I'm thinking about playing with a new group of people. I'm not sure yet, but thought I'd go ahead and write up a character story for the fun of it and plan him out.
I'm planning to go into the Dragon Disciple PrC. I have drafted a few stories:
barbaric hunter type finding glory in combat CN (fang dragon)
mercenary type LN (blue dragon)
exiled aristocrat LG (gold dragon)
Yeah I know not the most original, but new group I don't know them that well and I'm still fleshing this out.
I'm guessing these guys are a bit on the power gaming side of things by hearing them talk about their wild "combos" I'm not. I couldn't care really, but I don't want them to think I can't carry my weight. So what would be a good build to keep up with some power gamers?
My choices barbarian/savage bard, straight battle sorcerer, fighter/sorcerer, fighter/battle sorcerer, barbarian/battle sorcerer.
I'm trying to keep things fairly core no warmage, duskblade etc. please.
My biggest question after what class is how many levels of each? Should I lean more combat, more magic, or half and half?
Thanks
Fizz
Sadly the Dragon Disciple was made, like the Sorcerer himself, to support multi-classing and giving non-caster caracters a slight magical variant. I say sadly because both Sorcerer and Dragon Disciple are my fav. concepts in the core books. However to address your questions, depends on what books your using. I'm assuming you are keeping it 3.5 so no Pathfinder updates/options in your group.
As such I usually go with Fighter/Sorcerer, and would given one level to Sorcere for every two levels of Fighter (thats a guideline not an absolute perfect fomula to be able to do A, B, or C, rule) once you gain Dragon Disiple, go one level each, Fighter, Sorcerer, Dragon Disiple. This of course assumes a hack and slash heavy game, simply put your going to need the feats. As for race I'd go Human for the extra feat which will help with the somewhat slow power climb that so much multiclassing will cause.
If your allowed to bring in 3PP books into the game may I suggest going with FFG Mythic Races for a race called Pevishans (they were also in FFG's DragonStar Galatic Races in which they were expanded upon). The race is 3.0 but it wouldn't be any work to update, and the racial concept and rules are still the best outthere fo the Sorcerer/Dragon Disciple. In fact he'd be farily strong playing that race with only one or two levels of Sorcerer then go Dragon Disciple.
Anyways thats my two coppers, good luck and tell us how he/she turns out.
TTFN
Thanks for the tips. If you don't mind me asking why fighter over barbarian? More feats? and Why sorcerer over bard? Spell list?
Fizz
Thanks for the tips. If you don't mind me asking why fighter over barbarian? More feats? and Why sorcerer over bard? Spell list?
Fizz
Your Barbarian would lose access to his spells while raging, I think. And the bigger spell list would probably make it easier to utilize the few spells you have. At least, that's my off the cuff reasoning.
I've never really looked into the Dragon Disciple too much, but a friend of mine is really a fan of the PrC. His tactic is to go either fighter or barbarian and take a single level of bard. In powergaming terms, he would them essentially ignore the spellcasting component of the character. Instead, he then just sat back and loved the +8 Strength bonus the PrC slowly racks up. I always had trouble getting my head around the build from an role-play perspective. My solution was a tweak similar to the above lines: a 2:1 or 3:1 mix of fighter and sorcerer levels, focusing on spells thematically linked to the chosen dragon variety. But I never actually moved the character from the drawing board to active play in a game.
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32
|
Do you want him to use Dragon Disciple to become a Half-Dragon, or just as a progression to slowly make him more powerful?
If the former, you might want to consider the Draconic Racial Class from Races of the Dragon (p.70-71). Basically, you "give up" 3 levels to gradually become a Half-Dragon. Unlike the ECLs that you have to give up at 1st level and start at level 4, you can take these ECLs at any point in your level progression. You announce at character creation that your aim is to be a Half-Dragon, gain a few benefits and then at any time after that you may start on the Racial Levels. You gain slightly better abilities each level, until by the time you've taken the third you are a full Half-Dragon. The catch is that once you've started, you have to take all three in a row, you can't take one here and one there. You still end up with a +3 ECL character, but it means that you can build your character up a bit before you do.
I find it slightly better than Dragon Disciple, simply for the fact that you "give up" 3 levels, as opposed to progressing through 10 levels of the Dragon Disciple PrC, for the same nert result. Only problem is you loose 3 BAB advancements, Save advancements, Skill advancements and 1 Feat.
Just a thought. =)
Here is a summary for you:
Character Creation: +2 on Intimidate and Spot (Perception) Checks.
1st Level: +2 STR, +2 CON, +2 CHA
Claws (Weak), Darkvision 60ft, Dragonblood Subtype, Low-Light Vision, Natural Armour (+1), +4 Racial Bonus on Saves vs. Sleep and Paralysis.
2nd Level: +2 STR, +2 INT
Bite, Breath Weapon (Weak), Claws (Full), Immunity to Energy, Natural Armour (+1; +2 total).
3rd Level: +4 STR
Breath Weapon (Full), Dragon Type, Natural Armour (+2; +4 total), Wings (only if large or larger).
EDIT: Someone above mentioned Sorcerer, if you went into the Sorcerer Class, you could also look at the Half-Dragon Paragon from Unearthed Arcana as well, it has benefits for Sorcerer Half-Dragons.
It's more for becoming a half-dragon. I was thinking more of an unknown source of power that has been pushing this character to be what he is. He would be on a quest for power or at least domination, but game wise I want to be helpful to the group not necessarily powerful.
I'm also trying to stay mostly core which I understand the Dragon Disciple isn't the cream of the crop as far as trying to keep up with power gamers, but he's not bad either. I'm sure duskblade or warmage would make things easier, but I like the idea of sorcererous power that cause the DD to not mess well with society or a bard using roars to effect enemies and allies alike.
Fizz
Thanks for the tips. If you don't mind me asking why fighter over barbarian? More feats? and Why sorcerer over bard? Spell list?
Fizz
Simply, yes and yes.
I have only played the Barbarian once, so I'm not as comfortable to giving tips with Barbarians.
As for Bards I do love them, but I have found that multi-classing bards don't fair that well when compared to Sorcerers, unless your really want one of there ablities for some reason. I'm speaking mainly in terms of combat, I have seen Bard/Rogues and Bard/Clerics done well, but for what you seemed to want I'm not sure if it'd work. Could be wrong though just my coppers.
TTFN Dre
|
Hands down, the best base class for dragon disciple is hexblade.
Within (mostly) core, though...
Your best bet is to go battle sorcerer up through 6th level, then take dragon disciple from there straight, adding all your bonus spell slots to your 3rd level spells. You'll still be wielding a weapon, rather than using your claws (the claws are... unimpressive), and 3rd level spells are really where the arcanist starts to come into its own. You're going to be a meleeist first and a caster second, though, so make sure your group has a genuine spellslinger handy to go with you.
