Dragon (Imperial, Sky), Ancient Sky DragonAncient Sky Dragon CR 18Source Bestiary 3 pg. 99
XP 153,600
LG Gargantuan dragon (air)
Init +3; Senses cloud sight, dragon senses; Perception +39DefenseAC 38, touch 5, flat-footed 38 (–1 Dex, +33 natural, –4 size)
hp 348 (24d12+192)
Fort +21, Ref +15, Will +23
DR 15/magic; Immune electricity, paralysis, sleep; SR 29OffenseSpeed 40 ft., fly 250 ft. (perfect)
Melee bite +33 (4d6+18/19–20), 2 claws +32 (2d8+12), gore +32 (2d8+18), tail slap +30 (2d8+18)
Space 20 ft., Reach 15 ft. (20 ft. with bite and gore)
Special Attacks breath weapon (60-ft. cone, 20d8 electricity, DC 29) crush (DC 29; 4d6+18), grounding breath, primal lightning, tail sweep (DC 29; 2d6+18),
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 24th; concentration +31)
At will—call lightning storm (DC 22), control winds (DC 22), detect evil, feather fall, gust of wind (DC 19)
Spells Known (caster level 15th; concentration +22)
7th (5/day)—forcecage (DC 24), mass hold person (DC 24)
6th (7/day)—acid fog, chain lightning (DC 23), legend lore
5th (7/day)—break enchantment, cloudkill (DC 22), dream, teleport
4th (7/day)—dimension door, greater invisibility, ice storm, rainbow pattern (DC 21)
3rd (8/day)—blink, lightning bolt (DC 20), sleet storm (DC 20), wind wall
2nd (8/day)—daze monster (DC 19), fog cloud, glitterdust (DC 19), invisibility, resist energy
1st (8/day)—endure elements, expeditious retreat, magic missile, obscuring mist, shocking grasp
0 (at will)—dancing lights, daze (DC 17), detect magic, disrupt undead, mage hand, mending, message, ray of frost, read magicStatisticsStr 35, Dex 8, Con 25, Int 24, Wis 25, Cha 24
Base Atk +24; CMB +40; CMD 49 (53 vs. trip)
Feats Flyby Attack, Hover, Improved Critical (bite), Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Lunge, Multiattack, Skill Focus (Perception), Toughness, Vital Strike, Weapon Focus (bite)
Skills Acrobatics +22 (+26 when jumping), Appraise +33, Diplomacy +33, Fly +27, Heal +33, Knowledge (arcana) +33, Knowledge (geography) +33, Knowledge (planes) +33, Knowledge (religion) +33, Perception +39, Perform (sing) +30, Sense Motive +33, Spellcraft +33, Use Magic Device +23
Languages Auran, Celestial, Common, Draconic, Elven, Gnome, Infernal, Sylvan
SQ borne aloft, change shapeEcologyEnvironment temperate or warm mountains
Organization solitary
Treasure triple
Benevolent and noble, sky dragons, or tienlungs, are fearsome champions of good and protectors of those in need. They are often sought out for their wise council, which they grant only to the deserving and true.Creatures in "Dragon (Imperial, Sky)" CategorySource Bestiary 3 pg. 98
Although wingless, this dragon twists gracefully though the sky, its scales reflecting the shifting hues of the heavens.
Although chromatic and metallic dragons are the most widely known, other categories of true dragon exist. Presented here are the five imperial dragons, regal guardians of ancient lands and servants of cosmic balance.Age Categories Many of a true dragon's abilities, attacks, and other statistics improve as a dragon grows older. These increases are divided into 12 age categories—as a dragon ages, its base statistics change as noted on the Dragon Age Categories table.
| Age Category | Age in Years | CR | Size | Hit Dice | Natural Armor | Breath Weapon | | 1 Wyrmling | 0–5 | Base | Base | Base | Base | Base | | 2 Very young | 6–15 | Base + 2 | Base + 1 | Base + 2 | Base + 3 | Base × 2 | | 3 Young | 16–25 | Base + 4 | Base + 2 | Base + 4 | Base + 6 | Base × 3 | | 4 Juvenile | 26–50 | Base + 5 | Base + 2 | Base + 6 | Base + 9 | Base × 4 | | 5 Young adult | 51–100 | Base + 7 | Base + 3 | Base + 8 | Base + 12 | Base × 5 | | 6 Adult | 101–200 | Base + 8 | Base + 3 | Base + 10 | Base + 15 | Base × 6 | | 7 Mature adult | 201–400 | Base + 9 | Base + 3 | Base + 12 | Base + 18 | Base × 7 | | 8 Old | 401–600 | Base + 11 | Base + 4 | Base + 14 | Base + 21 | Base × 8 | | 9 Very old | 601–800 | Base + 12 | Base + 4 | Base + 16 | Base + 24 | Base × 9 | | 10 Ancient | 801–1,000 | Base + 13 | Base + 4 | Base + 18 | Base + 27 | Base × 10 | | 11 Wyrm | 1,001–1,200 | Base + 14 | Base + 4 | Base + 20 | Base + 30 | Base × 11 | | 12 Great wyrm | 1,201+ | Base + 16 | Base + 5 | Base + 22 | Base + 33 | Base × 12 |
Age Category: This is the age category's name.
