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eftexar
2011-12-25, 08:57 PM
Dragon Tamer (3.5)

Abilities: Strength and dexterity are your most important skills. They allow you to fight and defend yourself in melee better. Constitution is almost just as important because your hit points are a little on the low end. And charisma adds to your number of usable affinities each day. Wisdom and intelligence are not quite as important.

Organization: In a society where dragons are usually considered beasts or worse, dragon tamers are likely to be rare and just as suspicious of one another as others are of them. On the other hand in a society where dragons are revered, the dragon tamer would likely be trained for armies or at academies.

Alignment: A dragon tamer may be of any alignment. Evil aligned creatures have just as much to gain from this class as good aligned creatures do.

Religion: Dragon tamer's are more likely to worship draconic deities than other deities.

Background: The dragon tamers background will vary based on how well organized they are. Organized tamers are likely to have been trained by other tamers and paired with their companion.
Tamers who are not as organized are more likely to have been found by their companion and, for whatever reason, have become inseparable since.

Races: Elves are the most likely to be dragon tamers, because dragons tend to outlive most of the other races.

Other Classes: Fighters will laugh at your fighting skills, at least until your dragon shows up. Rangers and Druids may very well respect the fact you were able to bond with such a creature. Wizards will think themselves superior to you and often won't understand why you didn't dedicate yourself to spellcasting more than you have.

Role: A dragon tamer is a decent melee fighter with boosted defenses to survive melee combat. Nontheless in some cases it might be better to participate in ranged combat, while allowing the dragon to fight in melee for you.

Class Features

Hit Die: d6

Starting Gold: As Wizard

Skills: Appraise (Int), Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Any 3) (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Gather Information (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Listen (Wis), Ride (Dex), Search (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), and Tumble (Dex).

Skill Points: 4 + Int mod (x 4 at first level)

{table=head]{colsp=7} Features |{colsp=3} Affinities Per Day
Level | Base Attack Bonus | Fort Save | Ref Save | Will Save | Special | Defense | 1st | 2nd | 3rd
1st | +0 | +2 | +2 | +0 | Affinities, Dragon Companion, Telepathic Link | - | 2 | - | -
2nd | +1 | +3 | +3 | +0 | Forge Arms and Armor, Shared Feats | - | 3 | - | -
3rd | +2 | +3 | +3 | +1 | Scaled Body | 1 | 3 | 0 | -
4th | +3 | +4 | +4 | +1 | Draconian Immunity (Frightful Presence) | 1 | 3 | 1 | -
5th | +3 | +4 | +4 | +1 | Bonus Feat | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0
6th | +4 | +5 | +5 | +2 | | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1
7th | +5 | +5 | +5 | +2 | | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2
8th | +6/+1 | +6 | +6 | +2 | Keen Senses (Darkvision), Companion Ability | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2
9th | +6/+1 | +6 | +6 | +3 | Draconian Immunity (Sleep & Paralysis) | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3
10th | +7/+2 | +7 | +7 | +3 | Bonus Feat | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3
11th | +8/+3 | +7 | +7 | +3 | | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3
12th | +9/+4| +8 | +8 | +4 | Draconic Wrath (Burst) | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3
13th | +9/+4 | +8 | +8 | +4 | Keen Senses (Blind Sense), Companion Ability | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3
14th | +10/+5 | +9 | +9 | +4 | | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3
15th | +11/+6/+1 | +9 | +9 | +5 | Bonus Feat | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3
16th | +12/+7/+2 | +10 | +10 | +5 | | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3
17th | +12/+7/+2 | +10 | +10 | +5 | Draconic Wrath (Keen) | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3
18th | +13/+8/+3 | +11 | +11 | +6 | Companion Ability | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4
19th | +14/+9/+4 | +11 | +11 | +6 | | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4
20th | +15/+10/+5 | +12 | +12 | +6 | Bonus Feat| 4 | 4 | 4 | 4
[/table]

Weapons and Armor Proficiencies: The dragon tamer is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, as well as light and medium armor. A dragon tamer is also proficient with the buckler and with light shields.

