If you thought your in-laws were tough negotiators, wait until you try bartering with a Purple Dragon in your next DND campaign.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about DND Purple Dragons.
Purple Dragon Stat Block (Adult)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| HP (Hit Points) | 350 (20d20 + 140) |
| AC (Armor Class) | 22 (Natural Armor) |
| Size | Huge |
| Alignment | Chaotic Neutral |
| Languages | Common, Draconic |
| Speed | 40 ft., fly 80 ft., swim 40 ft. |
| Attacks | Bite, Claw, Tail, Breath Weapons |
Attacks
- Bite: In close combat, the dragon strikes with a +15 bonus to hit, extending its reach to 10 ft. to target one enemy, dealing 18 (2d10 + 7) damage through its piercing bite.
- Claw: With a swift swipe, the dragon attacks with a +15 bonus, reaching up to 5 ft. to single out an opponent, inflicting 14 (2d6 + 7) slashing damage.
- Tail: The dragon lashes out with its tail at a +15 bonus, capable of hitting an adversary 15 ft. away, causing 16 (2d8 + 7) bludgeoning damage.
Special Abilities
- Psychic Breath (Recharge 5-6): Unleashing a cone of psychic energy extending 60 ft., the dragon forces each creature within to attempt a DC 20 Intelligence save, suffering 56 (16d6) psychic damage on failure, or half on success.
- Plasma Breath (Recharge 5-6): Emitting a 90-ft. long, 5-ft. wide plasma beam, the dragon challenges each target in its path to a DC 20 Dexterity save, dealing 66 (12d10) fire damage on failure, or half on success.
- Frightful Presence: Targets of the dragon’s choosing within 120 ft. must pass a DC 18 Wisdom save or be stricken with fear for 1 minute.
Legendary Actions
The Purple Dragon is granted 3 legendary actions, with the following choices available.
These actions are exclusive and can only be executed at the conclusion of another creature’s turn.
At the beginning of its turn, the dragon recovers any expended legendary actions.
- Detect: Conducts a Wisdom (Perception) check to survey its surroundings.
- Tail Swipe: The dragon can make a precise attack with its tail, utilizing its natural agility and strength to strike at an opponent, demonstrating its mastery over physical combat even in the midst of a fierce battle.
- Wing Gust (Costs 2 Actions): With a powerful flap of its wings, the dragon can create a gust strong enough to knock back or unbalance foes nearby. This not only showcases the dragon’s immense physical power but also its tactical use of natural abilities in combat situations.
What Is a DND Purple Dragon (Full Explanation)?
Purple Dragons are enigmatic creatures that dwell in the darkest depths, often found in the Underdark.
They are also known as Deep Dragons.
Unlike their chromatic or metallic counterparts, Purple Dragons are shrouded in mystery, known for their psychic abilities and a preference for manipulation over direct confrontation.
Their rarity and elusive nature make them a subject of fascination and fear.
In a DND campaign, encountering a Purple Dragon is a significant event, often leading to complex storylines filled with intrigue, diplomacy, and, if necessary, fierce combat.
Purple Dragon Physical Description (What Do They Look Like?)
A Purple Dragon’s appearance is as striking as it is intimidating.
Their scales shimmer with a deep, iridescent purple, reflecting light in mesmerizing patterns.
These majestic creatures possess piercing yellow or red eyes, exuding otherworldly wisdom and power.
Their large wings, capable of swift and silent flight, are a sight to behold, with hues that range from dark violet to a lighter lavender, depending on the light.
With formidable horns and spikes adorning their bodies, Purple Dragons embody the quintessential draconic majesty, coupled with an aura of mysterious allure.
Types of Purple Dragons (Life Cycle)
Within the category of Purple Dragons, there are variations that stem from age, power, and sometimes regional adaptations:
- Wyrmling: The youngest and smallest, yet even they possess a cunning and intellect beyond their years.
- Young: More powerful and cunning, these dragons start to explore and influence the world around them.
- Adult: Fully grown, with a mastery over their psychic abilities and a deep understanding of magic and manipulation.
- Ancient: The oldest and most powerful, these dragons are few and command immense power, both physically and magically.
