Dragon Disciple Help

[Ace Nex]

Title says it all. A buddy of mine has decided instead of being a dragon rider (I posted a thread about that a while back) he wants to be a dragon disciple. I've tried to tell him that the PRC just isn't that great, but he really wants to do it. I have almost no idea how to really make this class work, (Improved natural Weapon [Claw]+Power Attack+some kind of Pounce after lots of buffs?). Looking at some other threads, I've been told duskblades, sorcerers, and bards mixed with barbarian, fighter, monk, or Paladin work decently... but that being said, I really have my doubts that it can stand up to the other characters in the party in terms of ability both in and out of combat.

And so I come to you, fellow Playgrounders, and ask again for your assistance.

[Snowbluff]

If you're using the Magical Training Feat, you don't need to waste levels on casting.

[Telonius]

They're hard to work. The best use I've seen for one is to go something like Bard1/Binder4/Ur-Priest10/Dragon Disciple5, to stack the Bonus Spells onto Ur-Priest's 9th-levels. But that's not really a DD-focused build, it's squeezing out extra power from Ur-Priest.

[Vaz]

What does gaining the Half-Dragon template have to do with becoming a Dragon rider, you gain Wings and Claws on your own.

Unless you literally want to be a Dragon Rider; as in Dragon Riding.

In which case; Dragonborn does the flavour (you can refluff it to be any other God), while just taking either the Template itself gets you the main crunch of Dragon Disciple. Or just be a low ECL dragon; Mist Dragon, Pseudodragon, Spire Dragon, etc.

[KillingAScarab]

The Iron Chef Optimization Challenge did have a round using Dragon Disciple (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=246072) as the secret ingredient. You should be able to look at the feedback given on the builds to see what works and what doesn't. Particularly in the "use of secret ingredient" critiques, since only your friend knows how much they want to optimize.

Here's the list of entries (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=13480743&postcount=152).

The entries start with post 128 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=13480490&postcount=128).

Here's ThiagoMartell's judging (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=13492964&postcount=199) and here's Z3ro's (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=13493111&postcount=200) right after.

Here's the winning entry (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=13480649&postcount=144).

[Gnaeus]

1. Pull the Dragon Disciple PRC out of the PFSRD
2. Backwards convert to 3.5 (this will require stealing parts of the Draconic sorcerer bloodline as well).
3. Profit.

[Ace Nex]

Thanks all, I've started doing some research and remember seeing a feat out there somewhere which let you add your natural attack damage ON TOP of your unarmed strike damage. I don't remember where I saw it or even if it's real, but has anyone heard of anything like that?

[Phelix-Mu]

Thanks all, I've started doing some research and remember seeing a feat out there somewhere which let you add your natural attack damage ON TOP of your unarmed strike damage. I don't remember where I saw it or even if it's real, but has anyone heard of anything like that?

I think it's called Beast Strike. Something like that. It was from an article about suggested stuff for certain races, and it was a suggestion for shifters. Anyway, it's dragon magazine. I have it in this nifty .pdf feat compilation, but it might also be in that Dragon Compendium thing that came out.

[Vaz]

It's not, sadly. I'd have loved to have used it for this rounds IC, but it's in Dr355.

Wonder if you can include Greater Mighty Wallop with that?

[Phelix-Mu]

It's not, sadly. I'd have loved to have used it for this rounds IC, but it's in Dr355.

Wonder if you can include Greater Mighty Wallop with that?

Greater mighty wallop on a slam and on an unarmed strike? Sounds like it stacks via that feat.