Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Tankhangen 10-16-03, 03:19 PM	In the near future my group might come to blows with a Shadow Dragon. I need all the help I can get, because I think it might just kill us all. The group has 3 Clerics, 1 Rogue, 1 Wizard, 1 Bard, and 1 Fighter, all at level 12. I don't know what age the Dragon is, but from some DM hints I know it will be tuff. Please help.
loki87 10-16-03, 03:39 PM	Are all three clerics good? That amount of healing could make all the difference in defeating an opponent like this. Honestly though, it slooks like you might have enough firepower to deal with an middle-aged Shadow Dragon. Just make sure your party spreads out fast so he can't take too many of you out with his breath weapon. Also, if everyone spreads out and hits it with ranged weapons and offensive spells, that could be a lot more effective than a lone 12th-level fighter trying to hack at the dragon. More info about the specifics of your party would help.
Damador 10-16-03, 06:05 PM	nasty dragon with - lvl drain :D proably he will be cr 12 - 17 adult , matule adult or old ( 7 PC so proably can be tougher than for normal party ) 3-5 negative lvls per breath ;/ dc 24 / 29 !!!!! alignment CL - so some prot from that or weapons VS that will be usefull give us some info about gear / ability / spell acces of your party ;p
Amoun 10-16-03, 06:13 PM	a shadow dragon aye? Cast protection from negative energy on everyone... that way the dragon's breath weapon should be entirely useless. Cast a bunch of spells to boost your clerics and fighter... as well as the rest of your party hehe... now have the fighter and two clerics move in and start battling hand to hand, the bard sings and sings :) The wizard should blast it with the most powerful spells he can... the rogue should get on top of the dragon (make him/her greater invisibility and cast fly before battle) the rogue will get sneak attack after sneak attack on top of the dragon, the invisibility should prove irritating for the dragon, who might try to tuck and roll :P hehe but the rogue should have a good reflex save so all is well, the cleric not engaged in melee should make sure the other clerics and fighter are well healed, if he cant keep up, one or more clerics disengage in fighting to heal as well, if the rogue is in trouble make him/her fly away to the safety of the healer cleric, make the rogue tug on the healer's tunics and stand right in front of the cleric, this strategy should be revealed to the healer cleric before battle (thus allowing the cleric to heal him because he knows where he is), then make the rogue fly back in and begin again his annoying tactics. If the cleric has nothing to do, make him wait for the dragon and counter his spells... most likely the dragon will try to cast a dispel magic or greater dispel so get those ready, because if dispels your negative energy protection and breathes on you, well you are all as good as dead... This might work :) If you do fight him good luck... and also good luck to your dm who has to have a few tricks up his/her sleeve... that is what makes D&D interesting hehe (That and really interesting plot twists and information, surprises are amazing :))
cwslyclgh 10-16-03, 06:13 PM	make sure somebody prepares daylignt so you can get rid of the dragons most potent defensive ability (Shadow-blend).
satans_advocate 10-17-03, 02:44 AM	how mean do you want to be to your characters? dragons are smart and if it is confronted in its lair your characters should have to deal with little minions and such.
cwslyclgh 10-17-03, 02:48 AM	from reading the first post I would say that he is one of the characters ;)
satans_advocate 10-17-03, 02:50 AM	oh... yea..im an idiot well in that case i suggest you and your party go lookin for a bunch of buddies and than attack the dragon, oh and maybe AVOIDING AT ALL COSTS might work too
Tankhangen 10-18-03, 10:39 AM	Lets see I am playing a 12th level Sun Elf Wizard-Evoker, my characters twin brother is a 10th level Rogue/1 Wizard/ 1 Arcane Archer. The 3 Clerics are two 12th level Humans, and one 10th level Lizardman. We have a 9th level Grig Bard or as I call him the XP drain, and last up a a Zokajin(Sp?) not sure on all of his class levels, he has only 4 because of a ECL of +8. He has some Rogue, some Shadow Scout, and maybe Fighter. Anyway he hits hard with 2 claw attacks, and is our main Fighter type. Also keep in mind that the group is some what disfuctional, as we have one Cleirc who always prepairs the wrong spells, but then still dose not want to give them up for healing. The Lizardman Cleric is all about fighting, so we don't get too much healing from him. Last is are Grig Bard who spends 99% of the time in a box on the Lizardmans back. He has abused that box so bad, its like a mobile turet, he uses wands from it, but always seems to have it closed up in time to get full cover from any attack. Something else to keep in mind is we can't really prepair to fight the dragon, as I only know its coming because our DM said we would be facing a dragon soon, this is out of game info.
TheBlackLotus 10-19-03, 04:44 PM	Get the spell DEATHWARD cast on your party members. complete im. Its a 3.5 clerical spell. in 3.5 there IS no more negative energy protection spell, there is only deathward. and it makes your paty COMPLETELY IMMUNE to all negative energy attacks, for 1 minute per caster level. If you could come across potions of deathward, would be the best. Not even chill touch effects or anything that is even remotely negative energy will take hold on you. You could go cuddle with a spectre and youd be ok even. heh
the_heart 10-20-03, 10:06 AM	Originally posted by cwslyclgh make sure somebody prepares daylignt so you can get rid of the dragons most potent defensive ability (Shadow-blend). seconded! and preferably multiples incase it gets dispelled. also check the dragons of faerun on WOTC website for some good anti-dragon spells like wingbind....... mobility spells/ teleport tracer (can't remembber where MoF?) dimensional anchor(don't let him get away) strike fast strike hard and don't let up!!!!!
Quicknickel 10-23-03, 10:48 AM	Lots of good advise coming in. General tactics on fighting dragons? First....dont. DMs who cant take out a party with a dragon who has a proper CR for the party should retire. Faced with the cerrtainty, though, you need a fighter who can dish out enough damage to keep the beast occupied for a few rounds (yeah, he will later have to be raised). Pepper the critter with magic arrows, and hope you have a wiz/sor who can defeat the SR of the monster, bring down any defensive spells, and hit it with as many magic missiles as possible afterwards. Dragons take enormous amounts of damage and the buggers can usually escape combat if terribnly wounded. Biggest problem is their senses...they know youre coming (darkvision 500' and low light vision x4). If you run into one, youre toast. If you can prepare, then I suggest divinations to determine the one best way to defeat the monstrosity.