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young 13–14 HD; juvenile 16–17 HD; young adult 19–20 HD; adult 22–23 HD; mature adult 25–26 HD; old 28–29 HD; very old 31–32 HD; ancient 34–35 HD; wyrm 37–38 HD; great wyrm 40+ HD Level Adjustment: Wyrmling +4; very young +4; young +5; others —
CHAPTER 4:
Combat Rust dragons are not the furious forces of nature that pyroclastic dragons are, nor are they violently insane like howling dragons. Rather, they are simply hungry, and they attack carefully with their goal clearly fixed in mind. They do not tolerate too much interference in pursuit of that goal, and readily break off from combat if a meal proves to be more trouble than it’s worth. Young and older rust dragons’ natural weapons are treated as magic weapons for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction. Breath Weapon (Su): A rust dragon has two breath weapons: a line of acid or a cone of reddish-brown liquid that instantly corrodes and destroys any metal it touches. Attended and magical metals receive Reflex saves to avoid
NEW MONSTERS
Native to the Infernal Battlefield of Acheron, rust dragons are creatures of tarnished metal, embodying forces of decay and corruption. Some Material Plane sages posit some connection between these fiendish monstrosities and the relatively innocuous rust monster, but the rational mind correctly sees these claims as the ravings of deranged lunatics. Rust dragons bear a strong resemblance to the metallic dragons of the Material Plane, but appear covered in rust, tarnish, or verdigris. Though some rust dragons resemble copper dragons and others silver or brass, individual rust dragons’ abilities do not differ. Their scales appear pitted and lined with corrosive color, and the membranes of their wings are very thin and iridescent. On their native plane of Acheron, rust dragons Rust dragon have an ample food supply in the endless iron cubes the size of continents floating in the void. When drawn to the Material Plane, rust dragons seek out veins of metal in underground caverns, making them particularly loathed by miners. Rust dragons feed on corroded metal, but enjoy fresh meat (particularly vermin) to cleanse the palate between ores.
this effect, but any metal is susceptible: iron, steel, silver, gold, even mithral and adamantine. Metal Resistance (Ex): A rust dragon is resistant to attacks from metal weapons. Against weapons whose damage-dealing part is metal (a blade, metal point, arrowhead, or even mace head), a rust dragon has damage reduction equal to what a rust dragon two age categories older than itself has. Wyrm and great wyrm rust dragons have damage reduction 20/magic and 10/chaotic against metal weapons, and lesser weapons corrode when used against them (see Rusting Scales, below). Rusting Bite (Ex): A rust dragon that makes a successful bite attack causes metal armor worn by the target creature to corrode, falling to pieces and becoming useless immediately. A dragon can also use its bite attack to target a weapon or other metal object, of course. The size of the object is immaterial— a full suit of armor rusts away as quickly as a sword. Magic metal items are allowed Reflex saves against a DC equal to the dragon’s breath weapon save DC. Rusting Scales (Ex): A metal weapon with less than a +5 enhancement bonus that hits a wyrm or great wyrm rust dragon corrodes and is destroyed immediately, with no saving throw. A +5 weapon deals damage normally, but then must succeed on a Reflex save (DC equal to the dragon’s breath weapon save DC) or rust away. Spell-Like Abilities: 3/day—wall of iron; 1/day—acid fog, repel metal or stone.
STYX DRAGON Dragon (Aquatic, Extraplanar) Environment: Any Lower Plane Organization: Solitary (1 dragon, any age), clutch (1d4+1 wyrmlings, very young, young, or juveniles or young adults), family (pair of mature adults and 1d4+1 offspring) Challenge Rating: Wyrmling 3; very young 4; young 6; juvenile 8; young adult 10; adult 12; mature adult 14; old 17; very old 18; ancient 19; wyrm 20; great wyrm 22 Treasure: Triple standard Alignment: Always neutral evil Advancement: Wyrmling 6–7 HD; very young 9–10 HD; young 12–13 HD; juvenile 15–16 HD; young adult 18–19 HD; adult 21–22 HD; mature adult 24–25 HD; old 27–28 HD; very old 30–31 HD; ancient 33–34 HD; wyrm 36–37 HD; great wyrm 39+ HD
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