, it becomes Bloodied or is sub-
jected to Lightning or Slashing damage. Response: The 
pudding splits into two new Black Puddings. Each new 
pudding is one size smaller than the original pudding 
and acts on its Initiative. The original pudding’s Hit 