Converting True Dragons

[Shade]

If a icthyodrake looks like a fish and hunts like a fish, why does it have a fly speed ?

About a fixed land speed of 20 feet and progressive swim speed instead ?

Oops! I hadn't really modified the tables yet. I posted so I wouldn't lose my work. I've begun revising them, so you'll see some changes.

I think the progressive swim speed is all it needs. Nothing seemed to indicate that they were able to go on land.

For a breath weapon, how about a cone of acidic vapor that deals acid damage (duh) and blinds creatures stuck within the cloud ?

Cool idea, but it was pretty clear that it has a sonic breath weapon in the original writeup.

 

[Shade]

I followed the sea serpents' progressive swim speeds (Medium to Huge 100 ft., Gargantuan and Colossal 120 ft.)

 

[JiCi]

Cool idea, but it was pretty clear that it has a sonic breath weapon in the original writeup.

Oh, that works too... how about adding a secondary effect, like the emerald and sapphire gem dragons (I think) ? I believe one of them deafens its targets, while the other shakens and/or panics its targets.

How about making the sound disruptive for the targets' lungs, which could force them to make a Constitution check or lose 1 round of held air per age category ?

Some frequencies can make use lose our lunch, so why not our air ?

 

[BOZ]

MOVE: //15"

Source: Dragon Magazine #134, June 1988.

given that this one came out about a year before 2E's debut...

//X" = swimming speed

swim speed was all it was ever meant to have.

 

[Shade]

Oh, that works too... how about adding a secondary effect, like the emerald and sapphire gem dragons (I think) ? I believe one of them deafens its targets, while the other shakens and/or panics its targets.

How about making the sound disruptive for the targets' lungs, which could force them to make a Constitution check or lose 1 round of held air per age category ?

Some frequencies can make use lose our lunch, so why not our air ?

Once again, cool ideas. Since this one is a straight-up conversion, though, we'll probably just stick with the one breath weapon.

Speaking of the breath weapon, the original's damage was half that of a silver or red in 1E/2E (4d10 vs. 8d10). It did the same max damage as a black dragon from this era. So, should we stick with the black's damage progression, or try halving the red/silver's?

Survival and Swim seem like appropriate class skills. What should be the third?

Many powerful animals have Cha 10. I currently left it at Cha 10 at all age categories. It leaves the frightful presence a bit underwhelming, and it was described as "fearsome". Should we raise it progressively?

How about Wisdom? I currently mimicked the black dragon's progression.

 

[Gothenem]

Hmmm, I would go with mimicking the black's breath weapon for damage. I'd say keep the Charisma low, and give the guy a +4 racial bonus to the save DC of Frightful presence.

Black Dragon Wisdom seems ok to me.

As for the skills, Hide, Survival, and Swim seem appropriate to me.

 

[RavinRay]

Oh, that works too... how about adding a secondary effect, like the emerald and sapphire gem dragons (I think) ? How about making the sound disruptive for the targets' lungs, which could force them to make a Constitution check or lose 1 round of held air per age category ?

Jici, are you reading my mind? That's exactly what I did for my homebrew aquatic gem dragon, the aquamarine dragon. So I'll be generous and give it to the ichthyodrake as well.

 

[Shade]

Updated in Homebrews.

I think all that's left to decide is the CR. I currently have them matching the CR of a black dragon. While they are larger and have higher Str and Con and higher damage output, they lack spell-like abilities and spellcasting, and have less attack modes. Does this seem like an even tradeoff?

 

[Gothenem]

I would say so. CR equalling black seems appropriate.

 

[Shade]

In that case, give it a good lookover, and if nothing seems off, we're ready to move on to the next one.