Actually playing as a Dragon

[Rossebay]

Not by Draconomicon standards. Those just hurt.

*vomits*

No, no, I mean ACTUALLY getting to play as a Red Dragon that keeps up with the power of the rest of the party. Does anyone know how one would go about doing this?

I'm willing to accept two things:
1. Some odd mix of Races, Classes, and Templates. If you feel that a Red-Spawn Half-Red Tyrannosaurus somehow equals Red Dragon, then let me know! Obviously, we wouldn't be using that since the LA is so high.
2. A modified Level Adjustment, fitting to what a dragon should really be at.

As a side note, I'd like to be able to play a dragon at level 1.

[Gavinfoxx]

Uhhh. Hmmm. Nope, I don't see it happening. Just be a dragonwrought kobold with one of the dragon classes?

If you REALLY wanna be a dragon with the LA, try something other than a Red? Steel and Tome are both viable as Wyrmlings, even with the LA.

http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=9064.0

[HunterOfJello]

you need to gestalt your dragon character with levels in Dungeon

[Runestar]

Here's an interesting homebrewed dragon monster class. Interesting because I have no idea how well or poorly it works. :smallsmile:

http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165439&postcount=1

[Rossebay]

Here's an interesting homebrewed dragon monster class. Interesting because I have no idea how well or poorly it works. :smallsmile:

http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165439&postcount=1

Hahaha. That was what inspired me to make this post.
My DM would never allow it.


Edit: Can you increase in Size Class as a Steel Dragon?

[DeAnno]

As for #2, if your group is fairly highly optimized, CR = ECL should work for progressing the Dragon. If it is ... less so, then LA = 0, and taking one Hit Die per level (and new age categories appropriately) would hardly be overpowering.

[Tvtyrant]

Have your character evolve by age via HD. So you get abilities every 3 levels or so, but you get a lot of them. This only works in moderately high op groups, but I think its a good solution.

[Coidzor]

My DM would never allow it.

Well, there's your answer, then.

[Rossebay]

Well, there's your answer, then.

He wouldn't like the random abilities it is given. Or that it's a completely Homebrew class.
He's weird like that.

[Coidzor]

He wouldn't like the random abilities it is given. Or that it's a completely Homebrew class.
He's weird like that.

To paraphrase, he's not willing to play ball and nothing you can present to him will get by him and his sensibilities.

[Rossebay]

To paraphrase, he's not willing to play ball and nothing you can present to him will get by him and his sensibilities.

Yeah, that. Haha.

[Alleran]

There are 20-level classes for dragons (metallic and chromatic) in Dragon magazine.

[Urpriest]

There are 20-level classes for dragons (metallic and chromatic) in Dragon magazine.

Which are just as playable as the Draconomicon rules, seeing as they result in the same stats, LA included.

[Dralnu]

Funny coincidence since I just saw an answer to your question earlier today and thought it was a great idea:

If Pathfinder is on the table then check this out. (http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=12877.0) I think it's a very elegant and balanced way of playing a dragon.

[dspeyer]

I've played wyrmling brass dragons under RAW. It may not be the cliche dragon image, but it's fun.

I haven't played it, but by numbers dragons should keep pace with the mundane classes to ecl 20. Ban tiers 1 and 2 and there's a reasonable chance of a balanced party.

In fact, you could probably say ECL 30, treat age categories without LA as the same LA as the oldest that has it, ignore epic rules and ban everything that gets 5th level spells.

[Flickerdart]

Dragonborn (Wings aspect) Dragonfire Adept hits the important points - it flies, it has a breath weapon, it looks dragony. Dip two levels in Totemist to grab the Dragon Claws meld, and now you make natural attacks, too.

Psychic Warrior levels do all of this too. Grow big (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/powers/expansion.htm), grow claws (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/powers/clawsoftheBeast.htm), use a breath weapon (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/powers/exhalationoftheBlackDragon.htm), fly (needs Expanded Knowledge) (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/powers/flyPsionic.htm). An Erudite or Ardent can get all those easily, plus a truly mighty breath weapon (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/powers/energyWave.htm).

[Fouredged Sword]

I have been monkeying around with RHD buyoff rules. The idea is that you spend 1/2 the exp needed for your next level to turn a racial HD into a gestault class/race level. Really you should be able to pair those with La buyoff rules without completely destroying your playability.

[Rossebay]

Dragonborn (Wings aspect) Dragonfire Adept hits the important points - it flies, it has a breath weapon, it looks dragony. Dip two levels in Totemist to grab the Dragon Claws meld, and now you make natural attacks, too.

Psychic Warrior levels do all of this too. Grow big (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/powers/expansion.htm), grow claws (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/powers/clawsoftheBeast.htm), use a breath weapon (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/powers/exhalationoftheBlackDragon.htm), fly (needs Expanded Knowledge) (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/powers/flyPsionic.htm). An Erudite or Ardent can get all those easily, plus a truly mighty breath weapon (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/powers/energyWave.htm).

That's true... But the physical combat isn't there.
Of course, in a gestalt game it easily could be.

[Flickerdart]

PsyWar is the King of Smack. If you think that doesn't measure up for physical combat, I suggest you put the Hulking Hurlers down and take a deep breath.

[deuxhero]

Don't go Red Dragon, go Steel Dragon (DoF I think. It was originally a setting neutral web feature and the only update is replacing a Polymorph SLA with alt form IIRC)


Spell casting AND low LA/HD. Make good gishes, esp with buy-off for your LA.

[Gavinfoxx]

Don't go Red Dragon, go Steel Dragon (DoF I think. It was originally a setting neutral web feature and the only update is replacing a Polymorph SLA with alt form IIRC)


Spell casting AND low LA/HD. Make good gishes, esp with buy-off for your LA.

I totally ninjaed you saying Steel Dragon... ;) ;)