Dragon Encounter for low level pc's

[Jhaelen]

Very young red dragon is large , but still CR5, so it should fit the bill for a hard fight where someone might die.

I second this choice for the party mentioned, since the OP said they were low on magic items.
I wouldn't go higher than that unless you plan it to be an overpowering encounter (i.e. EL > average party level +4) - which can be fine from time to time (namely about 5% of the time, according to the DMG). However, you'll want to consider giving them some advance warning then and a good chance to either flee or negotiate.

 

[Sitara]

great,m thanks for the help. It should be noted the party has a warblade, crusader and also a duskblade. IMO the CR's in the MM were not built to take those classes into account. (The warblade especially can take massive penalties to increase its attack and damage by uber amounts, AND stack that with powerattack.) So I want my dragon to have goodly hitpoints as well to survive the bashing.

Only issue is that the party is low on healing...so I will make sure they get some potions of cmw before heading in. The crusaders healing abilities hsould also help.
I'm hoping the fight will last for at least 6-7 rounds, if not more.

I'll let you guys know how it went

 

[Goobermunch]

Wait. Wait until they're level 5. Then, send them up against a Young Red Dragon.

Right now, a very young dragon is missing some of the most fun dragon-y bits. The spells. A very young red will have no spellcasting ability.

In a mere two levels, you could throw the party against a Young Red, a large beastie with a level of spell-casting ability. Then, you get to play my favorite game True Striking Power Attacks. If the dragon true strikes and power attacks with its bite, it will do 22-32 (2d6+7+13) points of damage with a +20 to hit!

A smart dragon will also cast shield early on in the combat, giving it a 25 AC and making it immune to magic missile spells.

This will put your party up against a cagy dynamic foe that will make this a fight to remember.

--G

 

[Sitara]

Hmm, what about mage armor? Would that be too cheesy a tactic or should I go with it?

 

[blargney the second]

Breath Flare from Draconomicon is fun and thematically appropriate for a dragon to use.
-blarg

 

[frankthedm]

Mage Armor is a very solid spell for the dragon to have. But, be very careful with it if the fight was a few points of CR above the party and they have no way to dispel that AC boost.