Biscuit
2022-11-17, 09:42 AM
D&D 3.5 - Dragon Disciple
(Dungeon Master's Guide v.3.5, p. 183)
Author Note: The fact that a +3 LA template was spread over 10 prestige levels that requires but does not further spellcasting was utterly ridiculous. This is a version that increases spellcasting progression somewhat and provides a handful of draconic spells known, which is far more reasonable. A second, (Condensed) 5-level version that does not further spellcasting occupies the post below this one, for those who would rather use that instead.
Dragon disciples use their magic as a catalyst to ignite their dragon blood, eventually being transformed into a half-dragon. Half-dragon creatures are always more formidable than others of their kind that do not have dragon blood, and their appearance betrays their nature—scales, elongated features, reptilian eyes, and exaggerated teeth and claws, and even wings.
Requirements
Skills: Knowledge (Arcana) 8 ranks
Race: Any nondragon (cannot already be a dragon or half-dragon), but must be a living, corporeal creature.
Languages: Draconic
Spellcasting: Ability to cast arcane spells without preparation.
Special: The player chooses a dragon variety when taking the first level in this prestige class, subject to the DM's approval.
Hit die: d12
Skill points: 4 + Int
Class Skills: Concentration, Craft, Diplomacy, Escape Artist, Gather Information, Knowledge (All), Listen, Profession, Search, Speak Language, Spellcraft, Spot, Use Magic Device
LevelBABFortReflexWillClass FeaturesSpellcasting Progression
1+0+2+0+2Dragonblood, Bonus Spells Known, Natural Armor Increase
-
2+1+3+0+3Ability Boost (Str +2), Claws & Bite+1 Level of Existing Spellcasting Class
3+2+3+1+3Breath Weapon (2d8)+1 Level of Existing Spellcasting Class
4+3+4+1+4Ability Boost (Str +2), Natural Armor Increase+1 Level of Existing Spellcasting Class
5+3+4+1+4Blindsense (30')+1 Level of Existing Spellcasting Class[/tr]
6+4+5+2+5Ability Boost (Con +2)
-
7+5+5+2+5Breath Weapon (4d8), Natural Armor Increase+1 Level of Existing Spellcasting Class
8+6+6+2+6Ability Boost (Int +2)+1 Level of Existing Spellcasting Class
9+6+6+3+6Ability Boost (Str +2), Wings+1 Level of Existing Spellcasting Class
10+7+7+3+7Ability Boost (Cha +2, Str +2), Blindsense (60'), Breath Weapon (6d8), Half-Dragon Apotheosis, Natural Armor Increase
-[/tr]
Class Features
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Dragon disciples gain no proficiency with any weapon or armor.
Spellcasting: At every level except the 1st, 6th, and 10th, a Dragon Disciple gains new spells per day (and spells known, if applicable) as if they had also gained a level in an spellcasting class they belonged to before they added the prestige class. They do not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. If the character has levels in more than one spellcasting class before becoming a Dragon Disciple, they must decide to which class they add each level of Dragon Disciple for the purposes of determining spells per day.
Dragonblood: The Dragon Disciple gains the Dragonblood subtype.
Bonus Spells Known: Dragon disciples gain bonus spells known as part of their transformation into a half-dragon. They add the following spells to their Spells Known to the spontaneous arcane spellcasting class used to enter this prestige class if and when they gain access to the appropriate spell levels:
Breath Flare, Ghostly Tail
Tail Slap, Wings of Cover
Dragonskin, Least Dragonshape, Sense of the Dragon
Blinding Breath, Tail Sweep, Wings of Flurry
Breath Weapon Substitution, Dispelling Breath, Stunning Breath
Dragoncall, Lesser Dragonshape
Animate Breath, Kiss of Draconic Defiance
Greater Stunning Breath
Breath Weapon Admixture, Deafening Breath, Dragonshape, Enervating Breath
Natural Armor Increase (Ex): At 1st, 4th, and 7th level, a dragon disciple becomes more draconic in appearance. Their skin develops tiny iridescent scales, nearly invisible at first but becoming more noticeable at higher levels. This provides an increase to the character?s existing natural armor (if any), as indicated. As their skin thickens, a dragon disciple takes on more and more of their progenitor?s physical aspect.
