D&D (2024) Rename Purple Dragon Knight to just Dragon Knight?

[Remathilis]

The banneret was a terrible Warlord class. The battlemaster ran rings around it and that's not exactly a great warlord either. I'm perfectly fine with the pdk being a dragon rider if it means opening the space for a better warlord subclass later.

 

[DEFCON 1]

I voted 'Other' because I don't care either way.

I don't care enough about exceedingly niche Forgotten Realms lore for it to bother me that the term 'Purple Dragon Knight' has changed its meaning in Cormyr viathe subclass... and I also don't care if the mechanics of this subclass of a certain name is different than the mechanics of a 5E14 subclass of the same name. I'll just explain things and/or rename things as necessary to any player of mine who questions it. It'll take all of 2 minutes to do. Not even close to being worthy of bother.

 

[Maxperson]

but they gave them the Amethyst dragon powers

Then they should have called them Amethyst dragons, not purple dragon!!!

Purple dragons, also known as Deep dragons are a thing in D&D. Different breath, though. Leave it to WotC to confuse two different dragons for 5e.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

I vote for the Purple Dragon Knight name and the UA mechanics. I love the Realms but I also favor progress. Cormyr is more interesting if their elite Knightly order rides dragons, and you can drop Purple from the name in other settings if needed.

Cormyr could certainly do with a makeover. It has potential, but has generally been locked into being the land of dullness.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Then they should have called them Amethyst dragons, not purple dragon!!!

Purple dragons, also known as Deep dragons are a thing in D&D. Different breath, though. Leave it to WotC to confuse two different dragons for 5e.

So, what colour are amethysts?

Oh, and according to Fizban's Treasury of Dragons, Deep Dragons are black and grey.

Deep dragons’ black-and-gray hide is smooth like a salamander’s, and their eyes are pale.

 

[Maxperson]

So, what colour are amethysts?

Exactly! Call the class Purple Dragon Knights and then say how they are bonded with Amethyst dragons. Using two different names for the same dragon, one of which is also the name of another FR dragon, is dumb.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Exactly! Call the class Purple Dragon Knights and then say how they are bonded with Amethyst dragons. Using two different names for the same dragon, one of which is also the name of another FR dragon, is dumb.

No, it makes perfect sense. The order is called the Purple Dragon Knights for historical reasons, and the decide they need a new mascot. Since purple dragons are not actually a species, they recruit a dragon who is purple in colour. Which would be amethyst by species. She agrees for her hatchlings to bond with a few young knights with the most potential.

One fact that has been constant in the FR, is that time passes. And when time passes, things change. Original meanings are lost.

 

[KvnLuck]

It looks like the Purple Dragons (both the Knights and the soldiery) would be better served as a Background, like the Knight of Solamnia Background from Dragonlance.

 

[Maxperson]

No, it makes perfect sense. The order is called the Purple Dragon Knights for historical reasons, and the decide they need a new mascot. Since purple dragons are not actually a species, they recruit a dragon who is purple in colour. Which would be amethyst by species. She agrees for her hatchlings to bond with a few young knights with the most potential.

One fact that has been constant in the FR, is that time passes. And when time passes, things change. Original meanings are lost.

Deep dragons are also Purple dragons. That is also one fact that has been constant in FR. WotC is confusing things.

 

[WanderingMystic]

So I want to like this sub class, I really do but I think it fails as it is completely. We have a dragon pet class in the Drakewarden but it doesn't really feel like a dragon rider or a knight.

If the PD started off as a medium creature who you could ride but no fly at level 3 then I would feel more like a knight. Then have their ability to inspire others at lvl 7 so you can give them flying at lvl. This with a bit better damage from the dragon would work for me even if you kept their breath weapon until higher levels because right now it's not worth them having it.

I also think they should just drop the push pull aspect of the breath that way if it is just damage it is easier to change out what type of dragon you have for variety.