Chinese Dragon | New Monster for Fifth Edition

Chinese dragons, also known as East Asian dragons, are legendary creatures in Chinese mythology, Chinese folklore, and East Asian culture at large. Chinese dragons have many animal-like forms such as turtles and fish but are most commonly depicted as snake-like with four legs. They traditionally symbolize potent and auspicious powers, particularly control over water, rainfall, typhoons, and floods. The dragon is also a symbol of power, strength, and good luck for people who are worthy of it in East Asian culture. During the days of Imperial China, the Emperor of China usually used the dragon as a symbol of his imperial strength and power.

Chinese Dragon

Gargantuan celestial, lawful good


Armor Class 23 (natural armor)

Hit Points 297 (17d20 + 119)

Speed 50 ft., fly 80 ft.


Abilities Str 26 (+8), Dex 14 (+2), Con 25 (+7), Int 23 (+6), Wis 23 (+6), Cha 25 (+7)


Saving Throws Dex +10, Con +15, Wis +14, Cha +15

Skills Arcana +14, History +14, Insight +14, Perception +14, Stealth +10

Damage Resistances fire, lightning, radiant, thunder; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Damage Immunities necrotic, poison

Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, poisoned

Senses blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 24

Languages all, telepathy 120 ft.

Challenge 26 (90,000 XP)


Angelic Weapons. The dragon’s weapon attacks are magical. When the dragon hits with any weapon, the weapon deals an extra 4d8 radiant damage (included in the attack).

Divine Awareness. The dragon knows if it hears a lie.

Innate Spellcasting. The dragon’s innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 20). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

  • 1/day each: control water, control weather, dimension door, gust of wind, heal, protection from evil and good, sleet storm

Legendary Resistances (3/Day). If the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

Magic Resistance. The dragon has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.


Actions

Multiattack. The dragon makes four attacks: one with its bite, two with its claws, and one to constrict.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +16 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (2d10 + 8) piercing damage plus 18 (4d8) radiant damage.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +16 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d6 + 8) slashing damage plus 18 (4d8) radiant damage.

Constrict. Melee Weapon Attack: +16 to hit, reach 10 ft., one Large or smaller creature. Hit: 24 (3d10 + 8) bludgeoning damage plus 24 (3d10 + 8) slashing damage. The target is grappled (escape DC 18) if the dragon isn’t already constricting a creature, and the target is restrained until the grapple ends.

Change Shape. The dragon magically polymorphs into a humanoid or beast that has a challenge rating equal to or less 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 game statistics and ability to speak, but its AC, movement modes, Strength, Dexterity, and special senses are replaced by those of the new form, and it gains any statistics and capabilities (except class features, legendary actions, and lair actions) that the new form has but that it lacks.


Legendary Actions

The dragon can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary actions can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The dragon regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

Bite. The dragon makes a bite attack.

Detect. The dragon makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.

Teleport. The dragon magically teleports, along with any equipment it is wearing or carrying, up to 120 feet to an unoccupied space it can see.


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Thumbnail art from Shutterstock.

1 thought on “Chinese Dragon | New Monster for Fifth Edition

  1. I’ve always thought of Chinese dragons as being way more dexterous than regular western dragons so seeing a 14 Dex is disheartening. Also Eastern dragons were already kinda made with the Kirin being it.

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