A steel dragon is a powerful and rare metallic dragon in Dungeons and Dragons (DND).
In this ultimate guide, we’ll cover steel dragon stats, mechanics, and everything else you need to know about these amazing creatures.
DND Steel Dragon Stats (Chart)
Here is the adult steel dragon stat block:
| Steel Dragon Stats (Adult) | Details |
|---|---|
| Armor Class (Natural) | 19 |
| Hit Points (HP) | 225 (18d12 + 108) |
| Challenge Rating (CR) | 16 (XP 150,000) |
| Size | Huge |
| Frequency | Rare |
| Speed | 40 feet, Fly 80 feet, Swim 30 feet |
| Ability Scores | Str: 24 (+7), Dex 10 (+0), Con 22 (+6), Int 20 (+5), Wis 14 (+2), Char 12 (+1) |
| Saving Throws | Wis +7, Dex +5, Char +6, Con + 11 |
| Immunities | Poison, Poison Damage |
| Hardness Level (Steel) | 10 |
| Skills | Deception +6, Arcana +10, Stealth +5, Perception +12, |
| Senses | Passive Perception 22 feet, Darkvision 120 feet, Blindsight 60 feet |
| Languages | Common and Draconic |
| Alignment | Lawful Neutral |
| Actions | Bite, Claw, Tail, Breath, Frightful Presence, Multiattack, Change Shape |
| Legendary Actions | Detect, Tail Attack, Wing Attack |
| Hit Dice: | Bite 18 (2d10+7), Claw 14 (2d6+7), Tail 16 (2d8+7), Breath 55 (10d10) poison damage, Wing 14 (2d6+7) |
| Type | Metallic |
| Climate | Temperate human cities |
| Lairs | Castles, mansions, towers, and palaces |
DND Steel Dragon Description
Steel Dragons are among the most powerful creatures in D&D.
They are feline in appearance, stature, and movements in their natural forms. Adult dragons possess scales, which shine like burnished steel and smell like wet metal.
Younger steel dragons have darker blue-gray scales and are less lustrous.
Their scales extend to the chest area and resemble shields. They also feature wings made of overlapping blades, which resemble feathers.
Shapeshifters
They are excellent shapechangers and can assume any humanoid form of their choice.
They spend most of their time in human form, living among people and observing their culture, history, and politics.
Like other DND shapeshifters, they sneak into human society.
When they take human form, they mask their true identity by concealing their draconic features. However, they can’t hide all their visual indications.
For instance, they still possess eyes with reptilian slits and steel-gray hair tattoos.
Intelligent & Anti-Authority
Steel dragons are intelligent, and their insights into human behavior are often invaluable. They prefer the company of humanoids instead of their fellow dragons.
The reason for this preference ranges from greed and admiration to simple amusement.
Although they prefer the human form, they face difficulties dealing with any type of authority.
They often find themselves at odds with human law and other dragons.
Steel dragons are seldom seen in their natural form, as they often shape change into another disguise, most commonly that of a human. In this clandestine lifestyle, these crafty dragons reside in human cities, observing culture, air, politics, and history.
Steel dragons are also called Waterdeep dragons or Greyhawk dragons.
Types of DND Steel Dragons
There are different types of steel dragons in D&D. Most of the types differ by age, size, and strength.
Major types include:
- Steel Dragon Wyrmling
- Young Steel Dragon
- Adult Steel Dragon
- Ancient Steel Dragon
- Half-Dragon (Steel)
Steel Dragon Wyrmling
A steel dragon wyrmling is a newly hatched dragon that has not yet reached its full size and power.
Although still small, it has a full array of abilities.
A wyrmling is usually sodden and somewhat awkward when emerging, but it can start running within hours and fly in one to two days.
Although its powers are not yet fully developed, it has acute senses.
Also, wyrmlings hatch with innate instincts imprinted from their parents. It’s still able to protect itself from predators and relatively weak threats.
