With all the sourcebook options available to players for giving their characters an edge in combat, I've remembered a bit of advice I once got from a fellow DM: "Whatever the players can do, the DM can do en masse". While I don't consider most "stock" monsters worth giving a set of inter-related capabilities designed to prove a noteworthy challenge, I do believe that dragons should always be updated to remain at the top of the field, and that combating one should never be considered "just another dragon fight."
With this in mind, provided below are a list of spells from the Spell Compendium that dragons can select as they gain more sorcerer spells from age advancement, in addition to spells from the Player's Handbook and other sources. The entries will summarize the spell effect and sometimes offer suggestions how to use the spell to good effect. There are plenty of other spells in the Spell Compendium, including a few spells of great use to those seeking to defeat dragons (which I might work on for another article later), so if this rouses your interest, go check it out. Enjoy.
Nightshield (Abjuration, 1st-level)
"Did you really think that spell would work?"
Nightshield is useful because it grants a resistance bonus to the dragon's saving throws with added protection against magic missile spells, an otherwise potent offensive spell.
Incite (Enchantment, 1st-level)
"You want my riches? Come get them!"
Incite provokes characters to act without readying actions or delaying, meaning they're more likely to be at disadvantage if the dragon has a tactic that would encourage preparation on the opponents' part.
Blood Wind (Evocation, 1st-level)
"Safe distance? There's no such thing when you've angered me!"
Blood wind lets a dragon take a full attack action with all of its natural weapons at 20-foot range, but does not grant reach. It makes its melee attacks normally, though the subject can still benefit from cover and concealment. Finally, the spell lasts only one round, so the dragon should make sure it intends to use the benefit.
Nerveskitter (Transmutation, 1st-level)
"I'm ready! I'm always ready!"
Nerveskitter is an immediate action, cast when the dragon rolls initiative. It lasts only for one round, granting the dragon a +5 bonus on its Initiative check (or a target the dragon decides to grant the benefit). Combined with Improved Initiative, this gives the dragon a good chance at acting before most of its opponents.
Scintillating Scales (Abjuration, 2nd-level)
"I agree, my skin would make impressive armor."
This turns the dragon's presumably hefty natural armor bonus into a deflection bonus for 1 minute per caster level. This is an incredible defense against any sort of touch attacks or incorporeal opponents.
Mindless Rage (Enchantment, 2nd-level)
"I've heard you're a mighty dragon-slayer. Let's see you slay a dragon."
This spell requires a Will save, so it is best used against identifiable melee characters when they are protecting another weaker character (like a spellcaster).
Anticipate Teleportation (Abjuration, 3rd-level)
"I have been expecting you."
This spell warns the dragon one round ahead of time if a creature or creatures are teleporting into the range of the spell. It takes 10 minutes to cast and requires a 500 gp spell focus, but lasts for 24 hours. The dragon's one round can make a huge difference, depending on what it decides to do in preparation.
Dragonskin (Transmutation, 3rd-level)
"This thing's scales are like diamond...!"
This spell grants a +1 to +5 enhancement bonus to natural armor and energy resistance according to which type of chromatic dragon selected. This spell is worth some consideration, as it can be used to edge out a dragon's energy weakness, sorcerers cast it at +1 caster level (dragons cast spells as sorcerers), and the required material component is any dragon scale, so the dragon has a virtually endless supply of a material component that might be more difficult for humanoids to secure.
Know Vulnerabilities (Divination, 4th-level)
"I feel like I've known you a long time. I'll miss you when you're gone."
This spell instantly informs a dragon of a creature's defensive special qualities, and any effects that cause more damage to it. It has only close range and allows a Will save, so it might be too unreliable for some dragons to desire.
Dragon Breath (Evocation, 4th-level)
"I warned the old boy to leave my territory... One dragon's loss is another dragon's gain."
This spell allows the dragon to use a different form of breath weapon, provided it has the correctly colored scale as a material component. This spell can possibly confuse or panic potential opponents (imagine a red dragon breathing out a cone of cold), but a considerable problem is having a steady supply of another dragon's scales. It's the DM's judgment if this spell-based breath weapon also counts as the dragon's own, thus either 1) only one type of its available breath weapons can be used every 1d4 rounds, or 2) keeping separate track of how long the dragon must wait before being able to use a certain breath weapon type again.
Rebuking Breath (Necromancy, 4th-level)
"Walking bones? Surprise yourself and confront me like a real man."
Though of limited use, if the dragon is confronted by waves of undead (such as those of a dread necromancer), this spell has the potential to turn mindless enemies into mindless slaves.
Blinding Breath (Transmutation, 4th-level)
"Take comfort in your last sight of this world being my breath!"
This spell applies to the dragon's breath weapon and can knock out much of a party's capability to attack or even defend themselves.
Dispelling Breath (Abjuration, 5th-level)
"You, mage, shall be reminded of how humility feels!"
This spell has the potential to be devastating if used carefully, and could mean the end of a party of opponents that just won't leave the dragon alone.
Breath Weapon Substitution (Transmutation, 5th-level)
"My ice has taken quite a few, yes. But since you're so brave, I'm going to spice things up a bit."
A more reliable form of dragon breath (above), this spell does not require components and matches the dragon's own damage output potential. This is a swift spell but lasts only one round.
