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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Stalker0" data-source="post: 8099070" data-attributes="member: 5889">Ok throwing out a different paradigm idea. Right now the 5e dragon is defined by its strong multiattack, and assumes that the breath weapon is a "special add on" that gets used periodically to shake things up.So what if instead of that, what if the breath weapon was assumed part of the core legendary action routine? Aka the dragon's weapon is not some special thing its got to build up to....its as easy for a dragon as breathing....a truly integrated part of how it fights.With this model, we can assume the breath is used every round. Then perhaps we can add in some special 1/rest abilities that increase the breath or shake it up, for fun tactical options. We can have some of these special breath options consume more legendary actions, to ensure they add flexibility but not raw power that messes with the CR. This also has the advantage of consistency...you don't have to rely on the whim of a recharge role which can have a very large impact on a dragon fight (no recharge rolls = much weaker dragon. All recharge rolls hit = very deadly dragon).Here's an example to show case it:Multiattack: The dragon can use its frightful presence. It can then make either a bite or a tail attack. (so a weaker multiattack routine)Legendary Actions (3/round)Breath Weapon (2 legendary actions): The dragon releases a cone of XYZ.Tail Swipe (1 legendary action): The dragon makes a tail attack.Detect (1 legendary action): The dragon makes a perception check and XYZ.Special Breath Options (vary per dragon type, age, etc etc).Heighten Breath (1/rest): Opponents are at disadvantage to their saving throws against the dragon's breath weapon. The breath weapon requires 1 additional legendary action.Divine Breath (1/rest): Half of the breath weapon damage is changed to radiant damage.Breath of the Mind (1/rest): The dragon's breath weapon damage changes to psychic, and it uses an intelligence saving throw.Empowered Breath (1/rest): The dragon may reroll any 1s on its breath weapon damage, and must take the new result. The breath weapon requires 1 additional legendary action.With this dragon, you can allow for the breath to equal the offense damage of 2 claws and 2 tails every round (compared to the vanilla dragon) .... giving you a lot of design space to make it truly strong and fearful, and backed by consistency...without the whims of a d6 roll... for easy CR assessment and integration.</blockquote>

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