But I disagree here. I do agree the horns are a bit tacked on, but I much prefer the rest of the design to the 3e or PF versions. I think the 1e version with more rooted 3e-ish type horns (but more bull horn like I think) would be best.
Well, If we are judging strictly by art, then it is the AD&D Dragon. Mechanics wise, the 4e one.
This is correct. I read the same in The Art of DragonlanceI don't believe that is correct. There was a sort of dragon "bible" for dragonlance dragons as I recall. Notice the white dragon in your 1e image by Elmore matches the unique crown of horns as the white head on Caldwell's Takhisis. Similarly, Keith's blue dragon matches the blue head on Takhisis as well. Now, I think Easley generally ignored this standard, but the other three seemed to adhere to it (for dragonlance dragons that is).
FYI, I am not making this up, I remember reading about this in an "Art of Dragonlance" book I believe, but I don't have it anymore so I can't verify that.
EDIT: If I remember correctly, whoever illustrated a dragon first set the standard for the dragonlance look of the dragons.
I really liked that each major kind of chromatic (and metallic) dragon had a different role in 4e.
I hate the WoTC black dragon. I think it looks awful. I much prefer the TSR black dragon, that was sleek, and glistened, and snake-like---how a black dragon living in the swamps and water should look like. WoTC dragons all look the same. Super muscles and torn wings. Every one of them.
skirmisher, artillery, controller, soldier, & brute?How do you mean?
I feel like this started with 3E with the Lockwood designs. He based them on big cats and they finally looked like real breath(weapon)ing creatures.
I voted 4E for the stats. It was the only edition where a dragon played properly in my mind. 5E dragons are all the same, except for their lairs. 3E dragons took forever to build. I never played 2E except for Baldur's Gate/Icewind Dale.
How do you mean?