Article-at-a-Glance
- Understand the unique level progression of the Dragon’s Heir build for optimal power spikes.
- Learn which equipment is essential for the Dragonfire Adept and how to utilize it effectively.
- Discover combat strategies that will make you a formidable opponent on the battlefield.
- Explore the synergies between the Dragon’s Heir build and various party compositions.
- Get insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the build to better prepare for your adventures.
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Level Distribution of Dragon’s Heir
Click on the level for more information
At level 1, the Dragonfire Adept possesses the Dragontouched feat and an Improved Initiative, giving them an edge in the order of combat. They can utilize a 1d6 Breath Weapon and have the ability to See the Unseen, providing tactical advantages in both offense and defense.
Stat Block Level 1
Dragonfire Adept: male, Dragonborn of Bahamut Human DrgAdept 1; CR 1; Medium humanoid (dragonblood); HD 1d12; hp 12; Init +3; Spd 30 ft.; AC 12, touch 10, flat-footed 12; Base Atk +0; Grp +3; Atk +3 melee (breath weapon, 1d6, 15 ft. cone); Full Atk +3 melee (breath weapon, 1d6, 15 ft. cone); SA Breath Weapon 1d6, See the Unseen; SQ Dragontouched; AL Any; SV Fort +2, Ref +0, Will +5; Str 16, Dex 10, Con 17, Int 8, Wis 16, Cha 8.
Skills and Feats:
Concentration +8; Improved Initiative, Dragontouched.
Breath Weapon (Su): Can use a 15 ft. cone of fire dealing 1d6 damage, usable every 1d4 rounds. See the Unseen (Su): Gains the ability to see invisible creatures as a constant ability. Dragontouched (Feat): Grants bonuses to interactions with dragons and dragon-related abilities.
At level 5, the character is a Monk 2/Dragonfire Adept 3. This combination allows for the use of Evasion from Monk, enhancing defensive capabilities by dodging area effects. Additionally, the character wields a 2d6 Breath Weapon from Dragonfire Adept, as well as having enhanced physicality from Monk’s AC Bonus and Flurry of Blows.
Stat Block Level 5
Dragonfire Adept/Monk: male, Dragonborn of Bahamut Human DrgAdept 3/Mnk 2; CR 5; Medium humanoid (dragonblood); HD 3d8+9 + 2d8+4; hp 34; Init +0; Spd 40 ft.; AC 18 (+3 Dex, +1 Wis, +4 Monk), touch 14, flat-footed 14; Base Atk +3; Grp +5; Atk +5 melee (Flurry of Blows 1d6+2) or +6 ranged; Full Atk +5 melee (Flurry of Blows 1d6+2) or +6 ranged; SA Breath Weapon 2d6, Aquatic Adaptation, Evasion; SQ Dragontouched, Flurry of Blows, AC Bonus (Wis); AL Any; SV Fort +9, Ref +7, Will +10; Str 16, Dex 10, Con 17, Int 8, Wis 16, Cha 8.
Skills and Feats:
Concentration +8, Improved Initiative, Dragontouched, Improved Unarmed Strike, Stunning Strike, Combat Reflexes.
Breath Weapon (Su): Can use a 30 ft. cone of fire dealing 2d6 damage, reusable every 1d4 rounds. Evasion (Ex): Avoids damage from certain attacks if a successful Reflex save is made. Flurry of Blows (Ex): Allows an additional attack during a full attack action, with a -2 penalty on all attacks. AC Bonus (Ex): Gains a +1 bonus to AC from Monastic training, increases as level advances.
At level 10, the character now spans across Dragonfire Adept, Monk, and Dragon Descendant classes, enhancing versatility significantly. They possess unique abilities like Slippery Mind for mental defense, increased mobility with +20 speed, and an elevated combat capacity with Unarmed 2d8 strikes, alongside ongoing development of draconic powers.
Stat Block Level 10
Dragonfire Adept/Monk/Dragon Descendant: male, Dragonborn of Bahamut Human DrgAdept 3/Mnk 3/DgnDscdnt 4; CR 10; Medium humanoid (dragonblood); HD 3d8+9 + 3d8+6 + 4d8+8; hp 58; Init +0; Spd 50 ft.; AC 19 (+0 Dex, +1 Wis, +4 Monk, +4 Dragon Descendant), touch 15, flat-footed 19; Base Atk +7; Grp +9; Atk +9 melee (Unarmed 2d8+2) or +7 ranged; Full Atk +9/+4 melee (Unarmed 2d8+2) or +7 ranged; SA Breath Weapon 2d6, Aquatic Adaptation, Slippery Mind; SQ Dragontouched, Flurry of Blows, AC Bonus (Wis), Rampaging Ancestor, Ancestral Lore, Improved Natural Attacks; AL Any; SV Fort +12, Ref +8, Will +12; Str 16, Dex 10, Con 17, Int 8, Wis 16, Cha 8.
