Adult Red Dragon

Huge Dragon (Chromatic), Chaotic Evil

AC: 19

Initiative: +12 (22)

HP: 256 (19d12 + 133)

Speed: 40 ft., climb 40 ft., fly 80 ft.

STR
27 (+8)
DEX
10 (+0)
CON
25 (+7)
INT
16 (+3)
WIS
13 (+1)
CHA
23 (+6)

Saving Throws: Dex +6, Wis +7

Skills: Perception +13, Stealth +6

Immunities: fire

Senses: Blindsight 60 ft., Darkvision 120 ft., Passive Perception 23

Languages: Common, Draconic

CR: 17 (XP 18,000, or 20,000 in lair; PB +6)

Habitat: Hill, Mountain

Treasure: Any

Legendary Resistance (3/Day, or 4/Day in Lair).

If the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

Spellcasting.

The dragon casts one of the following spells, requiring no Material components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 20, +12 to hit with spell attacks):

At will: Command (level 2 version), Detect Magic, Scorching Ray

1/day: Fireball

Actions

Multiattack.

The dragon makes three Rend attacks. It can replace one attack with a use of Spellcasting to cast Scorching Ray.

Rend.

Melee Attack Roll: +14, reach 10 ft. Hit: 13 (1d10 + 8) Slashing damage plus 5 (2d4) Fire damage.

Fire Breath (Recharge 5-6).

Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 21, each creature in a 60-foot Cone. Failure: 59 (17d6) Fire damage. Success: Half damage.

Legendary Actions

Legendary Action Uses: 3 (4 in Lair). Immediately after another creature's turn, this creature can expend a use to take one of the following actions; it regains all expended uses at the start of each of its turns.

Commanding Presence.

The dragon uses Spellcasting to cast Command (level 2 version). The dragon can't take this action again until the start of its next turn.

Fiery Rays.

The dragon uses Spellcasting to cast Scorching Ray. 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.

Regional Effects

The region containing an adult or ancient red dragon's lair is warped by its presence, creating the following effects:

  • Burning Heat.

    The area within 1 mile of the lair is an area of extreme heat. A burning creature or object takes an additional 1d4 Fire damage at the start of each of its turns.

  • Smoldering Haze.

    The area within 1 mile of the lair is Lightly Obscured with clouds of ash. Whenever a creature other than the dragon or one of its allies finishes a Long Rest in that area, that creature must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or have the Poisoned condition for 1 hour.

If the dragon dies or moves its lair elsewhere, these effects end immediately.

Find this creature in the encounter builder

Adult Red Dragon

Source: Monster Manual (2025), p. 255 - Licenses and attribution