Arcane Casting Draconic PC

[mattcolville]

A friend is currently looking at the Dragon Disciple PrC in the DMG. Looking at it, I'm convinced there's a better way to be an Arcane Casting Draconic PC. But I'm not sure what. Sorcerer with the Half-Dragon template? I have the Draconomicon here but I haven't busted it out yet.

 

[Vorput]

Draconic heritage feats in umm.... Complete arcane or PHB2... I forget which.

They're not perfect, but they're a nice step in the right direction- particularly if the DM is willing to give 1 or 2 as bonus feats as various sorcerer levels.

Vorp

 

[Remathilis]

Dragonheart Mage

Races of the Dragon. It dovetails with the draconic heritage feats (which are all reprinted and expanded in Races of the Dragon) and it simply amazing. I'm playing a 16th level one, and its a wonderful class.

In a nutshell. 8/10 caster levels. Good Fort(!) and Will, d6 HD, Ok skills (search, gather info, all knowledges). Weak Bab.

You get the dragon breath feat free (swap a spell slot to do 2d6/spell level in damage, based on ancestors breath weapon Ref save = spell save DC minus bonuses like spell focus). This goes up in level (2d8, then 3d6 at 10th level.) In addition, you get a couple bonus feats that can be used on draconic heritage feats.

Sure, its still a feat-sink to get a good dragonheart mage going, but well worth it when you can blow a 7th level spell slot and do 21d6 fire in a 30' cone, ref save 17+cha mod. Granted, thats at 17th level (you lose two caster levels, so your spellcasting progression is further slowed). but its better than the disciple.

 

[mattcolville]

Dragonheart Mage

Races of the Dragon. It dovetails with the draconic heritage feats (which are all reprinted and expanded in Races of the Dragon) and it simply amazing. I'm playing a 16th level one, and its a wonderful class.

In a nutshell. 8/10 caster levels. Good Fort(!) and Will, d6 HD, Ok skills (search, gather info, all knowledges). Weak Bab.

You get the dragon breath feat free (swap a spell slot to do 2d6/spell level in damage, based on ancestors breath weapon Ref save = spell save DC minus bonuses like spell focus). This goes up in level (2d8, then 3d6 at 10th level.) In addition, you get a couple bonus feats that can be used on draconic heritage feats.

Sure, its still a feat-sink to get a good dragonheart mage going, but well worth it when you can blow a 7th level spell slot and do 21d6 fire in a 30' cone, ref save 17+cha mod. Granted, thats at 17th level (you lose two caster levels, so your spellcasting progression is further slowed). but its better than the disciple.

Awesome, I'll check that out. I didn't have a reason to buy that book, but now I do.

 

[mattcolville]

Looking at my friend's build, which is kinda weird, I think he's not so much interested in casting spells as he is in becoming a Dragon. That's what he likes about the Dragon Disciple. I think he like's getting Claw/Claw/Bite and breath weapon and all that stuff.

 

[Question]

Then he will want to consider making a barbarian with minimum levels of sorcerer and then going dragon disciple.

This would only work in a reallyyy high level game though.

 

[Pinotage]

Dragonheart Mage

Sure, its still a feat-sink to get a good dragonheart mage going, but well worth it when you can blow a 7th level spell slot and do 21d6 fire in a 30' cone, ref save 17+cha mod. Granted, thats at 17th level (you lose two caster levels, so your spellcasting progression is further slowed). but its better than the disciple.

I love this class as well. The Draconic Breath is nice, particularly for sorcerers since it allows them to always have a damage option and keep their spells more utlity based rather than damage based. Being able to swap any spell for a damage spell is nice. On the other hand, a 6th level Disintegrate would be better against a single target - 28d6 for a 14th level caster (16th level Dragonheart Mage). The Draconic Breath also suffers from only ever being one element, and lots of creatures at that level have resistances or immunities to various elemental damages.

Pinotage

 

[szilard]

Take a look at Races of the Dragon. That's the book for this sort of thing, unless your friend it focused on being a half-dragon. There are a few cool options in there, including races, templates, and feats... but unfortunately few half-dragon-toys.

-Stuart

 

[mattcolville]

I will definately take a look at Races of the Dragon.

What about the Half-Dragon template? How is that for someone who wants to physically BE a Dragon?

 

[szilard]

I will definately take a look at Races of the Dragon.

What about the Half-Dragon template? How is that for someone who wants to physically BE a Dragon?

Well, you get a breath weapon, but it is only useable once a day. (though Races of the Dragon has a feat to fix that)

You don't get wings unless you are large.

Half-dragon is nice if you put it on top of something with racial HD, since it will tend to improve them. It gives less comparative benefit when combined only with class levels, but the bonuses are still very nice.

if you don't want to go Half-Dragon, I'd suggest one of a few options:

Dragonwrought Kobold (see Races of the Dragon) Sorcerer - if he doesn't mind being small

Dragonborn Sorcerer (see Races of the Dragon) - if he doesn't mind being devoted to Bahamut

Something with wings with the draconic template (from RotD, it is +1 LA) Sorcerer/Dragonheart Mage

-Stuart