Bronze Dragons
Bronze Dragon Wyrmling
- Size: Medium
- Type: Dragon (Metallic)
- Alignment: Lawful Good
- AC: 15
- Initiative: +2 (12)
- HP: 39(6d8+12)
- Speed: 30 ft, Fly 60 ft ., Swim 30 ft .
| ATTR | VAL | MOD | SAVE |
|---|---|---|---|
| STR | 17 | +3 | +3 |
| Dex | 10 | +0 | +0 |
| Con | 15 | +2 | +2 |
| INT | 12 | +1 | +1 |
| Wis | 11 | +0 | +0 |
| CHA | 15 | +2 | +2 |
- Skills: Perception +4 , Stealth +2
- Immunities: Lightning
- Senses: Blindsight 10 ft ., Darkvision 60 ft .; Passive Perception 14
- Languages: Draconic
- CR: 2 (XP 450; PB +2)
Traits
Amphibious. The dragon can breathe air and water.
Actions
Multiattack. The dragon makes two Rend attacks.
Rend. Melee Attack Roll: +5 , reach 5 ft . Hit: 8 (1d10 +3 ) Slashing damage.
Lightning Breath (Recharge 5-6). Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 12, each creature in a 40 -foot-long, 5 -foot-wide Line. Failure: 16 (3d10) Lightning damage. Success: Half damage.
Repulsion Breath. Strength Saving Throw: DC 12, each creature in a 30 -foot Cone. Failure: The target is pushed up to 30 feet straight away from the dragon and has the Prone condition.
Young Bronze Dragon
- Size: Large
- Type: Dragon (Metallic)
- Alignment: Lawful Good
- AC: 17
- Initiative: +3 (13)
- HP: 142 (15d10 + 60)
- Speed: 40 ft, Fly 80 ft ., Swim 40 ft .
| ATTR | VAL | MOD | SAVE |
|---|---|---|---|
| STR | 21 | +5 | +5 |
| Dex | 10 | +0 | +3 |
| Con | 19 | +4 | +4 |
| INT | 14 | +2 | +2 |
| Wis | 13 | +1 | +4 |
| CHA | 17 | +3 | +3 |
- Skills: Insight +4 , Perception +7 , Stealth +3
- Immunities: Lightning
- Senses: Blindsight 30 ft ., Darkvision 120 ft .; Passive Perception 17
- Languages: Common, Draconic
- CR: 8 (XP 3,900; PB +3 )
Traits
Amphibious. The dragon can breathe air and water.
Actions
Multiattack. The dragon makes three Rend attacks. It can replace one attack with a use of Repulsion Breath.
Rend. Melee Attack Roll: +8 , reach 10 ft . Hit: 16 (2d10 +5 ) Slashing damage.
Lightning Breath (Recharge 5-6). Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 15, each creature in a 60 -foot-long, 5 -foot-wide Line. Failure: 49 (9d10) Lightning damage. Success: Half damage.
Repulsion Breath. Strength Saving Throw: DC 15, each creature in a 30 -foot Cone. Failure: The target is pushed up to 40 feet straight away from the dragon and has the Prone condition.
Adult Bronze Dragon
- Size: Huge
- Type: Dragon (Metallic)
- Alignment: Lawful Good
- AC: 18
- Initiative: +10 (20)
- HP: 212 (17d12 + 102)
- Speed: 40 ft, Fly 80 ft ., Swim 40 ft .
| ATTR | VAL | MOD | SAVE |
|---|---|---|---|
| STR | 25 | +7 | +7 |
| Dex | 10 | +0 | +5 |
| Con | 23 | +6 | +6 |
| INT | 16 | +3 | +3 |
| Wis | 15 | +2 | +7 |
| CHA | 20 | +5 | +5 |
- Skills: Insight +7 , Perception +12 , Stealth +5
- Immunities: Lightning
- Senses: Blindsight 60 ft., Darkvision 120 ft.; Passive Perception 22
- Languages: Common, Draconic
- CR: 15 (XP 13,000, or 15,000 in lair; PB +5 )
Traits
Amphibious. The dragon can breathe air and water.
