I'm making a dragon slayer npc for a game tonight where I've been invited to join a friend's group for one session. So I've imagined a dragon slaying consultant that they have hired for their planned dragon hunt. This consultant advises the group on how to kill a dragon, and provides combat support to the group, but ultimately allows them to put sword to scale.
I have the start of an idea of a wizard that prepares several buffs specific to what ever is being hunted (protection from energy, haste, flame arrow) a few spells that don't allow saves (enervation, magic missile), and a few utility spells (dimension door, augury?).
Any advice on spells, feats, or class features to make this dragon slaying consultant mage?
Sounds like a fun opportunity to grab very specialized feats like Dragonheart and/or Dragonslayer.
I also think it could be fun to take Dragoncrafting, maybe have the character using a few items, and then assist the party with some harvesting afterwards.
Maybe have him focus on knowledge skills appropriate to dragons (perhaps the Lore skill from Unchained).
Otherwise, sounds like you've got a good handle on things. Hope you have a blast!
Thanks for the feat recommendations, the dragoncrafting one will definitely be used.
Going to invest heavily into knowledge arcane, and maybe knowledge local or survival? Trying to decide what best represents researching a specific dragon's habits and nature (aside from the academic nature of knowing the dragon's abilities).
Glad to be of assistance!
Good call on the Knowledges. Perhaps also Knowledge Geography related to their habitat? Even History could be useful related to the the history of dragon involvement in mortal affairs.
Lore also allows for a very specific level of knowledge, but unfortunately you'd have to choose each dragon type individually I think, which probably isn't feasible.
As far as spells go, maybe consider Fly to enable the melee folks to reach the dragon (in case they don't have their own means of doing so already). I also tend to prefer Resist Energy (Communal) over Protection from Energy, but that's a personal preference.
If you haven't chosen a race for your Dragonslayer NPC yet, might I recommend a dwarf with the Wyrmscourged alternate racial trait?
If you want him to have a weapon then you should probably have the Mimetic enchantment. Basicly lets you copy some energy resistance.
The Dragon Slayer Consultant was a huge success. Knowledge Geography was very useful as we climbed a mountain to it's Lair. The box of fly Potions, although expensive, made all the difference. And skill focus know: arcane really helped with the knowledge checks, even helped notice the shield spell effect in place (which was dispelled so that the group could finally hit it).
I would have liked to have a dragonbane weapon to lend out, but the budget ran out.
Awesome -- glad to hear it, and thanks for letting us know how it played out.
Isnt there a paladin ability or a channel ability that protects VS breath weapons?
Since its a NPC you can mix and match your classes a bit so they fi the role, but you could easily be a Paladin with a Oath against dragons whom hunt evil dragons.
Plus then he could also support the party with stuff with the channel, heals and similar.
The "consultant" saved our bacon!