D&D 5E Unearthed Arcana: Draconic Options

The latest Unearthed Arcana from WotC is called Draconic Options. It includes three variant Dragonborn races and a new kobold race, as well as a handful of new spells and feats. Dragonlance fans might do a double-take when they see Fizban's platinum shield (two Forgotten Realms dragons are referenced in the spells, too -- Icingdeath and Raulothim -- as is the FR god of fey dragons, Nathair).

Harness the power of dragons in this installment of Unearthed Arcana! This playtest document presents race, feat, and spell options related to dragons in Dungeons & Dragons.

First is a trio of draconic race options presented as an alternative to the dragonborn race in the Player’s Handbook, as well as a fresh look at the kobold race. Then comes a handful of feat options that reflect a connection to draconic power. Finally, an assortment of spells—many of them bearing the names of famous or infamous dragons—offer a variety of approaches to manifesting dragon magic.

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[Parmandur]

The flavor text of the kobold says "The roar of a kobold can express a range of emotion: anger, resolve, elation, fear, and more. Regardless of the emotion the kobold expresses, the roar resonates with draconic power." So not just fear
And the idea of demoralizing with elation is just hella weird
But then it doesn't appear magical in the actual power. It would work in an Antimagic Field. You roar by enemies and buff your allies

Frightful Presence would also work in an anti-magic field, even though it is obviously magic-like. It's a bit of Draconic narrative flair: specific trumps general is on of the foundational rules of the game.

 

[Disgruntled Hobbit]

Frightful Presence would also work in an anti-magic field, even though it is obviously magic-like. It's a bit of Draconic narrative flair: specific trumps general is on of the foundational rules of the game.

Frightful Presence also won't affect an iron golem. But a kobold a third of its size screeching at it like a scaly Post Malone will.

 

[Parmandur]

Frightful Presence also won't affect an iron golem. But a kobold a third of its size screeching at it like a scaly Post Malone will.

Why do you think Frightful Presence would not work on a Golem? The saving throw applies to creatures who are aware of the Dragon.

 

[Faolyn]

Why do you think Frightful Presence would not work on a Golem? The saving throw applies to creatures who are aware of the Dragon.

Golems can't be frightened.

 

[Parmandur]

Golems can't be frightened.

They have an advantage on the saving throw, not immunity to the effect. There is nothing in the Iron Golem stat block, the description of constructs in the rules, or the Dragon power described in the stat blocks that would suggest immunity from Frightful Presence that I can see.

 

[Disgruntled Hobbit]

Why do you think Frightful Presence would not work on a Golem? The saving throw applies to creatures who are aware of the Dragon.

They have an advantage on the saving throw, not immunity to the effect. There is nothing in the Iron Golem stat block, the description of constructs in the rules, or the Dragon power described in the stat blocks that would suggest immunity from Frightful Presence that I can see.

Under Condition Immunities. They're immune to being Frightened
Frightful Presence makes the enemy Frightened
And as you point out they have Magic Resistance so they'd also have advantage on the save against any magical effect
But none of that would prevent a kobold from yelping at them like a Pomeranian and gaining advantage

 

[teitan]

Yup, the most common response I remember when 3e explicitly linked Kobolds and dragons was, "I thought they were little dog men?"

Yep me too

 

[Remathilis]

Wonder what the kobold's roar looks like in the game world? .

 

[darjr]

The yelping is deeply annoying and the construct sees red and its anger is distracting

 

[Maxperson]

They only two guaranteed things in life.

I'll bet he yelled, "Your money or your life!" a lot when entering combat .