Claws and Bite (Ex): At 2nd level, a dragon disciple gains claw and bite attacks if he does not already have them. Use the values above or the disciple?s base claw and bite damage values, whichever are greater.
SizeBite DamageClaw Damage
Fine*1-
Dimenutive*1d21
Tiny*1d31d2
Small1d41d3
Medium1d61d4
Large1d81d6
Huge2d61d8
Gargantuan3d62d6
Colossal4d63d6
*Creatures smaller than Small have no reach and can only make natural attacks while occupying the same square as their target. Fine creatures do not gain claw attacks.
A dragon disciple is considered proficient with these attacks. When making a full attack, a dragon disciple uses his full base attack bonus with his bite attack but takes a -5 penalty on claw attacks. The Multiattack feat (see page 304 of the Monster Manual) reduces this penalty to only 2, while the Improved Multiattack feat (see page 36 of Savage Species) elimenates this penalty completely.
Ability Boost (Ex): As a dragon disciple gains levels in this prestige class, his ability scores increase as noted on the Table above. These increases stack and are gained as if through level advancement.
Breath Weapon (Su): At 3rd level, a dragon disciple gains a minor breath weapon, derived from their draconic ancestor. The type and shape depend on the dragon variety whose heritage they enjoys (see below). Regardless of the ancestor, the breath weapon deals 2d8 points of damage of the appropriate energy type. At 7th level, the damage increases to 4d8, and when a disciple attains dragon apotheosis at 10th level it reaches its full power at 6d8. Regardless of its strength, the breath weapon can be used only once per day unless they take the Dragon Breath feat (see page 98 of Races of the Dragon) - which they can only take after having reached level 5 and attained Half-Dragon Apotheosis and thus the Half-Dragon Template. Use all the rules for dragon breath weapons (see page 69 of the Monster Manual) except as specified here. The DC of the breath weapon is 10 + class level + Con modifier. A line-shaped breath weapon is 5 feet high, 5 feet wide, and 60 feet long. A cone-shaped breath weapon is 30 feet long.
Core Dragon VarietyBreath WeaponImmunity
BlackLine of AcidAcid
BlueLine of LightningElectricity
GreenCone of Corrosive Gas (acid)Acid
RedCone of FireFire
WhiteCone of ColdCold
BrassLine of FireFire
BronzeLine of ElectricityElectricity
CopperLine of AcidAcid
GoldCone of FireFire
SilverCone of ColdCold
If playing with the Races of the Dragon sourcebook, more options become available for your dragon Heritage:
Non-Core Dragon VarietyBreath WeaponImmunity
AmethystLine of ForcePoison
BattleCone of Sonic EnergySonic
BrownLine of AcidAcid
ChaosLine of Random* EnergyConfusion Effects
CrystalCone of LightCold
DeepCone of Acidic Gas (Acid)Charm Effects
EmeraldCone of Sonic EnergySonic
EtherealCone of ForceNone
ForceCone of ForceNone
HowlingCone of Sonic EnergySonic
OceanusLine of ElectricityElectricity
PyroclasticCone of 1/2 Fire & 1/2 Sonic EnergyFire or Sonic (Pick 1)
RadiantLine of ForceNone
RustLine of AcidNone
SandCone of Grit (No Energy Type)Fire
SapphireCone of Sonic EnergyElectricity
SongCone of Charged Gas (Electricity)Electricity
StyxLine of AcidDisease & Poison
TarterianLine of ForceNone
Note: For non-standard dragons that use mechanics other than damage-based breath weapons (see pages 70-71 of the Races of the Dragon), ask your DM for details on progression of their breath or breath-replacement abilities.