Age in Years: This is the dragon's actual age.
CR: This column modifies the dragon's base CR.
Size: This shows how many size categories by which to increase the dragon's base size, depending on its age (from Tiny to Small, Small to Medium, and so on). A true dragon does not gain the standard increases to ability scores when it achieves a larger size—instead, true dragons gain ability score increases according to their age category, as indicated on the Dragon Ability Scores table.
Hit Dice: This shows how many additional Hit Dice a dragon gains over its base Hit Dice as it grows. Increases to Hit Dice grant extra hit points, feats, and skill ranks as well as increase the dragon's base attack bonus and base save bonuses. Dragons have skill ranks equal to 6 + their Intelligence modifier per Hit Die. A dragon's increases to ability scores for gaining Hit Dice are included in the total ability score increases (see the Dragon Ability Scores table).
Natural Armor: This shows by what amount the dragon's base natural armor bonus increases with each age category.
Breath Weapon: Each dragon has a breath weapon (see Combat) that deals a base amount of damage. This multiplier increases the number of dice of damage dealt by the dragon's breath weapon. For example, a mature adult dragon with a base breath weapon that deals 2d6 acid damage would deal 14d6 acid damage (due to the ×7 multiplier).
| Age Category | Str | Dex | Con | Int | Wis | Chr | | 1 Wyrmling | Base | Base | Base | Base | Base | Base | | 2 Very young | Base + 4 | Base – 2 | Base + 2 | Base + 2 | Base + 2 | Base + 2 | | 3 Young | Base + 8 | Base – 2 | Base + 4 | Base + 2 | Base + 2 | Base + 2 | | 4 Juvenile | Base + 10 | Base – 2 | Base + 6 | Base + 4 | Base + 4 | Base + 4 | | 5 Young adult | Base + 12 | Base – 4 | Base + 6 | Base + 4 | Base + 4 | Base + 4 | | 6 Adult | Base + 14 | Base – 4 | Base + 8 | Base + 6 | Base + 6 | Base + 6 | | 7 Mature adult | Base + 16 | Base – 4 | Base + 8 | Base + 6 | Base + 6 | Base + 6 | | 8 Old | Base + 18 | Base – 6 | Base + 10 | Base + 8 | Base + 8 | Base + 8 | | 9 Very old | Base + 20 | Base – 6 | Base + 10 | Base + 8 | Base + 8 | Base + 8 | | 10 Ancient | Base + 22 | Base – 6 | Base + 12 | Base + 10 | Base + 10 | Base + 10 | | 11 Wyrm | Base + 24 | Base – 8 | Base + 12 | Base + 10 | Base + 10 | Base + 10 | | 12 Great wyrm | Base + 26 | Base – 8 | Base + 14 | Base + 12 | Base + 12 | Base + 12 |
Combat The Dragon Attacks and Speeds table lists the attacks a dragon can employ and the damage it deals (a dash indicates that a dragon of that size does not possess that natural attack). Other abilities described here are gained by dragons when they reach a specific age category.
| Size | Fly Speed (maneuverability) | 1 Bite | 2 Claws | Gore | 1 Tail Slap | 1 Crush | 1 Tail Sweep | Breath Weapon | | Line | Cone | | Tiny | 100 ft. (average) | 1d4 | 1d3 | — | — | — | — | 30 ft. | 15 ft. | | Small | 150 ft. (average) | 1d6 | 1d4 | — | — | — | — | 40 ft. | 20 ft. | | Medium | 150 ft. (average) | 1d8 | 1d6 | 1d6 | — | — | — | 60 ft. | 30 ft. | | Large | 200 ft. (poor) | 2d6 | 1d8 | 1d8 | 1d8 | — | — | 80 ft. | 40 ft. | | Huge | 200 ft. (poor) | 2d8 | 2d6 | 2d6 | 2d6 | 2d8 | — | 100 ft. | 50 ft. | | Gargantuan | 250 ft. (clumsy) | 4d6 | 2d8 | 2d8 | 2d8 | 4d6 | 2d6 | 120 ft. | 60 ft. | | Colossal | 250 ft. (clumsy) | 4d8 | 4d6 | 4d6 | 4d6 | 4d8 | 2d8 | 140 ft. | 70 ft. |
Fly Speed: A dragon's fly speed increases as indicated, according to its size. Imperial dragons are wingless and their flight is a supernatural ability.
Bite: This is a primary attack that deals the indicated damage plus 1-1/2 times the dragon's Strength bonus (even though it has more than one attack). A dragon's bite attack has reach as if the creature were one size category larger (+10 feet for Colossal dragons).
Claws: These primary attacks deal the indicated damage plus the dragon's Strength bonus.
Gore: As they are wingless, Medium and larger imperial dragons make gore attacks with their horns instead of wing attacks. A gore is a primary attack that deals the indicated damage plus 1-1/2 times the dragon's Strength bonus. An imperial dragon's gore attack has reach as if the creature were one size category larger (+10 feet for Colossal dragons).
