Dragon PC

[Oblivionsdebate]

assuming the rule of cr equals level for monsters as pcs, how balanced would a bronze dragon wyrmling with a few additional levels in sorcerer be in a 10th level party?

the party contains right now (and is growing big group):
Ratling alchemist (plague bringer archetype)
Ratling ranger (probably archery focused)
hobgoblin monk (sohei archetype optimized for damage output)
Duegear cleric (focused on archery/support with campaign specific god hurray favored weapons)
Human fighter (intent on getting the biggest two-hander he can to smash stuff)
Human sorcerer (wants to play it like a beliguer from 3.5 so basically he is the face skills wise, and control in combat)
and then we have a few others coming too but no news on characters yet

the dragon would be focused on doing magical damage. and wouldn't end up going up in age categories, just gonna keep taking on class levels from there.

[boring7]

I *liked* council of Wyrms and still own it, but I can't deny it was some cheesy nonsense. The problem with CR = level is there are things that can REALLY break the game. For example a Hound Archon fighter is a dang good fighter who Greater teleports at will anywhere he feels like.

That said I don't remember Bronze wyrmlings having game-breaking powers and a sorceror who soaks (checks SRD) FIVE caster levels for some (very nice, but not super-duper) survival abilities ain't that bad.

Also your damage output will be lackluster compared to your compatriots, which is your main thing, which means you aren't in much danger of overshadowing anyone.

[SeaBiscuit01]

I would seriously consider splitting your group, it starts to sound unmanageable

[blackbloodtroll]

Check out the Advanced Race Guide, and in the back they have a Race Builder section that should give you the appropriate power level of your Dragon PC.

[Tandriniel]

Just looked at the wyrmling. I would allow it, especially if it is for flavour, since the power level would be low, low offence and options, good survivability through hp, saves, immunities.

A more balanced choice would be the Dragon Disciple PrC which is also very rich in flavour.

[The Grand User]

Having run a game with a bronze dragon in the party in 3.5, tossing out the LA+HD=ECL nonsense, I'd have to say there isn't much of a problem at all basing level off of CR. Granted, the player wasn't one to maximize the full power potential out of his characters, but even a moderately competent player should've cause too much of a problem with a dragon PC. It was actually one of the non-broken/overpowered characters of the group even (the paladin was another thing entirely).

The dragon started at wyrmling, and through various magical shenanigans and stretches of time, etc, managed to accelerate her growth to an adult dragon around level 20, so she didn't have class levels either. It was a fun game, and first one I DM'd. If I did it over again, there would be things I'd change, but the dragon PC would not be one of them.