Skills and Feats:
Concentration +8, Improved Initiative, Dragontouched, Improved Unarmed Strike, Stunning Strike, Combat Reflexes, Superior Unarmed Strike, Improved Natural Attacks.
Breath Weapon (Su): Can use a 30 ft. cone of fire dealing 2d6 damage, reusable every 1d4 rounds. Slippery Mind (Ex): If the character is affected by an enchantment spell or effect and fails the saving throw, they can attempt it again 1 round later at the same DC. Flurry of Blows (Ex): Allows an additional attack during a full attack action, with a -2 penalty on all attacks. AC Bonus (Ex): Gains a +2 bonus to AC from both Monastic training and Dragon Descendant training, increases as level advances. Rampaging Ancestor (Su): Once per day, call upon the power of an ancestral dragon spirit for additional Strength and Constitution for a number of rounds equal to character level. Ancestral Lore (Ex): Tap into the knowledge of draconic ancestors, granting insight bonuses on certain skill checks.
At level 15, this character is a formidable combination of Dragonfire Adept, Monk, and Dragon Descendant, mastering advanced martial and draconic techniques. The inclusion of Zen Archer abilities like long-range precision, alongside the Ancient Ancestor specialty, grants unparalleled combat versatility. Coupled with an Unarmed attack delivering 4d8 damage and enhanced mobility (+30 speed), this character is a whirlwind of destruction.
Stat Block Level 15
Dragonfire Adept/Monk/Dragon Descendant: male, Dragonborn of Bahamut Human DrgAdept 4/Mnk 3/DgnDscdnt 8; CR 15; Medium humanoid (dragonblood); HD 4d8+12 + 3d8+6 + 8d8+16; hp 91; Init +0; Spd 60 ft.; AC 23 (+0 Dex, +1 Wis, +4 Monk, +8 Dragon Descendant), touch 19, flat-footed 23; Base Atk +11; Grp +13; Atk +13 melee (Unarmed 4d8+2) or +11 ranged; Full Atk +13/+8/+3 melee (Unarmed 4d8+2) or +11 ranged; SA Breath Weapon 2d6, Aquatic Adaptation, Slippery Mind, Ancient Ancestor; SQ Dragontouched, Flurry of Blows, AC Bonus (Wis), Rampaging Ancestor, Ancestral Lore, Improved Natural Attacks, Detect Dragonblood, Zen Archer; AL Any; SV Fort +15, Ref +11, Will +15; Str 16, Dex 10, Con 17, Int 8, Wis 16, Cha 8.
Skills and Feats:
Concentration +8, Improved Initiative, Dragontouched, Improved Unarmed Strike, Stunning Strike, Combat Reflexes, Superior Unarmed Strike, Improved Natural Attacks, Zen Archer.
Breath Weapon (Su): Can use a 30 ft. cone of fire dealing 2d6 damage, reusable every 1d4 rounds. Ancient Ancestor (Su): Can invoke the power of ancient draconic spirits, greatly enhancing physical and magical abilities for a limited time. Flurry of Blows (Ex): Allows an additional attack during a full attack action, with a -2 penalty on all attacks. AC Bonus (Ex): Gains a +2 bonus to AC from both Monastic training and Dragon Descendant training, increases as level advances. Zen Archer (Ex): Specialized archery skills that allow for precise, long-range attacks with various bonuses.
At level 20, the character is a pinnacle of combined prowess from Dragonfire Adept, Monk, and Dragon Descendant classes. They exhibit an astounding Breath Weapon of 4d6, enhanced durability with DR 2/Magic, and amplified physical strength. The character also exhibits maximum flexibility, speed enhancement, and the ability to use advanced draconic and monk capabilities, positioning them as a formidable force in any scenario.
