- Armor Class
- 22 (natural armor)
- Hit Points
- 487 (25d20+225)
- Speed
- 40 ft., fly 80 ft.
- Challenge
- 23 (50,000 XP)
- Proficiency bonus
- +7
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|
| 30 (+10) | 10 (+0) | 29 (+9) | 18 (+4) | 15 (+2) | 23 (+6) |
- Saving throws
- Dex +7, Con +16, Wis +9, Cha +13
- Skills
- Arcana +11, History +11, Perception +16, Stealth +7
- Damage immunities
- cold
- Senses
- blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 26
- Languages
- Common, Draconic
Traits
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Actions
Multiattack. The dragon can use its Frightful Presence. It then makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (2d10 + 10) piercing damage.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (2d6 + 10) slashing damage.
Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (2d8 + 10) bludgeoning damage.
Frightful Presence. Each creature of the dragon's choice that is within 120 feet of the dragon and aware of it must succeed on a DC 21 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature's saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the dragon's Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.
Breath Weapons (Recharge 5–6). The dragon uses one of the following breath weapons.
Cold Breath. The dragon exhales an icy blast in a 90-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 24 Constitution saving throw, taking 67 (15d8) cold damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Paralyzing Breath. The dragon exhales paralyzing gas in a 90-foot cone. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 24 Constitution saving throw or be paralyzed for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Change Shape. The dragon magically polymorphs into a humanoid or beast that has a challenge rating no higher than its own, or back into its true form. It reverts to its true form if it dies. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying is absorbed or borne by the new form (the dragon's choice).
In a new form, the dragon retains its alignment, hit points, Hit Dice, ability to speak, proficiencies, Legendary Resistance, lair actions, and Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores, as well as this action. Its statistics and capabilities are otherwise replaced by those of the new form, except any class features or legendary actions of that form.
Legendary actions
Detect. The dragon makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
Tail Attack. The dragon makes a tail attack.
Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions). The dragon beats its wings. Each creature within 15 ft. of the dragon must succeed on a DC 25 Dexterity saving throw or take 17 (2d6 + 10) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. The dragon can then fly up to half its flying speed.
An ancient silver dragon is worth 50,000 XP. Using the 2024 encounter budgets (SRD 5.2), this is how many ancient silver dragons fit each difficulty for a party of four characters of the same level. A dash means even one would be over the budget.
Budgets add up every monster’s XP, so you can swap some for other creatures of the same total. Try other party sizes and mixes in the encounter calculator.
Ancient Silver Dragon 2024 stat block
The 2024 Monster Manual revised the ancient silver dragon, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new stat block. What changed:
- Hit points: 487 → 468.
- Ability scores: CHA 23 → 26.
- New in its stat block: Rend, Cold Breath, Paralyzing Breath, Spellcasting, Chill, Cold Gale and Pounce.
- Gone from it: Bite, Claw, Tail, Frightful Presence, Breath Weapons, Change Shape, Detect, Tail Attack and Wing Attack.
- Armor Class
- 22
- Hit Points
- 468 (24d20 + 216)
- Speed
- 40 ft., fly 80 ft.
- Challenge
- 23 (50,000 XP)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|
| 30 (+10) | 10 (+0) | 29 (+9) | 18 (+4) | 15 (+2) | 26 (+8) |
- Damage immunities
- cold
- Senses
- darkvision 120 ft., blindsight 60 ft., passive Perception 26
- Languages
- Common, Draconic
Traits
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) Paralyzing Breath or (B) Spellcasting to cast Ice Knife (level 2 version).
Rend. Melee Attack Roll: +17, reach 15 ft. Hit: 19 (2d8 + 10) Slashing damage plus 9 (2d8) Cold damage.
Cold Breath (Recharge 5–6). Constitution Saving Throw: DC 24, each creature in a 90-foot Cone. Failure: 67 (15d8) Cold damage. Success: Half damage.
Paralyzing Breath. Constitution Saving Throw: DC 24, each creature in a 90-foot Cone. First Failure: The target has the Incapacitated condition until the end of its next turn, when it repeats the save. Second Failure: The target has the Paralyzed condition, and it repeats the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. After 1 minute, it succeeds automatically.
Spellcasting. The dragon casts one of the following spells, requiring no Material components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 23, +15 to hit with spell attacks):
At Will: Detect Magic, Hold Monster, Ice Knife (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)
1/Day Each: Control Weather, Ice Storm (level 7 version), Teleport, Zone of Truth
Legendary actions
Chill. The dragon uses Spellcasting to cast Hold Monster. The dragon can’t take this action again until the start of its next turn.
Cold Gale. Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 23, each creature in a 60-foot-long, 10-foot-wide Line. Failure: 14 (4d6) Cold damage, and the target is pushed up to 30 feet straight away from the dragon. Success: Half damage only. Failure or Success: 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.