Class Abilities
Affinities
The dragon tamer and her companion acquire the ability to use a small number abilities to augment themselves. Some affinities are extraordinary abilities, while others are spell-like abilities and if they have an action other than standard or full, don't provoke attacks of opportunity. All bonuses from affinities are considered enhancement bonuses (unless listed otherwise).
The dragon tamer knows all affinities of a level she has access to (see chart) from her affinities list. She may use them a limited number of times each day (see chart). She gains bonus affinities per day, as listed for spells for a high charisma.
All affinities are ranged touches with a 60ft range. They may only be used to target herself or her companion (although a couple may target objects as detailed in their description). Affinities do not allow for saving throws.
Additionally some are only usable by the tamer or by her comapanion; this is listed beside the ability if that is the case.


Affinity List

1st

Spur Courage [Ex]
As a standard action the tamer or her companion free themselves of any fear effects they are affected by.

Sanctuary [Ex, Dragon Only]
As a standard action tamer's companion may choose to protect its tamer. Her companion must be of at least equal size to use this ability and must be able to reach its companion (see it's claw and tail reach).
Until the tamer moves out of the companions reach or the companion takes a move action to end this, the companion is targeted by any attacks that specifically target the dragon tamer.

Relay Wounds [Sp]
As an immediate action in response to any attack or a full attack the tamer or her companion may choose to relay all damage to the other. The statistics (such as resistances or immunities) of the one who was struck are used for this (not the one actually taking the damage).
This ability may be used after damage is calculated.

Precise Strike [Ex, Tamer Only]
While making an attack the tamer may spend a free action to gain a +10 to hit. In addition, the tamer receives +1d6 damage to this strike if it hits (this is not multiplied by a critical hit).

Beast Armor [Sp, Tamer Only]
As a standard action the tamer doubles his bonuses from her scaled body ability. This boost lasts for 1d4 + 1 rounds.

Magic Weapon [Sp, Tamer Only]
As a move action the tamer may enchant a single weapon of her choice that is in her possession granting a +1 enhancement bonus to attack and damage rolls for 2d4 rounds.
For every 6 levels she has, this bonus increases by 1.

Minor Celerity [Sp]
As a move action the companion or the tamer may grant the other an immediate move action. They may not both use this on the same round.

Rouse [Ex]
This functions as the rouse spell in the players handbook II.

Animalistic Power [Su, Dragon Only]
As a full round action the companion may hype itself up gaining a +4 bonus to strenght and dexterity for 1d4 rounds.
For every 4 HD it possess this bonus increases by 1.

Stand [Ex]
This functions as the stand spell in the players handbook II.


2nd

Warrrior's Grace [Sp]
As a standard action the tamer or her companion may grant both of themselves a +4 bonus to dexterity for 1d4 rounds.
For every 5 levels the tamer has, improve this bonus by 1.

Dragon's Strength [Sp]
As a standard action the tamer or her companion may grant both of themselves a +4 bonus to dexterity for 1d4 rounds.
For every 5 levels the tamer has, improve this bonus by 1.

Heroism [Ex, Tamer Only]
As a move action the tamer frees herself of any fear effects or enchantments she is currently afflicted by. Until the end of the encounter this is used on she gains a +6 to her strength and dexterity.

Rage [Ex, Dragon Only]
As a free action the companion incites a rage in itself. This functions as for a barbarian of half its level.

Haste [Ex]
As a free action the companion or the tamer may affect themselves as if with the haste spell for the next 2d4 rounds.

Lunge [Ex]
The tamer or her companion may use this as a free action during any melee attack to increase their reach by 50%, to a minimum of +5ft. The one who used it must take a 5ft step in the direction of their lung (if they are unable the lunge fails).
If using this would allow you to make an attack of opportunity in an increase threat area, it may be used to do so.

