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?

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

Sometimes I imagine something like a "monster ally" class, a demi-PC, almost a second PC controlled by the same player (the group is more powerful, but the XPs has to be more distribute and then the power balance isn't broken). This would allow players to enjoy characters as pokemon trainers or riders of fabulous creatures. But a monster ally PC is a different gameplay because they can't use tools or weapons neither wear clothing for bipedal humanoids, and this is very important if they are touching the floor without boots or shoes.

* The monk subclass makes me to remember the dragonfire adept class from "Dragon Magic".

* If UA shows the dragon rider subclass then it will be the sign of the relaunch of Dragonlance. Isn't it?

 

[Weiley31]

So the Sorcerer's step brother is a Monk. Didn't see that one coming.

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

Sometimes I imagine a new class, the cultivator, hybrid mixture between psionic, sorcerer, martial adept (Tome of Battle: Book of Nine Swords) and monk, based in the heroes from xianxia fantasy.

 

[Weiley31]

Sometimes I imagine something like a "monster ally" class, a demi-PC, almost a second PC controlled by the same player (the group is more powerful, but the XPs has to be more distribute and then the power balance isn't broken). This would allow players to enjoy characters as pokemon trainers or riders of fabulous creatures. But a monster ally PC is a different gameplay because they can't use tools or weapons neither wear clothing for bipedal humanoids, and this is very important if they are touching the floor without boots or shoes.

* The monk subclass makes me to remember the dragonfire adept class from "Dragon Magic".

* If UA shows the dragon rider subclass then it will be the sign of the relaunch of Dragonlance. Isn't it?

I always saw the Dragonfire Adept as more of a Warlock but more dragon theme. Didn't it get invocations too? But I get what ya mean.

 

[dave2008]

So, I would like to bring up that the Draconomicon was one of my favorite 3.x era books, and I would be all for something like that making a comeback.

FYI, it was in 2e and 4e too.
2e Draconomicon
4e Draconomicon I - Chromatic Dragons
4e Draconomicon II - Metallic Dragons

And I too would love to get a 5e version

 

[Minigiant]

The Drakewarden is proof to me that the the Beastmaster subclass should have been split into multiple subclasses, one for each type of companion.

A Falconer
A Houndmaster
A "Drakewarden"
A Liontamer
A Beekeeper
A Ratking

 

[renbot]

The obvious solution is to tack on the Drake growing to medium to the 11th level class ability.

 

[Kurotowa]

Okay, we're all grasping at straws here but speculation is fun so why not. After letting it stew I think I've got a prediction for what sort of book this is for. This UA is dragons, the previous UA was undead, what's that point to? The next book in the Volo's and MToF series. Something with sections on the big mastermind and campaign arch-villain types, but instead of having racial type player options it'll have a modest selection of thematic subclasses.

It's still a bit of a longshot pick, but I'm putting it out there. If the next UA offering fits the pattern too I'll commit to it more heavily.

 

[Hussar]

I would certainly play either of these and allow them in my game. Which, to me, is about as high a praise as I can give.

 

[Xeviat]

I liked these subclasses a lot. Very thematic. They felt balanced right away, unlike 4 elements. Requiring a bonus action for the pet to attack is still rough on the Ranger, but then again they may be using their spells more for healing and summoning their pet.