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Message: <blockquote data-quote="jaer" data-source="post: 3985655" data-attributes="member: 57861">Derren - I understand your point, but have a couple questions for you:If the MM had the line "Most dragons have the mental prowess and arcane ability to learn and use any rituals they can find," will that be counted as satisfacory for you?Also, you mention the Alarm spell often.  I am curious what other spells you feel dragons need to be safe and secure in a lair and how often dragons of such age make an appearance.  As was noted, the CR 15 adult red dragon is a 7th lvl caster, which doesn't even give teleknesis for fine maniuplation or scrying for info.  All this dragon really has is charm and suggestions for minions and alarm for lair protection, and a few other spells.  Can they even ward against teleportation into their lair at this level?  And any spell they cast was pretty easily dispelled by the party (14th lvl wizard vs a 7th lvl caster?  That's a 4 or higher on 1d20 to dispel their protective magics).If anything, it seems 3e dragons were lacking what you would think was necessary wizardly power as it was.  I would say that they didn't even have the magical capabilities to properly carve our and protect a lair or control minions with their natural abilities.IMO, I'd rather have a section detailing what the creature is like out of combat (the old ecology and society entries from 2nd edition) and have only combat abilities statted out.  If it states in the book that red dragons are known for making powerful magical items and black dragons are fond of designing traps and planning out ambushes, I can come up with ways for them to do so on my own without a stat-block telling me spefically what they can manage outside of combat.  This would further allow for each dragon to be different and have various implementations, rather than them all having the same basic powers as listed.Further, that information should allow DMs to have the inspiration they need for crafting an adventure around the creature.  In fact, I find that more inspiring then looking at a skill, feat, or ability list and trying to figure out how to work those in to something meaningful.</blockquote>

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