Big big Dragon with Cleric Spell

[Kae'Yoss]

Some dragons can treat cleric spells as sorcerer spells and learn them. The fang dragon (MoF, Dra) is one of them. I was just creating a Vampiric Great Wyrm Fang Dragon, and went through the spells he'd have. Harm and Heal were no-brainers (always nice to have), but then I found one spell that will make that big lizard real nasty:Righteous Might. Str 49 and really scary base damage.
There's one to really scare players.

 

[James McMurray]

Yep, Righteous Might + Mage Armor + Shield + Spell Resistance (unless the dragon's natural SR is higher of course) make for a very frightening foe.

 

[jgsugden]

I'd keep in mind the advancement of the great wyrm when picking spells. Advance him like a sorcerer. You may end up with a dramatically different spell selection when a creature picks spells as if he were advanceing instead of picking them to have the optimal collection at the end ...

As for useful spells for a dragon, remember to look at domain lists as well. There are a few good spells in there that can really help out a dragon, such as barkskin.

I also like to select contingency, spell immunity, lingering damage spells tied to the element of the creature. Incendiary cloud or acid fog works really nice when combined with a dragon's energy immunity and blindsense.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Mage armor is all well, but shield of faith is better (deflection bonus) - though of course we can give him both.

The dragon we speak of is a Fang Dragon. Doesn't have a breath weapon, but a nasty bite (and damage as a dragon one size category larger) instead. No immunity, either.

The spells he chooses are all spells that would protect him, with very few attack spells at all. Has only CL 15, anyway.

 

[Wippit Guud]

Want to be really evil? Give him clone. And once he's finally vanquieshed... the clone becomes alive

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Want to be really evil? Give him clone. And once he's finally vanquieshed... the clone becomes alive

Not magically adept. But this reminds me that I have to look up the exact traits of proto-dracoliches

 

[Darklone]

Don't forget Displacement and Mirror Image while you're at it.

 

[Jeremy]

Yup. Righteous Might, Heal/Harm, and Lion's Charge were pretty much the spells that seemed like the most no-brainer to us.

Improved Mage Armor from Unapproachable East, Belsasmeth's Blessing from Relics and Rituals, Rage from Relics and Rituals, Tenser's Transformation, and Haste of course are all other great spells. Depending on the level of the dragon Mind Blank is invaluable and Kiss of the Vampire from Magic of Faerun can really ruin some spell caster's day.

Dragons are not the best casters, but they are excel when using their spellcasting ability to increase their melee ability. Their grapple checks while using Righteous Might are incredible. Take -20 on your check and pin a spell caster beneath your claw, full attack him with the rest of your attacks, then Quicken a dimension door away with your little spellcaster prize to loot his magical item laden body which you can then ransom back to the party for more magical loot.

You'll double your horde in a day.

 

[Darklone]

Tensers? Why would a dragon need Tensers (or Divine Power)? For the stat boosts?

I'd rather keep on casting spells if necessary.

 

[Jeremy]

Stat and Armor boosts. Works great once you are committed to melee. Say someone Anchors you. Though after the previously listed spell suite, it's likely overkill.