Metallic Dragons as PCs?


Dragon Magazine General Discussion

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Hey all,

There was an article in Dragon #332 outlining a savage-species style breakdown of chromatic dragons as characters.

Was a sister article ever done for metallic dragons? If so, where would I find it?

Thanks!

Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 16

Archade wrote:

Hey all,

There was an article in Dragon #332 outlining a savage-species style breakdown of chromatic dragons as characters.

Was a sister article ever done for metallic dragons? If so, where would I find it?

Thanks!

I know they came in consecutive June issues, not sure of the order though. When Mike gets through eating the fake turkey he'll be able to give you a more accurate answer since he wrote it but I suspect it would be issue 320 since it wasn't in 344 (subtracting 12... waving hands... remembering why I had so much trouble in 2nd grade... :) )


Yes, it is in issue 320. It has silver dragon on the cover and the 30th anniversary logo on the cover.

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lordarther wrote:
Yes, it is in issue 320. It has silver dragon on the cover and the 30th anniversary logo on the cover.

Thanks guys!


To be honest I'm not a big fan of dragons as PCs. They have so many abilities bumping up their level adjustment that the higher level you get, the stronger everything gets relative to your hit points and saves. You end up dealing as much damage with your breath weapon as a wizard of below your level, and fighting less well than a fighter in heavy armour.


True, but you get so many extra benefits and abilities, that you shouldn't be considered either a tank or artillery. They don't truly fill any one nitch in the iconic party, but can function as any if designed that way (except maybe healer).

I have only had the chance to play a Green Dragon (lvl 9) for half a session, b/c my character had died. The Dm ruled that the character was too powerful and wouldn't let me play him anymore. I don't think he was overpowered as much as I was really aware of capabilities and used them to the fullest.

I'd love to use those rules again in play, but none of the players in my game seem interested in playing a dragon (half-dragon maybe...)

-c

Jonathan Drain wrote:
To be honest I'm not a big fan of dragons as PCs. They have so many abilities bumping up their level adjustment that the higher level you get, the stronger everything gets relative to your hit points and saves. You end up dealing as much damage with your breath weapon as a wizard of below your level, and fighting less well than a fighter in heavy armour.

Sovereign Court RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8

We've been blessed(?) by a pair of dragons at different times in the party. They've both provided some unique advantages and disadvantages (Party level's 9th fwiw)

Nimbus the silver dragon has been with the party since level 1. At low levels his natural attacks and high hitpoints made him pretty decent as a tank, but his AC was poor. He took 'awaken frightful presence' from the Draconomicon, and we found that, RAW, it does work in alternate form. At one point he was scouting as a mouse and used it on a dog! Now that we're at 9th level and the DM let him take a level of Fighter (houserule) he's actually fighting with a spear and or sabre. He suffers from the low AC issue, and that all his weapons are for medium sized creatures. He's kind of the opposite of an eggshell with a hammer. He can take it, but can't dish it out. Oh, and DR/Anything pretty much hoses him. "I gnaw ineffectually on the Stone Golem's leg!"

I had Estherinus the Blue (Esther) from levels 5-8, I lost her in the great hard drive crash of 06, and am playing a Duskblade now for the direct damage dealer (see Nimbus, above, to notice why) Esther served as our scout. Once she gained flight, she became a headache for the DM. With maxed out spot, listen, and use magic device, she could assist the rogue in lookout and take late watches. (wasn't happy about it though) She had the improved speed feat from the Draconomicon, and as a result what she couldn't outfight, she could outfly.

Things for the aspiring draconic DM to remember:

1) Energy immunity is fun! Silvers are immune to acid and cold. DM was surprised when Nimbus laughed off a blakc wyrmling's acid breath. And was Frustrated later when the 'big nasty electrical trap' didn't slow Esther down.

2) Paralysis and Sleep are no longer your friends. A ravening pack of ghouls that has to get past the dragon who's defending the cleric is going to be upset when they can't paralyze him.

