Juvenile Shadow Dragon

Medium Dragon, Chaotic Evil

AC: 15

Initiative: +4 (14)

HP: 45 (6d8 + 18)

Speed: 30 ft., climb 30 ft., fly 60 ft.

STR: 17 (+3)
DEX: 14 (+2)
CON: 17 (+3)
INT: 12 (+1)
WIS: 11 (+0)
CHA: 15 (+2)

Saving Throws: Dex +4

Skills: Perception +4, Stealth +6

Resistances: See Living Shadow

Immunities: necrotic

Senses: Blindsight 10 ft., Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 14

Languages: Common, Draconic

CR: 4 (XP 1,100; PB +2)

Habitat: Planar, Shadowfell, Underdark

Treasure: Any

Living Shadow.

While in Dim Light or Darkness, the dragon has Resistance to damage that isn't Force, Psychic, or Radiant.

Sunlight Sensitivity.

While in sunlight, the dragon has Disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls.

Actions

Multiattack.

The dragon makes two Rend attacks.

Rend.

Melee Attack Roll: +5, reach 10 ft. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) Slashing damage plus 3 (1d6) Necrotic damage.

Shadow Breath (Recharge 5-6).

Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 13, each creature in a 30-foot Cone. Failure: 17 (5d6) Necrotic damage. Success: Half damage. Failure or Success: A Humanoid reduced to 0 Hit Points by this damage dies, and a Shadow rises from its corpse. The shadow is under the dragon's control and shares the dragon's Initiative count but acts immediately after the dragon.

Bonus Actions

Shadow Stealth.

While in Dim Light or Darkness, the dragon takes the Hide action.

Find this creature in the encounter builder

Source: Monster Manual (2025), p. 275 - Licenses and attribution