---
title: "Copper Dragon (Ancient, Spellcaster)"
obsidianUIMode: preview
noteType: pf2eMonster
cssClasses: pf2e
aliases: "Actor.ioFQw1XzRLWeUpbi" 
tags:
  - pf2e/creature/type/chaotic
  - pf2e/creature/type/dragon
  - pf2e/creature/type/earth
  - pf2e/creature/type/good
  - pf2eMonster
  - pf2e/creature/level/17
statblock: inline
name: "Copper Dragon (Ancient, Spellcaster)"
level: 17
license: OGL
---

```statblock
columns: 2
forcecolumns: true
layout: Basic Pathfinder 2e Layout
source: "Pathfinder Bestiary"
name: "Copper Dragon (Ancient, Spellcaster)"
level: "Creature 17"
rare_03: [[Uncommon]]
alignment: ""
size: "huge"
trait_01: [[chaotic]]
trait_02: [[dragon]]
trait_03: [[earth]]
trait_04: [[good]]
modifier: 30
perception:
  - name: "Perception"
    desc: "+30; Darkvision, Scent (Imprecise) 60 Feet"
languages: "Common, Draconic, Dwarven, Elven, Gnomish"
skills:
  - name: "Skills"
    desc: "Acrobatics: +30, Athletics: +31, Crafting: +31, Deception: +29, Performance: +31, Society: +29, Stealth: +30"
abilityMods: [8, 5, 5, 6, 5, 6]
speed: 50 feet,  climb 50 feet,  fly 200 feet
sourcebook: "_Pathfinder Bestiary_"
ac: 41
armorclass:
  - name: AC
    desc: "41; __Fort__ +30, __Ref__ +32, __Will__ +32; +1 status to all saves vs. magic"
hp: 345
health:
  - name: ""
  - name: HP
    desc: "345; __Immunities__  acid,  paralyzed,  sleep"
abilities_top:
  - name: ""

  - name: "Climb Stone"
    desc: "  The dragon's climb speed functions only when climbing stone surfaces"

abilities_mid:
  - name: ""
  - name: "[[Bestiary Ability Glossary/Frightful Presence|Frightful Presence]]"
    desc: " (aura,emotion,fear,mental) 90 feet. DC 35 Will check\n* * *\n\nA creature that first enters the area must attempt a Will save.\n\nRegardless of the result of the saving throw, the creature is temporarily immune to this monster's Frightful Presence for 1 minute.\n* * *\n\n**Critical Success** The creature is unaffected by the presence.\n\n**Success** The creature is [[Conditions/Frightened|Frightened 1]].\n\n**Failure** The creature is [[Conditions/Frightened|Frightened 2]].\n\n**Critical Failure** The creature is [[Conditions/Frightened|Frightened 4]]."

  - name: "Slow Aura"
    desc: " (arcane,aura) 10 feet. Each creature that ends its turn in the aura must succeed at a DC 37 Will check saving throw or be [[Conditions/Slowed|Slowed 1]] for 1 round (or [[Conditions/Slowed|Slowed 2]] on a critical failure). The copper dragon can turn this aura on or off with a single action, which has the concentrate trait, and can choose not to affect allies within the aura."

  - name: "Twisting Tail"
    desc: "`pf2:r`  **Trigger** A creature within reach of the copper dragon's tail uses a move action or leaves a square during a move action it's using.\n* * *\n\n**Effect** The dragon makes a tail Strike at the creature with a -2 penalty. If it hits, the dragon disrupts the triggering action."

attacks:
  - name: ""

  - name: "**Melee** `pf2:1` Jaws"
    desc: "+33 (acid, magical, reach 15 feet)\n__Damage__  3d10 + 16 piercing 3d8 acid"

  - name: "**Melee** `pf2:1` Claw"
    desc: "+33 (agile, magical, reach 10 feet)\n__Damage__  3d10 + 16 slashing"

  - name: "**Melee** `pf2:1` Tail"
    desc: "+31 (magical, reach 20 feet)\n__Damage__  2d10 + 14 bludgeoning"

  - name: "Arcane Prepared Spells"
    desc: "DC 39, attack +33; __8th __  _[[Spells/Quandary|Maze]]_, _[[Spells/Prismatic Wall|Prismatic Wall]]_; __7th __  _[[Spells/Prismatic Spray|Prismatic Spray]]_, _[[Spells/Project Image|Project Image]]_, _[[Spells/Reverse Gravity|Reverse Gravity]]_; __6th __  _[[Spells/Mislead|Mislead]]_, _[[Spells/Phantasmal Calamity|Phantasmal Calamity]]_, _[[Spells/Teleport|Teleport]]_; __5th __  _[[Spells/False Vision|False Vision]]_, _[[Spells/Hallucination|Hallucination]]_, _[[Spells/Truespeech|Tongues]]_; __4th __  _[[Spells/Confusion|Confusion]]_, _[[Spells/Creation|Creation]]_, _[[Spells/Mountain Resilience|Stoneskin]]_; __3rd __  _[[Spells/Haste|Haste]]_, _[[Spells/One with Stone|Meld into Stone]]_; __2nd __  _[[Spells/Dispel Magic|Dispel Magic]]_, _[[Spells/Revealing Light|Glitterdust]]_, _[[Spells/Invisibility|Invisibility]]_, _[[Spells/See the Unseen|See Invisibility]]_; __1st __  _[[Spells/Fleet Step|Fleet Step]]_, _[[Spells/Illusory Object|Illusory Object]]_, _[[Spells/Disguise Magic|Magic Aura]]_\n__Cantrips__  __(8th)__ _[[Spells/Detect Magic|Detect Magic]]_, _[[Spells/Ghost Sound|Ghost Sound]]_, _[[Spells/Message|Message]]_, _[[Spells/Read Aura|Read Aura]]_"

  - name: "Arcane Innate Spells"
    desc: "DC 39, attack +31; __5th __  _[[Spells/Laughing Fit|Hideous Laughter (At Will)]]_, _[[Spells/Wall of Stone|Wall of Stone]]_; __4th __  _[[Spells/Shape Stone|Shape Stone (At Will)]]_; __1st __  _[[Spells/Grease|Grease (At Will)]]_"

  - name: "Breath Weapon"
    desc: "`pf2:2` (acid,arcane) The copper dragon breathes in one of two ways.\n\nThe dragon can't use Breath Weapon again for 1d4 rounds.\n\n*   **Acid** The dragon breathes acid in a 100-foot line that deals 18d6 acid damage (DC 38 Reflex check save).\n*   **Slowing Gas** The dragon breathes a 100-foot line of slowing gas. Each creature in the area must succeed at a DC 38 Fortitude check save or be [[Conditions/Slowed|Slowed 1]] for 1 round (or [[Conditions/Slowed|Slowed 2]] on a critical failure)."

  - name: "Mass Laughter"
    desc: "`pf2:2` (arcane,emotion,mental) **Frequency** once per day\n* * *\n\n**Effect** The copper dragon tells a fantastic joke. Each creature in a 100-foot emanation must succeed at a DC 39 Will check save or suffer the effects of a 9th-rank [[Spells/Laughing Fit|Laughing Fit]] spell for 1 minute."
 
