Eurus
2011-07-20, 04:22 AM
Dragons are really quite fun, as D&D monsters go. They're smart, they're versatile, they're powerful, and they're iconic. But they can be a royal pain to stat up. Between the skills, feats, spells, and tactics, which can draw on the many options specific to dragons or the countless options available to any creature, it's a lot of work. And since WotC is pretty bad at building NPCs you're mostly on your own.
Well, this thread can hopefully be a depository for stats -- dragon stats. Now, worth noting is that not all dragons have to be ancient powerhouses who think like paranoid wizards; some can be, of course, and it's a fun way to use a dragon, but it's not the only way. So submit anything you got.
Here's a lower-level dragon NPC of mine.
Cezant, Young Red Dragon
Abandoned at a young age and finding his fellow dragons either insufferably arrogant or paranoid, Cezant quickly tired of hiding and scavenging, the only real niches for a young dragon without allies. Taking a more proactive role, he decided to expand his hoard through banditry, and it's worked quite well for him so far. He simply picks a suitable area with high traffic and low defenses, and forces the local ne'er-do-wells into a single group through the power sheer intimidation. With a dragon on their side, the gang reaps massive hauls for a while, but Cezant is smart enough not to stay in one place for long -- after a few weeks he departs with his generous cut, leaving the hapless bandits to soon succumb to infighting or adventurers.
Tactics: Cezant believes in striking hard and fast, and sifting the loot from the ashes. His prized item, and the only magical tool he deigns to use personally, is a lesser ring of invisibility; it only functions three times per day, but this is often more than enough to allow the dragon to dispose of an unprepared force. Most would-be victims find themselves ambushed by a handful of bandits and ordered to surrender, as the dragon slips behind them. If they do not immediately comply, he unleashes his breath weapon and casts Shock and Awe to all but assure that his group wins initiative. Depending on the condition of the enemies thereafter, he either full attacks or simply snaps at one foe and takes to the air, using True Strike>Power Attack combined with Flyby Attack to harass brutally while his 10-foot reach makes it difficult to counterattack with melee weapons. The safety of his bandit lackeys is an afterthought; the less survivors, the less people to split the haul.
If faced with a threat that he does not believe he can handle after his initial surprise assault, the dragon will grudgingly retreat for easier targets, willing to lose the profits of one venture with the knowledge that his main hoard is hidden far away.
Large Dragon (Fire)
Hit Dice: 13d12+39 (123 hp)
Initiative: +0
Speed: 40 ft., fly 150 ft. (poor)
Armor Class: 21 (–1 size, +12 natural), touch 9, flat-footed 21
Base Attack/Grapple: +13/+24
Attack: Bite +19 (2d6+7)
Full Attack: Bite +19 (2d6+7) and two claws +17 (1d8+3) and two wings +17 (1d6+3) and tail slap (1d8+10)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Breath weapon (40 foot cone of fire, 6d10, DC 21)
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., spell resistance 17
Saves: Fort +11, Ref +8, Will +9
Abilities: Str 25, Dex 10, Con 17, Int 12, Wis 11, Cha 15
Skills: Bluff +18, Intimidate +18, Listen +16, Spot +16, Search +9, Use Magic Device +18, Move Silently +8, Appraise +9
Feats: Multiattack, Ability Focus (breath), Flyby Attack, Power Attack
Items: Lesser Ring of Invisibility (see description)
Organization: Solo plus 2d4 bandits
Spells Known:
0th) Ghost Sound, Message, Cure Minor Wounds, Guidance
1st) True Strike, Shock and Awe (Spell Compendium, if unavailable use Mage Armor)
One interesting thing I'd like to see, if anyone has one, is a scholarly dragon who dabbles in Pact Magic, possibly through the Bind Vestige feat. Mid-range CR, ideally; 10-15 is easier to use than 20+.
Well, this thread can hopefully be a depository for stats -- dragon stats. Now, worth noting is that not all dragons have to be ancient powerhouses who think like paranoid wizards; some can be, of course, and it's a fun way to use a dragon, but it's not the only way. So submit anything you got.
Here's a lower-level dragon NPC of mine.
Cezant, Young Red Dragon
Abandoned at a young age and finding his fellow dragons either insufferably arrogant or paranoid, Cezant quickly tired of hiding and scavenging, the only real niches for a young dragon without allies. Taking a more proactive role, he decided to expand his hoard through banditry, and it's worked quite well for him so far. He simply picks a suitable area with high traffic and low defenses, and forces the local ne'er-do-wells into a single group through the power sheer intimidation. With a dragon on their side, the gang reaps massive hauls for a while, but Cezant is smart enough not to stay in one place for long -- after a few weeks he departs with his generous cut, leaving the hapless bandits to soon succumb to infighting or adventurers.
Tactics: Cezant believes in striking hard and fast, and sifting the loot from the ashes. His prized item, and the only magical tool he deigns to use personally, is a lesser ring of invisibility; it only functions three times per day, but this is often more than enough to allow the dragon to dispose of an unprepared force. Most would-be victims find themselves ambushed by a handful of bandits and ordered to surrender, as the dragon slips behind them. If they do not immediately comply, he unleashes his breath weapon and casts Shock and Awe to all but assure that his group wins initiative. Depending on the condition of the enemies thereafter, he either full attacks or simply snaps at one foe and takes to the air, using True Strike>Power Attack combined with Flyby Attack to harass brutally while his 10-foot reach makes it difficult to counterattack with melee weapons. The safety of his bandit lackeys is an afterthought; the less survivors, the less people to split the haul.
If faced with a threat that he does not believe he can handle after his initial surprise assault, the dragon will grudgingly retreat for easier targets, willing to lose the profits of one venture with the knowledge that his main hoard is hidden far away.
Large Dragon (Fire)
Hit Dice: 13d12+39 (123 hp)
Initiative: +0
Speed: 40 ft., fly 150 ft. (poor)
Armor Class: 21 (–1 size, +12 natural), touch 9, flat-footed 21
Base Attack/Grapple: +13/+24
Attack: Bite +19 (2d6+7)
Full Attack: Bite +19 (2d6+7) and two claws +17 (1d8+3) and two wings +17 (1d6+3) and tail slap (1d8+10)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Breath weapon (40 foot cone of fire, 6d10, DC 21)
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., spell resistance 17
Saves: Fort +11, Ref +8, Will +9
Abilities: Str 25, Dex 10, Con 17, Int 12, Wis 11, Cha 15
Skills: Bluff +18, Intimidate +18, Listen +16, Spot +16, Search +9, Use Magic Device +18, Move Silently +8, Appraise +9
Feats: Multiattack, Ability Focus (breath), Flyby Attack, Power Attack
Items: Lesser Ring of Invisibility (see description)
Organization: Solo plus 2d4 bandits
Spells Known:
0th) Ghost Sound, Message, Cure Minor Wounds, Guidance
1st) True Strike, Shock and Awe (Spell Compendium, if unavailable use Mage Armor)
One interesting thing I'd like to see, if anyone has one, is a scholarly dragon who dabbles in Pact Magic, possibly through the Bind Vestige feat. Mid-range CR, ideally; 10-15 is easier to use than 20+.