Tail Slap: The dragon can slap one foe each round with its tail. A tail slap is a secondary attack that deals the indicated damage plus 1-1/2 times the dragon's Strength bonus (this is an exception to the normal secondary attack rules).
Crush (Ex): A flying or jumping Huge or larger dragon can land on foes as a standard action, using its whole body to crush them. Crush attacks are effective only against opponents three or more size categories smaller than the dragon. A crush attack affects as many creatures as fit in the dragon's space. Creatures in the affected area must succeed at a Reflex save (DC equal to that of the dragon's breath weapon) or be pinned, automatically taking bludgeoning damage during the next round unless the dragon moves off them. If the dragon chooses to maintain the pin, it must succeed at a combat maneuver check as normal. Pinned foes take damage from the crush each round if they don't escape. A crush attack deals the indicated damage plus 1-1/2 times the dragon's Strength bonus.
Tail Sweep (Ex): This allows a Gargantuan or larger dragon to sweep with its tail as a standard action. The sweep affects a half-circle with a radius of 30 feet (or 40 feet for a Colossal dragon), extending from an intersection on the edge of the dragon's space in any direction. Creatures within the swept area are affected if they are four or more size categories smaller than the dragon. A tail sweep automatically deals the indicated damage plus 1-1/2 times the dragon's Strength bonus. Affected creatures can attempt Reflex saves to take half damage (DC equal to that of the dragon's breath weapon).
Breath Weapon (Su): Using a breath weapon is a standard action. A dragon can use its breath weapon once every 1d4 rounds, even if it possesses more than one breath weapon. A breath weapon always starts at an intersection adjacent to the dragon and extends in a direction of the dragon's choice. Breath weapons come in two shapes, lines and cones, whose areas vary with the dragon's size. If a breath weapon deals damage, those caught in the area can attempt Reflex saves to take half damage. The save DC against a breath weapon is 10 + 1/2 the dragon's HD + the dragon's Con modifier. Saves against various breath weapons use the same DC; the type of saving throw is noted in the variety descriptions. A dragon can use its breath weapon when it is grappling or being grappled. Additional Dragon Rules Dragon Senses (Ex): Dragons have darkvision 120 ft. and blindsense 60 ft. They see four times as well as a human in dim light and twice as well in normal light.
Frightful Presence (Ex): A dragon's frightful presence has a range equal to 30 feet × the dragon's age category, but otherwise functions as detailed in the Universal Monster Rules.
Spells: A dragon knows and casts arcane spells as a sorcerer of the level indicated in its specific description. Its caster level depends on its age, as shown for each type.
Spell-Like Abilities: A dragon's caster level for its spell-like abilities is equal to its total Hit Dice.
Damage Reduction: Dragons gain damage reduction as they age, as indicated on each dragon's specific entry. Their natural weapons are treated as magic weapons for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
Immunities (Ex): Every dragon is immune to sleep and paralysis. In addition, a dragon is immune to one or two additional forms of attack no matter what its age, as given in its description.
Spell Resistance (Ex): As dragons grow older, they become more resistant to spells and spell-like abilities, as indicated in the dragon descriptions. A dragon's SR is equal to 11 + its CR.Sky Dragon LG dragon (air) Base Statistics CR 5; Size Small; Hit Dice 6d12
Speed 40 ft.
Natural Armor +6; Breath Weapon cone, 2d8 electricity
Str 13, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 14, Wis 15, Cha 14 Ecology Environment temperate or warm mountains
Organization solitary
Treasure triple Special Abilities Borne Aloft (Su) Old or younger sky dragons fly with good maneuverability while all older sky dragons have perfect.
Celestial Emissary (Su) Three times per day, a great wyrm sky dragon can imbue others with the celestial aspect of the oracle spell divine vessel, but it can only be cast on another willing creature of good alignment.
Change Shape (Su) A young or older sky dragon can assume any humanoid form three times per day as if using polymorph.
Cloud Sight (Su) A very young or older sky dragon's sight is not impeded by clouds or fog, or by spells that create areas of fog.
Grounding Breath (Su) Any flying creature damaged by the breath weapon of an ancient or older sky dragon must make a Fortitude save with the same DC as the sky dragon's breath weapon or lose the ability to fly for 1d4 rounds.
Primal Lightning (Su) An old or older sky dragon's breath weapon can affect creatures normally immune or resistant to electricity damage. A creature immune to electricity damage still takes half damage from the breath weapon (no damage with a successful saving throw). Resistant creatures' electricity resistance is treated as 10 less than normal.
| Age Category | Special Abilities | Caster Level | | Wyrmling | Borne aloft, immunity to electricity | — | | Very young | Cloud sight | — | | Young | Change shape, detect evil | 1st | | Juvenile | Feather fall, frightful presence | 3rd | | Young adult | DR 5/magic, spell resistance | 5th | | Adult | Gust of wind | 7th | | Mature adult | DR 10/magic | 9th | | Old | Call lightning storm, primal lightning | 11th | | Very old | DR 15/magic | 13th | | Ancient | Control winds, grounding breath | 15th | | Wyrm | DR 20/magic | 17th | | Great wyrm | Celestial emissary, stormbolts | 19th |
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