Blindsense (Ex): At 5th level, the dragon disciple gains blindsense with a range of 30 feet. Using nonvisual senses, such as acute smell or hearing, the dragon disciple notices things it cannot see. He usually does not need to make Spot or Listen checks to notice and pinpoint the location of creatures within range of his blindsense ability, provided that he has line of effect to that creature. Any opponent the dragon disciple cannot see still has total concealment against him, and the dragon disciple still has the normal miss chance when attacking foes that have concealment. Visibility still affects the movement of a creature with blindsense. A creature with blindsense is still denied its Dexterity bonus to Armor Class against attacks from creatures it cannot see. At 10th level, the range of this ability increases to 60 feet.
Wings (Ex): At 9th level, a dragon disciple grows a set of draconic wings. He may now fly at a speed equal to his normal land speed, with average maneuverability. If and when they are Large sized or larger, their fly speed is instead twice[/] their land speed (to a maximum of 120 feet).
Half-Dragon Apotheosis: At 10th level, a dragon disciple fully realizes his draconic heritage and takes on the half-dragon template (see page 146 of the Monster Manual), changing their Type to Dragon and losing the Subtype Dragonblood - this represents the natural armor increases, ability boosts, natural attacks, and breath weapon gained via this class. This means that they simply acquire low-light vision, 60-foot darkvision, immunity to sleep and paralysis effects, immunity to the energy type used by their breath weapon (see table above) along with their type change.
Essentially replaced 'Bonus Spells' with actual casting progression and a handful of bonus spells known to make up for the [I]3 lost caster levels, representing the original +3 LA of the template they gain as a capstone.
Gave them slightly better skill points (since Dragons normally get 3 times the amount the original class got) and access to Use Magic Device.
Reworded some things to be more user-friendly.
Expanded the Dragon Heritage options to include a separate optional table of the list of half-dragons in Races of the Dragon that use energy damage-based breath weapons.
Expanded the natural attack damage table for ease of reference
(Dungeon Master's Guide v.3.5, p. 183)
Author Note: The fact that a +3 LA template was spread over 10 prestige levels that requires but does not further spellcasting was utterly ridiculous. This is a version that increases spellcasting progression somewhat and provides a handful of draconic spells known, which is far more reasonable. A second, (Condensed) 5-level version that does not further spellcasting occupies the post below this one, for those who would rather use that instead.
Dragon disciples use their magic as a catalyst to ignite their dragon blood, eventually being transformed into a half-dragon. Half-dragon creatures are always more formidable than others of their kind that do not have dragon blood, and their appearance betrays their nature—scales, elongated features, reptilian eyes, and exaggerated teeth and claws, and even wings.
Requirements
Skills: Knowledge (Arcana) 8 ranks
Race: Any nondragon (cannot already be a dragon or half-dragon), but must be a living, corporeal creature.
Languages: Draconic
Spellcasting: Ability to cast arcane spells without preparation.
Special: The player chooses a dragon variety when taking the first level in this prestige class, subject to the DM's approval.
Hit die: d12
Skill points: 4 + Int
Class Skills: Concentration, Craft, Diplomacy, Escape Artist, Gather Information, Knowledge (All), Listen, Profession, Search, Speak Language, Spellcraft, Spot, Use Magic Device
LevelBABFortReflexWillClass FeaturesSpellcasting Progression
1+0+2+0+2Dragonblood, Bonus Spells Known, Natural Armor Increase
-
2+1+3+0+3Ability Boost (Str +2), Claws & Bite+1 Level of Existing Spellcasting Class
3+2+3+1+3Breath Weapon (2d8)+1 Level of Existing Spellcasting Class
4+3+4+1+4Ability Boost (Str +2), Natural Armor Increase+1 Level of Existing Spellcasting Class
5+3+4+1+4Blindsense (30')+1 Level of Existing Spellcasting Class[/tr]
6+4+5+2+5Ability Boost (Con +2)
-
7+5+5+2+5Breath Weapon (4d8), Natural Armor Increase+1 Level of Existing Spellcasting Class
8+6+6+2+6Ability Boost (Int +2)+1 Level of Existing Spellcasting Class
9+6+6+3+6Ability Boost (Str +2), Wings+1 Level of Existing Spellcasting Class
10+7+7+3+7Ability Boost (Cha +2, Str +2), Blindsense (60'), Breath Weapon (6d8), Half-Dragon Apotheosis, Natural Armor Increase
-[/tr]
Class Features
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Dragon disciples gain no proficiency with any weapon or armor.
Spellcasting: At every level except the 1st, 6th, and 10th, a Dragon Disciple gains new spells per day (and spells known, if applicable) as if they had also gained a level in an spellcasting class they belonged to before they added the prestige class. They do not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. If the character has levels in more than one spellcasting class before becoming a Dragon Disciple, they must decide to which class they add each level of Dragon Disciple for the purposes of determining spells per day.
Dragonblood: The Dragon Disciple gains the Dragonblood subtype.
Bonus Spells Known: Dragon disciples gain bonus spells known as part of their transformation into a half-dragon. They add the following spells to their Spells Known to the spontaneous arcane spellcasting class used to enter this prestige class if and when they gain access to the appropriate spell levels:
Breath Flare, Ghostly Tail
Tail Slap, Wings of Cover
Dragonskin, Least Dragonshape, Sense of the Dragon
Blinding Breath, Tail Sweep, Wings of Flurry
Breath Weapon Substitution, Dispelling Breath, Stunning Breath
Dragoncall, Lesser Dragonshape
Animate Breath, Kiss of Draconic Defiance
Greater Stunning Breath
Breath Weapon Admixture, Deafening Breath, Dragonshape, Enervating Breath
Natural Armor Increase (Ex): At 1st, 4th, and 7th level, a dragon disciple becomes more draconic in appearance. Their skin develops tiny iridescent scales, nearly invisible at first but becoming more noticeable at higher levels. This provides an increase to the character?s existing natural armor (if any), as indicated. As their skin thickens, a dragon disciple takes on more and more of their progenitor?s physical aspect.
Claws and Bite (Ex): At 2nd level, a dragon disciple gains claw and bite attacks if he does not already have them. Use the values above or the disciple?s base claw and bite damage values, whichever are greater.
SizeBite DamageClaw Damage
Fine*1-
Dimenutive*1d21
Tiny*1d31d2
Small1d41d3
Medium1d61d4
Large1d81d6
Huge2d61d8
Gargantuan3d62d6
Colossal4d63d6
*Creatures smaller than Small have no reach and can only make natural attacks while occupying the same square as their target. Fine creatures do not gain claw attacks.
A dragon disciple is considered proficient with these attacks. When making a full attack, a dragon disciple uses his full base attack bonus with his bite attack but takes a -5 penalty on claw attacks. The Multiattack feat (see page 304 of the Monster Manual) reduces this penalty to only 2, while the Improved Multiattack feat (see page 36 of Savage Species) elimenates this penalty completely.
Ability Boost (Ex): As a dragon disciple gains levels in this prestige class, his ability scores increase as noted on the Table above. These increases stack and are gained as if through level advancement.
Breath Weapon (Su): At 3rd level, a dragon disciple gains a minor breath weapon, derived from their draconic ancestor. The type and shape depend on the dragon variety whose heritage they enjoys (see below). Regardless of the ancestor, the breath weapon deals 2d8 points of damage of the appropriate energy type. At 7th level, the damage increases to 4d8, and when a disciple attains dragon apotheosis at 10th level it reaches its full power at 6d8. Regardless of its strength, the breath weapon can be used only once per day unless they take the Dragon Breath feat (see page 98 of Races of the Dragon) - which they can only take after having reached level 5 and attained Half-Dragon Apotheosis and thus the Half-Dragon Template. Use all the rules for dragon breath weapons (see page 69 of the Monster Manual) except as specified here. The DC of the breath weapon is 10 + class level + Con modifier. A line-shaped breath weapon is 5 feet high, 5 feet wide, and 60 feet long. A cone-shaped breath weapon is 30 feet long.
