Best PC class for a wyrmling dragon?

[Ambrus]

I've been playing a hatchling gold dragon for a few years now using the monster class presented in Dragon Magazine 320. I wasn't free to multiclass until I completed my 12th level and officially became a 'wyrmling'), which I just have. I could simply continue advancing as a gold dragon but have been wondering if there's another class out there that might marry itself naturally to a gold wyrmling. I've been kicking around the paladin, cleric, fighter, sorcerer, duskblade and dragon shaman (I'm my own totem!) classes. Just wondering if anyone here might have some insight to offer.

 

[HeapThaumaturgist]

Juvenile?

Sorc is pretty good for non-humanoids, I've found, and fits the dragon theme.

Swashbuckler?

--fje

 

[takyris]

Paladin would certainly fit the alignment.

Plus, you know, Gold Dragon charisma + smiting...

 

[Ozmar]

Paladin. Totally. Its just too appropriate from an RP perspective. Also, I'd check out the Book of Exalted Deeds. (But avoid the vow of poverty - not dragonish at all!)

Ozmar the LG

 

[Kaodi]

There is a theory in the calculation of CRs that deals with associative class levels and non-associative class levels, where associative class levels directly benefit a monsters strengths and are as good or better an an extra HD in the monster " class " . However, in my opinion, there are no associative classes for dragons. It sounds like the dragon advancement you are speaking of takes into account the LA for dragons rises as their HD rises.

Anyway... sorcerer would be a decent class, except that you currently don't have the ability to cast spells yet, because you're only a wyrmling, so... Something other than a caster would probably be for the best. I would almost be tempted to say rogue, but barbarian is probably the most natural choice for pure power. A fighter might be devestating though, for the extra feats, especially if you eventually advance up a few age categories. To very young or young. If you were really brave, you might even try rogue, and pour all of your skill ranks into hide and move silently.

Do you have the base stats for a wyrmling, or did you still roll/use point buy and add the modifiers? What are you actual stats?

 

[kenmarable]

One of the drawbacks of multiclassing to a spellcaster after you are already high in HD is that while the rest of the party and your opponents are throwing around chain lightnings, you have shocking grasp. Even for non-power gamers, that can take some fun out of it. One character I played had 4 levels of fighter and the rest as a spellcaster. Even though he was somewhat melee-capable, often the other spellcaster in the group having spells 2 levels higher than mine was overshadowing my character. With 5 levels of difference, I can only imagine it being worse.

That being said, if there is a spellcasting niche that isn't filled at all within a party, go right ahead. Also, if you don't mind being overshadowed by other spellcasters, go right ahead. I'm just saying it could be difficult trying to be a sorcerer who happens to be a dragon as opposed to a dragon who can do a little sorcery.

(As an aside, one of my wife's characters when we hit Epic levels decided to multiclass to cleric from almost pure Enchanter. So massive wizard power, and some 1st level cleric spells almost as an after thought. But it really fit what the character had been through and she was perfectly happy with focusing on cleric-ness from that point on.)

One thing I really like about the Book of Nine Swords and the martial adepts is that they multiclass so much better. One half of all other HD count towards your "spellcasting" level if I understand it correctly. Multiclassing is far less painful that way (and I hope 4E works something like that in for the sorcerer, wizard, and cleric - maybe druid - whenever it comes around). Besides, having a gold dragon swordsage in the desert wind style (lotsa fire-based and movement-based stuff) would be pretty cool.

All that being said, sorcerer is an obvious fit thematically, and the idea of a dragon shaman is really inspired. All of the other classes have interesting aspects to them both mechanically and flavor-wise, so I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.

 

[Ambrus]

I agree that paladin is thematically appropriate, but keep in mind that the smiting ability is tied to class level rather than character level. Since I have a 13th level character the ability to smite for an extra point of damage is fairly pointless (Behold the righteous nose bleed of justice!). Likewise, at 2nd level my lay on hands ability will only cure a handful of hit points at 14th level; again not much to get excited about there. Detect Evil might be fun though.

Don't you need to be chaotic to be a barbarian? Kind of tough to manage for a LG dragon.

Taking a sorcerer level wouldn't be too bad, especially if the DM would let me swap the familiar for a bonus feat. The Practiced Spellcaster feat would also boost my caster level up to 5 rather than being stuck at 1. Mage armor would mean that I could loose the mithral breastplate barding I've been wearing without proficiency.

Swashbuckler depends a great deal on having a high dex; usually a dragon's worst stat.

We used a 32 point buy to build our characters. IIRC my stats are:

25 Str
20 Con
10 Dex
18 Int
14 Wis
14 Chr

 

[Engilbrand]

The best idea so far has been ToB. The Warblade would be perfect for you. It's a melee class, you'd keep using the d12 for hit dice and some of the abilities deal with your Int modifier. With an 18, you'll be golden. (I made a funny!) Because the new abilities rely on Hit dice instead of class levels, you could probably start right off with some decent maneuvers. Good times. Check it out. Also, remember to ignore the people who shout about how "BWOKENN!!!" it is. They like melee guys to suck.

 

[Ambrus]

Besides, having a gold dragon swordsage in the desert wind style (lotsa fire-based and movement-based stuff) would be pretty cool.

The best idea so far has been ToB. The Warblade would be perfect for you. It's a melee class, you'd keep using the d12 for hit dice and some of the abilities deal with your Int modifier. With an 18, you'll be golden. (I made a funny!) Because the new abilities rely on Hit dice instead of class levels, you could probably start right off with some decent maneuvers. Good times. Check it out.

You guys are doing a good job of selling me on these. I'll definitely have to check them out to see how they measure up. As long as I can tie these class' abilities into my natural weapon attack routine I'll be golden. (heh heh).

This is why I posted. I'm not familiar with these classes (who can be familiar with all of the non-core stuff anymore?) but figured somebody here would be able to steer me in the right direction. Thanks!

 

[Kaodi]

I don't have any of the books that have those other classes either, so it makes it kind of hard to comment on them.

I'm thinking you should stay dragon until your size goes up to large, then go all out with fighter levels and grab every last feat chain that benefits from size and strength, so power attack, improved bull rush, maybe awesome blow, maybe improved critical (bite), combat expertise, improved disarm, improved overrun, improved sunder, improved trip, cleave, basically, the works. With enough feats, you become the master of melee. Also, since you don't seem to be adverse to image of a dragon wearing armour, you get proficiency, and with your Dex bonus of +0, you can really go with as good armour as will allow you to fly. +1 ghost touch mithral chainmail or full plate, or something. Unfortunately, the fighter may be a little short on wonderful skills to go with your int bonus, but intimidate, swim, climb and jump still have their uses, or you could cross-class.