Monster classes - Level Progressions for Dragons?

[CaffeineBoy]

Savage species allows the possibility of players playing various monsters including dragons. So... I am wondering, has anyone created monster classes for the different dragon types? The ECL for dragons is (obviously) too high to begin being a dragon at a low (1-5) level without such classes spliting up progression of all the dragon abilities. Thanks!

I created a Savage Species-type character class for Gold Dragons. My son (10, just getting into the game) really-really-really wanted to play a dragon and didn't mind starting as a hatchling. Allowing for the fact that a playing a dragon as a class also subsumes the character's racial choice, I was fairly generous with hit dice (d12, like a dragon) and abilities. It does make for a strong character, but he's 5th level so far and hasn't been an unbalancing factor in the game. The paladin can dish out far more damage with his great sword and has a better armor class; the wizard and the archer (fighter/wizard looking to become an arcane archer) can do almost as much damage without having to get into melee. And, since he hasn't yet acquired the polymorph ability, he is very limited in terms of magic items. So far, so good.

Anyway, if you want to see it I can work up an ascii version and post it here or I can mail you my MSWord document if you drop me an addy. Let me know.

Doug.

 

[Ambrus]

Gold Dragon Hatchling monster class

I've likewise devised a twelve level Savage Species type monster class for a gold dragon PC for a Forgotten Realms campaign. So far the character is third level and has yet to be unbalancing for the campaign; the party fighter is generally better able to deal out damage than the dragon. He's on the verge of learning to fly, while multiple attacks, breath weapons and polymorphing is still a fair bit off in the future. I have a nifty PDF version of the Gold Dragon Hatchling monster class worked out, including a chart listing body sizes based upon seasonal growth of the dragon, up until he reaches the average medium wyrmling size at age 2 1/2 years. I wouldn't mind sharing it if you're interested in seeing it. I've likewise seen a few similar dragon class builds on the Wizards boards. Check out the Draconomicon forum.

Denis

 

[CaffeineBoy]

Ambrus -- I'd like to see your PDF! Even compare notes, if you're willing. I'm new to the forum, but I know I turned on the "accept email from forum users" option in my profile. Please send me your file. If you want to see mine take on the class, I'll PDF it and send it as soon as I get your addy. Thanx in advance!

Off to check out that Draconomicon forum....

 

[Roman]

CaffeineBoy and Ambrus, I would indeed love to see both of the classes that you devised for the Gold dragon. If you could send them to me I would be grateful. My e-mail is in my profile - just click on "send e-mail to Roman" and it will appear for you (as well as anyone else who wants to contact me). I do not want to type it out on a board, because I recall reading somewhere that boards are prowled by 'bots' searching for e-mail addresses to send spam to... Oh, and thanks!

 

[Ambrus]

Roman, I tried sending you the PDF, but I got a message saying that your inbox was full. The PDF has a few images inbeded in it, increasing its size. Could you free up some space?

I based the class' design on the model presented in Savage Species. I chose to spread the various inherent dragon qualities over several levels rather than intoduce them all at once at their full potential to help maintain game-balance and to give the dragon a semblance of growth and slow improvement over time. I prefered to keep a steady increase in Hit Dice, saves and skills through the lower levels so as to increase the odds of survivability at those levels. The stronger abilities, such as multiple attacks, increased speed and polymorphing are gained in the higher levels to both maintain game-balance and to help compensate for the slowed down increase in Hit Dice. The first few levels might seem a little underpowered with it's slow land speed, lack of ability increases or any dazzling abilities but these don't seem to endanger the survivability of the dragon character overmuch. I did this purposefully so as to help assuage the fears of muchkinism that some players might have at the notion of a dragon character joining the PC party. I believe that this initial dip in power is soon offset by gaining the ability to fly at third level.

All in all, the dragon appears comparable to a dual wielding ranger in style of play; a character more at home in the wilderness than in a city. Although he has some martial prowess and is a decent secondary warrior, a single classed fighter is probably more lethal in combat than the dragon. His keen senses, darkvision along with his ample skill points, flight and swiming abilities make him an ideal wilderness scout, akin to a ranger. This is the PC role I believe the gold dragon hatchling is best suited to fulfill.

 

[Roman]

Hmm, I have about 1 MB of free space in my inbox. I will try to set up a bigger (yahoo) account - they are about 6MB I believe.

On the other hand, after extensive perusing of the WotC Draconomicon forums, I have found a Hatchling Golden Dragon class which looks good. I think it might even be yours, as it follows the outline you have just described and was posted by someone from Montreal.