Core Dragon VarietyBreath WeaponImmunity
BlackLine of AcidAcid
BlueLine of LightningElectricity
GreenCone of Corrosive Gas (acid)Acid
RedCone of FireFire
WhiteCone of ColdCold
BrassLine of FireFire
BronzeLine of ElectricityElectricity
CopperLine of AcidAcid
GoldCone of FireFire
SilverCone of ColdCold
If playing with the Races of the Dragon sourcebook, more options become available for your dragon Heritage:
Non-Core Dragon VarietyBreath WeaponImmunity
AmethystLine of ForcePoison
BattleCone of Sonic EnergySonic
BrownLine of AcidAcid
ChaosLine of Random* EnergyConfusion Effects
CrystalCone of LightCold
DeepCone of Acidic Gas (Acid)Charm Effects
EmeraldCone of Sonic EnergySonic
EtherealCone of ForceNone
ForceCone of ForceNone
HowlingCone of Sonic EnergySonic
OceanusLine of ElectricityElectricity
PyroclasticCone of 1/2 Fire & 1/2 Sonic EnergyFire or Sonic (Pick 1)
RadiantLine of ForceNone
RustLine of AcidNone
SandCone of Grit (No Energy Type)Fire
SapphireCone of Sonic EnergyElectricity
SongCone of Charged Gas (Electricity)Electricity
StyxLine of AcidDisease & Poison
TarterianLine of ForceNone
Note: For non-standard dragons that use mechanics other than damage-based breath weapons (see pages 70-71 of the Races of the Dragon), ask your DM for details on progression of their breath or breath-replacement abilities.
Blindsense (Ex): At 5th level, the dragon disciple gains blindsense with a range of 30 feet. Using nonvisual senses, such as acute smell or hearing, the dragon disciple notices things it cannot see. He usually does not need to make Spot or Listen checks to notice and pinpoint the location of creatures within range of his blindsense ability, provided that he has line of effect to that creature. Any opponent the dragon disciple cannot see still has total concealment against him, and the dragon disciple still has the normal miss chance when attacking foes that have concealment. Visibility still affects the movement of a creature with blindsense. A creature with blindsense is still denied its Dexterity bonus to Armor Class against attacks from creatures it cannot see. At 10th level, the range of this ability increases to 60 feet.
Wings (Ex): At 9th level, a dragon disciple grows a set of draconic wings. He may now fly at a speed equal to his normal land speed, with average maneuverability. If and when they are Large sized or larger, their fly speed is instead twice[/] their land speed (to a maximum of 120 feet).
Half-Dragon Apotheosis: At 10th level, a dragon disciple fully realizes his draconic heritage and takes on the half-dragon template (see page 146 of the Monster Manual), changing their Type to Dragon and losing the Subtype Dragonblood - this represents the natural armor increases, ability boosts, natural attacks, and breath weapon gained via this class. This means that they simply acquire low-light vision, 60-foot darkvision, immunity to sleep and paralysis effects, immunity to the energy type used by their breath weapon (see table above) along with their type change.
Essentially replaced 'Bonus Spells' with actual casting progression and a handful of bonus spells known to make up for the [I]3 lost caster levels, representing the original +3 LA of the template they gain as a capstone.
Gave them slightly better skill points (since Dragons normally get 3 times the amount the original class got) and access to Use Magic Device.
Reworded some things to be more user-friendly.
Expanded the Dragon Heritage options to include a separate optional table of the list of half-dragons in Races of the Dragon that use energy damage-based breath weapons.
Expanded the natural attack damage table for ease of reference