Runestar
2011-07-29, 06:17 PM
Just curious if anyone has tried building an npc or foe around this concept?
My interest was stoked when I noticed this spell in dragons of eberron.
Strength of the true form (sorc1/1 immediate action/1 round duration), lets you use the higher of your physical stats, NA and dr for the duration of the spell.
Normally, this spell isn't very useful because of the short duration, but being personal range, it can be persisted, meaning a dragon capable of casting 7th lv spells (or lower with the right metamagic-reducing feats) could effectively stay in human form 24/7, yet still enjoy the key physical benefits of his dragon form.
Then for dragons without alternate form, there is also a feat which grants them this 3/day, so this concept could be applied to any dragon.
Let's take a very old red dragon with 1 lv in sorc. What would the cr be if he fought in human form? He would still have 31 dragon HD, base str of 37 (up to 42 with the elite array), +30NA, dr15/magic (negligible) and on top of this, be able to make better use of armour/weapons yet still enjoy sorc14 spellcasting (possibly in the form of buffs/support - arcane spellsurge would let him full-attack and cast 1 spell each round).
Would such a foe be gimping himself (it is a cr22 on paper), or can he still be optimised to prove a decent challenge?
Of course, he will need some way of protecting him from dispels. Practiced spellcaster can boost his caster lv to 18, ring of enduring arcana adds another 4, so he stands a pretty good chance of resisting, IMO. This also works double duty on personal buffs like greater heroism, Alternatively, the tenacious magic epic feat (ELH) lets the spell come back after 1d4 rounds.
Now, what I am interested in are abilities which let him use his other dragon abilities in human form. Any way of unleashing his breath weapon or frightful presence? Then the metabreath-feats/spells in draconomicon would come in very handy. :smallamused:
Any other suggestions on how to improve and take this concept further? Who needs gishes? :smalltongue:
My interest was stoked when I noticed this spell in dragons of eberron.
Strength of the true form (sorc1/1 immediate action/1 round duration), lets you use the higher of your physical stats, NA and dr for the duration of the spell.
Normally, this spell isn't very useful because of the short duration, but being personal range, it can be persisted, meaning a dragon capable of casting 7th lv spells (or lower with the right metamagic-reducing feats) could effectively stay in human form 24/7, yet still enjoy the key physical benefits of his dragon form.
Then for dragons without alternate form, there is also a feat which grants them this 3/day, so this concept could be applied to any dragon.
Let's take a very old red dragon with 1 lv in sorc. What would the cr be if he fought in human form? He would still have 31 dragon HD, base str of 37 (up to 42 with the elite array), +30NA, dr15/magic (negligible) and on top of this, be able to make better use of armour/weapons yet still enjoy sorc14 spellcasting (possibly in the form of buffs/support - arcane spellsurge would let him full-attack and cast 1 spell each round).
Would such a foe be gimping himself (it is a cr22 on paper), or can he still be optimised to prove a decent challenge?
Of course, he will need some way of protecting him from dispels. Practiced spellcaster can boost his caster lv to 18, ring of enduring arcana adds another 4, so he stands a pretty good chance of resisting, IMO. This also works double duty on personal buffs like greater heroism, Alternatively, the tenacious magic epic feat (ELH) lets the spell come back after 1d4 rounds.
Now, what I am interested in are abilities which let him use his other dragon abilities in human form. Any way of unleashing his breath weapon or frightful presence? Then the metabreath-feats/spells in draconomicon would come in very handy. :smallamused:
Any other suggestions on how to improve and take this concept further? Who needs gishes? :smalltongue: