Dragon, that is...
Dragon, Phase
FREQUENCY: Very rare
NO. APPEARING: 1-2
ARMOR CLASS: 2
MOVE: 6”/24” (MC: C)
HIT DICE: 3-5
% IN LAIR: 10%
TREASURE TYPE: F
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1 bite
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-4
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Breath weapon; possible spell use
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Phasing ability; see hidden/invisible objects
MAGIC RESISTANCE: 30%
INTELLIGENCE: Average to very
ALIGNMENT: Chaotic (neutral or good)
SIZE: S (3’ long)
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
Attack/Defense Modes: Nil
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: IV to V/175 + 3/hp to 360 + 5/hp
The phase dragon can be found almost anywhere, although it prefers sparsely inhabited areas in and around forests. Its lair can be found in caves and in stout, hollow trees. Though of small size, a phase dragon is as greedy as any other dragon and covets precious metals, gems, and magic items.
This dragon’s phasing ability allows it to shift out of phase with its surroundings as a phase spider can; it uses this power when attacking or being attacked. The dragon will bring itself back into phase when it is ready to deliver a bite or breath weapon (it can see its surroundings even when out of phase). When out of phase, the dragon cannot be struck by normal weapons, but it can be seen and attacked by someone wearing armor of etherealness or using oil of etherealness; other ethereal beings can also attack it. A phase door spell will cause the dragon to remain in phase for seven rounds.
Because a phase dragon hates to fight, it will prefer to use its breath weapon first in an unfriendly encounter and then try to escape. The phase dragon can attack once per round with either a bite or by breathing a 10’ diameter cloud of white gas that causes all within it who fail a saving throw vs. breath weapon to become confused, as per the druid spell confusion.
A phase dragon is able to use magic, and if taught to do so (as 40% of them have been), it can learn a 1st-level magic-user spell for each of its first four ages and a 2nd-level magic-user spell every age after that, to a maximum of four 1st-level and four 2nd-level magic-user spells at ancient age. Phase dragons have the same age categories and abilities to detect hidden or invisible beings that regular dragons have, but they lack any fear aura abilities. They can be subdued. Phase dragons are a glossy light blue-gray in color, and their scales have a mother-of-pearl sheen to them. They speak their own tongue and their alignment language, and 75% of them know the common tongue as well. Phase dragons are 40% likely to be found sleeping. They make saving throws like regular dragons.
Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #94 (1985).
I'm leaning toward "lesser dragon", but wanted to get everyone's opinion before moving it to the Dragon Magazine thread, rather than saving it for the True Dragons thread later.
Reasons I'm leaning toward "lesser" dragon:
- Although it states that is possesses age categories up to ancient, it doesn't really gain a whole lot
- It stays Small throughout its lifespan
- Its HD only increase an additional 2.
Linear Mode
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