Legendary Resistance (3/Day, or 4/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 (A) Repulsion Breath or (B) Spellcasting to cast Guiding Bolt (level 2 version).
Rend. Melee Attack Roll: +12 , reach 10 ft . Hit: 16 (2d8 + 7) Slashing damage plus 5 (1d10) Lightning damage.
Lightning Breath (Recharge 5-6). Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 19, each creature in a 90 -foot-long, 5 -foot-wide Line. Failure: 55 (10d10) Lightning damage. Success: Half damage.
Repulsion Breath. Strength Saving Throw: DC 19, each creature in a 30 -foot Cone. Failure: The target is pushed up to 60 feet straight away from the dragon and has the Prone condition.
Spellcasting. The dragon casts one of the following spells, requiring no Material components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 17, +10 to hit with spell attacks):
At Will: Detect Magic, Guiding Bolt (level 2 version), Shapechange (Beast or Humanoid form only, no Temporary Hit Points gained from the spell, and no Concentration or Temporary Hit Points required to maintain the spell), Speak with Animals, Thaumaturgy 1/Day Each: Detect Thoughts, Water Breathing
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.
Guiding Light. The dragon uses Spellcasting to cast Guiding Bolt (level 2 version).
Pounce. The dragon moves up to half its Speed, and it makes one Rend attack.
Thunderclap. Constitution Saving Throw: DC 17, each creature in a 20 -foot-radius Sphere centered on a point the dragon can see within 90 feet. Failure: 10 (3d6) Thunder damage, and the target has the Deafened condition until the end of its next turn.
Ancient Bronze Dragon
- Size: Gargantuan
- Type: Dragon (Metallic)
- Alignment: Lawful Good
- AC: 22
- Initiative: +14 (24)
- HP: 444 (24d20 + 192)
- Speed: 40 ft, Fly 80 ft ., Swim 40 ft .
| ATTR | VAL | MOD | SAVE |
|---|---|---|---|
| STR | 29 | +9 | +9 |
| Dex | 10 | +0 | +7 |
| Con | 27 | +8 | +8 |
| INT | 18 | +4 | +4 |
| Wis | 17 | +3 | +10 |
| CHA | 25 | +7 | +7 |
- Skills: Insight +10 , Perception +17 , Stealth +7
- Immunities: Lightning
- Senses: Blindsight 60 ft ., Darkvision 120 ft .; Passive Perception 27
- Languages: Common, Draconic
- CR: 22 (XP 41,000, or 50,000 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 succeed instead.
Actions
Multiattack. The dragon makes three Rend attacks. It can replace one attack with a use of (A) Repulsion Breath or (B) Spellcasting to cast Guiding Bolt (level 2 version).
Rend. Melee Attack Roll: +16 , reach 15 ft . Hit: 18 (2d8 +9 ) Slashing damage plus 9 (2d8) Lightning damage.
Lightning Breath (Recharge 5-6). Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 23, each creature in a 120 -foot-long, 10 -foot-wide Line. Failure: 82 (15d10) Lightning damage. Success: Half damage.
Repulsion Breath. Strength Saving Throw: DC 23, each creature in a 30 -foot Cone. Failure: The target is pushed up to 60 feet straight away from the dragon and has the Prone condition.
Spellcasting. The dragon casts one of the following spells, requiring no Material components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 22, +14 to hit with spell attacks):
At Will: Detect Magic, Guiding Bolt (level 2 version), Shapechange (Beast or Humanoid form only, no Temporary Hit Points gained from the spell, and no Concentration or Temporary Hit Points required to maintain the spell), Speak with Animals, Thaumaturgy 1/Day Each: Detect Thoughts, Control Water, Scrying, Water Breathing
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.
