Rune Dragon (Young)

Pathfinder Remaster. Stats use the Pathfinder Remaster rules from Pathfinder Monster Core 2.

The Rune Dragon (Young) is a Level 10 creature, with Armor Class 30 and 175 hit points. The rune dragon is a studious creature that carries magical enchantments directly upon its scales.

Rune Dragon (Young), original Pathfinder 2e monster artwork by ZapGM

Stat Block

Abilities & Attacks

Magic Sense (arcane). The rune dragon is aware of any active magical abilities and effects within the listed range. When the dragon Seeks, it gains the benefits of a 4th-rank detect magic spell within the listed range (in addition to the normal benefits of Seeking). Runic Scales. The rune dragon's scales function as runestones. The rune dragon can't use the effects or abilities of the runes etched on its scales, but they can transfer these runes to appropriate objects. Transferring a rune to or from an item in this way requires 1 minute, during which the dragon is Off-Guard. The process is automatic and doesn't require a check, but if the dragon stops or is interrupted in this process, the rune is destroyed. A rune dragon can have any number of runes etched on its scales, though they typically have only a handful of runes etched on their scales at a time. +2 Status to All Saves vs. Arcane Retributive Rune (reaction). Trigger A creature within 15 feet damages the rune dragon. Effect With a burst of runic magic, the rune dragon uses their detonating rune ability on the triggering creature and immediately causes the rune to detonate if it didn't automatically do so. Detonating Rune. The rune dragon's Strikes and abilities can leave a detonating rune on their targets. If a creature would receive a detonating rune while they already have one, instead of adding another rune, their current detonating rune activates, dealing 4d6 damage to the target and expending the rune. The detonating rune's damage type matches the dragon's current Shifting Rune. A creature can use an Interact action to remove the rune. Detonating runes fade after 1 minute if not detonated. Draconic Frenzy (2 actions). The dragon makes two claw Strikes and one tail Strike in any order. Draconic Momentum. The dragon recharges their Runic Breath whenever they score a critical hit with a Strike. Runic Breath (2 actions) (arcane). The dragon launches hundreds of exploding runes that detonate upon impact, dealing 9d6 damage in a 30-foot cone (DC 29 basic Reflex save). The damage type of this ability is determined by Shifting Rune. Creatures who fail the save are also affected by detonating rune. The dragon can't use Runic Breath again for 1d4 rounds. Shifting Runes (1 action). The rune dragon chooses between acid, cold, electricity, fire, or sonic damage. The runes etched upon the dragon shift, forming runes of that energy on its scales. The dragon gains immunity to that damage type, and their detonating runes and Runic Breath deal that damage type. Anyone trained in Arcana can immediately recognize the energy type of the etched rune without a check. Push 10 feet (1 action). Requirements The monster's last action was a successful Strike that lists Push in its damage entry. Effect The monster attempts to Shove the creature. This attempt neither applies nor counts toward the monster's multiple attack penalty. If Push lists a distance, change the distance the creature is pushed on a success to that distance.

Common Questions

How much HP does a Rune Dragon (Young) have?

175 hit points.

What level is a Rune Dragon (Young)?

Level 10.

What is a Rune Dragon (Young)'s Armor Class?

AC 30.

How fast can a Rune Dragon (Young) move?

Speed 60 ft., fly 100 ft.

Use Rune Dragon (Young) at your table

Original custom artwork found nowhere else on the web, free to view. Copy-paste the full stat block straight into your notes, a Word doc, or your VTT, or sign in to claim Rune Dragon (Young) into a ZapGM campaign and customize it further.

License

This product is licensed under the ORC License located at the Library of Congress at TX 9-307-067 and available online at various locations including paizo.com/orclicense, azoralaw.com/orclicense, and others. All warranties are disclaimed as set forth therein.

Game mechanics on this page are based on Pathfinder Monster Core 2 © 2025 Paizo Inc. Full attribution is on zapgm.com/legal.

The game mechanics ZapGM publishes from these books remain ORC Licensed Material: you may reuse them under the ORC License.

The creature description and artwork are ZapGM Reserved Material.

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