Dragonborn Essentials stat options..anyone know for sure?

[Davachido]

I think Constitution will be a better score for the dragonborn, since they already rely on it so heavily. But the question is, which score can you replace Con with?

• Shared Classes: Cleric, Paladin, Warlord, Sorcerer
• No matter what, dragonborn will be good at these classes, all of which are thematic.

+2 Str, +2 Con or Cha

• Unique Classes: Fighter, Barbarian, Warden, Runepriest
• With this array, dragonborn become better at these classes, since they can combine Con with Str.
• Fighter and Warden are thematic because they are defenders, and dragonborn are the poster child defender next to dwarves. Unlike dwarves, dragonborn carry an innate secondary controller aspect (because of dragon's breath), which further reinforces Fighter and Warden as thematic since they both can be secondary controllers (though Fighters not as much, since Str/Con fighters tend to be strikers).
• Runepriest is thematic because they are religious, and dragonborn have heavy religious themes from their dedication to history and closeness to Bahamut.
• Barbarian should be noted as belonging to this array since, although a Cha, Str/Con dragonborn can still function well as a Str/Cha barbarian, a Str, Con/Cha dragonborn is effective at other types of barbarians as well.

+2 Cha, +2 Str or Con

• Unique Classes: Bard, Ardent, Battlemind
• With this array, dragonborn become better at these classes, because they can combine Cha with Con.
• Bard is slightly thematic, since a Cha/Con bard is a valorous bard, and dragonborn are made to be very valorous.
• Battlemind, being a defender, is somewhat thematic, but the psionic power source is not very compatable in regards to theme with the dragonborn. This applies to ardent as well, though temperamental emotions may be a good theme for a dragonborn.

While Cha, Str/Con is viable, I'd cast my vote for Str, Con/Cha, because the classes it becomes better at seem to fit better with the dragonborn, in addition to just simply providing more optimized options.

I still think big guys don't always have to be Str/Con, For example let's compare the list of +2 Str, +2 Cha or Con with +2 Str, +2 Cha or Wis.

• Shared classes: Runepriest, Fighter, Cleric, Warden, Barbarian, Warlord, Sorceror, Paladin.
• Doesn't matter which of the 2 options I have above the dragonborn will be good at one or multiple builds within the class.

+2 Str, Cha or Con

• Unique classes: None
• This doesn't have unique classes when comparing with str, cha/wis. This is because str, cha/wis can also be another build within the classes listed in the shared section.
• This option allows multiple builds within Barbarian.

+2 Str, Cha or Wis

• Unique classes: Seeker, Ranger
• This opens options for the above to classes. The seeker isn't that thematic but the ranger is slightly more.
• More importantly however with this option the dragonborn can become better paladins, clerics or warlords allowing multiple builds within each.
• Dragonborn would also now be able to have wisdom which is a primary or secondary stat in all divine classes which is highly thematic.

Str, Cha/Con is viable I agree however there are other options out there that should be considered because we have too many str/con as is. If you consider some of the other options, there can be other stats that can easily fit the race.

On a side note:

• Str/Con: Dwarf, Warforged, Minotaur, Goliath and Orcs.
• Str/Cha: Dragonborn
• Str/Wis: Minotaur, Longtooth Shifter
• Str/Int: Genasi
• Str/Dex: Half-orc, Bugbear

Let's share the love to some of the other str options as they are meager compared to str/con.

 

[Pickles JG]

CON plus CHA or STR


Doh see next post!

 

[Pickles JG]

CHA plus CON or STR

 

[karolusb]

While I think Con is a high end contender, I don;t think the con crowd give enough respect to the INT possibility.

Flavor wise we have nothing, 1 mini, no relevant artwork, no associated paragon paths, that lead to dex or wis, I think they are easy to rule out.

Dragonborn are one of the most commonly depicted swordmages, even having an assualt (Int/Str) paragon path associated with them (though as it stands they make poor swordmages). And flavor wise they are often associated with arcane classes. Yes sorc could satisfy this, and it had to, back when races only had two stats. History is a racial skill.

Con synergizes with 1 and a half of thier class features. That is powerful reason for them getting con. It would make nice synergy with fighters, though knights only use con passively, so it really isn't a true second attribute. But as has been pointed out, we have tons of str/con races. Dragonborn aren't heavily presented as battleminds etc..

