D&D 5E - Dragon's breath weapon vs wall

July 2024 ยท 2 minute read
First, your units are mismatched. You're talking about hp for sections of wall and damage from a single attack that may or may not strike multiple sections of wall. I would consider how many sections of wall would be struck by the dragon's breath and compare the hp total with the breath damage. So, if the dragon is going to breathe on four sections of wall at the same time, it will remain standing, the first time.

That said, after a fly-by or two, every exposed wooden section of the structure would be on fire. Afterwards the walls would be scorched and partially melted together.* I imagine that if the stone is hot enought to partially melt, any wood touching it would start to burn. A tail lash would like knock down weakened stone work.

How big is the breath weapon compared to the size of the castle. I think it might be foolish for the dragon to get this close, but if it landed in front of the wooden castle gate a single breath would destroy it.

I wouldn't have it flow around corners, but if you are right next to it I would consider you making a save for half vs quarter damage. It makes sense to me that hiding behind some stone should count for something. Still, you're right next to some hot magical fire there, and there is a lot of radiant heat I would imagine.

They had better have some ballista or some good archers. They're in trouble.

* There was something I saw somewhere about partially vitrified stone walls in England I think. Might be interesting to research.

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