Anti blue dragon things [Archive] - Wizards Community

Anti blue dragon things [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Yaeri
06-16-06, 09:50 AM I think this falls under monsters, magic and equipment and combat, so I'm posting it here.
What items and spells would you suggest using against a blue dragon? Nothing that involves elaborate tactics. Something I can put on a list for NPC's in the game to come up with, when they are asked for anti-blue-dragon equipment.
So far I came up with: Ring of energy resistance (lightning), dragon bane weapons, holy weapons, slaying arrows.
DrMorganes
06-16-06, 10:10 AM Check out Part Two (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/tt/20060404a) of Tactics and Tips: Tougher and Meaner than You. The article describes some of the stuff a Blue Dragon can throw at adventurers. Extrapolate countermeasures from there.

Ferinstance, blues can naturally cast Hallucinary Terrain. This can be used to lure PCs to specific areas, conceal lair entrances, or even conceal the dragon itself! True Seeing is probably a good ability to have.
benstundze
06-16-06, 01:34 PM my group just killed 1 and i healed and buffed them i relly cant give any advice besids charge and pray lol
Sean, THe Incompotent
06-16-06, 02:29 PM a lightning rod its basicly just a big metal stick so its cheap and it should draw the breath weapon it being lightning and all
Darkxarth
06-16-06, 02:54 PM a lightning rod its basicly just a big metal stick so its cheap and it should draw the breath weapon it being lightning and all
No, a lightning rod won't do anything against a Blue Dragon's lightning breath.

There are basically two reasons that a lightning rod attracts real lightning: conductivity and height. Simply put, when lightning strikes the ground, it is looking for the quickest way there. As a result, it will usually hit the tallest thing around, because it is directly attached to the ground. The lightning travels through the object until it reaches the ground, where it basically disperses. A lightning rod is usually the highest point on a building, so the lightning will usually strike it, and lightning rods have a grounding wire, that lets the lightning go straight from the rod to the ground.
The other reason a lightning rod works, is because it's made of metal, which conducts electricity. So, the lightning is extra-attracted to the lightning rod, because it conducts the electricity so well.

A Blue Dragon's line of lightning is a magical effect, which can be aimed directly at whatever the Dragon wants. It is not attracted to the Fighter's conductive, metal Greatsword any more than the Druid's non-conductive, wooden Club. Thus, a lightning rod wouldn't work.

However, you could design a magical Lightning Rod that draws all magical and non-magical lightning attacks towards it, and harmlessly absorbs it.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Yaeri 06-16-06, 09:50 AM	I think this falls under monsters, magic and equipment and combat, so I'm posting it here. What items and spells would you suggest using against a blue dragon? Nothing that involves elaborate tactics. Something I can put on a list for NPC's in the game to come up with, when they are asked for anti-blue-dragon equipment. So far I came up with: Ring of energy resistance (lightning), dragon bane weapons, holy weapons, slaying arrows.
DrMorganes 06-16-06, 10:10 AM	Check out Part Two (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/tt/20060404a) of Tactics and Tips: Tougher and Meaner than You. The article describes some of the stuff a Blue Dragon can throw at adventurers. Extrapolate countermeasures from there. Ferinstance, blues can naturally cast Hallucinary Terrain. This can be used to lure PCs to specific areas, conceal lair entrances, or even conceal the dragon itself! True Seeing is probably a good ability to have.
benstundze 06-16-06, 01:34 PM	my group just killed 1 and i healed and buffed them i relly cant give any advice besids charge and pray lol
Sean, THe Incompotent 06-16-06, 02:29 PM	a lightning rod its basicly just a big metal stick so its cheap and it should draw the breath weapon it being lightning and all
Darkxarth 06-16-06, 02:54 PM	a lightning rod its basicly just a big metal stick so its cheap and it should draw the breath weapon it being lightning and all No, a lightning rod won't do anything against a Blue Dragon's lightning breath. There are basically two reasons that a lightning rod attracts real lightning: conductivity and height. Simply put, when lightning strikes the ground, it is looking for the quickest way there. As a result, it will usually hit the tallest thing around, because it is directly attached to the ground. The lightning travels through the object until it reaches the ground, where it basically disperses. A lightning rod is usually the highest point on a building, so the lightning will usually strike it, and lightning rods have a grounding wire, that lets the lightning go straight from the rod to the ground. The other reason a lightning rod works, is because it's made of metal, which conducts electricity. So, the lightning is extra-attracted to the lightning rod, because it conducts the electricity so well. A Blue Dragon's line of lightning is a magical effect, which can be aimed directly at whatever the Dragon wants. It is not attracted to the Fighter's conductive, metal Greatsword any more than the Druid's non-conductive, wooden Club. Thus, a lightning rod wouldn't work. However, you could design a magical Lightning Rod that draws all magical and non-magical lightning attacks towards it, and harmlessly absorbs it.