I don't see Cha primary, Dragonborn were the original Str race in 4E. Cha races are a dime a dozen. Cha/Con is the half elf, (and halfling) I just don't see it having any traction.

I am definately hoping for Str/int, Str/Con is pathetically common, and decidedly uncreative.

 

[hafrogman]

It is perhaps worth noting that the racial changes being discussed are at least ostensibly tied to the Essentials products. Thus discussing Dragonborn arcane leanings with regards to sorcerers and swordmages is largely immaterial, as neither class exists in the Essentials products. Thus, given just the Essentials books, arcane Dragonborn will have two choices: wizard or warlock.

There could be some symmetry in assuming that the Dragonborn would be tied with warlock, as they're in the same book. But I think it's safe to assume that they're more likely to be presented as paladins, with the tieflings being linked to warlocks. There does seem to be more Dragonborn warlock art than wizard art, but this has always struck me as a little odd, as their flavor doesn't exactly scream feylock at me.

Perhaps they could get Con to be other warlock types, but this does hinge at least a little on which direction the Essential warlock takes. I'd prefer to see Dragonborn wizards, but it's by no means a sure bet.

 

[ourchair]

While I think Con is a high end contender, I don;t think the con crowd give enough respect to the INT possibility.

Flavor wise we have nothing, 1 mini, no relevant artwork, no associated paragon paths, that lead to dex or wis, I think they are easy to rule out.

Dragonborn are one of the most commonly depicted swordmages, even having an assualt (Int/Str) paragon path associated with them (though as it stands they make poor swordmages). And flavor wise they are often associated with arcane classes. Yes sorc could satisfy this, and it had to, back when races only had two stats. History is a racial skill.

How about CHA+STR/INT. That would make them synergize with Warlocks, Wizards, Swordmages AND Sorcerers, another class they are often associated with.

It is perhaps worth noting that the racial changes being discussed are at least ostensibly tied to the Essentials products. Thus discussing Dragonborn arcane leanings with regards to sorcerers and swordmages is largely immaterial, as neither class exists in the Essentials products. Thus, given just the Essentials books, arcane Dragonborn will have two choices: wizard or warlock.

Good point. Still, it doesn't stop WotC from making an attribute bonus spread that doesn't map directly to the class. Dwarves are advertised as great fighters, but they didn't get the STR/CON combo in the initial PHB. I think for thematic simplicity's sake they will link the Dragonborn to the Paladin, but I wouldn't rule out STR/INT+CHA or CHA/STR+INT simply because the possibilities for Dragonborn are SO broad due to the extensive feat support. It's almost as if the disproportionately larger feat support is EXACTLY what makes their future stat map difficult to predict.

 

[Angellis_ater]

Str + CHA/WIS?

 

[I'm A Banana]

My vote is for CHA + STR/CON.

It's kind of unique (you DO get a bonus to Cha regardless), and it cuts down on the "str + con" combo weirdness. As a Drachen, you are noble and charismatic, but it's up to you to be aggressively mighty or passively mighty.

My wager would be on CON + CHA/STR.

Con is key to several Drachen concepts so far, and it provides a contrast to dwarves, while also allowing them to fill the same niche. It also goes well for flavor purposes: you choose your magical dragon ancestry, or your mighty dragon ancestry as your focus.

I think those rooting for WIS and INT have their hearts in the right place, but this isn't the right race for it.

It could be some other variation on con/str/cha, too. STR + CHA/CON might happen (further contrasting with dwarves).

 

[Almacov]

My wager would be on CON + CHA/STR.

This would be pretty surprising, given that it would make their current stat bonuses (STR + CHA) impossible.
Unless, of course, these Drachen you speak of are somewhat different than Dragonborn... in which case, sure!

 

[Shin Okada]

Str/Con could be a good option as Dragonborn has two racial ability tied to Con.

But I guess for that very reason WotC may hesitate to make Dragonborn into a high Con race. High Con dragonborn maybe too efficient.

Also, there are so many Str/Con races (Dwarf, Goliath & Warforged).

Considering the lack of Str/Int race (only Genasi), I vote for this combination.