MM2 Excerpt: Adamantine Dragon

[Mentat55]

The adamantine dragon excerpt is up:

Monster Manual 2 Excerpts: Adamantine Dragon


A couple of things jumped out:

1. Melee attacks vs. Reflex -- its attacks really do carve through armor!

2. Four claw attacks as a standard action, plus a bite against another target -- maybe they're trying to beef up dragons a bit?

3. Not a big fan of the adamantine dragon's head as illustrated -- kind of looks like a parrot (actually reminds me of Iago, from Aladdin). But the tail is cool -- wonder why the adamantine dragon doesn't have a cool tail lash power.

 

[Mircoles]

It does seem to be one tough customer.

 

[Tequila Sunrise]

I think it's cute how designers are no longer allowed to write G/LG monsters. And yeah, it does look like Iago's third cousin twice removed on his half-draconic mother's side.

 

[frankthedm]

3. Not a big fan of the adamantine dragon's head as illustrated -- kind of looks like a parrot (actually reminds me of Iago, from Aladdin). But the tail is cool -- wonder why the adamantine dragon doesn't have a cool tail lash power.

I don't like the beak look much either, but it makes a lot of sense since if your gums are adamant, you don't need enameled teeth. D&D dragons sometimes get odd looking tail weapons or other body parts the core rules don't represent. Did 4E black or blue dragons get to use their horns for attacking yet?

i like this illo better



Here is the mini for the Large size
http://www.ddmspoilers.com/atg_images/atg_young_adamantine_dragon.jpg

Friday 04/17: A look at a new star spawn!

Uhm, while I'll hope for something cthulhiod, I'd suspect that blurb refers to more Spawn of Tiamat.

 

[Inyssius]

Uhm, while I'll hope for something cthulhiod, I'd suspect that blurb refers to more Spawn of Tiamat.

Starspawn? Dragonspawn? Where do you get that connection? [this spot reserved for a quizzical emoticon that doesn't ERIC'S GRANDMOTHER, unlike the one we have here]

And the Iago reference just sold me on the monster, even though I don't actually like it much otherwise (rabid 4e fanboy talking; please don't kill me, or--worse--take my comment to imply that THE DESIGN IS SO HORRIBLE THESE DAYS, SCREW YOU MEARLS AND BAKER AND WHOEVER ELSE IS BIG IN 4E NOW).

 

[Jack99]

It's ugly as sin, but omg, woe to he who stands in it's way.

 

[Hellzon]

i like this illo better

Wizards Presents: Worlds and Monsters, right? I'm not sure why, but I assumed that was an Iron Dragon. Maybe because it looks kind of brutish and the irons were described as the "stupid" metallic dragon. The tail certainly implies that it's the same as in the Adamantine excerpt, though.

Not a fan of the beak either, but I can deal. Those tiny pinprick eyes make it look outright sinister - not sure if that's good or bad.

 

[Derulbaskul]

Breath Weapon (standard; recharge 56) Thunder Close blast 5; +24 vs. Fortitude; 3d12 + 6 thunder damage, and the target is knocked prone. Miss: Half damage. Effect: At the start of the elder adamantine dragon’s next turn, it gives a thunderous roar: close burst 3; no attack roll; 15 thunder damage.

Would you all agree that the thunderous roar (which is probably a giant fart as the dragon seeks equilibrium after its thunder burp) is a free action in that it is described as an effect and no mention is made of a required action?

 

[Echohawk]

Would you all agree that the thunderous roar (which is probably a giant fart as the dragon seeks equilibrium after its thunder burp) is a free action in that it is described as an effect and no mention is made of a required action?

Yes, it sounds like a free action to me.

 

[Jack99]

Wizards Presents: Worlds and Monsters, right? I'm not sure why, but I assumed that was an Iron Dragon.

Pretty sure we were told it was the Iron Dragon...