Why Dragons are different
77IM has made a remarkablely well put together concept that allows a player to play as a dragon in 5th edition, that being said, there is a slight problem in playing a dragon using their rules in a Twokinds campaign. they've built the rules and features along with the flavour to suit a traditional D&D campaign set in the Forgotton realms or Greyhawk or what have you. The dragons of traditional D&D are divided into two categories, Chromatic(Evil), and Metallic(Good) each different species of dragons has a different colour for their scales, with bronze, gold, copper, silver, and brass being the metallic varieties, and red, blue, black, white, and green being the chromatic varieties. each of there species looks notably different from one another, and they all have predetermined alignments. Now personally, I never really like how a party can know whether to kill a dragon of not just by looking at it, So I prefer Tom's approach, which seems to be: Dragons are all one species, with various traits such as scale colour, horn shape and wing shape as well as breath weapons being hereditary traits more akin to hair and skin colour than aspects of different species. Thus I have rewritten 77IM's Dragon Characters here, with the flavour of Twokinds, and a few rule changes to better suit the setting
Dragons
Let’s look at some of the more problematic abilities that these dragons get.
Dragon Type. This renders the dragon immune to such spells and effects as charm person, hold person, and dominate person. Although these effects don’t come up especially often in most campaigns, when they do, the dragon will be completely immune to them, while the rest of the party may be languishing with failed saving throws. Fly Speed. A 60 foot flying speed at 1st level can really circumvent many low-level dungeon challenges, such as anything involving pits or climbing or jumping. It’s also tremendously useful in battle, as the dragon begins the game able to close distances in an instant.
Spell-Like and Physical Attacks. A dragon’s breath weapon resembles an area-effect spell and by itself is no better than what low-level spell casters have available. Likewise, the dragon’s natural weapons and armor are roughly the equivalent of a great-weapon fighter. (Even at higher levels the dragon’s high maximum Strength score helps make up for lack of fighting style, rage, superiority dice, etc.) However, put the two together, and you have a PC who can hold the line like a fighter and also wipe out crowds of minions like a spell caster.
Center of Attention. There’s just something awesome about dragons. Even if they were mathematically underpowered, some players would still choose to play them, and many players and NPCs would pay closer attention to what a dragon does than they would an ordinary PC.
INCONVENIENT DRAWBACKS.
Dragons are mighty and should feel that way in play. However, they also come with a number of subtle drawbacks.
Size. Dragons are Large size, which may make it difficult for them to squeeze into small indoor dungeons, palaces, or shops. They also weigh a lot and need to eat a considerable amount. Destruction follows where-ever a dragon goes simply because they are big and need to eat so much.
No tools. Dragons have trouble using tools and weapons, which limits their career options somewhat. It also makes it much more difficult for them to find magic items that increase their attack, damage, or AC. (Their class Strength bonuses and maximum Strength score are meant to compensate for this, in part. If your campaign features few or no magic weapons and armor, you may wish to limit the dragon’s Maximum Strength to 22, or 24 for those with the Apex Predator archetype.)
Reputation. Although being a fire-breathing monster has its upside, most ordinary non-dragon folk are just afraid of you, or at least mistrusting. The ones that aren’t afraid have an annoying tendency to try to kill you and take your stuff. So can you integrate a dragon PC into a gaming group without stepping on everybody’s toes? I think so. As long as you keep these potential issues in mind, and make sure all the PCs have ample time to shine.
HOW TO USE THESE RULES
These rules allow players to build dragons as player characters. Unlike other races, dragons are so powerful that their abilities are spread out over the course of 20 levels — dragon is both a race and a class. To create 1st level dragon character, start by taking the dragon racial traits, the Dragonling background, and 1 level of the dragon class.
Dragons
Let’s look at some of the more problematic abilities that these dragons get.
Dragon Type. This renders the dragon immune to such spells and effects as charm person, hold person, and dominate person. Although these effects don’t come up especially often in most campaigns, when they do, the dragon will be completely immune to them, while the rest of the party may be languishing with failed saving throws. Fly Speed. A 60 foot flying speed at 1st level can really circumvent many low-level dungeon challenges, such as anything involving pits or climbing or jumping. It’s also tremendously useful in battle, as the dragon begins the game able to close distances in an instant.
Spell-Like and Physical Attacks. A dragon’s breath weapon resembles an area-effect spell and by itself is no better than what low-level spell casters have available. Likewise, the dragon’s natural weapons and armor are roughly the equivalent of a great-weapon fighter. (Even at higher levels the dragon’s high maximum Strength score helps make up for lack of fighting style, rage, superiority dice, etc.) However, put the two together, and you have a PC who can hold the line like a fighter and also wipe out crowds of minions like a spell caster.
Center of Attention. There’s just something awesome about dragons. Even if they were mathematically underpowered, some players would still choose to play them, and many players and NPCs would pay closer attention to what a dragon does than they would an ordinary PC.
INCONVENIENT DRAWBACKS.
Dragons are mighty and should feel that way in play. However, they also come with a number of subtle drawbacks.
Size. Dragons are Large size, which may make it difficult for them to squeeze into small indoor dungeons, palaces, or shops. They also weigh a lot and need to eat a considerable amount. Destruction follows where-ever a dragon goes simply because they are big and need to eat so much.
No tools. Dragons have trouble using tools and weapons, which limits their career options somewhat. It also makes it much more difficult for them to find magic items that increase their attack, damage, or AC. (Their class Strength bonuses and maximum Strength score are meant to compensate for this, in part. If your campaign features few or no magic weapons and armor, you may wish to limit the dragon’s Maximum Strength to 22, or 24 for those with the Apex Predator archetype.)
Reputation. Although being a fire-breathing monster has its upside, most ordinary non-dragon folk are just afraid of you, or at least mistrusting. The ones that aren’t afraid have an annoying tendency to try to kill you and take your stuff. So can you integrate a dragon PC into a gaming group without stepping on everybody’s toes? I think so. As long as you keep these potential issues in mind, and make sure all the PCs have ample time to shine.
HOW TO USE THESE RULES
These rules allow players to build dragons as player characters. Unlike other races, dragons are so powerful that their abilities are spread out over the course of 20 levels — dragon is both a race and a class. To create 1st level dragon character, start by taking the dragon racial traits, the Dragonling background, and 1 level of the dragon class.