Ethereal Breath (Transmutation, 5th-level)
"I am not so easily eluded!"
Another spell with a very specific use, this one is worth mentioning as it too improves the versatility of the dragon's most iconic attack.
Stunning Breath (Transmutation, 5th-level)
"The pain's too much! I can't move!"
This spell results in the dragon's breath being able to stun opponents for 1 round, which can help the dragon both wait out their next breath weapon usage and either make another attack or take defensive measures.
Anticipate Teleportation, Greater (Abjuration, 6th-level)
"How pleasant. I usually have to hunt for my food."
This spell functions as anticipate teleportation, but the time allowed for preparation before the teleporting creatures arrive is three rounds and the dragon is made aware of the type of creature. Being that this spell is better, the focus costs more (1,000 gp).
Energy Immunity (Abjuration, 7th-level)
"Nothing... My cone of cold did nothing!"
This spell is quite possibly the best defense for dragons that suffer energy vulnerability. It protects them from suffering not only +50%, but ANY damage from the energy type that they are weak against.
Animate Breath (Transmutation, 7th-level)
"The dragon's breath is staring at us..."
This spell creates an elemental from the dragon's breath weapon, providing it an ally with noteworthy defenses.
Invisibility, Superior (Illusion, 8th-level)
"Look, Lidda. The cavern is empty. Why are you so nervous?"
This spell renders the dragon invisible to sight, hearing and smell with the added benefit of letting it attack without the spell ending. Unless the dragon is willing to stay relatively motionless, its movement might give it away before it wants to be noticed.
Veil of Undeath (Necromancy, 8th-level)
"Dracolich? Who said anything about a dracolich?"
This spell is evil, leaving it usually only available to chromatic dragons. They gain many undead immunities, without actually becoming undead themselves (so the cleric's undead-focused spells are null).
Stunning Breath, Greater (Transmutation, 8th-level)
"Now what were you saying about 'putting my head on your mantle'?"
As stunning breath (above), but the stunning effect lasts 2d4 rounds, giving the dragon much more time to prepare for its next breath attack, to pick the party apart, or reapply defenses.
Enervating Breath (Necromancy, 9th-level)
"My breath contains the dark making of your end, fools!"
The dragon's breath weapon also delivers 2d4 negative levels, leaving the party hurting in more ways than hit points afterwards.
Breath Weapon Admixture (Transmutation, 9th-level)
"And from her jaws came both freezing winter and scorching summer. They did not live long enough to never doubt her again."
This spell can be called "breath weapon substitution's big brother (or sister)". Instead of changing the type of energy the dragon's breath weapon deals, the breath weapon also deals an additional type of damage. This damage stacks rather than includes in the overall effect, effectively doubling the dragon's breath weapon damage. This is arguably one of the best attacks a dragon could hope to aspire to.
Transmute Rock to Lava (Transmutation, 9th-level)
"This is my domain, and in my domain, I am the king."
Best used by dragons of the fire subtype (or with immunity to fire through other means), this spell when cast upon a cavernous ceiling can quickly spell trouble for any party.
If the affected area is large enough, the party can be smothered with molten rock. Contending with lava damage every round and the possibility of suffocation is either a quick victory or a highly effective warning.
You missed a biggie; no post-CV dragon should ever be without wraithstrike.
I was actually considering commending the OP for all those flavorful and nice spells for a dragon without using the most powerful wraithstrike.
A good primer to anyone looking to make dragons live up to their reputation. I hope to see it expanded with feats and other spells
I was actually considering commending the OP for all those flavorful and nice spells for a dragon without using the most powerful wraithstrike.
I hate to quote myself but I felt this needed to be said.
Wraithstrike can break a Dragon encounter. If the dragon has access to wraithstrike after a certain age category literally can almost double the threat of a dragon. Basically, expect someone to die every round in that case.
Full power attacking with all natural attacks and wraithstrike for a dragon can unleash obscene amounts of damage at very little cost. This may be more valid of a strategy in a Gygax type game, where the players optimize their characters as much as they can within the game, and the DM does the same and tries to kill the players at every turn.
Although, many people do not enjoy the Player VS DM mentality, so the DM should think very long and hard before choosing to allow Wraithstrike in their games in the first place. It may be fine for a pure wizard or sorcerer, but once you put it in the hands of a gish or a Dragon, all 9 hells break loose.
I hate to quote myself but I felt this needed to be said.
Wraithstrike can break a Dragon encounter. If the dragon has access to wraithstrike after a certain age category literally can almost double the threat of a dragon. Basically, expect someone to die every round in that case.
Full power attacking with all natural attacks and wraithstrike for a dragon can unleash obscene amounts of damage at very little cost. This may be more valid of a strategy in a Gygax type game, where the players optimize their characters as much as they can within the game, and the DM does the same and tries to kill the players at every turn.
Although, many people do not enjoy the Player VS DM mentality, so the DM should think very long and hard before choosing to allow Wraithstrike in their games in the first place. It may be fine for a pure wizard or sorcerer, but once you put it in the hands of a gish or a Dragon, all 9 hells break loose.
Wraith strike can break anything. Really, it’s probably the best spell in the game. Any sane DM would ban it both for his use and for players use, it’s just simply overpowered.