Is the breath weapon improving as well?

[radmod]

Unfortunately, I don't have the Draconomicon I thought I had, but a player of mine is playing a dragon PC and, IIRC, the breath weapon is equal to 1/2 HD.

Ignore that, I was thinking of the breath weapon DC, not the amount of damage.

However, I did note a couple of things in the Draconomicon. Under Advanced Dragons, p. 99, (for advancing dragons beyond the max HD) it says to increase the 'age' by one for every three HD. Then for every age, increase the breath weapon by 2. Using that as a guide (and it looks like that's what they did), I would think then for every three HD you gain you increase the BW by 2. So, that would mean for gaining 12-14 HD you increase the BW by 8 dice, e.g. 20d6. But, of course, the DT starts out with 12d6 for 12 HD, so ....

For CR, the MM says in creating a new monster the CR for a created monster with a Special Attack like a dragon should be 2/3 HD to its HD, thus 16 (as you have) to 26.

 

[Runestar]

On a side note, does cr17 seem reasonable for a 26HD dragon turtle? Its attacks don't really do much damage and it lacks special attacks. Though I suppose you could give it those draconomicon feats to grant it sr, frightful presence, rend and snatch.

For the same cr, you seem to get a stronger dragon.

 

[krupintupple]

On a side note, does cr17 seem reasonable for a 26HD dragon turtle? Its attacks don't really do much damage and it lacks special attacks.

i'd overwhelmingly say that it's not CR17. i mean, i'd imagine a group of 17th level heroes not even breaking a sweat over this, because they'd just pelt it with spells or powers or whatnot from a massive distance while it did nothing.

or, knowing my campaign, someone would just fire off an augmented ego whip for 12 charisma damage exactly, and then waltz over and coup de grace it.

what i'm getting at: it's definitely not a CR17.