In the new Monster Manual, you’ll find over 500 new and revamped monsters for your players to encounter. Among this collection of creatures are the titular “dragons” of Dungeons & Dragons, which have been reimagined, refined, and reinvigorated. Whether these legendary creatures are your players’ worst nightmare or their benevolent patrons, they are ready to take their rightful place as rulers of the skies and terrors of the deep. 

In this article, we’ll go over the new dragon design in the new Monster Manual and get you ready to unleash these awe-inspiring creatures on your players! 

• New Art and Lore to Inspire Dragon-Centric Adventures
• Spellcasting Lets You Harness Each Dragon’s Magical Might
• Revamped Actions Showcase Each Dragon’s Distinctive Abilities
• Dragon’s Legendary Actions Are Way More Legendary
• Dragon’s Lairs Are Deadlier and Easier to Run

Claim Your Free Copy of Hold Back the Dead

Hold Back the Dead is a single-session adventure part of D&D's yearlong 50th-anniversary celebration. In this adventure designed for four to six level 4 characters, players are tasked to defend Ironspine Keep against the looming horde of the sinister lich, Szass Tam.

Dive straight into the action with stat blocks from the new Monster Manual, a full map of the fortress defense zones, details on siege weapons, and pre-generated character sheets!

New Art and Lore to Inspire Dragon-Centric Adventures

Artist: Anna Podedworna

The Monster Manual has completely revamped the look and feel of each dragon to showcase their unique personalities and talents. This redesign is on full display in the Monster Manual with multiple pieces of art for each variation of dragon–including a full-page showcase of each dragon’s Gargantuan ancient form. 

The new art in this book will provide DMs with endless inspiration on each specific dragon’s personality and how they act in certain situations. From an Adult Red Dragon razing a city to an Ancient Brass Dragon protecting adventurers from a sandstorm, this art will fuel adventures for years to come. 

Inspiration for Each Stage of a Dragon’s Lifecycle

On top of new gorgeous pieces of artwork and revamped stat blocks, the Monster Manual provides information for each stage of every dragon’s evolution. You’ll learn about what drives a dragon, from their wyrmling infancy to the height of their ancient power, in addition to who they may ally themselves with in these various stages. 

Not only will this provide DMs with more context on how these dragons act, but it will also help drive their imagination when it comes to creating adventures of their own! 

Spellcasting Lets You Harness Each Dragon’s Magical Might

Artist: ALEXANDER OSTROWSKI

Dragons are beings of immense power and, in the Monster Manual, many elder dragons get to show off their innate magical spark with a new Spellcasting action. While each variety of dragon weaves their magic differently, every adult and ancient dragon in the Monster Manual has been given spells they can cast in one form or another.  

For example, Ancient Black Dragons are creatures of malice, and their spellcasting capabilities reflect their personality. These harbingers of suffering can now use their innate magic to terrorize foes with the Fear spell or dissolve their prey with Melf’s Acid Arrow and Vitriolic Sphere. 

An antithesis to the black dragon, the ancient copper dragon uses its magic to delight and create community. It can use Detect Magic to seek out magical curiosities and Greater Restoration to cure the ailments of those in need. 

Different Dragons Have Different Spellcasting Prowess

Dragons are known for their commanding force of will, and, as a result, their Spellcasting feature uses Charisma for their spellcasting ability modifier. However, not all dragons wield magic with the same capability. 

White dragons, who are among the most primal chromatic dragons, don’t gain access to the Spellcasting feature. Instead, the elder white dragons channel their magical ferocity by casting the Fear spell through their Frightful Presence Legendary Action. 

Conversely, red and gold dragons have extensive magical abilities that allow them to weave supernatural effects and cast powerful spells—though these abilities manifest in different ways. Gold dragons are more pacifistic and can use their magic to banish foes and compel others to speak the truth, whereas red dragons employ their magic to command and incinerate lesser beings. 

Revamped Actions Showcase Each Dragon’s Distinctive Abilities

Artist: ANTONIO JOSÉ MANZANEDO

The last thing an encounter with a dragon should be is tedious. In the Monster Manual, dragons have been given more abilities that reflect their unique powers and make them terrifying foes to face. These legendary beasts have also been made easier to run without sacrificing the fun of encountering such a truly epic opponent.  

