PC dragon players

[Ambrus]

Every once in a while I see a thread started by someone playing a dragon PC, usually using the dragon classes first presented in Dragon Magazine 320, who is asking for advice or pointers. I have a particular interest in such threads since I'm currently playing such a dragon PC myself. Now I'm curious about other ENworlders who may be playing, or have played, dragons as PCs. I'd be interested in hearing about your own in-game experiences playing this particular niche-type character. So please speak up if you're out there!

My character is a gold dragon hatchling (currently 9th level) that I've been playing for almost two years now. I first started with a home-brewed dragon class that I based off of the Savage Species progressions before switching over to the "official" version presented in Dragon magazine.

 

[Corsair]

I played a wyrmling brass using the rules presented in the Draconomicon. I found that I while I had great staying power (HP, saves) and good skills (along with darkvision and blindsense), I made a good scout, but not much else. I wasn't powerful enough to go toe to toe in melee (especially with 0' reach on my claws) and had no real special abilities other than my scouting ones. It was a fun character from an RP aspect, but poor mechanical choice.

 

[Jdvn1]

Here's characters from a dragon game on EN World...
http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?p=2663927

 

[Ambrus]

I found that I while I had great staying power (HP, saves) and good skills (along with darkvision and blindsense), I made a good scout, but not much else. I wasn't powerful enough to go toe to toe in melee (especially with 0' reach on my claws) and had no real special abilities other than my scouting ones. It was a fun character from an RP aspect, but poor mechanical choice.

Medium-sized wyrmling are much better in a fight overall I believe, but it's true that hatchlings aren't able to dish out the same kind of damage that a straight classed fighter can. When considering adding a dragon to a standard adventuring party it would probably be best to equate them with a dual-wielding ranger; the usually aren't the best warrior in a group though they can hold their own, their fighting style depends on getting in close to their opponents and making multiple attacks but what they lack in martial prowess is made up for in part by their many skills and superior scouting abilities. Dragons who naturally have access to the alternate form special ability can also greatly improve their scouting and infiltration abilities.