Guiding Light. The dragon uses Spellcasting to cast Guiding Bolt (level 2 version).
Pounce. The dragon moves up to half its Speed, and it makes one Rend attack.
Thunderclap. Constitution Saving Throw: DC 22, each creature in a 20 -foot-radius Sphere centered on a point the dragon can see within 120 feet. Failure: 13 (3d8) Thunder damage, and the target has the Deafened condition until the end of its next turn.
Lore & Background
Bronze dragons are noble guardians of coastlines and maritime regions, embodying the power of both sea and storm. These magnificent creatures possess a strong sense of duty and justice, often taking active roles in protecting shipping lanes, coastal communities, and marine ecosystems. Their bronze-colored scales shimmer with green highlights that reflect their deep connection to water.
These dragons are natural protectors who view themselves as stewards of the seas and those who depend on them. They maintain extensive networks of allies among sailors, coastal dwellers, and aquatic creatures, serving as both protectors and judges in maritime disputes. Their sense of justice is tempered by practical wisdom gained from centuries of experience.
Bronze dragons are fascinated by military strategy and tactics, often studying historical battles and serving as advisors to military leaders. They possess an innate understanding of warfare that combines their draconic might with sophisticated tactical thinking, making them formidable allies in times of conflict.
Combat Tactics
Bronze dragons are strategic combatants who combine their lightning breath with superior mobility and tactical positioning. They prefer to fight over or near water where their swimming ability provides additional advantages and escape routes.
These dragons often begin combat by using their repulsion breath to control positioning, pushing enemies into disadvantageous terrain or separating groups. They follow up with lightning attacks while using their flight and swimming abilities to stay mobile and avoid concentrated enemy fire.
Bronze dragons are willing to work closely with allies, using their tactical knowledge to coordinate group efforts. They view combat as a serious endeavor requiring careful planning and execution rather than mere displays of power.
Encounter Ideas
The Harbor Guardian: A bronze dragon protects a major port city from pirates and sea monsters, but political complications arise when it begins enforcing its own interpretation of maritime law.
The Storm Prophet: The dragon's weather powers have attracted the attention of desperate farmers facing drought, creating conflicts between maritime and agricultural interests.
The Naval Commander: During wartime, the bronze dragon serves as a strategic advisor and combatant, but its involvement raises questions about draconic neutrality in mortal conflicts.
The Lost Fleet: The dragon seeks help investigating the disappearance of ships in its territory, leading to discoveries of underwater threats or hidden enemies.
Lair Features
Bronze dragon lairs reflect their maritime nature and military interests:
- Tidal Pools: Natural or artificial pools that allow the dragon to maintain connection with the sea
- War Rooms: Chambers filled with maps, tactical displays, and military intelligence
- Signal Networks: Systems for communicating with ships and coastal allies across vast distances
- Armories: Collections of weapons and armor from various maritime cultures and historical periods
- Underwater Entrances: Hidden passages that allow access from the sea without detection
Treasure
Bronze dragons collect items related to maritime power and military history:
Naval Artifacts: Historical weapons, navigation instruments, and ship components from famous vessels.
Military Intelligence: Maps, battle plans, and strategic documents that provide insights into regional conflicts.
Storm Gems: Crystalline formations that capture electrical energy from storms, valuable for magical purposes.
Alliance Tokens: Gifts and symbols of friendship from various coastal communities and maritime organizations.
Plot Hooks
The Neutral Zone: The dragon attempts to enforce peace in contested waters, but its efforts complicate existing treaties and alliances between maritime powers.
The Ancient Enemy: An old foe of the dragon has returned from the depths, threatening both the dragon's territory and innocent shipping in the region.
The Weather War: The dragon's storm powers become crucial in a conflict where control of weather patterns determines the outcome of battles.
The Maritime Alliance: The dragon seeks to unite various coastal communities against a common threat, requiring diplomatic skills and strategic thinking from potential allies.