Each type represents a different challenge and story potential in a DND campaign, with varying levels of power, intelligence, and magical abilities.
How Do Purple Dragons Work?
Purple Dragons operate on a level that combines physical might with psychic prowess.
Their breath weapon, a unique psychic energy, can incapacitate foes by overwhelming their minds.
They are masters of manipulation, often preferring to control or influence other creatures to do their bidding rather than engage directly.
Their deep connection to magic allows them to cast spells, adding a layer of complexity to combat.
Purple Dragons are also known for their ability to navigate and manipulate the political landscapes of the Underdark, making them formidable foes and invaluable allies.
Here is a good video about DND Purple Dragons:
DND Purple Dragon Combat Tactics
Their combat style is a blend of raw power, psychic manipulation, and cunning.
They prefer to assess their opponents, using their psychic abilities to probe for weaknesses before striking.
Their breath weapon can incapacitate multiple foes, leaving them vulnerable to physical attacks.
Purple Dragons also utilize their environment, using the terrain to their advantage, and are not above retreating to fight another day if the battle turns against them.
Purple Dragon Breath Weapon
Purple Dragons unleash a breath weapon that is not just a mere physical force but a psychic energy that targets the minds of its victims.
This psychic assault can leave enemies disoriented, frightened, or even unconscious.
The range and effect can vary, but the outcome is always a testament to the Purple Dragon’s formidable nature.
This ability makes them not just physically daunting but also a psychological threat on the battlefield.
Purple Dragon Plasma Breath
Beyond the psychic force, some Purple Dragons possess a rarer, more devastating ability: plasma breath.
This plasma breath is a searing beam of energy, combining intense heat with raw magical power.
It can melt through the strongest armors and obliterate obstacles, leaving nothing but scorched earth in its wake.
The plasma breath is a testament to the Purple Dragon’s mastery over not just psychic forces.
But also the elemental energies that govern the world.
DND Purple Dragon Lairs
The lairs of Purple Dragons are often located in the most inaccessible and dangerous places.
Nestled deep within the Underdark or hidden in remote, magical locations, Purple Dragon lairs are bastions of power and secrecy.
These lairs are not just homes but fortresses.
They are filled with traps, minions, and magical wards designed to deter and defeat intruders.
The lair of a Purple Dragon is a reflection of its personality and power, often filled with treasures and artifacts accumulated over centuries.
Venturing into such a lair is a perilous endeavor, fraught with danger and the ever-present gaze of the dragon itself.
DND Purple Dragons Vs Other Dragons
Purple Dragons stand out in the DND universe for their unique traits and abilities, contrasting sharply with other draconic beings.
- Color and Element: Unlike the elemental affinities of Red (fire) or Blue (lightning) dragons, Purple Dragons wield psychic and plasma-based powers, diverging from the traditional elemental attacks.
- Habitat: While many dragons prefer lofty peaks or deep caverns, Purple Dragons are often associated with the mysterious depths of the Underdark, setting them apart in terms of preferred lair locations.
- Personality and Alignment: Purple Dragons tend to exhibit more enigmatic and inscrutable personalities compared to the often straightforwardly good or evil tendencies of Metallic or Chromatic dragons, respectively.
- Combat Tactics: Purple Dragons favor psychic manipulation and strategic combat over the brute force and direct confrontation preferred by many of their draconic counterparts.
- Magic and Abilities: With a strong inclination towards psychic abilities, Purple Dragons possess a unique set of skills that includes psychic breath and plasma attacks, distinguishing them from other dragons who typically rely on physical strength and elemental breath weapons.
- Social Interaction: The elusive nature of Purple Dragons makes them less likely to engage with other beings, contrasting with the more sociable Metallic dragons or the tyrannically inclined Chromatic dragons.
What Is a Purple Dragon Knight?
The DND Purple Dragon Knight, also known as a Warlord, is a symbol of valor and leadership, inspired by the might of dragons.
A Purple Dragon Knight is a fighter archetype that embodies the leadership and martial prowess of Cormyr’s renowned knights.
These individuals inspiring leaders on the battlefield.
They represent courage, honor, and strength, often serving as the backbone of their parties and commanding forces in larger conflicts.