Steel dragon wyrmlings have the following stats:
| Wyrmling Steel Dragon Stats | Wyrmling Details |
|---|---|
| Armor Class (Natural) | 16 |
| Hit Points (HP) | 45 (6d8 + 18) |
| Challenge Rating (CR) | 3 (XP 750) |
| Size | Medium |
| Frequency | Rare |
| Speed | 30 feet, Fly 60 feet, Swim 20 feet |
| Ability Scores | Str 16, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 16, Wis 10, Char 10 |
| Saving Throws | Wis +2, Dex +2, Char +2, Con +5 |
| Immunities | Poison, Poison Damage, Cantrips |
| Hardness Level (Steel) | 10 |
| Skills | Arcana +5, Stealth +2, Perception +4 |
| Senses | Passive Perception 14 feet, Darkvision 60 feet, Blindsight 10 feet |
| Languages | Common and Draconic |
| Alignment | Lawful Neutral |
| Actions | Bite, Breath, Change Shape |
| Hit Dice: | Bite 8 (1d10+3), Breath 22 (4d10) poison damage |
| Type | Metallic |
| Climate | Temperate human cities |
| Lairs | Castles, mansions, towers, and palaces |
Young Steel Dragon
A young steel dragon is a juvenile dragon that has not yet reached its full size.
Not yet an adult, it’s much more powerful than a wyrmling and is very capable of defending itself.
A young dragon is usually more coordinated and less awkward than a wyrmling.
A young steel dragon has the following stats:
| Young Steel Dragon Stats | Details |
|---|---|
| Armor Class (Natural) | 18 |
| Hit Points (HP) | 152 (16d10 + 64) |
| Challenge Rating (CR) | 9 (XP 5,000) |
| Size | Large |
| Frequency | Rare |
| Speed | 40 ft., fly 80 ft., swim 30 ft. |
| Ability Scores | Str 20, Dex 10, Con 18, Int 18, Wis 12, Cha 10 |
| Saving Throws | Wis +5, Dex +4, Char +4, Con +4 |
| Immunities | Poison, Poison Damage, 0-2nd level spells |
| Hardness Level (Steel) | 10 |
| Skills | Arcana +8, Deception +4, Perception +9, Stealth +4 |
| Senses | Passive Perception 19 feet, Darkvision 120 feet, Blindsight 30 feet |
| Languages | Common and Draconic |
| Alignment | Lawful Neutral |
| Actions | Bite, Claw, Breath, Change Shape, Multiattack |
| Hit Dice: | Bite 16 (2d10+5), Claw 12 (2d6+5), Breath 49 (9d10) poison damage |
| Type | Metallic |
| Climate | Temperate human cities |
| Lairs | Castles, mansions, towers, and palaces |
Adult Steel Dragon
An adult steel dragon is a mature dragon that is a large, formidable foe for any adventuring party.
It’s one of the mightiest types of dragons in existence.
It has a whole set of abilities and is a bit more selective when hoarding. At this point, the dragon can contemplate long-term schemes.
Since I listed the adult stat block at the beginning of this article, I won’t repeat it here.
Ancient Steel Dragon
The ancient steel dragon is an elder dragon that has reached the near apex of its life.
It has immense power and a vast array of abilities.
An ancient dragon is usually very wise with lots of knowledge from archives, libraries, and humanoid races.
Since it has lived for a long time, it has lived among many people and seen civilizations rise and fall.
An ancient steel dragon has the following stats:
| Ancient Steel Dragon Stats | Details |
|---|---|
| Armor Class (Natural) | 22 |
| Hit Points (HP) | 462 (25d20 + 200) |
| Challenge Rating (CR) | 23 (XP 50,000) |
| Size | Gargantuan |
| Frequency | Very Rare |
| Speed | 40 feet, fly 80 feet, swim 30 feet |
| Ability Scores | Str 28 Dex 10 Con 26 Int 22 Wis 16 Cha 14 |
| Saving Throws | Wis +10, Dex +7, Char +9, Con +8 |
| Immunities | Poison, Poison Damage, 0-4th level spells |
| Hardness Level (Steel) | 10 |
| Skills | Arcana +13, Deception +9, Perception +17, Stealth +7 |
| Senses | Passive Perception 27 feet, Darkvision 120 feet, Blindsight 30 feet |
| Languages | Common and Draconic |
| Alignment | Lawful Neutral |
| Actions | Bite, Claw, Breath, Change Shape, Multiattack, Frightful presence |
| Legendary Actions | Detect, Tail Attack, Wing Attack |
| Hit Dice: | Bite 20 (2d10+9), Claw 16 (2d6+9), Breath 66 (12d10) poison damage, Tail 18 (2d8+9), Wing 16 (2d6+9) |
| Type | Metallic |
| Climate | Temperate human cities |
| Lairs | Castles, mansions, towers, and palaces |
Half Steel Dragon
Half Steel Dragons are hybrids of actual steel dragons and any other unrelated creature.
