How to approach Dungeons & Dragon's massive selection of dragons and make the correct creature choice for a campaign or character story.

If there is one staple that is agreed upon most in any fantasy setting, it is definitely dragons. Dungeons & Dragons has had dragons as a core creature since the massively popular game's beginning. Dragons can be either friend of foe and used as a familiar or an obstacle in the many campaigns Dungeons & Dragons has produced. These dragons have awesome powers, like the ability to shapeshift or to call on the powers of other planes. Because of the game's long history, however, there is now a daunting daunting list of D&D dragons to approach when setting up a boss fight.

How many dragons are actually in D&D? The answer to this question comes in understanding the difference between true dragons and dragon-like creatures, both of which are plentiful and have many subtypes. While some dragon-like creatures may not be actual dragons, that doesn't mean they aren't just as powerful or aren't worth including in a campaign.

If a true dragon in a difficult dungeon is something that sounds appealing, though, or if a player is hoping to include a powerful dragon in a backstory, it is good to know what types of dragons are available in D&D, as well as what a true dragon can really do.

D&D's True Dragons, Explained

Dungeons & Dragons has carefully created the criteria that mark a true dragon from other creatures. True dragons are intelligent creatures with marked personalities. They become more powerful with age, growing larger and more resistant to damage in that time. They have special abilities like Dragon Breath that increases in power and potency, making them terrifying as opponents. Even young dragons have a difficult challenge rating, making young dragons the perfect boss fight for players wanting to demonstrate skills in battle. True dragons also have the ability to become powerful allies to players when selecting dragon types with a Good or Neutral alignment. Dragons that can be convinced to aid in a cause or part with wealth can be an asset to players and add some fun roleplay for a party interested in something other than fighting.

The list of true dragons includes:

• Chromatic Dragons - Inherently Evil in alignment (Red, Blue, Green, White, Brown, Purple, Gray, Yellow).
• Metallic Dragons - Inherently Good in alignment (Gold, Silver, Bronze, Copper, Brass, Mercury, Iron, Steel, Platinum).
• Planar Dragons - Live on other planes and are permanently altered in abilities (Abyssal, Astral, Elemental, Feywild, Shadowfell).
• Gem Dragons - Neutral in Alignment (Amethyst, Emerald, Sapphire, Topaz, Crystal, Obsidian).
• Lung Dragons - From the Kara-Tur and are workers for the Celestial Bureaucracy (Chiang-Lung, Li Lung, Lung Wang, Pan Lung, Shen Lung, Tien Lung, Tun Mi Lung, Yu Lung).

Some dragons have risen in D&D over the years that do not fit the above criteria. While most of these are still considered true dragons, their origins or circumstances make it so that they do not mesh with the standards for the original true dragons. Each of these dragons has a specific set of rules that can't be generalized, so researching their backstories on a site like the Forgotten Realms Wiki is important before choosing one for a campaign. These dragons might have different moral alignments, exist on a different plane, or may have play requirements outside the regular categories for other dragons in D&D. The list of other types of dragons is ever expanding with the addition of new D&D content from Wizards of the Coast, giving players more choices with each new species.

Other dragons include:

• Air Dragons - Rare dragons from the from a different planet.
• Brainstealer Dragons - Squid-like dragons that live underground.
• Deep Dragons - A variant of the purple dragon that comes from the Underdark.
• Dzalmus - Three-headed dragons of the Hordelands.
• Fang Dragons - A variant of the grey dragon from Faerûn.
• Force Dragons - Powerful and transparent.
• Mist Dragons - Found along coastlines.
• Moon Dragons - Color-changing dragons found on moons.
• Prismatic Dragons - Multi-colored dragons from myths.
• Radiant Dragons - Iridescent dragons with the ability to interrupt spells.
• Rattelyr Dragons - Wingless and snakelike dragons that are found in deserts.
• Song Dragons - Dragons that often appear shapeshifted as humans.
• Sun Dragons - Dragons that live on the surface of suns.
• Stellar Dragons - Incredibly smart dragons.
• Vishaps - Wingless and exceptionally cowardly.

D&D's Lesser Dragons, Explained

This category addresses creatures that are dragon-like in build or in nature but are not true D&D dragons. These creatures do not grow more powerful with age, may vary in intelligence, and might not have a specific alignment, as true dragons do. While they are not able to encompass all of the skills and abilities of true dragons, that does not mean they aren't as powerful or wouldn't be as interesting as an adult green dragon in a fight. These creatures hold skills and appeal that are entirely unique to their own species and could make for a fun, less traditional boss battle to throw players off their rhythm.

Lesser Dragons include:

• Dragon Turtle - Giant, ocean-dwelling creatures.
• Drakes - A subset of lesser dragons with their own variants.
• Hellfire Wyrms - Descendants of true dragons that make pacts with devils.
• Pseudodragons - Small, dragon-like creatures that make good familiars.
• Sea Wyrms - Snakelike, flightless creatures that live in the oceans.
• Scalamagdrions - Magic-resistant creatures that live underground.
• Sun Wyrms - Dragon-like creatures that can become pure energy.
• Wyverns - Bipedal lizards with long, barbed tails.

Dungeons & Dragons has many scenarios to offer when looking at the list of dragons and dragon-like creatures: True dragons make excellent intelligent enemies or, in the case of the Curse of Strahd campaign, powerful allies. From a story telling perspective, any of the true dragons can create a compelling narrative that will have players enthralled. Lesser dragons and other dragon-like creatures, meanwhile, are a perfect pick for players looking for power in the form of something less traditional.

Whether it's a dragon's powerful breath to singe the boots of a bard or a massive undersea demon to frighten a fighter's party aboard a sea vessel, Dungeons & Dragons has all the bases covered in its expansive roster of creatures. Players can add a dragon ally to a story or find exactly the inspiration they need for a character that has been influenced by dragons. The intellectual creatures are a perfect choice for a game that requires an intelligent villain or a powerhouse friend. No matter how dragons are incorporated into a campaign, players won't likely be left disappointed.

Next: Critical Role's "Mercer Effect" Explained (& How It Hurts D&D)