Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Einherjar 12-29-05, 07:11 PM	Hello... um.. How does adding Character class change the dragons HD? Does he go up Age catagory-wise, with each class he achives if it changes his total HD. Does the Class affect HD- dependent ablities if it doesn't? How would you give a Hatchling, say 3 levels in fighter?..or what would happen.
Edymnion 12-29-05, 07:24 PM	Generally, Dragons don't take PC class levels because they find running around like a chicken with it's head cut off (the way they find humanoids gaining levels) to be dignified. However, if they did take class levels for whatever reason, they would not increase in size or age catagory from it. Think of the size/hd/etc abilities as being base, and class stuff added on top of that. Track the two seperately for determining the power of draconic abilities.
runestar 12-29-05, 09:43 PM	Nope, the class lvs are tracked separately from the dragon HD. Class lvs do not affect dragon abilities dependent on racial HD, not will sufficient class lvs cause him to bump up an age category. Keep in mind that at higher lvs, this will actually end up weakening the dragon instead, however, since when he has 21+ (HD+class lvs), he is subject to epic bab/save progression rules, which means he now gets only 1/2 bab progression rather than full bab advancement. Not worth it IMO.
Sarig the Genie 12-29-05, 09:50 PM	Just in case you didn't know, if you add sorcerer levels to a dragon that already casts like one, the abilities stack. So if you were to add levels to a true dragon, that's what would make the most sense :)
runestar 12-30-05, 10:08 AM	Why not go Eldritch knight instead? The best way is still go pure dragon and eschew class lvs altogether. :)
Prak, the Mad 01-06-06, 01:21 AM	might I suggest rogue? hide+move silently+breath weapon=fun....
Sarlax 01-06-06, 02:36 AM	Give their many skill points and feats, dragons can qualify for quite a few prestige classes. Of course, the best options for a dragon are those classes which improve arcane caster levels, since these classes will improve their natural spellcasting ability.
Wayward Son 01-06-06, 09:08 AM	There are quite a few dragon-only PrC's in the Draconomicon that make for excellent character points on your dragon. Sure, gold dragons are noble and wise, but a gold dragon who becomes a Sacred Warder of Bahaumet has taken the gold's perceived duty to defend the weak against evil to a whole new level. Why did this dragon choose such a route? The answer says volumes about the dragon's personality and motives, which makes for a richer NPC.
JiCi 01-06-06, 09:19 AM	Hello... um.. How does adding Character class change the dragons HD? Does he go up Age catagory-wise, with each class he achives if it changes his total HD. Does the Class affect HD- dependent ablities if it doesn't? How would you give a Hatchling, say 3 levels in fighter?..or what would happen.Racial HD and Class HD are calculated separately. A dragon won't age by taking class levels. However, some exception apply, like the sorcerer's class level stacking with the dragon's racial spellcasting ability. As for other abilities such as the breath weapon, the RAW stated that only racial HD are taken in account when calculating DCs for special abilities. However, some DMs allow as an house rule that both racial and class HD stack with each others for the purpose of special abilities. Although it seems broken at some point, this rule cleary separates creatures with class levels and those without, as a sign of superiority.
Darth Sephiroth 01-06-06, 08:15 PM	If you think stacking the HD is broken, then perhaps 1/2 class based HD would work for you. But for the most part it would reflect the characters skill at using an ability of the sort because otherwise the abilities would be quickly made useless.
Skritz_the_Lizardmen 01-07-06, 08:06 AM	Draconomicon say stuff about this..just check it!!!