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I debated on posting this in the Devastation Ark subforum, but since I figured it was generally applicable, I'd ask here for visibility.
In 2 weeks or so, I'll be running the encounter with the Old Void Dragon (Starstone Blockade). I've NEVER run any dragon encounter in any system (d20 based or otherwise). What are things to remember when running a dragon COMBAT keeping in mind the dragon is much smarter than I, as GM, am.
My only take away from encounters with them, is that when there is an experienced GM at the helm, chances are, it's two bad rolls away from a TPK. My players are good enough that I'm not too worried about that, but still....
I'm not sure how helpful "The Monsters Know What They Are Doing" would be since that is very 5e.
Thoughts?
Here is the stat block for reference: Archives of Nethys
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For me, it's making sure the dragon stays mobile. It's really easy to sit with them like seeming tanks on the ground, smashing and biting. But they're way easier to kill that way and less fun to fight.
Keep them flying in and out of range, strafing the party with their breath weapon when possible. With this dragon in particular, 250 feet of movement can keep it harrying your party for a while without taking an absurd amount of damage.
Spend a turn or two using its bite attacks and make sure to cast Dominate Person on the characters to sow confusion between them--then do it literally with the At-Will confusion spell.
The hardest part for me in running any dragon encounter is to make sure I, as a GM, remember all of the abilities and spells the dragon has. It might be good to plan out your first few turns with the dragon based on how you expect your party to react.
Like, maybe spend the first turn dominating someone, then fly just out of range enough to be frustrating, second turn strafe them with suffocating breath, plan for a second dominate casting, use the bite attacks, and then find a suitable target for disintegrate.