Deflect [Ex, Tamer Only]
The tamer may use this in response to any effect that specifically targets her, gaining half her level as a deflection bonus to her AC. She may only use this if she is armed with a melee weapon or with a shield.


3rd

Break Enchantment [Sp]
This functions as detailed in the players handbook.

Restoration [Sp]
This functions as detailed in the players handbook.

Spirit of Prowess [Ex, Tamer Only]
This functions as detailed in Arcana Unearthed.

Celerity [Sp]
As a move action the companion or the tamer may grant the other an immediate standard action. They may not both use this on the same round, nor may minor celerity be used in the same round this is used.

Dispelling Touch [Sp]
This functions as detailed in the players handbook II.

Crown of Might [Sp]
This functions as detailed in the players handbook II.

Chasing Perfection [Sp]
This functions as detailed in the players handbook II.

Alter Fortune [Ex]
As an immediate action the tamer or companion may grant the other the chance to reroll a d20 roll.


Lv1 > Dragon Companion:
The dragon tamer gains a loyal companion similar to the druid. She may choose a dragon, wyrm, landwyrm, felldrake, or drake with a level adjustment no higher than +4. This may not include templates.
The creature in question does not level of its own accord, nor does it increase its statistics on its own, but instead improves alongside it's tamer.
It has a number of hit die equal to the tamers level and gains benefits as detailed for its type (usually dragon, see page 308 of the Monster Manual) for these HD, except that it does not receive feats for gaining HD and it's BaB is equal to the dragon tamer's. It has the same skills as a fighter plus any listed in its entry, minus handle animal and ride. Additionally if it has any feats to begin with, it loses them. Otherwise its statistics and abilities match that of the creature (at it's first age category if it has one) in its entry.
If the companion has age categories it increases in power as follows:

For every 5 HD the creature has beyond the first 5; its breath weapon improves, its size increases, its natural armor increases, and its fly speed increases as detailed in its description (if at all) as if it had increased an age category.
If the companion does not have age categories it follows special rules as follows:

These creatures start at a size three smaller than normal (to a minimum of tiny) and their natural armor starts at a maximum of 5.
For every 5 HD the creature has beyond the first 5; its size increases one category and its natural armor increase by 2 until these statistics reach the totals indicated in their entry.
With an uninterrupted ceremony that takes 24 hours, the dragon tamer may resurrect her companion, as if with the true resurrection spell.

Lv1 > Telepathic Link (Ps):
The dragon tamer has a telepathic link with her dragon. Regardless of distance between them (and even across planes) the dragon tamer and her companion may communicate telepathically. They may communicate this way even if they don't have a language in common without difficulty.
This ability is suppressed if either the dragon tamer or her companion are subject to anti-psionics or otherwise unable to use psionics.

Lv2 > Shared Feats:
Anytime the dragon tamer would receive a feat, whether from this class or from leveling (but not from another class), she may choose to allow her companion to choose a feat in lieu of her own.

Lv2 > Forge Arms and Armor:
The dragon tamer gains the ability to craft special weapons and armor for herself. These follow the normal rules for crafting except that only the dragon tamer has access to creating them.
The cost is entirely the creation process, as the dragon tamer is considered to have retrieved the materials needed from when her companion sheds or loses teeth.
What she can craft depends on her dragon tamer level:

{table=head] Level | Light Armor | Medium Armor | Weapon
2 | Dragon Hide | | Dragonfang (Simple)
4 | Scale Mail | |
7 | | Banded Scale Mail |
9 | | Dragon Half-Plate | Dragonfang (Martial)
12 | Studded Scale Mail | |
14 | | Dragon Plate |
17 | | | Dragonfang (Exotic*)
[/table]
*The dragon tamer may only create a weapon of this type if she is proficient with it.

