D&D 5E Unearthed Arcana: Drakewarden and Way of the Ascendant Dragon

We have a new UA available today, this time showcasing new monk and ranger dragon-themed subclasses, in the Way of the Ascendant Dragon and the Drakewarden, respectively.

Interesting to note that these are both dragon adjacent subclasses. Is this foreshadowing for an upcoming product? Or just coincidence?

 

[Kurotowa]

I wish the drake started at Medium size, so a small character could ride them early on, but otherwise I like it.

I figure it's got to be a deliberate design choice. The intent being that the Level 15 ability is supposed to be the flying mount upgrade and you can't cheat your way to that earlier by picking a Small race. Which is a completely reasonable design limitation, IMO. If the intent is that you get a flying mount at Level 15, not Level 7, then being able to bypass that because you're a halfling is pretty cheesy. Those are exactly the sort of synergistic rules exploits that 5e has gone out of its way to avoid, and I respect that.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

I like the free number of uses equal to the proficiency bonus. If I remember correctly, they used that for other UA subclasses too and it helps the monk preserve ki for their standard powers but allows them to fuel their extras with ki if needed.

 

[Charlaquin]

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Maybe for balance reasons, they don´t want small rangers ride their dragon before high level.

That is quite possible. I don’t think it would be a big deal though. It gains a flight speed at 7th level, and by that point wizards can cast fly, so letting a halfling or gnome ride their flying mount at that point seems reasonable to me. No other issues riding the drake would cause jump out at me.

 

[Gladius Legis]

Obvious strongly draconic flavors aside, these are in practice a Four Elements Monk and a Beast Master Ranger that don't suck.

 

[Charlaquin]

I figure it's got to be a deliberate design choice. The intent being that the Level 15 ability is supposed to be the flying mount upgrade and you can't cheat your way to that earlier by picking a Small race. Which is a completely reasonable design limitation, IMO. If the intent is that you get a flying mount at Level 15, not Level 7, then being able to bypass that because you're a halfling is pretty cheesy. Those are exactly the sort of synergistic rules exploits that 5e has gone out of its way to avoid, and I respect that.

But like... What’s the big deal with a flying mount at 7th? Wizards can learn Fly at 6th, druids can wild shape into flying creatures at 8th, Find Greater Steed can get you a flying mount at 8th... 7th level seems right around the point a flying mount should be possible.

 

[Helldritch]

Obvious strongly draconic flavors aside, these are in practice a Four Elements Monk and a Beast Master Ranger that don't suck.

This is exactly my thoughts.
It's been a while since I have been enthousiastic about an UA. This one got me rilled up for my monk and ranger players. I wish this UA had happened a months ago. I would've incorporated them into a campaign right away...

 

[This Effin’ GM]

On the flying mount issue, any eberron DM can tell you that glidewing + halfling = flying mount by 3rd level anyway, or often enough.

Im a big fan of allowing it. 1. Its not super useful in all environments anyway and 2. The archer shooting up from below is aiming at that "way less hp and way less AC mount" than they are for the ranger, cause that feather fall - less ranger is going to take just a delightful amount of falling damage anyway. 3. Its cool

 

[TwoSix]

That is quite possible. I don’t think it would be a big deal though. It gains a flight speed at 7th level, and by that point wizards can cast fly, so letting a halfling or gnome ride their flying mount at that point seems reasonable to me. No other issues riding the drake would cause jump out at me.

They may not want to give Small characters a mount exception.

Going immediately from Small -> Large also gives a different narrative than going Small -> Medium -> Large, more of an explosive transformation (evolution?) than a gradual growth. Which may be the intent, or just a design error. Who knows?

 

[Charlaquin]

They may not want to give Small characters a mount exception.

Going immediately from Small -> Large also gives a different narrative than going Small -> Medium -> Large, more of an explosive transformation (evolution?) than a gradual growth. Which may be the intent, or just a design error. Who knows?

Could be. Either way, I’ll definitely be suggesting an increase to Medium size at 7th level in my feedback when the survey comes around.

 

[Undrave]

Interesting (from Draconic Discipline):


Have we seen that particular mechanic, i.e. "use it until it succeeds", anywhere else? I like it.

The other thing to note is that the higher level abilities all get one or more free uses, and then you can use them additional times by spending Ki. This seems to address the criticism of Monks and Sorcerers (which I initially resisted, but now agree with) about sub-class abilities that drain base-class resources.

EDIT: Ok, I'm kinda jonesing to play this monk now.

I second your mention of the 'until it succeeds'. It's a pretty elegant way to make sure you don't 'waste' your feature.