Stat Block Level 20
Dragonfire Adept/Monk/Dragon Descendant: male, Dragonborn of Bahamut Human DrgAdept 7/Mnk 3/DgnDscdnt 10; CR 20; Medium humanoid (dragonblood); HD 7d8+21 + 3d8+6 + 10d8+20; hp 136; Init +0; Spd 70 ft.; AC 28 (+0 Dex, +1 Wis, +4 Monk, +13 Dragon Descendant), touch 24, flat-footed 28; Base Atk +15; Grp +17; Atk +17 melee (Unarmed 4d6+2) or +15 ranged; Full Atk +17/+12/+7/+2 melee (Unarmed 4d6+2) or +15 ranged; SA Breath Weapon 4d6, Aquatic Adaptation, Slippery Mind, Double Synthesis; SQ Dragontouched, Flurry of Blows, AC Bonus (Wis), Rampaging Ancestor, Ancestral Lore, Improved Natural Attacks, Detect Dragonblood, Ancient Ancestor, DR 2/Magic; AL Any; SV Fort +18, Ref +14, Will +18; Str 16, Dex 10, Con 17, Int 8, Wis 16, Cha 8.
Skills and Feats:
Concentration +8, Improved Initiative, Dragontouched, Improved Unarmed Strike, Stunning Strike, Combat Reflexes, Superior Unarmed Strike, Improved Natural Attacks, Zen Archer, Ability Focus(Breath Weapon).
Breath Weapon (Su): Can use a 30 ft. cone of fire dealing 4d6 damage, reusable every 1d4 rounds. Double Synthesis (Su): Can combine two distinct ancestral powers for short durations, providing complex and powerful effects. Flurry of Blows (Ex): Allows an additional attack during a full attack action, with a -2 penalty on all attacks. AC Bonus (Ex): Gains a +3 bonus to AC from both Monastic training and Dragon Descendant training, increases as level advances. Ancient Ancestor (Su): Advanced invocation of the power of ancient draconic spirits, greatly enhancing physical and magical abilities for a limited time. DR 2/Magic (Ex): Has damage reduction against all non-magical attacks.
Critical Milestones of Level Distribution
- Levels 1-7 as Dragonfire Adept: Your journey begins with mastering your breath weapon and gaining abilities like See the Unseen and Scales +2.
- Levels 8-10 as Monk: These levels grant you Improved Initiative and flurry of blows, enhancing both your speed and melee combat capabilities.
- Levels 11-20 as Dragon Descendant: Embrace your draconic ancestor spirits to boost your combat prowess with features like Rapid Calling and Double Synthesis.
Equipment Progression
- Starting Gear: In the early levels, focus on acquiring items that enhance your survivability, like amulets of health or cloaks of resistance.
- Mid-Game: As you progress, look for equipment that boosts your breath weapon’s potency, such as the Metabreath feats or items that increase your Constitution.
- End-Game: At higher levels, aim for gear that complements your Dragon Descendant abilities, like items that grant flight or improve your natural armor.
Combat Strategies for Dragon’s Heir
Strategies
- Use your breath weapon to control the battlefield, applying debuffs like Sickening Breath to weaken enemies before your allies strike.
- Employ your monk training to move swiftly across the battlefield, using flurry of blows to deal rapid strikes to multiple opponents.
- Take advantage of your Dragon Descendant’s Rapid Calling to summon ancestral spirits for additional support during critical moments.
- Leverage your increased speed and Constitution from Dragon Descendant to outmaneuver and outlast your adversaries in prolonged fights.
Party Synergy
- Spellcasters: Groups of enemies can be softened by your breath weapon, making them easy targets for area-of-effect spells from your party’s spellcasters to finish off.
- Melee Fighters: By using distraction techniques, you can make openings for your fellow melee fighters to take advantage of while engaging in melee combat.
- Rogues: By revealing hidden opponents through your ability to see the invisible, rogues can take advantage of sneak attacks and other covert strategies.
Combat Scenarios
Dungeon Crawls
- Breath Weapon: Clear traps or create a wall of fire to block passages and protect the party.
- Monk’s Agility: Navigate through traps to lead the way.
- Dragon Descendant’s Senses: Detect dragonblood to discover hidden treasures or secret rooms.
Open Fields
- Ranged Attacks: Start with ranged breath weapon attacks.
- Switch to Melee: Engage in close combat as enemies approach.
- Speed Bonus: Use Dragon Descendant’s speed bonus for hit-and-run tactics to keep enemies off balance.
Ambushes
- Improved Initiative: Act swiftly to often surprise attackers.
- Breath Weapon: Disorient attackers and capitalize on chaos to drive them back or eliminate them.
Defensive Stands
- Zone of Denial: Breath weapon creates a defensive zone.
- Melee Skills: Keep intruders at bay.
- Natural Armor Bonus: Draconic durability allows withstanding heavy assaults.