{table=head] Armor | Cost | Weight | AC Bonus | Max Dexterity | Check Penalty | Spell Failure | Speed (30ft)
Dragon Hide | 50gp | 20 lbs | +3 | +6 | -1 | 10% | 30ft
Scale Mail | 120gp | 25 lbs | +4 | +4 | -2 | 15% | 30ft
Banded Scale Mail | 450gp | 35 lbs | +6 | +2 | -4 | 30% | 20ft
Dragon Half-Plate | 1100gp | 40 lbs | +7 | +2 | -5 | 30% | 20ft
Studded Scale Mail | 280gp | 35 lbs |+5 | +4 | -2 | 20% | 30ft
Dragon Plate | 2700gp | 45 lbs | +8 | +2 | -6 | 40% | 20ft
[/table]
Any of these armors are considered exotic armor for anyone other than the dragontamer who crafted it.

A dragonfang weapon costs an additional 200gp over the normal weapons cost. All one-handed dragonfang weapons are considered light weapons and all two-handed dragonfang weapons may be used one handed. Regardless the weapon is masterwork (included in cost).
Any weapon made of dragonfang is considered an exotic weapon for anyone other than the dragontamer who crafted it.
Ammunition, bows, and weapons whose part used for attack is made of wood may never be made into a dragonfang weapon.

Lv3 > Scaled Body:
The dragon tamer skin toughens and scales begin to grow in places. She gains natural armor and DR/- equal to that listed under the defense column (see table).
Special: While multiple types of the same AC do not usually stack, the natural armor bonus here stacks with natural armor granted as racial feature.

Lv4, 9 > Draconian Immunities:
The dragon tamer becomes immune to a dragon's frightful presence. If her companion has a breath weapon that deals energy damage she also gains energy resistance 5 against that type of damage. If not she gains a +4 bonus to any saves against similar effects (ie the shadow dragon deals negative levels, so she would gain the save bonus against any effect that deals with negative energy).
At level 9 she also takes on the dragons immunity to sleep effects and paralysis. Additionally her resistance improves by 5 or her save bonus increases to +8.

Lv5, 10, 15, 20 > Bonus Feats:
At each indicated level the dragon tamer acquires a single bonus feat of her choice. It may be any feat that she qualifies for.
The dragon tamer qualifies for feats and prestige classes as if she were a fighter of 4 levels lower than her dragon tamer levels.

Lv8, 13 > Keen Senses (Ex):
The dragon tamer takes on some of the senses of her draconian partner. She acquires dark vision out to 30ft. If she already has dark vision she may instead increase it by 30ft.
At level 17 her dark vision improves to 60ft or increase by 30ft. She also acquires the blind sense ability out to 30ft.

Lv8, 13, 18 > Companion Ability:
At each indicated level the companion gains a single special ability it doesn't already benefit from (unless listed otherwise) from the following list:

Improved Breath Weapon
The dragon tamer's companion gains an increase in power to its breathe weapon. Treat the companion as one age category higher for the purpose of its breath weapon's effects. A companion who does not have a breath weapon does not gain one.

Improved Natural Attack
Treat the companion as one size larger for the purpose of how much damage it's natural weapons deal.

Improved Flight
The dragon tamer's companion gains an increase in control over its flight ability (if it has one). Improve its maneuverability by one step when flying. This may be taken multiple times.

Improved Abilities
The companions ability scores improve to the total listed for thier next age category. Any bonuses they have accrued are added to this new total (not replaced).

Terrifying Presence
Any enemy who enters or stays within 30ft of the companion on any round must make a will save (DC of 10 + 1/2 HD + charisma) or become shaken. This effect lasts as long as they remain within range.
A target who succeeds on their save becomes immune to this effect for 24 hours.
This is a mind-affecting fear affect. Fear effects stack as normal.

Rend
While grappling the companion automatically deals damage as if it had made a bite or claw attack (its choice) at the start of its turn.

Pounce
At the end of a charge her companion may make a full attack.

Monstrous Feat
Her companion may gain a single monstrous feat of its choice. This may be taken multiple times.

