Looking for a monster

[Yogibear41]

Hey all I'm looking for a monster or several monsters that fit this criteria:

I am looking for a monster with a CR of less than 4, has the Dragon Type, is NOT a true dragon, and is large size(It can't be bigger), also it needs to be usable as a mount so bipedal creatures are out. It does not have to be capable of flight.

So far I have found the Spiked Fell Drake as a Large Non-True Dragon that is CR 4, but I am seeing if I can find a lower CR monster to fulfill what I am trying to do.
Generally speaking the lower the CR the better but also being powerful relative to its CR is important.

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

An Ibrandlin from Monsters of Faerun is Gargantuan size at 10 HD and CR 5, it's seriously under-CRed and a good starting point for something you can de-level to make a young version.

Dragons get +1 CR per +2 HD (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/improvingMonsters.htm#advancedMonsterChallengeRati ng), and a size increase is +1 CR, so the opposite should be true: Make it 6 HD (-2 CR) and large size (-2 CR, -16 Str, +2 Dex, -8 Con, -7 natural armor, loses Pin, bite is down to 2d6, claws are down to 1d8 per Dragon attacks/damage (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/dragonTrue.htm)).

The end result is a large dragon at 6 HD and effectively CR 1 by RAW, but I'd still put it at around CR 3 at least. It has a 20 ft. land speed, 20 ft. climb speed, SR 20, fire subtype, and five attacks/round. It can make a primary bite and four secondary claws (it rears back on its tail like a kangaroo to strike), or it can make four primary claws and also deliver a 2d6 breath attack with a full attack action.

Its Int 4 would make it trainable similar to a Griffon which has Int 5. Best of all, it can get older and level up with the party, eventually reaching Huge at 8 HD (CR 4) and Gargantuan at 10 HD (CR 5) once it's fully grown. Its advancement goes all the way to 20 HD but it doesn't get any bigger.

Monsters of Faerun was updated in the Player's Guide to Faerun Web Enhancement (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20040313a), the Ibrandlin only got updated skills, feats, and a +8 LA (which would be at fully grown).

I would give it the Quick trait (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/buildingCharacters/characterTraits.htm#quick) and the feat Improved Speed from the Draconomicon p71, for a 40 ft. land speed and a 30 ft. climb speed. I would also include Snatch (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsterFeats.htm#snatch) at 9 HD and probably Improved Snatch and/or Multisnatch in the Draconomicon if you advance it past 10 HD.

[Yogibear41]

I'm aware of that monster, but I really need something that is printed up as is, not something I can "delevel" for a lower CR. Thanks for the suggestion though.

[Dexam]

The only monster that I can find that meets that criteria is the Dracotaur from MM III (and also available online (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20040905a&page=3))

[Kaleph]

Half-dragon light warhorse?

EDIT draconic creature may also work, but I'm AFB, so I cannot check the type.

[ShurikVch]

Air Drake (Draconomicon) with Proto-Creature template (Bestiary Of Krynn, Revised) is CR 4

Also, cheating cheater's solution: Disembodied Spirit (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/pg/20030924a) template gives you CR 0; not "+0" - just "0"; apply it to any Large non-evil non-True Dragon with Int 3+; then use Dragonborn's Right of Rebirth. This way you may get access to such creatures as Velroc (16 HD, fly 60' (good); Dragon Magic), Sunwyrm (12 HD, fly 120' (average); Fiend Folio), or Greater Wurm (12 HD, movement depends on kind of Wurm; Dragon #296)

[Eldan]

Half-dragon light warhorse?

EDIT draconic creature may also work, but I'm AFB, so I cannot check the type.

That was my first thought. If you want something more fighty, half-dragon black bear is CR4 and packs a punch.

[The_Jette]

A Half-Dragon Centaur is CR 5, after the template is applied. It's one over what you want, but a pretty good choice after that, as it's a large sized quadruped. After that, a Half-Dragon Heavy Horse would be a CR 3 that is also a large sized quadruped, but wouldn't be as intelligent. What exactly is it going to be used for? Just as a mount?

[Yogibear41]

Going to be used as a mount/minion. More or less looking at a 3rd party paladin-esque class that has expanded rules for picking a special mount that are CR based. Lets you pick just about anything, but the mount can't be a true dragon.

[Waker]

Drakkensteed and Dire Phynxkin from Dragon Magic fit the bill. Whoops, I lied. They both have the animal types with the dragonblood subtype.

[denthor]

Take a look at a wyvern

Poison tail, dragon like

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

Half-Dragon, Magebred, Camel - CR 3
Large size, HD 3d10+12
50 ft. land speed, fly 100 ft. average, or Swift Breed 60 ft. land speed, fly 120 ft. average
+7 natural armor, or Thick-Skinned Breed +9 natural armor
Two claws primary +15 melee, 1d6+14, bite secondary +13 melee, 1d8+7 (bite is always a secondary attack for a camel)
Str 28, Dex 18, Con 18, Int 4, Wis 11, Cha 6, +2 to one physical stat
Listen +8, Spot +8, six more skill ranks
Alertness, Endurance, Multiattack (B)

Edit: If switching out its starting feats is an option, give it Improved Speed, and three cross-class Spellcraft ranks for Mage Slayer.