The New DnD Copper Dragon Gets Tricked Out

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Recently, Dungeons & Dragons publisher Wizards of the Coast has been going all in on all things draconic, with the company announcing a new DnD Dragon Anthology of adventures and revealing an overhaul of how dragons look and play in the pages of the upcoming 2025 Monster Manual.

As part of this overhaul, WotC has also recently revealed the new look of the legendary DnD copper dragon, a creature that’s often overshadowed by the more benevolent gold dragons, but is also considered one of the most quirky and mischievous of the metallic wyrms.

So what new surprises will these acid-spewing tricksters unleash in 2024? Below, we take a closer look at the new artwork and design.

What are copper dragons in DnD lore?

In DnD, Copper dragons are known for their playful nature and are often regarded as the tricksters among the metallic dragons. They delight in humor, pranks, riddles and clever wordplay, relishing the opportunity to outwit both friends and foes alike. On the DnD alignment chart they tend to skew towards Chaotic Good, for while they are playful and generally good natured, they can also sometimes be jealous, greedy and mercurial.

Copper dragons prefer to make their homes in dry, rocky hills or mountainous regions where the terrain offers natural protection and seclusion. They favor lairs with multiple tunnels and chambers, often hidden behind secret doors or illusions to confuse would-be intruders. The interior of a Copper dragon’s lair is typically adorned with carvings, sculptures and other artistic expressions that reflect their love for creativity, culture and storytelling. These lairs often feature a central chamber where the dragon’s hoard is kept, which is often a chaotic mix of treasures, trinkets, and rare artifacts that the dragon has accumulated over time.

Physically, Copper dragons are striking, with scales that range from a ruddy copper to a burnished orange, giving them a distinctive, fiery appearance. Their bodies are lean and agile, built more for dexterity than brute strength. Their wings are broad and flexible, allowing them to perform impressive aerial acrobatics. Copper dragons also have long, ridged tails that end in a spade-like tip, and their heads are adorned with curved horns that sweep back over their necks. Perhaps the most visually impressive detail, however, is their eyes, which turn a glowing turquoise as they age.

In combat, Copper dragons are cunning and strategic, often using their environment to their advantage. They prefer to avoid direct confrontations, opting instead to confuse and frustrate their enemies. When necessary, however, they will use their primary breath weapon, a powerful flesh-melting acid, although they are also capable of exhaling a noxious gas that slows down opponents. When forced into close combat, Copper dragons rely on their agility and quick reflexes, striking with their claws, teeth and tail in swift, calculated movements. They are also proficient spellcasters, often using illusions and enchantments to turn the tide of battle in their favor or to escape from overwhelming odds.

How are copper dragons changing in DnD 2024?

The general appearance of copper dragons hasn’t changed much over the years, but in a recent interview with Dexerto, Head of Art for D&D Josh Herman explained that the general design goal with the copper dragon was to try to make them stand out from the similarly colored Bronze and Brass draconic variants, noting that “it’s difficult for people to know which one was which in an illustration.”

Herman also adds that much of the copper dragon’s new design was inspired by the metal that creature is named after, with the creature’s unique mix of brown hues and green accents meant to capture the chemical reaction that occurs as copper ages and comes into contact with other metals.

Herman also points out that another primary goal of the copper dragon redesign was to bring to life their distinctive personality. “When you read the text about the copper dragon, a lot of it is about being a playful prankster or trickster,” says Herman. “We also wanted this to be someone who’s cultured. They’re around people and things that would be interesting to them intellectually, not just as a vain hoarding of things.”

This personality really does come through in some of the early preview art that Wizards of the Coast has provided, which includes a copper dragon in a large dancing along to music from a tamporine-playing Bard.

Herman also points out that many of the new copper dragon illustrations were created by noted concept artists Alexander Ostrowski and Campbell White, both of whom were also involved in the redesigns of the new green dragon and new black dragon.

In the Dextero interivew, Hermans notes that ““For the [10 types of] dragons, we wanted to create new concept art that would set the vision for the new designs and provide a leaping-off point for our illustrators.”

Final Thoughts

The copper dragon in DnD stands out from its metallic brethren due to its unique personality and appearance, and it’s great to see this really come through in the redesign from the Wizards of the Coast art team. And while visually the changes are noticeable, it’s not yet clear if the copper dragon stats will also be updated in the new rules. That being said, it’s great to see these quirky creatures proving that when it comes to dragons, all that glitters isn’t necessarily gold.

The redesigned copper dragon will be appearing in the 2025 Monster Manual, which is slated for release on February 18th and which you can pre-order now on D&D Beyond and Amazon.

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