White Dragon (5e)

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White Dragon Overview[1]  

 [1] 
The smallest, least intelligent, and most animalistic of the chromatic dragons, white dragons dwell in frigid climes, favoring arctic areas or icy mountains. They are vicious, cruel reptiles driven by hunger and greed.


Variant: Dragons as Innate Spellcasters[edit]

[2] Many dragons have the ability to innately cast spells. Their Spellcasting Ability is Charisma, which also determines the number of spells it can cast.


White Dragon's Lair

[3] White dragons lair in icy caves and other deep chambers.

Lair Actions

[3] When fighting inside its lair, an white dragon can use lair actions. On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the dragon takes a lair action to cause one of the following effects; the dragon can’t use the same effect two rounds in a row:

  • Freezing Fog
  • Jagged Ice Shards
  • Opaque Wall of Ice

Regional Effects

[3] The region around a white dragon's lair

  • Chilly, Obscuring Fog
  • Freezing Precipitation
  • Icy Walls

If the dragon dies, effects fade within 1-10 days.


List of White Dragons[edit]

(5 official and unofficial White Dragons)

Name Type Subtype Size HP CR (XP) Alignment Habitat Source
White Dragon Overview Overview Dragon, Chromatic Dragon, White Dragon Arctic "Varied"
Adult White Dragon Dragon Chromatic Dragon, White Dragon Huge 200 13 (10,000) Chaotic Evil Arctic SRD5
Ancient White Dragon Dragon Chromatic Dragon, White Dragon Gargantuan 333 20 (25,000) Chaotic Evil Arctic SRD5
White Dragon Wyrmling Dragon Chromatic Dragon, White Dragon Medium 32 2 (450) Chaotic Evil Arctic SRD5
Young White Dragon Dragon Chromatic Dragon, White Dragon Large 133 6 (2,300) Chaotic Evil Arctic SRD5

Other Lore[edit]

 3.5e lore  [SRD3 OGL] [4] 
The scales of a wyrmling white dragon glisten like mirrors. As the dragon ages, the sheen disappears, and by very old age, scales of pale blue and light gray are mixed in with the white.



 Wikipedia  [5] 
  • Breath weapon: Cone of cold
  • Habitat: Arctic mountains
  • Diet: Anything that moves, but must be frozen first
  • Preferred Treasure: Diamonds
  • Alignment: Chaotic Evil
  • Image: Wizards.com image
  • Notes:
White dragons are the weakest and the most feral of the classic chromatic dragons. Though dimmer than other dragons, they are still powerful enough to overwhelm most humans and have good long-term memories. Their heads and necks blend seamlessly into one another, and their wings are frayed along the edges. They have a flap of skin (dewlap) lined with spines under their chins. They have a high crest atop a streamlined head and a crisp, vaguely chemical odor.
White dragon eggs must be buried in snow or encased in ice to incubate. The parents do not tend or protect the eggs in any way, although they lay them near their lairs. A newly hatched white wyrmling has clear scales, which become white as the dragon matures. They are expected to survive on their own after hatching, although some white dragon parents will permit their young to live in their lair until they reach adulthood.
Adult white dragons have several abilities well suited to their arctic habitat. They can climb ice cliffs with ease, fly high and fast, and are exceptional swimmers. They love to swim in cold water. Much of their diet consists of aquatic creatures. White dragons are always hungry, and tend to become more savage as they mature. Knowing that they are the smallest and weakest of dragons, many whites harbor inferiority complexes. They take any opportunity to bully beings such as giants and younger dragons of other species.
White dragons lair in ice caves dug into mountains. Their lairs contain many more tunnels and chambers than those of other chromatic dragons. More powerful white dragons may turn a large iceberg into a floating lair. Such lairs have an underwater entrance as well as one to the open air.
White dragons are not strong combatants compared to other dragons. Their icy breath can freeze a foe solid. They avoid fights with more powerful dragons, but will take any opportunity to take their frustrations out on 'lesser' creatures. Whites also have exceptional memories, and will hunt down those who cross them, no matter how long it takes.


Sources and Notes[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Wizards RPG Team (September 2014). Monster Manual. (5e) Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 978-0786965618. p. 102-103. Licensed: © Wizards of the Coast (used under 'fair use' clause).
  2. Wizards RPG Team (September 2014). Monster Manual. (5e) Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 978-0786965618. p. 86. (paraphrased) Licensed:© Wizards of the Coast (used under 'fair use' clause).
  3. Monster Manual (5e) p.102-103 (summarized).
  4. Wizards RPG Team (2000). SRD v3.5. (3.5e) Wizards of the Coast. Licensed: OGL.
  5. Wikipedia - White Dragon Icon External Link.svg (accessed 2019-12-09)

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Facts about "White Dragon (5e)"
Author"Varied" +
Canontrue +
Creature NameWhite Dragon Overview +
HabitatArctic +
Has Lairtrue +
NameWhite Dragon Overview +
Publication"Varied" +
SortTextDragon White AAA Overview 5e +
SubtypeDragon +, Chromatic Dragon + and White Dragon +
TypeOverview +