They appear as either half-human or human, depending on their non-dragon partner. Often they are unaware of their true form as children but discover their true nature as they age.
They are not able to use their breath weapon unless taught by parents or when they are under immense stress.
They do not possess all of the abilities of a full steel dragon.
A Half-Steel dragon has the following homebrew stats:
| Half Steel Dragon Stats | Details |
|---|---|
| Armor Class (Natural) | 18 |
| Hit Points (HP) | 65 (10d8 + 20) |
| Challenge Rating (CR) | 5 (XP 1,500) |
| Size | Medium or Large |
| Frequency | Rare |
| Speed | 30 feet and swim 20 feet |
| Ability Scores | Str 20, Dex 10, Con 18, Int 18, Wis 12, Cha 10 |
| Saving Throws | Wis +5, Dex +4, Char +4, Con +4 |
| Immunities | Poison, Poison Damage, Cantrip spells |
| Hardness Level (Steel) | 10 (Steel parts) |
| Skills | Arcana +5, Stealth +2, Perception +4 |
| Senses | Passive Perception 19 feet, Darkvision 120 feet, Blindsight 30 feet |
| Languages | Common and Draconic |
| Alignment | Lawful Neutral |
| Actions | Bite, Claw, Breath, Change Shape, Multiattack |
| Hit Dice: | Bite 8 (1d10+3), Breath 22 (4d10) poison damage |
| Type | Metallic |
| Climate | Temperate human cities |
| Lairs | Castles, mansions, towers, and palaces |
Here is a good video about what they don’t tell you about DND steel dragons:
DND Steel Dragon Personality
As a rule, steel dragons are curious, witty, and amiable.
While they prefer human presence, they have a deep intolerance of authority. For this reason, they work with their chosen community to undermine authoritarian forces and promote freedom.
Despite their power, they often avoid needless fights and conflicts.
However, they will fight when pushed to violence. In a dire situation, they will transform back into dragons.
Steel dragons love to collect art and other items.
DND Steel Dragon Locations (Where Can You Find Them?)
Different types of steel dragons inhabit various parts of human cities.
You can find steel dragons in these locations:
- Financial districts
- Political groups
- Sailing ships
- Libraries
Steel dragons might reside in the financial district of a town.
You’ll often find them serving as accountants, treasurers, and other financial advisors.
You can also run into steel dragons on the docks of seafaring towns, acting as captains, sailors, and shipbuilders. Since steel dragons love history, they are also at home in libraries. You can find them in human form as librarians, archivists, and historians.
Steel dragons prefer palaces, castles, and large housing structures over mountainous caves.
DND Steel Dragon Combat
In combat, steel dragons prefer talking out of conflict instead of fighting.
However, if pushed to battle, they’ll use their ranged attacks in human form first.
When the conflict becomes severe, they revert back to their dragon form and use their deadly breath weapon. In melee combat, they prefer using their claws, tails, and wings.
Whenever they get cornered or outmatched, they try to shapeshift or get lost in a crowd in human guise.
DND Steel Dragon Actions
Steel dragons use their frightful presence, spells, and ranged attacks to deal with enemies.
They use their bite on a target to inflict piercing damage (2d10+7). The claw deals slashing (2d6+7), and the tail deals bludgeoning (2d8+7) damage.
When using the frightful presence, its target must be within 120 feet and aware of the dragon.
The target must make a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. It may also use multitrack to make two claw attacks and one bite attack.
DND Steel Dragon Legendary Actions
The steel dragon can take three legendary actions.
However, they can only make one legendary action at a time. Also, these actions become operational at the end of another creature’s turn.
Steel dragons regain the use of legendary actions at the beginning of the next turn.
The three legendary actions include:
- Detect—It can make a Wisdom or Perception check to detect enemies.
- Tail Attack—It can make a tail attack.
- Wing attack—The steel dragon beats its wings. Any being that is in a 10-foot radius must make a DC 20 Dexterity saving throw. If they fail the saving throw, they take 14 (2d6+7) of bludgeoning damage and get knocked prone. After a wing attack, the dragon can only fly half its normal speed.
DND Steel Dragon Breath Weapon
A steel dragon can exhale poisonous gas in a cube of about 45 feet per side.
The cube lasts until strong winds disperse it or until the next turn.
