Epic Level Handbook

CHAPTER 5:MONSTERSthe Colossal size. Thus, a silver or red dragon becomesColossal+ at 52 HD, and a gold dragon becomes Colossal+at 50 HD.Epic dragons, already Colossal+ by the time they reachthe great wyrm stage, do not increase in size thereafter.Use the information presented under the epicdragon entry, below, to determine the statistics of aColossal+ dragon.Armor Class: A dragon’s natural armor bonusincreases by +1 for every Hit Die it gains beyond thegreat wyrm stage. (You can use this rule for lesser dragonadvancement as well, since natural armor and Hit Dicealways increase at the same rate.)Breath Weapon: If a dragon’s breath weapon dealsdamage, the damage typically increases by 2 dice forevery virtual age category the dragon gains. The twoexceptions in the Monster Manual are the brass and whitedragons, whose breath weapon damage increases by only1 die per age category. The saving throw DC against adragon’s breath weapon remains 10 + 1/2 the dragon’s HitDice + its Constitution modifier.Spell Resistance: For standard advanced dragons,spell resistance increases by 2 per additional age category.For epic dragons, spell resistance increases by 3 (forforce dragons) or 6 (for prismatic dragons) per additionalage category.Speed: When a dragon becomes Colossal, its flyspeed increases by 50 feet and its maneuverabilitybecomes clumsy. When it reaches Colossal+, its flyspeed increases by another 50 feet, and its maneuverabilityremains clumsy. A dragon’s land speed and otherspecial movement types (swim, burrow, and so on) donot change.Ability Scores: A great wyrm’s Strength and Constitutionscores both increase by +2 for every virtual age categorythe dragon gains. Its Dexterity remains unchanged.Its Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma increase by +2for every two age categories the dragon gains.Special Abilities: Dragons do not gain additionalspell-like abilities, but their damage reduction continuesto increase as they gain Hit Dice. For most dragons (theexceptions being the force and prismatic dragons), thegreat wyrm’s damage reduction increases by 5/+1 forevery two age categories it gains beyond the wyrm stage.The epic dragons detailed in this chapter gain damagereduction of 10/+1 for every two age categories (10 HitDice) they gain beyond the wyrm stage.Caster Level: A great wyrm’s caster level increases by 2for every virtual age category the dragon gains. Aswith the epic dragons described in this chapter,advanced dragons gain the Improved Spell Capacityfeat as a bonus feat once for every three caster levelsabove 20th.Feats: Like ordinary dragons, advanced dragonsreceive one feat for every 4 Hit Dice they have. Featsgained after the dragon attains great wyrm status can beepic feats.Challenge Rating: For standard dragons, CR increasesby 2 per additional age category. For epic dragons, CRincreases by 3 per additional age category.All other dragon statistics are as presented for dragonsin general and specific dragon varieties in the MonsterManual and other sources.SAMPLE ADVANCED DRAGONThis example uses a red dragon advanced to 61 HitDice. This represents an increase of 21 HD, or seven virtualage categories.Red Great Wyrm, AdvancedColossal+ Dragon (Fire)Hit Dice: 61d12+1,037 (1,433 hp)Initiative: +3 (Dex)Speed: 40 ft., fly 250 ft. (clumsy)AC: 70 (–8 size, +3 Dex, +60 natural, +5 bracers)Attacks: Bite +77 melee, 2 claws +73 melee, 2 wings +72melee, tail slap +72 meleeDamage: Bite 8d6+24, claw 4d8+12, wing 4d6+12, tailslap 4d8+36Face/Reach: 40 ft. by 80 ft./20 ft.Special Attacks: Crush 8d6+36 (DC 57), tail sweep4d6+36 (DC 57), breath weapon, frightful presence(DC 51), spells (caster level 33rd), spell-like abilitiesSpecial Qualities: Immunities, DR 35/+6, SR 46, blindsight,keen senses (darkvision 7,600 ft.), fire subtypeSaves: Fort +49, Ref +35, Will +43Abilities: Str 59, Dex 16 (with gloves), Con 45, Int 32, Wis33, Cha 32Skills: Appraise +44, Balance +33, Bluff +72, Climb +54,Concentration +78, Diplomacy +78, Escape Artist +36,Heal +41, Intimidate +78, Intuit Direction +41, Jump+85, Knowledge (arcana) +72, Knowledge (history)+72, Knowledge (local) +72, Knowledge (nature) +72Listen +72, Search +72, Spellcraft +72, Spot +72Swim +54Feats: Cleave, Combat Casting, Combat Reflexes,Dodge, Great Cleave, Hover, Improved Darkvision.Improved Spell Capacity (19th), Improved SpellCapacity (11th), Improved Spell Capacity (12th),Improved Spell Capacity (13th), Mobility, PowerAttack, Quicken Spell, Quicken Spell-Like Ability,Snatch, Spell Opportunity, Spellcasting Harrier,Weapon Focus (claw), WingoverChallenge Rating: 39Breath Weapon (Su): Cone of fire, 80 ft., damage38d10, Ref half (DC 57).Spell-Like Abilities: 19/day—locate object; 3/day—suggestion; 1/day—find the path, discern location. Casterlevel 33rd; save DC 21 + spell level.Immunities: Sleep, paralysis.Fire Subtype: Fire immunity, double damage fromcold except on a successful save.Sorcerer Spells Known (6/9/9/9/8/8/8/8/7/7/2/2/1/1:base DC 21 + spell level): 0—arcane mark, daze, detectmagic, ghost sound, mage hand, prestidigitation, ray of frost,180