Legendary Resistance (3/Day)
If the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Black Dragon, Ancient
Black Dragon, Ancient 5e reference with CR 21, type, stat block details, token resources, terrain tools, fear hooks, and monster hunt generation.
CR 21DragonLegendaryStat Block + PDFHunt Ready
Official SRD 5.2.1 Stat BlockDownload PDF
Overview
A colossal, ancient version of the black dragon with the same skull‑like face and curving horns but even more gaunt. Its scales are pitted and stained, and its wings are tattered; the stench of acid surrounds it.
Quick 5e Answer
Black Dragon, Ancient CR, type, stat block, and table tools
Black Dragon, Ancient is a CR 21 dragon for D&D 5e. This page includes AC 22, HP 367 (21d20 + 147), a ready stat block, a downloadable PDF, and connected encounter tools.
CR21
TypeDragon
Stat BlockOfficial SRD 5.2.1 Stat Block
PDF SheetAvailable
AC22
HP367 (21d20 + 147)
Official SRD 5.2.1 Stat Block
Ancient Black Dragon
Gargantuan, Dragon, Chaotic Evil
Official SRD5e-2024srd-5.2.1-v1PDF Ready
This stat block uses official SRD 5.2.1 content under CC-BY-4.0 attribution.
Armor Class22
Hit Points367 (21d20 + 147)
Challenge21 • 33,000 XP
Proficiency+7
- Speed
- Fly 80 ft., Swim 40 ft., Walk 40 ft.
- Initiative
- +2
- Saving Throws
- Cha +11, Con +14, Dex +9, Wis +9
- Skills
- Stealth +9, Perception +16
- Damage Immunities
- Acid
- Senses
- Blindsight 60 ft., Darkvision 120 ft.; Passive Perception 26
- Passive Perception
- 26
- Languages
- Draconic
STR27+8
DEX14+2
CON25+7
INT16+3
WIS15+2
CHA19+4
Traits
Amphibious
The dragon can breathe air and water.
Draconic Senses
The dragon has blindsight, darkvision, and keen awareness.
Actions
Multiattack
The dragon can use Frightful Presence. It then makes three attacks: one Bite and two Claw attacks.
Bite
Melee Attack Roll: +15, reach 10 ft. Hit: 19 (2d10 + 8) Piercing damage plus elemental damage based on the dragon color.
Claw
Melee Attack Roll: +15, reach 5 ft. Hit: 15 (2d6 + 8) Slashing damage.
Tail
Melee Attack Roll: +15, reach 15 ft. Hit: 17 (2d8 + 8) Bludgeoning damage.
Frightful Presence
Wisdom Saving Throw: each creature of the dragon choice within 120 feet. Failure: The target has the Frightened condition for 1 minute.
Breath Weapon (Recharge 5-6)
The dragon exhales a line of acid. Creatures in the area make a saving throw, taking Acid damage on a failure or half as much on a success.
Legendary Actions
Detect
The dragon makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
Tail Attack
The dragon makes one Tail attack with attack bonus +15.
Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions)
The dragon beats its wings. Nearby creatures must make a Dexterity saving throw or take Bludgeoning damage and fall Prone. The dragon can then fly up to half its flying speed.
Lair Actions
Acidic Mire
A pool, puddle, or stretch of wet ground within the lair churns with caustic slime until the next round. Creatures that enter it or start there take acid damage.
Grasping Bog
Roots, reeds, and sucking mud writhe in a chosen area. The area becomes difficult terrain, and creatures there must resist being restrained until the effect ends.
Rotting Miasma
A cloud of swamp gas blooms from cracks, water, or corpses. Creatures in the area must resist poison and obscured vision until the haze thins.
Regional Effects
Sour Water
Water within several miles tastes bitter, stains metal, and leaves an acidic film on stone and wood.
Drowned Paths
Trails sink, bridges rot early, and familiar routes through the swamp subtly shift toward the dragon's lair.
Vermin Chorus
Insects, leeches, frogs, and carrion birds gather in unnatural numbers and fall silent when the dragon is near.
Generate Terrain
Swamp
Base + optional customizer
Morning • Clear • Mud Flats • Reeds • Rotting Boardwalk
Coastal
Base + optional customizer
Morning • Clear • Sandy Beach • Low Tide • Shipwreck
Note: These resource links work best when you are logged in to ChatGPT in your browser.
Black Dragon, Ancient Token, Portrait, Chatbot, Terrain, Fear Hooks, Hunt Generator, and D&D 5e Resources
Black Dragon, Ancient 5e reference: CR 21 dragon, AC 22, HP 367 (21d20 + 147), PDF sheet, token, portrait, terrain, fear hooks, and hunt tools for Swamp,… This page is part of the complete Monster Almanac stat block library. It includes a official srd 5.2.1 stat block with a downloadable PDF sheet, plus connected prep tools. Use this Monster Almanac page to move from search result to table prep: read the quick 5e reference, open the stat block, download the PDF when available, generate a token or portrait prompt, build matching terrain, create a monster-bound fear hook, and turn Black Dragon, Ancient into a focused hunt.
Using Black Dragon, Ancient in play
Black Dragon, Ancient can be used in Swamp, Coastal when you want a CR 21 dragon that helps shape combat pressure, exploration tension, or narrative danger.
Black Dragon, Ancient is especially strong as a centerpiece threat, boss fight, regional terror, or memorable capstone encounter.
The attached official srd 5.2.1 stat block gives you a table-ready rules reference, and the PDF button keeps the sheet easy to print or save before the session.
This makes Black Dragon, Ancient useful not only as a monster reference, but also as a scene-shaping piece for travel danger, dungeon pressure, wilderness discovery, or a stronger narrative threat.
Why this monster is useful
- Fits naturally into Swamp, Coastal.
- Works as a CR 21 option for encounter building and pacing.
- Connects directly with a stat block, downloadable PDF, portrait, token, chatbot, terrain, fear hook, and hunt resources.
- Helps game masters move from reference to actual tabletop use more quickly.
Quick ideas for scene building
- Use Black Dragon, Ancient as a wandering threat tied to the local environment.
- Pair the monster with terrain from the environments shown above.
- Add an NPC witness, hunter, scholar, survivor, or fearful character to frame the danger.
- Open the chatbot resource to give the creature more roleplay or lore flavor.
- Use the hunt generator to turn this monster into a focused adventure hook.
Black Dragon, Ancient 5e quick FAQ
What CR is Black Dragon, Ancient in D&D 5e?
Black Dragon, Ancient is listed in Monster Almanac as a CR 21 dragon.
What type of monster is Black Dragon, Ancient?
Black Dragon, Ancient is listed as a dragon.
Does Black Dragon, Ancient have a 5e stat block?
Yes. This page includes a official srd 5.2.1 stat block and a downloadable PDF sheet.
Can I generate a token or hunt for Black Dragon, Ancient?
Yes. This page links to Black Dragon, Ancient token, portrait, chatbot, terrain, fear hook, and monster hunt tools for fast D&D prep.
Continue building the scene
After choosing Black Dragon, Ancient, the next step is usually to connect the monster with a place, an encounter shape, a supporting cast, or a character who fears it. Use the tools below to keep building without leaving the Monster Almanac workflow.