[Dragon] Dragons need armor and weapons?

[Kaodi]

Dragon Armour

I don't really see the problem with dragons wearing armour... the only thing is that it would likely have to be permanently attached, like the armour of Deathwing in WarCraft. I would think that a dragon wearing armour would have their land, swim and burrow speeds reduced proportiately as people with the same stuff, and their flying speed would stay the same, except their manoeverability w ould be reduced one category, unless it is already clumsy, in which case speed would be reduced by half. In terms of armour weighing too much, I just think that a dragon is phenomenally strong, and should be able to do anything comparable to a person. If you are looking at it in terms of AC, a dragon could get a +8 armour bonus from bracers, but a +8 armour and +5 enhancement bonus from magical platemail. As for weapons, in this category I can't really see them using anything but weapons shaped to their persons, like talon coverings or something, except in extreme situations. Like a dragon using a tree as a makeshift spear to damage a diving dragon, but even that is probably pretty far out...

 

[El Ravager]

On the issue of dragon flight and armour, even assuming that dragon flight is natural, they would still be able to take to the skies while wearing heavy armour. Most dragons have access to spells and the fly spell would allow them to lift off. They could have as thick of armour as they wanted since the weight of armour isn't counted against the weight limit of the fly spell. Sure they wouldn't fly as fast as non armoured dragons, but their manuverablility would actually increase.

 

[boschdevil]

I agree with you SemperJase. Personally, I found this part of Dragon (concerning draconic items and spells) to be completely worthless. Just my opinion, however.

However, I did like the article about the deadly monster combos. (very nice )

 

[megamania]

Perhaps in some campaign worlds the dragons do things different. An armored dragon of Elder fighting an elder none armored may have the edge. Maybe.....

 

[Keth Ogreslayer]

Just a thought, but wouldn't the arcane spell failure chance of armor interfere with a dragon's spellcasting ability?

 

[El Ravager]

Just a thought, but wouldn't the arcane spell failure chance of armor interfere with a dragon's spellcasting ability?

I didn't think of that Keth, thats a good point.

 

[Ampolitor]

armor?

Not me, if dragons wore amromor it would say that they admit that they do fear something, i guess it would kind of go against their aura of confidence, admiting that they have a weakness.
At least in my eyes that how I see them, mighty arrogant creatures.

 

[Trickstergod]

A few questions: How often do dragons get into a fight? How often are those fights started by the dragon? Of the fights started by a dragon, how often do they involve creatures anywhere near capable of harming a dragon?

The answer to most of those questions, in my opinion, seems to be "nearly never," at least when considering their longetivity. Even a dragon whose seen a hundred battles may have only fought once every decade over its long lifespan, and of those, most likely posed no threat to the creature. Unless dragons are particularly prolific in a campaign, they're certainly not going to gird themselves for war with each other.

Also keep in mind, that beyond just the difficulty in getting armor and weapons made for a dragon, the dragon actually needs to train in their use; remember, proficiencies and all that? How many dragons do you really see devoting themselves to learning the sword, or just how to properly wear (and fly in) chain mail? Your average dragon seems more devoted to gathering treasure, sleeping, and studying magic then anything else.

Beyond that, it's not a matter of pragmatism that a dragon armors itself up, it's a matter of paranoia - a dragon, as is, already has next to nothing it should fear. The older it gets, the less it has to fear, considering how old it's grown. A dragon getting into fights often enough that it considers needing armor isn't going to live long enough for it to reach another age category.

 

[Chimera]

I think a big part of the problem is assuming HUMAN forms (or variations thereof) of armor and weapons in use by a Dragon. Dragons would naturally have developed their own forms of weapons and armor that may bear little resemblance to Human forms.

That being said, it seems very appropriate that vain, treasure (shiny thing) collectors would very much appreciate useful forms of Magical Jewelry.

Nose Ring of Deflection +3

Ear Ring of Hearing allows the Dragon to hear it's prey on the ground from flight, or detect it crawling in the brush trying to get away.

Enhanced Tail Spike Sheath +5

Claw Sheaths +3

Necklace of Maneuverability increases flying maneuverability

Eyes of the Eagle allows it to see prey at a distance or act as a high flying scout (or many other uses)

Just a few examples...

 

[LoneWolf23]

There are some pretty good arguments both for and against the creation of Armor and Weapons designed for use by dragons. Which is why, I believe, there's a good chance that some dragons actually would create such items for personal use, but not all of them.

Most would have more then enough confident in their own durability, power and cunning to go without. But some, the more adventurous or aggressive types would probably decide to hedge their bets and add some advanced equipment to back up their already considerable might.