Converting True Dragons

[RavinRay]

I'll plug the stats into my MS Excel dragon spreadsheet to generate the missing 3.5 stats (BAB/Grapple, Initiative which is obviously +0, and touch and flat-footed AC). All DR become n/magic.

Edit: Basically the stats are the same as those of the green dragon, so all we have to do is supply the missing columns in the tables using the green dragon's data. I'm just curious why the descriptive text says the yellow dragon is smaller than the brass, but the HD and size of the former is bigger, even per 2e stats.

 

[freyar]

Sounds good, RavinRay. From reading through the flavor, Bluff and Hide seem like good choices for class skills. Survival might also make sense. What do you all think?

 

[Shade]

I'm just curious why the descriptive text says the yellow dragon is smaller than the brass, but the HD and size of the former is bigger, even per 2e stats.

That is a good question.

When I do the next batch upload, I'll add the missing columns. A few other things that need fixing:

Destroy water no longer exists, so I'll remove that from the "create/destroy water" ability. Improved invisibility is greater invisibility now, so I'll fix that. No replacement was given for dust devil 3/day at the juvenile age category. Maybe summon monster III (air elemental only)?

The breath weapon doesn't indicate the damage type.

A yellow dragon's breath weapon is a high-velocity blast of scorching air mixed with sand. This affects an area 50 feet long, 40 feet wide, and 20 feet high. Creatures caught within this blast must roll successful saving throws vs. breath weapon for half damage. Regardless of the outcome of this roll, they must make another saving throw vs. breath weapon. Failure means that the abrasive sand in the breath blast has damaged their eyes, blinding them for 1d4+1 rounds.

How's this?

Breath Weapon (Su): A yellow dragon has one type of breath weapon, a cone of scorching air and earth, which deals half fire/half bludgeoning damage (Reflex half). Additionally, creatures in the cone must succeed on a Fortitude save or be blinded for 1d4 rounds plus 1 round per age category.

It looks like immunity to fire also needs to be added at wyrmling stage.

At birth, yellows have soft, tan-colored scales. As they grow older, the scales harden and become lighter in color, eventually reaching the yellow-grey of desert sands. Their scales always have a dusty texture to them, giving them a finish that doesn't reflect light well. Even their teeth and claws have a similar finish. No part of the yellow dragon will glint in the sunlight, thereby giving away its position.

Bonus on Hide checks in sandy environments?

And I agree with Bluff, Hide, and Survival as class skills.

 

[freyar]

I like all of that.

 

[RavinRay]

Ditto. That blast of sand must feel like embers on your skin. And it's different from the sand dragon's similar breath weapon.

 

[Leopold]

+5 bonus to hiding in Sandy enviornments or something similar to what the other dragons gets.

I 3rd all the above suggestions as Good.

 

[freyar]

Hmmm, none of the SRD true dragons seem to have any skill bonuses, but I'd suggest +4, since that's a common number for a skill bonus.

 

[Shade]

Hmmm, none of the SRD true dragons seem to have any skill bonuses, but I'd suggest +4, since that's a common number for a skill bonus.

Indeed. The sand dragon lacks a skill bonus as well, while the desert landwyrm is +4.

I'm fine with dropping the skill bonus altogether, though.

 

[freyar]

I'm about 50-50 on the hide bonus. What does everyone else think?

Does this update need anything else?

 

[RavinRay]

I'm slightly on the side of no Hide bonus, since the yellow is described as a rare chromatic dragon (let's ignore the other yellow dragon for the time being), and as freyar pointed out, none of the other chromatics has a similar bonus.