Tia Nadiezja
First Post
Why did I design this? It's not specifically for my Mystara campaign - it's for general use. It's because dragons are totally sweet. It's because the Moon Druid drives me insane (Wild Shape isn't as good as Polymorph, the class as a whole just doesn't work very well, and the first draft of the last playtest made me happy with its versatile forms whose stats were a function of the PC's original stats while the final version of the Moon Druid makes me sad because it's sad). I was working on rebuilding the last playtest's moon druid to make it compatible with the class's current chassis, then decided, "If I'm going to do a whole Druid subclass that's kind of complicated, why not go full-out awesome and let people turn into dragons?"
So here we are!
With each beat of their wings, they bring the wrath of the storm; with tooth and claw, they show the truth of nature. Their breath is the elements unleashed. What truer form for those who venerate that which is older than humanity to take?
The Druids of the First Circle seek to emulate that which they see as the most primal form of nature - the dragon. Through extensive study of draconic lore, they learn to take on the forms of these awesome beasts.
Dragon Devotion. When you choose this circle at second level, choose a type of dragon. Your draconic form and element are determined by your choice. Use the Draconic Bloodline Ancestry chart for this.
This just sets variables for the rest of the subclass.
Dragon Shape. When you choose this circle at second level, instead of gaining the Wild Shape ability, you gain the ability to transform into a dragon. In Dragon form, you have the following modifications to your abilities:
Dragon
Medium Dragon
Armor Class: 12+Dexterity Modifier
Speed: 30 feet
Str and Dex: +2, to a maximum of 22
Special Senses: Darkvision 60
Resists your draconic element
Claws: Str or Dex+your proficiency modifier to hit, 1d8+your Strength or Dexterity modifier slashing damage.
Are the damage numbers here right? Are the stats up to par?
While in dragon shape, you cannot cast spells. You can remain in dragon shape for a total of one hour per point of Wisdom modifier you have. This time can be divided as you see fit. When you take a long rest, you regain all use of dragon shape. Changing into a dragon, or back into your natural form, requires a bonus action.
Allowing the druid to divide their use of Dragon Shape by time spent was important to me, because it's the essential class feature of the subclass. This lets them use it as they wish, while limiting its use by cutting off spellcasting while in dragon form.
Dragon Breath. At fourth level, your dragon form gains a breath weapon. When you gain the breath weapon, choose either a cone 30’ wide at the base or a 60’ long wine five feet wide. The breath weapon deals 6d8 damage of your draconic element, with half damage on a successful Dexterity saving throw against your spell save DC. Once you have used your dragon breath, you must wait 10 minutes before using it again.
I'm not sure I like the recharge mechanic on this one - 10 minutes is a bit weird. I do want it to be useful basically every encounter, since it's the dragon form's big replacement for combat spellcasting.
Multiattack. At sixth level, you gain the Multiattack action. Your Multiattack makes two Claw attacks.
Gotta have Multiattack for a melee monster, or the damage numbers just don't work. Dragon gets it a level after Fighter.
Dragon Wings. At level 8, your dragon form gains the power of flight. You gain a Fly speed of 60 feet.
Level 8 feels a bit late for a dragon to learn to fly, but it keeps it in line with when other druids get that with their Wild Shapes.
Large Dragon. At level 10, you can choose when you become a dragon to transform into a Large dragon. If you do, your Claw damage increases to 2d8+your Strength or Dexterity modifier, and your dragon shape grants +4 to those ability scores, to a maximum of 24. While a Large dragon, you are considered proficient with Intimidate, and gain Advantage on any Charisma (Intimidate) checks made against creatures smaller than you.
This one's just fun. I do worry a bit about its damage scaling around low-magic campaigns - I have to admit that I was aiming to keep it competitive with a fighter swinging a bonus-die weapon like Flame Tongue about. 2d8 damage is slightly more than a nonmagical greatsword would do, and if the dragon manages to break 20 with its primary attack stat (the class has MAD - its primary spellcasting stat is separated from its primary attack stat) that's a pile of damage. Opinions?
Bite. At level 14, your dragon form gains a Bite attack, which you can use in place of one of your Claw attacks when you multiattack. The Bite does 1d10+Strength or Dexterity modifier piercing damage, and adds an additional 1d10 if you are Large.
To match the Fighter's third attack or the Paladin's continued smites. The dragon form is focused on melee pretty hard.
Huge Dragon. At level 14, you can become a Huge dragon. While Huge, you gain double your proficiency bonus on Charisma (Intimidate) checks, and have Advantage on any such checks against creatures smaller than you.
I didn't add to damage here, because that would have been ridiculous. The double proficiency to Intimidate is basically intended as the poor man's Frightful Presence.
Dragon Spells. At level 18, you can cast spells while in dragon form. You require no material components for your spells, as long as those components have no cost.
