Spotlight Interview on Worlds and Monsters

[ferratus]

I agree with the age category differences changing to be simpler, and to encourage the variation of dragons with level. I wonder if this means that dragons aren't going to be terrain dependant anymore?

I always felt guilty killing wyrmling dragons, so it is good that at least in heroic levels they will be young adults. If we do need to raid a dragon's lair and wyrmlings are present, I imagine you can modify them to be minions.

I especially like the division of metallic dragons as the control & power type dragons, and the chromatics as the rapacious and cruel type dragons. It gives metallics a distinct role to play in adventures, and most of them can shapeshift into human form anyway. (I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes a standard metallic power).

 

[Zaukrie]

I liked the art of the river and bridges. I want more of that kind of art on their site - art that inspires me to create interesting encounters - art that I can show my players and have them get what I was trying to describe.

 

[Upper_Krust]

Hey there Dausuul!

After all the money I dropped on that Colossal Red, I'll be real annoyed if Colossal dragons go away in 4E...

I don't think they'll go away (Level 30+ Immortal Rules perhaps...?) but I don't think they will be necessarily be 'core'.

I think part of this could be tied to creatures of the next highest size dealing double base damage (of the previous size). Therefore if we assume 1d8 medium, 2d8 large, 4d8 huge and 8d8 Gargantuan, something Colossal ends up being really powerful. Which is why I think it'll be saved for Godzilla the Tarrasque (a Level 30, Solo Brute, campaign book-end).

 

[Upper_Krust]

Howdy Plane Sailing!

I'd be a little sorry to see small dragons disappear, since they made great foes for low level PCs.

PCs ganging up to lay the beatdown on small 'baby' dragons doesn't seem that heroic to me.

I think if the smallest dragons (White? Copper?) encountered in a combat situation are about horse sized (large), then I could see that as a satisfying battle for low level (Heroic tier) PCs.

 

[Upper_Krust]

Hey Zaukrie!

I liked the art of the river and bridges. I want more of that kind of art on their site - art that inspires me to create interesting encounters - art that I can show my players and have them get what I was trying to describe.

If you like that, you'll love this...

WotC should hire this guy...

http://www.fengzhudesign.com/

Check out these environments...

http://www.fengzhudesign.com/gallery.html

 

[Knight Otu]

On the other hand, I suspect that Upper_Krust has it right; each Dragon color will probably have 3 ages, matching the Heroic/Paragon/Epic paradigm. However, I bet that the colors will be in different places in each teir; I bet the White dragon is the weakest in each teir, too.

I don't think UK is right on this one (sorry, pal ). I'd rather expect that there are five or six age categories. For one, even with the broadening of the level range where a specific monster works, there will be gaps where a single color doesn't work. That doesn't strike me as desirable. Two, having more than three age categories allows it to be easier to mix dragons of various age categories in adventures, providing some variety. Three, if someone wanted to use multiple dragons in an encounter (yes, I know, solo monster), multiple age categories make it easier to provide a tier-specific challenge.

 

[Upper_Krust]

Hey Derren!

I don't think that you can't have dragons as opponents for low level parties anymore. WotC will probably weaken the adult dragon so much that depending on the color they are suitable as low level opponents. Younger dragons will be ignored (like the children of other monsters).

As Intrope mentioned, it seems as though the Young Copper Dragon could be a solo monster for a 2nd-level Party, while a Young White Dragon could be a solo monster for a 3rd-level Party. So it is still possible to have PCs battling dragons at low levels.

The shake-up of the included dragons is interesting because there is no obvious scaling (no pun intended) order for the dragons.

White < Copper < Black < Brass < Green < Bronze < Blue < Silver < Red < Gold.

I wonder what that will be now, with Iron and Adamantine replacing Brass and Bronze? You would think Adamantine would be at the top of the pecking order.

 

[Derren]

Iron and Brass are interchangeable (weakest). I agree that by sound Adamantine should come after Gold but I hope not (tradition + the Adamantine dragon doesn't look so good, especially compared to bronzes).

 

[Green Knight]

That seems to confirm there are 3 age (and presumably size?) categories for dragons.

It confirms that the number of age categories have been cut down. However, that doesn't mean that they've cut the 12 age categories down to three.

don't think UK is right on this one (sorry, pal ). I'd rather expect that there are five or six age categories.

Agreed. They're going to want dragons available as opponents at most levels, so we'll see enough age categories to cover that. Six is a good number, as you've got a dragon for every five levels.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

I don't think UK is right on this one (sorry, pal ). I'd rather expect that there are five or six age categories. For one, even with the broadening of the level range where a specific monster works, there will be gaps where a single color doesn't work. That doesn't strike me as desirable. Two, having more than three age categories allows it to be easier to mix dragons of various age categories in adventures, providing some variety. Three, if someone wanted to use multiple dragons in an encounter (yes, I know, solo monster), multiple age categories make it easier to provide a tier-specific challenge.

I doubt that they don't want to sell the occassional Collossal Dragon mini, so I think they will use most of the "reasonable" size categories (small to collossal).
Small, Medium, Large, Huge, Gargantuan and Colossal would indeed give us 6 age categories.
Wyrmling, Young Adult, Adult, Old and Ancient as Age Categories?

Combine this with the colors, and you should have enough possible Level ranges for dragons.
2 dragons of one color for each tier would give nearly two Dragons for each level!