50 Purple Dragon Ideas for DMs
These ideas can inspire intrigue, forge alliances, and spark epic adventures.
- A Purple Dragon subtly influencing local politics, causing unrest.
- An ancient Purple Dragon awakens, disrupting the magical balance.
- A young Purple Dragon seeks asylum from dragon hunters.
- A Purple Dragon’s egg is discovered, sparking a race to claim it.
- A series of dreams lead the players to a hidden Purple Dragon lair.
- A Purple Dragon cursed into a humanoid form needs help breaking the spell.
- A cult worships a Purple Dragon, believing it to be a deity.
- A Purple Dragon’s psychic screams plague a nearby village in their sleep.
- Rare minerals in a Purple Dragon’s lair are key to forging legendary weapons.
- A Purple Dragon holds a piece of ancient, forgotten knowledge.
- A Purple Dragon offers riddles, rewarding correct answers with treasures or information.
- A Purple Dragon’s lair is a portal to different dimensions or times.
- A festival where a Purple Dragon is rumored to appear during a lunar eclipse.
- A Purple Dragon’s scales are needed as a component for a powerful spell.
- A deceivingly benevolent Purple Dragon manipulates a town for its own amusement.
- A Purple Dragon’s breath weapon has petrified a forest, and its antidote is sought.
- A Purple Dragon’s dying wish is to see a particular celestial event.
- A Purple Dragon challenges the party to a game of wits, with high stakes.
- A Purple Dragon has been captured; the party must decide its fate.
- A Purple Dragon and a Gold Dragon are in a territorial dispute.
- A Purple Dragon’s plasma breath has created unique and dangerous creatures in its territory.
- A Purple Dragon’s illusions create a labyrinth around its lair.
- An artifact to control a Purple Dragon is split into pieces, scattered across the land.
- A Purple Dragon’s mate has been slain, and it seeks vengeance.
- A Purple Dragon’s lair contains the only cure for a spreading plague.
- A Purple Dragon has foreseen a great calamity and seeks to prevent it.
- A Purple Dragon demands a tribute of stories and songs instead of gold.
- A Purple Dragon has taken a noble as a hostage, seeking a ransom of magical items.
- A Purple Dragon’s memory has been erased, leading to unpredictable behavior.
- A Purple Dragon’s tear can resurrect a fallen hero, but at a great cost.
- A Purple Dragon is bound to protect a sacred grove from defilers.
- A Purple Dragon’s presence is causing unnatural weather patterns, threatening crops.
- A Purple Dragon hoards not gold, but rare and magical books.
- A Purple Dragon’s feud with a powerful Lich threatens to engulf the region.
- A Purple Dragon’s shadow is the only key to unlocking an ancient vault.
- A festival in honor of a legendary Purple Dragon becomes the real thing when the dragon itself decides to attend.
- A Purple Dragon’s dreams become reality, causing chaos in the material plane.
- A Purple Dragon is the only witness to a kingdom’s fall, holding crucial secrets.
- A Purple Dragon has been turned to stone, and the party must find a way to revive it.
- A Purple Dragon’s blood is said to grant immortality, sparking a deadly hunt.
- A Purple Dragon’s lair is actually a massive, intricate clockwork mechanism.
- A Purple Dragon’s heart is needed to forge a peace treaty between warring nations.
- A Purple Dragon’s cry can open a portal to the Feywild, but at a great risk.
- A Purple Dragon’s favorite gemstone has been stolen, and it seeks the party’s help.
- A Purple Dragon’s presence is essential to complete a ritual to banish an ancient evil.
- A Purple Dragon’s scale has been embedded into a king’s crown, granting him immense psychic powers.
- A Purple Dragon’s reflection in a particular lake reveals hidden truths.
- A Purple Dragon’s roar can shatter the barrier between the living and the dead.
- A Purple Dragon’s nest is located in a volatile volcanic region, making access perilous.
- A Purple Dragon has been bound by magic to guard a tomb, and the party must free it.
Final Thoughts: DND Purple Dragons
Including a Purple Dragon in your DND campaign opens a realm of untold possibilities, transforming every encounter into a story etched in the annals of legend.
For more about dragons (and other monsters) in DND, check out our collection of articles below.