Rend

Each dragon now has access to the Rend attack, which is its default melee attack. As the dragon increases in power and size, this attack evolves to display each dragon’s distinctive flavor. 

In some younger dragons, it only deals Slashing or Piercing damage. However, other wyrmling and young dragons, as well as all adult and ancient dragons, infuse their Rend attacks with their elemental essence, such as Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, or Poison damage. 

Multiattack

Each dragon’s Multiattack has been tweaked to accommodate the streamlining of their actions. In the new Monster Manual, a dragon can use its Multiattack to make multiple Rend attacks, and some can even swap a Rend attack for a use of its special abilities. 

For example, when an Adult Green Dragon uses its Multiattack, it can replace a Rend attack with a use of Spellcasting to cast a level 5 Mind Spike. Similarly, an Ancient Gold Dragon can replace a Rend attack from its Multiattack with a use of Spellcasting to cast a level 4 Guiding Bolt or use its Weakening Breath. 

This change helps create variety and meaningful choices when running your dragons in combat. Most of these legendary creatures are vastly intelligent and possess a mind for tactics, and now they have the ability to flex this keen intellect to become true terrors on the battlefield. 

If an ancient blue dragon sees that its foes are grouped under a rocky outcropping, it can make two Rend attacks against an immediate threat and then cast Shatter on the outcropping to bring it down on top of the sheltering creatures. Similarly, if an adult red dragon can’t catch more than one creature with its Fire Breath, it could use its Multiattack to make two Rend attacks and then shoot off a Scorching Ray to ignite a foe at range. 

Dragon’s Legendary Actions Are Way More Legendary

Artist: JOSHUA RAPHAEL

Each type of adult and ancient dragon now gets distinctive Legendary Actions based on their abilities. 

These new Legendary Actions allow dragons to channel their elemental essence and even cast spells when it is not their turn in Initiative, which ensures they are formidable and unpredictable forces of nature whenever they are encountered. 

For instance, Ancient White Dragons, who embody the viciousness of arctic storms, can use a Legendary Action to assail their prey with a Freezing Burst that reduces their target’s Speed or use the Fear spell to send their enemies scattering. 

On the other hand, Ancient Red Dragons, full of fire and ferocity, can use a Legendary Action to sear creatures with Scorching Ray or use Command to bring them to their knees. 

Dragon’s Lairs Are Deadlier and Easier to Run

Artist: CAIO MONTEIRO

A dragon without a lair is like a monarch without a kingdom. These domains are more than just a place for a dragon to sleep; they are extensions of the dragon’s power and safe grounds to build their hoard.  

Dragons Are Even Scarier Within Their Lairs

In the Monster Manual, adult and ancient dragons are given a substantial power boost in their lairs. They can use more Legendary Actions per turn and have access to more Legendary Resistances, meaning they’ll have more offensive and defensive power than before. 

Regional Effects Have Mechanical Implications

Similarly, the region containing a dragon’s lair has been given more mechanical effects than previous iterations, making traversing the land surrounding their lair easier for DMs to run and more immersive for players to experience. 

For example, drinking water found within 1 mile of a black dragon’s lair can now cause the Poisoned condition for 1 hour. Likewise, finishing a Long Rest within the chilly fog surrounding a white dragon’s lair can now reduce a creature’s Speed by 10 feet for 1 hour.  

Previously, the regional effects caused by a dragon’s lair were more ephemeral, and while they could help the DM set the scene, the players didn’t necessarily feel the impact of entering a dragon’s domain. Now, the region surrounding a dragon’s lair has become a perilous challenge to traverse, rife with the dragon's influence. 

Get the New Monster Manual Today

The Monster Manual breathes new life into dragons, further tempering their role as some of the most legendary foes—and allies—Dungeons & Dragons has to offer. With revamped stat blocks, innate spellcasting, and new Legendary Actions, these iconic creatures are more awe-inspiring than ever. 

Whether your party faces the searing wrath of a red dragon or seeks wisdom from a benevolent gold dragon, each run-in with the redesigned dragons in the Monster Manual promises an unforgettable, epic encounter, so get your copy today! 

Mike Bernier (@arcane_eye) is the founder of Arcane Eye, a site focused on providing useful tips and tricks to all those involved in the world of D&D. Outside of writing for Arcane Eye, Mike spends most of his time playing games, hiking with his partner, and tending the veritable jungle of houseplants that have invaded his house.