Dragons taking Class Levels

[kuhaica]

So, I'm designing a fairly power dragon as an endgame boss for friends Campaign. Said Dragon would have 48 HD and this is a few age categories higher then Great Wyrm. And now I'm wanting to replace the racial HD with class levels, however I'm unsure if they replace the hit dice entierily or if they count towards HD interms of advacment.

So for example, If I want to take 12 levels of Elemental Master (Draconomicon), will this now mean that I lose 3 Age Categories? Or do those Levels still count towards the Dragon Age Catagories?

Some clarification would be nice for both RAI and RAW

[Nifft]

The easy way to do it is:
- Start with a dragon in the appropriate age category; this determines age, size, and dragon racial features. These HD are racial.
- Add levels. These are on top of dragon racial features. They don't advance age -- they're not racial HD.
- Calculate new CR based on whether the levels are associated or non-associated.

[Rizban]

So, I'm designing a fairly power dragon as an endgame boss for friends Campaign. Said Dragon would have 48 HD and this is a few age categories higher then Great Wyrm. And now I'm wanting to replace the racial HD with class levels, however I'm unsure if they replace the hit dice entierily or if they count towards HD interms of advacment.

So for example, If I want to take 12 levels of Elemental Master (Draconomicon), will this now mean that I lose 3 Age Categories? Or do those Levels still count towards the Dragon Age Catagories?

Some clarification would be nice for both RAI and RAWClass levels do not count towards age category and do not progress dragon racial abilities, unless the class specifically says that it does.

[noob]

Class levels counts as hit dice but not as racial hit dice(except for classes that do not give hit dice)
So each time hit dice is written you use racial hit dice+ hit dice from classes(which is usually the level in the classes) and each time racial hit dice is written you use only the hit dice that is from racial progression and not from classes.

[noob]

I believe however that due to a typo virtual age categories depends on hit dice and not racial hit dice but you should check in the draconomicon or whatever manual made virtual age categories.

[kuhaica]

Alrighty! I figured this was the case but wanted to be sure! Thanks a bunch

[Rizban]

I believe however that due to a typo virtual age categories depends on hit dice and not racial hit dice but you should check in the draconomicon or whatever manual made virtual age categories.Two things:
Virtual age categories apply only to "standard dragons", i.e. a true dragon that advances by age category and has no class levels.
Virtual age categories only apply beyond the great wyrm stage. If the dragon hasn't yet reached great wyrm, then it can't gain virtual age categories.

[kuhaica]

Two things:
Virtual age categories apply only to "standard dragons", i.e. a true dragon that advances by age category and has no class levels.
Virtual age categories only apply beyond the great wyrm stage. If the dragon hasn't yet reached great wyrm, then it can't gain virtual age categories.


So, if the Dragon is a Greattwrym, then Takes 'Classes' it can get 'Virtual Age Catagories?"

[Nifft]

So, if the Dragon is a Greattwrym, then Takes 'Classes' it can get 'Virtual Age Catagories?"

Read line 1. from that post again. :smallsmile:

[Rizban]

So, if the Dragon is a Greattwrym, then Takes 'Classes' it can get 'Virtual Age Catagories?"
No, because it's no longer a "standard dragon" due to having levels that aren't racial hit dice. Honestly though, it's your game, so it's up to you how to want to make the boss work. That's the benefit of being the DM. :smallwink:

[kuhaica]

Read line 1. from that post again. :smallsmile:


No, because it's no longer a "standard dragon" due to having levels that aren't racial hit dice. Honestly though, it's your game, so it's up to you how to want to make the boss work. That's the benefit of being the DM. :smallwink:

Ah some day. I'll learn how to read.

And indeed! Anyways thanks for the help.

[Thurbane]

I'd suggest having a read over these:

Urpriest's Monstrous Monster Handbook (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?207928-Urpriest-s-Monstrous-Monster-Handbook)

Being Ra's al Ghul-Oslecamo's guide for DMs to improve their monsters (http://storm-shelter.minmaxforum.com/index.php?topic=507.0)

[Rizban]

I'd suggest having a read over these:

Urpriest's Monstrous Monster Handbook (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?207928-Urpriest-s-Monstrous-Monster-Handbook)

Being Ra's al Ghul-Oslecamo's guide for DMs to improve their monsters (http://storm-shelter.minmaxforum.com/index.php?topic=507.0)Both are great resources that I have bookmarked but always forget to share... :smallredface:

[Crake]

Keep in mind that class levels do count toward calculating the DC of supernatural abilities, such as a dragon's breath weapon, so while it's damage won't go up from class levels, it's DC will.

[kuhaica]

I'd suggest having a read over these:

Urpriest's Monstrous Monster Handbook (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?207928-Urpriest-s-Monstrous-Monster-Handbook)

Being Ra's al Ghul-Oslecamo's guide for DMs to improve their monsters (http://storm-shelter.minmaxforum.com/index.php?topic=507.0)


Bòoked marked! Thank you