Adding sorcerer levels to a Dragon

[Crothian]

Some Dragons have natual sorcerer abilities. So, if I'm going to add a sorcerer level to a dragon do they get the first level abilities of a socerer (+0BAB, +2 will save, familiar) and just have the spell abilities stack? Meaning if my dragon naturally casts as a 5th level sorcerer does he now have the spell ability of a 6th level sorcerer and BAB, saves, as a first level sorcerer??

 

[Will]

I don't think it's clear how it works, but I think that's the most logical approach.

 

[shilsen]

Some Dragons have natual sorcerer abilities. So, if I'm going to add a sorcerer level to a dragon do they get the first level abilities of a socerer (+0BAB, +2 will save, familiar) and just have the spell abilities stack? Meaning if my dragon naturally casts as a 5th level sorcerer does he now have the spell ability of a 6th level sorcerer and BAB, saves, as a first level sorcerer??

Yes. Class levels stack for spellcasting purposes if the creature already has innate spellcasting ability as a member of the class. Pg.294 of the 3.5 MM mentions this under the "Associated Class Levels" section.

 

[Crothian]

Thanks!!

 

[jgsugden]

Some Dragons have natual sorcerer abilities. So, if I'm going to add a sorcerer level to a dragon do they get the first level abilities of a socerer (+0BAB, +2 will save, familiar) and just have the spell abilities stack? Meaning if my dragon naturally casts as a 5th level sorcerer does he now have the spell ability of a 6th level sorcerer and BAB, saves, as a first level sorcerer??

Yeppers. I don't recall where in the rules that it says so, but you add the sorcerer levels to the 'racial' spell casting levels for purposes of spellcasting, but treat all other class abilities at the normal level.

I'd suggest skipping on the familiar, though. A toad with 245 hit points is a bit odd ...

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Yeppers. I don't recall where in the rules that it says so, but you add the sorcerer levels to the 'racial' spell casting levels for purposes of spellcasting, but treat all other class abilities at the normal level.

I'd suggest skipping on the familiar, though. A toad with 245 hit points is a bit odd ...

Not odd if its the Toad of Power!

 

[Will]

I just noticed something... you can cast a 'you' spell on a familiar.

Imagine that toad with permanent Tongues (permanency). And, oh, an item of flight...

As the dragon's herald!

 

[Krafen]

Hmm, a red dragon with an Improved Familiar: Tiny Fire Elemental. That could be fun.

"Tiny Elementals are supposed to be weak! Why won't this thing die?"

 

[Scion]

Hmm, a red dragon with an Improved Familiar: Tiny Fire Elemental. That could be fun.

"Tiny Elementals are supposed to be weak! Why won't this thing die?"

That would be great

How would people change the CR? An extra +1 seems like a bit much in this case ;/

 

[mhd]

How would people change the CR? An extra +1 seems like a bit much in this case ;/

Nothing at all. It just has to burn a feat (for which it needs at least five additional sorceror levels). Hmm, the DMG lists both improved familiars and familiars for larger spellcasters. Improved larger familiars might be interesting. Human/Imp = Dragon/???
(if it isn't exactly a very young dragon, you could come up with some rather powerful monsters/characters and it still wouldn't increase the CR...)

BTW, the adding of sorcerer levels is mentioned in the official FAQ. Rather useful, as dragons can even cast some divine spells as arcane...