Lv12, 17 > Draconic Wrath (Su):
The dragon tamer learns to channel draconic power through her attacks, similar to the way a dragon uses its breath weapon. Any melee or ranged attack she makes is treated as if it had the flaming burst property, except it instead deals the appropriate type of energy damage instead.
Beginning at 17th level any melee or ranged attack she makes is treated as if it had the Keen property.
She may suppress or restart Draconic Wrath as a swift action.
Special: The dragon tamer may choose to instead gain combat/fighter bonus feat at each level.



Design Notes

I have always liked the idea of the hero teaming up with a dragon. Unfortunately there really aren't any classes that do this (or focus on it anyways). I thought I'd take a gander at it.
But I'm not happy with this class as is. I was trying to balance the aspect of having a dragon on your team, but I think I ended up with too few class features. I really want to avoid druid territory though (you know, two fighters and a full spellcaster as someone put it earlier). I think I've managed to do that with the help I've had. The class ended up more defensive than I had intended, but I suppose the tamer could leave the majority of melee to the dragon while firing a bow.
Suggestions for tweaks or unique features would be appreciated. If I can get this ironed out I plan to make a dragon rider prestige class too.

Zaydos
2011-12-26, 02:44 AM
Dragon Companion is a little awkward. Remember that dragon HD are d12s, with full BAB, and all good saves; it's going to be significantly tougher than most animal companions if its Str increases. Also just what increases every 5th level is unclear; I'm guessing it is age category (putting them at the equivalent of a young adult without spells, SR, or frightful presence when you reach 20th). This means you start out with a red dragon (+6 nat armor, 17 Str, 2d10 fire breath) and at level 5 it now has +9 nat armor, 21 Str, and 4d10 fire, and eventually it has 31 Str, +18 nat armor and 10d10 fire. It also has +20 BAB (compared to say a wolf animal companion's +10, or a dire tigers +13) so as you progress it quickly out paces a druid's animal companion's progression. Now the class does lack the other qualities of a druid, and as this is really it's only class feature it should be better than a druid's animal companion, but remove a dragon's LA and you have a tier 3 or 4 character right there. Of course this companion won't have elite ability scores, but it's also going to have flight at level 1 and all kinds of goodies.

Also as written they can pick up a forest landwyrm at Lv 1 with 23 Str, +9 natural armor, and commune with nature as an SLA, and only 9 hp but still significantly tougher than anything else around at that level. Or an earth drake (3 more natural armor, 10 hp, tremorsense, burrow). It's these that are actually realyl scary (instead of just a slightly better animal companion). And the drakes are large fliers who can carry you aloft from level 1 on.

Shared Feats: Do they get feats if you don't use this ability? Normally gaining HD gives feats, and in the true dragon section of the MM it outlines that a true dragon gets 1 +1 per 3 HD it obtains. Their entry doesn't list what their feats are, though. Meanwhile the landwyrms have a good number of feats which would need to be dropped if you got them at 1st level. So what to do with their feats and skills should be spelled out.

This class needs more class features (maybe immunity to frightful presence of dragons, slowly gaining draconic senses starting with low-light vision and short darkvision going up to blindsense, and full Keen Senses) and/or ability to see through your companion's eyes, maybe Mettle or Evasion, mild spell-resistance is a possibility) but also needs more limits on and clarification of its primary ability.

eftexar
2011-12-26, 04:50 PM
Clarified Feat limitation and they no longer begin with feats, so shared feats shouldn't be confusing anymore.
Now creatures without age categories improve differently than those that do.
BaB is instead equal to the dragon tamers. Clarified increase in power as being related to age category. Does the companion need nerfed more though and how would you suggest going about it?

Added in some class abilities (dropped skill points and hp because of this) and swapped out most of affinities for custom abilities. 6, 16, and 19 are still pretty much dead levels though (which might be fine considering). Anyways does this look better?