When a creature encounters the gas for the first time on a turn or starts its turn in the gas, it must make a DC 19 Constitution saving throw.
Upon a failed saving throw, the creature suffers 55 (10d10) poison damage.
When successful, it takes half as much damage.
DND Steel Dragon Lair
A steel dragon’s lair is a place where they feel safe and in control.
It can be a mansion, tower, castle, or another stronghold. Steel dragons can use their lairs in both human and dragon forms.
Within their lair, you’ll often find items of historical and artistic significance.
For example, you might find:
- Paintings
- Sculptures
- Historical documents
- Treasure
- Property holdings
DND Steel Dragon Treasure
Steel dragons hoard treasure to bolster their power and influence.
They prefer monetary assets such as properties and investments. They may also hoard items with a preference for antiquities, art, books, magic items, and fine clothing.
They often keep their treasure in a secret place in their lair and might use it to bribe others into doing their bidding.
DND Steel Dragon Names
A steel dragon’s name is typically in the language of the humans they associate with (at least the name the dragon is known by).
Their actual names can be unique and complex.
Some examples of steel dragon names are:
- Zorarth
- Rathonth
- Dotheg
- Memrayr
Female steel dragon names include:
- Fridyr
- Gayrveth
- Pydin
- Gyndraly
- Bonnai
- Qysiranth
- Cirvyn
- Hezaphe
- Auntyrlothtor
- Quituryte
- Jalanvaloss
- Stalagma
DND Steel Dragon Sources
You can find information about steel dragons from several D&D sources.
Here are a few good sources about dragons:
DND Steel Dragon Ideas
A steel dragon might be looking for a powerful magic item to bolster its power.
It could also be seeking an ancient tome or map leading it to a great treasure. Alternatively, the steel dragon could be going after a creature hard to find and capture.
Perhaps it’s been tasked by a deity or another powerful dragon to complete a specific mission.
DND steel dragons might be leading a political revolution to overthrow authority.
Your group of adventurers might encounter them hoarding spellbooks in the catacombs beneath a city library.
A DND steel dragon might be jostling for power.
It might be seeking an ancient tome or map that would lead it to a great historical treasure.
Famous Steel Dragons
There are three primary famous DND steel dragons, which include:
- Quituryte
- Jalanvaloss
- Auntyrlothtor
Other well-known steel dragons include:
- Steelheart
- Stalagma
- Velsaertirden
- Razylymingeir
- Zundaerazylym
Jalanvaloss
Jalnvaloss is a steel dragon that inhabited the Waterdeep.
In her draconic form, she was sleek and long with catlike grace. She also had long straight hair and face spines that resembled whiskers.
Velsaertirden
Velsaertirden was an old steel dragon who lived in Faerûn under different identities over the centuries.
One of its most prominent identities was the Imbryn Velsaert.
It is a sage and loremaster based on Sword Coast in Baldur’s Gate during the mid-to-late 14th century.
Auntyrlothtor
Auntyrlothtor was another Faerûn-based steel dragon.
It was a sage who advised the drow of Ched Nasad during the early years of the city’s history.
DND Steel Dragon FAQs
In this section, we’ll answer the most common questions we get about steel dragons in D&D.
What Do Silver Dragons Represent?
Silver dragons typically represent the virtues of duty, sacrifice, and honor.
They are often allies of good-aligned characters and work to thwart evil (and authority) whenever they can.
How Long Do Steel Dragons Live in DND?
Steel dragons typically live for around 10,000 years. They reach adulthood at around 100 years.
Given their extensive lifespan, they gather huge swaths of treasure and knowledge.
Adventuring parties who run into steel dragons can learn tons from their keen wisdom and observation over so many centuries.
What Do Steel Dragons Eat?
Steel dragons typically eat whatever humans consume.
They enjoy meat but can also eat vegetables, fruits, and grains. Most of the time, they remain in humanoid form.
However, every few days, they shapeshift back into dragons to secretly hunt and feed.
Can You Play a Steel Dragon in DND?
Yes, you can play steel dragons as characters in DND.
The D&D rulebooks do not provide a way to play a steel dragon. However, Dungeon Masters can homebrew their own rules.
We wrote a good article about, “Can You Play a Dragon in DND?” over here.
Final Thoughts
To summarize, steel dragons fight with politics, money, and influence more than fangs and claws.
Even if your party crosses paths with one, they may never know it.
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