Why is Dragon Disciple still around?

[Otterscrubber]

This seems like the lamest PrC ever devised, yet somehow it make it into the Epic Level Handbook and then into 3.5. It's not really a caster, it sucks in HTH, it doesn't really sneak around (what with size increases and wings and all). You turn into a freakish dragon/man/thing so you ain't gonna be running for mayor. What does it do that keeps it alive and kicking?

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

People obviously think it's a cool concept, even if it's not a mechanically optimal one. Not every mechanic has to have an optimal niche, does it?

 

[James McMurray]

The DRagon Disciple is not in the ELH. He did make it into the Epic Insights conversion library, but then again so did tons of other classes and prestige classes.

The reason it is still around is because apparently not everyone thinks it is the lamest PrC ever. Some folks actually like to play one.

Its a great class for an epic sorcer to go into. You lose out on caster levels, but you gain more slots per day of spell levels that you wouldn't have otherwise gained any more slots in. With Improved Spell capactity you can even use the class to gain more 9th levl spell slots. I don't have the books in front of me, but I think you could even use it to gain bonus 10th+ level slots.

 

[LordAO]

The thing I find lame about the Dragon Disciple is they only get the Breat Weapon once/day. For losing out on all of those sorcerer spells, they should be able to do it every d4 rounds like a real dragon, IMHO. That would make the class much more worthwhile.

 

[Xavim]

Whip out your little Draconomicon and suddenly your Dragon Desciple takes on a whole new level of uberness. Metabreath feats anyone?

 

[pawsplay]

Ability score increases are nice.

 

[JRRNeiklot]

Like a lot of people, you assume the dragon disciple is a prestige class for a spellcaster. It is not. It is a fighting class. +8 to strength over 10 levels, wings, breath weapon, natural armor, etc. A 30 strength at 17th level doesn't appeal to you? All without any magic. Ad12 Each level, con bonus, along with the int and cha bonus just makes this a sweet class to play. For a character who is primarily a fighter. For a true caster, it sucks rocks. A fighter 4/sorceror1 qualifies. Use the extra slots to load up on true strikes and power attack to your heart's content.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

The thing I find lame about the Dragon Disciple is they only get the Breat Weapon once/day. For losing out on all of those sorcerer spells, they should be able to do it every d4 rounds like a real dragon, IMHO.

It turns you into a half-dragon. Half-dragons can only use their breath weapon once per day.

 

[Liminal Syzygy]

For a true caster, it sucks rocks. A fighter 4/sorceror1 qualifies.

Barbarian 3/Bard 2/Dragon Disciple X build is also interesting.

 

[Impeesa]

I played a ftr 8/brd 2/DD 10 in 3E. If you go by the ruling that the size increase gives the appropriate stat bonuses and penalties (and though the intent of the text as written in T&B is a bit hazy, it does make sense), it becomes a pretty fearsome melee PrC. Mine was a spiked chain build that pushed for additional size and strength increases - he was pretty scary by 20th level.

--Impeesa--