```

```encounter-table
name: Copper Dragon (Ancient, Spellcaster)
creatures:
  - 1: Copper Dragon (Ancient, Spellcaster)
```



Capricious and always eager to share a good laugh, copper dragons are among the wiliest of the metallic dragons, but this by no means interferes with their mission to spread freedom in oppressive lands. Copper dragons are hedonists who are quick to indulge in simple pleasures, but they're also sympathetic to other creatures, slow to pass judgment, and careful to always examine a situation from as many perspectives as possible. This philosophy has its drawbacks, however, as copper dragons are susceptible to negative influences and prone to forgiving the less serious evil acts performed by their chromatic cousins and other cruel creatures. Copper dragons also have a difficult time keeping their temper in check once they are roused to anger.

Copper dragons tend to lair in warm or temperate hills, but due to their nature, they move their lairs every few years. They sometimes live among other people, especially any dwarves who reside nearby. Some copper dragons even worship gods typically worshipped only by humanoids. Among these dragons, worship of Cayden Cailean is most popular, as they see his love of freedom and penchant for alcohol aligning with the typical copper dragon mindset.

A copper dragon's combat tactics are as unorthodox as its sense of humor, as it is more likely to use mockery and tricks than outright strength to win its battles. As a copper dragon ages, it perfects jokes capable of rendering its foes helpless with laughter.

* * *

Paragons of virtue, nobility, and grace, metallic dragons are benevolent entities revered as mythic beings akin to gods in both their power and majesty. Few have ever seen a metallic dragon firsthand, but tales of their intervention in mortals' lives-and of their passing-always spread far and wide. Named for the way their scales resemble the shining metals humanoids use in commerce, warfare, and industry, these immense beings are diverse in their interests and abilities, and they don't seem to mind being associated with such mundane materials. After all, to compare a gold dragon to a gold coin is like comparing an ocean to a glass of water-though they may seem similar at first glance, the raw power, breadth, and grandeur of one simply overwhelms the other.

In addition to metallic dragons and their chromatic counterparts, other types of dragons roam the world and the rest of the multiverse. In the legendary lands of Tian Xia on the other side of the globe are the imperial dragons, serpentine beings who protect the cosmic balance and defend their ancient homeland. Outside the Material Plane, primal dragons such as the domineering brine dragon and reclusive cloud dragon shape the nature and goings-on of the Elemental Planes. Countless other types of dragons are sure to exist, including dragons on far-flung planes of existence and, it is rumored, primeval dragons who soar between the stars.