Urban Encounters
- Flight Ability: Utilize flying to scout from rooftops or gain high ground in combat.
- Breath Weapon: Break barriers or create diversions with precision breath attacks.
Strengths & Weaknesses of Dragons-Heir
| Weakness | Counter |
|---|---|
| Reliance on breath weapon can be predictable | Mix up your tactics with monk abilities and Dragon Descendant features to keep enemies guessing. |
| Limited spellcasting compared to full casters | Focus on enhancing unique abilities and coordinate with spellcasters in your party. |
| Lower AC in early levels | Use mobility to dodge hits and invest in protective items early. |
| Vulnerability to crowd control | Improve saving throws and consider feats that offer resistance to crowd control effects. |
| Complexity of the build can be overwhelming | Practice and become familiar with your abilities to improve efficiency. |
Roleplaying Themes for the Dragon’s Heir
The Dragon’s Heir build isn’t just about combat; it’s a roleplaying goldmine. Your character’s draconic ancestry can inform their worldview, their goals, and how they interact with the world around them.
- Heritage: Explore the lore of your draconic lineage. What is your dragon ancestor known for, and how does that shape your character’s identity?
- Destiny: Is your power a gift, a curse, or a responsibility? How does your character grapple with their destiny?
- Honor: With great power comes great responsibility. How does your character uphold the honor of their draconic bloodline?
Cultural Influence & Traditions
- Draconic Etiquette: Your character may adhere to ancient codes of conduct.
- Rituals: Incorporate rituals into your character’s daily life, such as paying homage to their draconic ancestor or performing specific rites to unlock their power.
- Language: Your character might speak Draconic fluently, allowing them to communicate with other dragonkin or decipher ancient texts.
FAQ
How does the Dragon’s Heir build compare to other Dragonfire Adept builds?
The Dragon’s Heir build is a unique blend of the Dragonfire Adept’s breath weapon and utility powers with the physical prowess of a Monk and the ancestral might of the Dragon Descendant prestige class. This makes for a character that can excel in a variety of situations, both in and out of combat. While other Dragonfire Adept builds might focus more on spellcasting or a particular type of breath weapon. The Dragon’s Heir is all about versatility and embracing the dragon spirit within.
What level should I start at to effectively play a Dragon’s Heir?
You can start playing a Dragon’s Heir right from level 1. The build is designed to gradually introduce you to the abilities of a Dragonfire Adept, a Monk, and eventually a Dragon Descendant. Each level brings new and exciting features, and there’s no ‘wrong’ level to start at. That said, the build truly starts to shine at higher levels.
Can Dragon’s Heir be effectively integrated into a low-dragon campaign?
Absolutely! The Dragon’s Heir build doesn’t require a campaign world teeming with dragons to be effective or enjoyable. The dragon-themed abilities of the build can represent a rare and ancient lineage. This allows your character a chance to be a standout individual in a world where dragons are legends. It can also open up unique roleplaying opportunities as you explore the mystery and power of your heritage.
What are the roleplaying benefits of choosing the Dragon’s Heir build?
Choosing the Dragon’s Heir build opens up a treasure trove of roleplaying opportunities. Your character’s draconic ancestry can influence their motivations, fears, and relationships. The legacy of a dragon ancestor might come with expectations, prejudices, and a storied history that you can explore. This build also allows you to embody the traits of dragons, adding depth and flavor to your character.
What are the best practices for balancing combat and roleplay with Dragon’s Heir?
With the Dragon’s Heir build, balancing combat and roleplay is all about understanding the full breadth of your abilities and knowing when to use them. In combat, focus on the tactical use of your breath weapon, monk skills, and Dragon Descendant abilities to support your allies and control the battlefield. Outside of combat, lean into your draconic senses and heritage to navigate social encounters, solve puzzles, and interact with the world. Always look for ways to integrate your character’s backstory and motivations into their actions and decisions.
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Table of Contents
- Article-at-a-Glance
- Level Distribution of Dragon’s Heir
- Combat Strategies for Dragon’s Heir
- Strengths & Weaknesses of Dragons-Heir
- Roleplaying Themes for the Dragon’s Heir
- FAQ
- How does the Dragon’s Heir build compare to other Dragonfire Adept builds?
- What level should I start at to effectively play a Dragon’s Heir?
- Can Dragon’s Heir be effectively integrated into a low-dragon campaign?
- What are the roleplaying benefits of choosing the Dragon’s Heir build?
- What are the best practices for balancing combat and roleplay with Dragon’s Heir?
- Encourage readers to join the Stellar Dragons Community
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