Krishnath
First Post
Well, if you allready have downloaded the dragon tables file, (posted farther up in this thread btw.) you are half way there. Fill in the results as you go.
Step 2: The second step is determining a name and subtype of your dragon, the subtypes of true dragons are usually from among the following:
Air
Cold
Earth
Electricity
Fire
Light
Shadow
Sonic
Water
Additionally, all oriental (including serpentine) dragons should have the spirit subtype.
Step 3: When this have been decided, chose a starting HD. Anything between 1 and 12 is usually fine to start with. This is the ammount of HD a Wyrmling will start with. For each age category add 3 to this number.
Step 4: Chose what immunities and/or resistances the dragon has, remember that dragons with the fire or cold subtype are immune to that element, but takes double damage from the other. If your dragon is able to breathe water, make sure to note it. Also determine what breathweapon (if any) the dragon has and note it.
Step 5: Chose a number of spells that the dragon should have as spell-like abilities. Be sure that the chosen spells fit the dragons 'theme' and personality. It does not make sense for an good dragon to be able to cast animate dead once per day for example. Be sure not to over do it with the spell-like abilities, between 3 and 7 spell-like abilities are a good idea, remember the higher the spell level, the less likely it is that the dragon can use it more than once per day. Try to stay away from spells castable at will, unless it is a cantrip of course.
Step 6: Determine at what levels the dragon is able to start casting spells as a sorcerer. Juvenile to mature adult is usually a good place to start. Draconic spellcasting starts as a 1st level sorcerer, and increases by 2 for each age category. Some dragons are even able to cast cleric spells and may have access to spells from certain domains. If your dragon does, make sure to note it, and from which domains it may choses spells. Never chose less than 3 domains if your dragon is able to cast cleric spells.
Step 7: Determin what size the dragon is at the different age categories, if you have the MM2, check out the table on page 5. Look up the largest size your dragon can be with it's wyrmling HD, and go from there.
Step 8: Fill in the attack bonus, saves, DC's and so forth.
Step 9: Write in the creatures description and combat section.
Step 10: Determine CR's, the easiest way to do this is to look at published dragons and look for dragons of similar power. (Sometimes a good guess is all it takes). If you are not sure about a CR, create 4 dragon hunter PC's of the appopriate level (20th level for a CR 20 dragon). A rogue, a fighter type (ftr, mnk, pal, rng, or brb), an arcane spellcaster (Sor or Wiz), and a divine spellcaster (Clr or Drd) is a good mix, then sit down with four of your pals and playtest it, if the defeat the dragon with only one or two casualties, the CR is good, if they defeat it easily it's to high, and if they are all killed, it's to low.
Step 11: Post it, so we all can see the fruit of your labor
Does that help?
Step 2: The second step is determining a name and subtype of your dragon, the subtypes of true dragons are usually from among the following:
Air
Cold
Earth
Electricity
Fire
Light
Shadow
Sonic
Water
Additionally, all oriental (including serpentine) dragons should have the spirit subtype.
Step 3: When this have been decided, chose a starting HD. Anything between 1 and 12 is usually fine to start with. This is the ammount of HD a Wyrmling will start with. For each age category add 3 to this number.
Step 4: Chose what immunities and/or resistances the dragon has, remember that dragons with the fire or cold subtype are immune to that element, but takes double damage from the other. If your dragon is able to breathe water, make sure to note it. Also determine what breathweapon (if any) the dragon has and note it.
Step 5: Chose a number of spells that the dragon should have as spell-like abilities. Be sure that the chosen spells fit the dragons 'theme' and personality. It does not make sense for an good dragon to be able to cast animate dead once per day for example. Be sure not to over do it with the spell-like abilities, between 3 and 7 spell-like abilities are a good idea, remember the higher the spell level, the less likely it is that the dragon can use it more than once per day. Try to stay away from spells castable at will, unless it is a cantrip of course.
Step 6: Determine at what levels the dragon is able to start casting spells as a sorcerer. Juvenile to mature adult is usually a good place to start. Draconic spellcasting starts as a 1st level sorcerer, and increases by 2 for each age category. Some dragons are even able to cast cleric spells and may have access to spells from certain domains. If your dragon does, make sure to note it, and from which domains it may choses spells. Never chose less than 3 domains if your dragon is able to cast cleric spells.
Step 7: Determin what size the dragon is at the different age categories, if you have the MM2, check out the table on page 5. Look up the largest size your dragon can be with it's wyrmling HD, and go from there.
Step 8: Fill in the attack bonus, saves, DC's and so forth.
Step 9: Write in the creatures description and combat section.
Step 10: Determine CR's, the easiest way to do this is to look at published dragons and look for dragons of similar power. (Sometimes a good guess is all it takes). If you are not sure about a CR, create 4 dragon hunter PC's of the appopriate level (20th level for a CR 20 dragon). A rogue, a fighter type (ftr, mnk, pal, rng, or brb), an arcane spellcaster (Sor or Wiz), and a divine spellcaster (Clr or Drd) is a good mix, then sit down with four of your pals and playtest it, if the defeat the dragon with only one or two casualties, the CR is good, if they defeat it easily it's to high, and if they are all killed, it's to low.
Step 11: Post it, so we all can see the fruit of your labor
Does that help?
