Good Dracotaur

[Navarp]

I was thinking that the Dracotaur would make a good cohort, but the alignment is a problem. Well rather than having a “rogue mutant” good Dracotaur I thought it might be a good exercise to change the race to reflect a more “metallic” Dracotaur. My thought was to change the stats to +6 Str, +2 Dex, +4 Con, +2 Int, +4 Wis, and +2 Cha to better reflect a metallic dragon. Make its bite only do 1d6 damage and removing the tail attack all together (the tails of the metallic Dracotaur aren’t spiked.) To make up for this change the breath weapon would be changed to Cold (like a silver dragon) and they would have the option of once per minute blowing a 30 foot cone of paralyzing gas. Fortitude save (DC 12) (Wis based) or be paralyzed for 1d4 +1 rounds. Change the coloration to silver/gold color scheme, and make the alignment usually Lawful good. What do you guys think?

 

[evolved]

leave their tails alone

my advice would be to use those ability mod changes

and swap the fire blast for the sleep cone no ice blast

 

[Navarp]

Why should the tails be left alone? Does the option of 2 breath weapons not beat out the tail attack.

A little background on me. I have a bad reputation of being a powergamer, so I do my best to try to underpower any changes I make to printed materials so as long as the changes are a little underpowered I feel better. (I know I will find some way to abuse it later anyway)

 

[Wolf72]

ahem, change the name to Dracon ... find a copy of the 2e Spacefarer's Guide (i think that's what it was called) and use that fluff.

stats the same, change skills/feats around as necessary. drop the spit fire ability or just change it to some other form (maybe dependent on which clan you belong to)

(the Dracon was, like the dracotaur, a draconic centaur ... but more often than not good or neutral.)

oh and if you want to 'beef' it up, it is still considered a dragon so it can take dragon feats ... some of which might be pretty useful.

edit: just checked the monster listing over at WotC

iirc the dracon's homeworld or preferred climate was temperate plains/grasslands. They had a herd type mentality and revered dragons (go figure) ... they though beholders were funniest thing ever, and kept getting elves and dwarves mixed up (you're the smelly ones who live underground right?)

 

[Navarp]

Thanks for the info on the Dracons. That is very helpful. I find that my ideas are easier to get accepted if I have some precedent.

 

[Wolf72]

Thanks for the info on the Dracons. That is very helpful. I find that my ideas are easier to get accepted if I have some precedent.

me3! Here's a link to the official Spelljammer website with a 3x version of Dracon. They went and did a direct upgrade of the Dracon (it's 6hd), I kinda like the Dracotaur a little better (lower hd = lower cr/ecl = easier to get earlier), but definitely check the fluff info.

(I still like the idea of different breath weapons for different clan types ... get racey, include the psionic dragon breath weapons ... maybe shadow too)

http://spelljammer.org/monsters/conversions/Dracon.html

 

[Navar]

Well for my campaign the Dracon might by a unique creature, so basing it on the silver dragon is the direction I would like to go. I think that basing the Dracon on the other dragon types would be very simple. Gold would be fire damage and Str drain (1 point per breath weapon.) Bronze would be lightning or the character must make a will save or move away for 1d4 +1 rounds. Brass would be fire or a will save or sleep for 1d4 + 1 rounds. Copper would be Acid or Slowed for 1d4 + 1 weapon.

Psionic (gem) Dragons would be a little different. They would have psion as a favored class, and have the psionic breath weapons.

You could even do tribes of the Dracotaurs as well. Actually now that I think of it the Psionic (gem) dragons should have a different set of stats, maybe claw attacks, and a different name. Dracotaur = Evil Dracon = Good XXXX = Neurtal (gem.) Maybe I will feel more creative tomorrow and get the psionic ones done as well.

 

[Navarp]

OK the Psionic Dracons (for lack of a better name)

Stats change again to reflect the stats of the Psions +6 Str, +2 Dex, +2 Con, +4 Int, +4 Wis, and +4 Cha. (yes cliche that psions have good mental and low physical, but what are you gonna do?) Also make them naturally psionic and give them 2 power points. You might even allow their racial hit dice stack with their manifester level for determining level dependant benefits. (maybe only with psion)

Amethyst Psionic Dracon Concussive Force breath weapon. Deals 2d6 force damage in a 15 foot cone.
Crystal Psionic Dracon Light breath weapon. Deals 2d6 Fire damage in a 15 foot cone. Blinds targets for 1 round on a failed save.
Emerald Psionic Dracon Sonic breath weapon. Deals 2d6 sonic damage in a 15 foot cone. Deafens targets for 1 round on a failed save.
Sapphire Psionic Dracon Sonic breath weapon. Deals 2d6 sonic damage in a 15 foot cone. Panics targets for 1 round on a failed save.
Topaz Psionic Dracon Dehydration breath weapon. Deals 2d6 damage in a 15 foot cone. Can dehydrate liquids.