3) Dragons aren't people too. Like many monster PCs the low level spells are not going to stop the raging dragon. Charm Person? Nope, Hold Person? Nope.

4) Stop, look, what's that sound? with Draconic senses, ambushes became that much harder. Blind Sense and cone breath weapons make for bad news for invisible critters.

Things for the aspiring draconic player to remember:

1) Energy Vulnerabiltiy sucks. Mad god's key. Flask of oil. Tindertwig. Nimbus (alternate formed into a purple orc) do not mix. Load up on energy resistant items or friends.

2) Flying does not get you out of trouble. Flying gets you into worse trouble. Yes, you're Mavrick, flying and blasting with your awesome breath weapon. Tanglefoot bags turn you into a slow target, slow turns you into a slow target. both turn you into a grounded target. Also remember, you may be able to fly faster than your friends can walk, you may be too far away from them to help if you aren't careful.

3) Dragons aren't people too! Yup, Enlarge Person is nice, pity it doesn't work on you. Neither does Reduce Person.

4) Sharp Pointy teeth! Your claws and bite. Seriously, look at them, d4s and d6s most likely, and you aren't magic, adamantine, or cold iron. Damage Reduction is not your friend. Your BAB is low, due to LA, so you'll be rolling often, but not hitting. Hope you have a druid willing to magic fang you now and again.

5) Make your gaming experience easier. Check with your DM to make sure you're clear on how alternate form works in his game. Does your silver carry around a chest of clothes for those alternate form moments? Keep a d4 for breath weapons. roll it to determine 'recharge' time and tick it down every round. Make sure you know all your abilities and how they work. This will make your life easier, and your fellow players play more fun.

Sorry for such a long post.

P.S. When do we get (3.5 psionic) Gem Dragons as PCs?

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Matthew Morris wrote:
P.S. When do we get (3.5 psionic) Gem Dragons as PCs?

Just as soon as Jason or Erik ask me for them. :)

Which is probably just this side of never. :\


Mike McArtor wrote:
Matthew Morris wrote:
P.S. When do we get (3.5 psionic) Gem Dragons as PCs?

Just as soon as Jason or Erik ask me for them. :)

Which is probably just this side of never. :\

Pardon for reviving this thread, but with WotC reassuming publication, maybe now's a good time to do it Mike? Table 3-22 on page 144 of Draconomicon shows which chromatic or metallic dragon each gem dragon is comparable to, so I think it's a matter of modifying that dragon's PC table to match a gem dragon's abilities. Matter of fact, I'm experimenting on the topaz, emerald and sapphire by editing the tables of their counterparts.

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RavinRay wrote:


Pardon for reviving this thread, but with WotC reassuming publication, maybe now's a good time to do it Mike? Table 3-22 on page 144 of Draconomicon shows which chromatic or metallic dragon each gem dragon is comparable to, so I think it's a matter of modifying that dragon's PC table to match a gem dragon's abilities. Matter of fact, I'm experimenting on the topaz, emerald and sapphire by editing the tables of their counterparts.

Oh... I'm sure a certain author of certain articles has sent a proposal to a certain company that is accepting queries... ;)


Hmmm, is the Diplomacy check for me to convince you to tell me Who When Where too high, or is your Will save against my mind probe or read thoughts too good? ;)

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RavinRay wrote:
Hmmm, is the Diplomacy check for me to convince you to tell me Who When Where too high, or is your Will save against my mind probe or read thoughts too good? ;)

Well I could play it a little less coy and say directly that, yes, I sent Chris Thomasson queries related to this. :)


Mike, you've just made a lot of gem dragon fans happy! Wait till I post this over at the WotC board. Woot! :D

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RavinRay wrote:
Mike, you've just made a lot of gem dragon fans happy! Wait till I post this over at the WotC board. Woot! :D

Don't get too happy. I only sent queries. I haven't heard back from Chris yet.

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