You're level 18 now. Standard ideas about what's balanced and what's not are set aside.
The Truth of the Matter. At level 20, your draconic form becomes your true form. You can change between dragon form and what was once your natural form at will without taking an action, and if anything forces you to revert to your natural form you take on your Huge dragon form.
Always be dragon.
So here we are!
With each beat of their wings, they bring the wrath of the storm; with tooth and claw, they show the truth of nature. Their breath is the elements unleashed. What truer form for those who venerate that which is older than humanity to take?
The Druids of the First Circle seek to emulate that which they see as the most primal form of nature - the dragon. Through extensive study of draconic lore, they learn to take on the forms of these awesome beasts.
Dragon Devotion. When you choose this circle at second level, choose a type of dragon. Your draconic form and element are determined by your choice. Use the Draconic Bloodline Ancestry chart for this.
This just sets variables for the rest of the subclass.
Dragon Shape. When you choose this circle at second level, instead of gaining the Wild Shape ability, you gain the ability to transform into a dragon. In Dragon form, you have the following modifications to your abilities:
Dragon
Medium Dragon
Armor Class: 12+Dexterity Modifier
Speed: 30 feet
Str and Dex: +2, to a maximum of 22
Special Senses: Darkvision 60
Resists your draconic element
Claws: Str or Dex+your proficiency modifier to hit, 1d8+your Strength or Dexterity modifier slashing damage.
Are the damage numbers here right? Are the stats up to par?
While in dragon shape, you cannot cast spells. You can remain in dragon shape for a total of one hour per point of Wisdom modifier you have. This time can be divided as you see fit. When you take a long rest, you regain all use of dragon shape. Changing into a dragon, or back into your natural form, requires a bonus action.
Allowing the druid to divide their use of Dragon Shape by time spent was important to me, because it's the essential class feature of the subclass. This lets them use it as they wish, while limiting its use by cutting off spellcasting while in dragon form.
Dragon Breath. At fourth level, your dragon form gains a breath weapon. When you gain the breath weapon, choose either a cone 30’ wide at the base or a 60’ long wine five feet wide. The breath weapon deals 6d8 damage of your draconic element, with half damage on a successful Dexterity saving throw against your spell save DC. Once you have used your dragon breath, you must wait 10 minutes before using it again.
I'm not sure I like the recharge mechanic on this one - 10 minutes is a bit weird. I do want it to be useful basically every encounter, since it's the dragon form's big replacement for combat spellcasting.
Multiattack. At sixth level, you gain the Multiattack action. Your Multiattack makes two Claw attacks.
Gotta have Multiattack for a melee monster, or the damage numbers just don't work. Dragon gets it a level after Fighter.
Dragon Wings. At level 8, your dragon form gains the power of flight. You gain a Fly speed of 60 feet.
Level 8 feels a bit late for a dragon to learn to fly, but it keeps it in line with when other druids get that with their Wild Shapes.
Large Dragon. At level 10, you can choose when you become a dragon to transform into a Large dragon. If you do, your Claw damage increases to 2d8+your Strength or Dexterity modifier, and your dragon shape grants +4 to those ability scores, to a maximum of 24. While a Large dragon, you are considered proficient with Intimidate, and gain Advantage on any Charisma (Intimidate) checks made against creatures smaller than you.
This one's just fun. I do worry a bit about its damage scaling around low-magic campaigns - I have to admit that I was aiming to keep it competitive with a fighter swinging a bonus-die weapon like Flame Tongue about. 2d8 damage is slightly more than a nonmagical greatsword would do, and if the dragon manages to break 20 with its primary attack stat (the class has MAD - its primary spellcasting stat is separated from its primary attack stat) that's a pile of damage. Opinions?
Bite. At level 14, your dragon form gains a Bite attack, which you can use in place of one of your Claw attacks when you multiattack. The Bite does 1d10+Strength or Dexterity modifier piercing damage, and adds an additional 1d10 if you are Large.
To match the Fighter's third attack or the Paladin's continued smites. The dragon form is focused on melee pretty hard.
Huge Dragon. At level 14, you can become a Huge dragon. While Huge, you gain double your proficiency bonus on Charisma (Intimidate) checks, and have Advantage on any such checks against creatures smaller than you.
I didn't add to damage here, because that would have been ridiculous. The double proficiency to Intimidate is basically intended as the poor man's Frightful Presence.
Dragon Spells. At level 18, you can cast spells while in dragon form. You require no material components for your spells, as long as those components have no cost.
You're level 18 now. Standard ideas about what's balanced and what's not are set aside.
The Truth of the Matter. At level 20, your draconic form becomes your true form. You can change between dragon form and what was once your natural form at will without taking an action, and if anything forces you to revert to your natural form you take on your Huge dragon form.
Always be dragon.
)
