Flying Rogue the dragonslayer

[Pinjata]

So, my players (lvl 5 characters) figured out, how to kill about all dragons out there.

And actually its just one guy doing it: Rogue. He got himself some flight potions and is using his option to Dash as a bonus action. Here is how it goes: Even ancient dragons have only 80 ft (160) of flight speed in comparison to rogues 180(60(move), 60 (action), 60(bonus Dash).

PCs always try to get intel on the dragon, for the rogue to drink proper potion of resistance to proper damage(even if he always keeps proper distance to a dragon to not get hit by his breath) and to start the fight at a proper range to not get hit by dragons breath on first round. Then rogue just kites. Perhaps he uses move, action and bonus action in first round and only move and bonus plus attack in second. He is not doing much damage, but he takes his time. Also, they are getting magic items now like wand of magic missiles, etc and rogue's DPM is REALLY increasing.

Now while this is all legit, there are older dragons out there, which have already met such tactics. I'd like to know how such a dragon would be prepared for such an enemy?

thanks

[djreynolds]

Force him out to sea and then force him down closer to the water... try to take out the 3 dimensional aspect as much as possible.

A flat plain works also.

And banishment is always nice

[Razuchee]

An older dragon will most likely have access to some sort of magic that prevents such things. Earthbind, banishment and anti magic field come to mind. Also, more powerful dragons often have minions, maybe even mages that serve them, they will tear apart the threats to the dragon while it minces the rest of the adventurers.

Also: can your rogue just buy these potions or has he found them?

[Zombimode]

I have to ask: are Readied Actions not a thing in 5e anymore?

[Cespenar]

Even the stupidest dragon would try to get to a more favorable locale to not be kited in such a dumb way. Not to mention a good ratio of dragons out there are plain geniuses when compared to humans.

Possible strategies:

-Use flying servants
-Use magic
-Just return to your lair
-Use cover
-Lead the fight into a different environment (jungle, ruins, etc.)

[JellyPooga]

I have to ask: are Readied Actions not a thing in 5e anymore?

They're why kiting doesn't work.

1) Rogue starts kiting
2) Dragon Readies a grapple
3) Rogue (eventually) gets grappled
4) Dragon eats Rogue

[Rhaegar14]

They're why kiting doesn't work.

1) Rogue starts kiting
2) Dragon Readies a grapple
3) Rogue (eventually) gets grappled
4) Dragon eats Rogue

Rogues have proficiency with a number of ranged weapons and the Dexterity to use them. The Rogue never has to close to melee and risk a grapple.

[Lombra]

The rogue would suffer exhaustion levels after a certain amount of consecutive dashes, so the dragon can catch him in the long run. Or if the dragon has a brain:"You don't try to catch a fly by chasing it, you trap it in a room and wait for it to land, then you slam it".

[Specter]

For the rogue to get his sneak in, he would need an ally nearby. Why isn't the dragon murdering that guy?

[JellyPooga]

Rogues have proficiency with a number of ranged weapons and the Dexterity to use them. The Rogue never has to close to melee and risk a grapple.

True. Kiting also assumes, however, that the target is a moron and will behave a) predictably and b) in a manner that isn't conducive to it's own health (i.e. won't seek cover, etc.). Let's take a look at those numbers again; the Rogue is moving 120ft if he wants to take an Action. Let's assume an Adult Green Dragon; he can shift 80ft in a turn and take an Action, or 160ft and nothing else (except Legendary Actions). So if the Rogue wants to actually do anything, he's outpaced by the Dragon who can just fly away and taunt him because he's 40ft/round faster. If the Rogue goes all out to Dash (180ft/round), he makes up only 20ft/turn. That means he's spending 2 turns in three just making up distance. Assuming the Dragon simply continues to flee.

What happens when the Dragon switches up and goes on the offensive? Assuming the Rogue is using a Longbow and doesn't want Disadvantage, he's closing to 150ft to get his shot off. Dragon turns about and sits on the Rogue. What does the Rogue do now? He can't risk taking an Opportunity Attack from the Dragon because it's to-hit bonus and damage are far too high for him to deal with, not to mention the possibility of being grappled (which he may not be concerned about if he's got Expertise in Athletics or Acrobatics). If he Disengages, he's not fast enough to get away and the Dragon just sits on him again. Rinse and repeat until the Rogues potion wears off at which point the Dragon has a nice criminally-flavoured meal.

Maybe the Rogue has Sharpshooter and doesn't need to get that close; his range is extended to 600ft. Great, in open skies the Rogue can kite away, taking pot shots until our Dragon is dead. Right up to the point where the Dragon finds...well, practically anything that he could possibly hide behind; a forest, clouds, hills, a cliff...600ft is a massive distance to keep line of sight on something, even something as large as a Dragon. As soon as that Dragon is out of sight, he can set an ambush; sure, the Dragon isn't great at hiding, but as soon as the Rogue approaches to within 160ft searching for it, it's just a matter of time before he's Dragon-chow.

That doesn't take into consideration anything more than flight as an option. Several Dragon types are amphibious (Black, Green, Bronze, Gold) and/or have a Swim speed (White), others have a Burrow speed (Blue, White, Brass); a lair that's only accessible via a water-filled passage or by burrowing would lock-down these kind of shenanigans. Also; chokepoints.

edit: tl;dr - If the Rogue ends a turn within 175ft of the Dragon (160ft move + 15ft reach), he's chow. Also, terrain stops kiting.