A charismatic Dragon Tribe Warleader[1] with powerful auras, boosts allies’ dexterity, and excels in mounted combat.
Stat Block Level 1:
Dragon Tribe Warleader[1]: male, Half Dragon Silverbrow Human Marshal 1; CR 1; Medium humanoid (dragon); HD 11; hp 11; Init 0; Spd 30 ft.; AC 14, touch 10, flat footed 14; Base Atk +0; Grp +6; Atk spear +6 melee (1d8+6/x3) or shield slam +6 melee (1d4+6); Full Atk spear +6 melee (1d8+6/x3); SA Breath weapon 1d4 rounds apart, Dreadful Wrath (frighten); SQ Minor Aura (Motivate Dexterity), Half Dragon traits, Draconic Aura; AL LN; SV Fort +5, Ref +0, Will +3; Str 23, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 18.
Skills and Feats:
Diplomacy +8, Handle Animal +8, Intimidate +13, Ride +8; Skill Focus(Diplomacy), Dreadful Wrath, Mounted Combat. Special Attacks and Qualities: Minor Aura (Motivate Dexterity), draconic auras, breath weapons, Dreadful Wrath (frighten). Possessions: Spear, shield, best armor available.
Level 5 Brief:
This Marshal build can buff allies with various auras, and with Strength 24, can deal significant melee damage. Possessing abilities like Master of Opportunity and Resilient Troops, this character supports and withstands combat effectively.
Stat Block Level 5:
Dragon Tribe Warleader[1]: male, Half Dragon Silverbrow Human Marshal 5; CR 8; Medium Humanoid (Dragon); HD 5d8+15; hp 40; Init +0; Spd 30 ft.; AC 19, touch 10, flat footed 19; Base Atk +5; Grp +12; Atk +10 melee (1d8+7, spear) or +5 ranged (1d8+7, spear); Full Atk +10 melee (1d8+7, spear) or +5 ranged (1d8+7, spear); SA Breath Weapon; SQ Darkvision 60 ft., Minor Aura (Motivate Dexterity), Major Aura +1 (Motivate Ardor), Over the Top, Grant Move Action 1/day, Master of Opportunity, Resilient Troops; AL LG; SV Fort +6, Ref +1, Will +4; Str 24, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 18.
Skills and Feats:
Diplomacy +4, Handle Animal +4, Intimidate +9, Ride +8; Skill Focus(Diplomacy), Dreadful Wrath, Mounted Combat. Special Attacks and Qualities: Breath Weapon: 30 ft. cone of acid, 6d8 damage (DC 18); Darkvision 60 ft.; Minor Aura (Motivate Dexterity): +4 Init to all allies within 60 ft.; Major Aura (Motivate Ardor): +1 attack rolls and damage rolls to all allies within 60 ft.; Over the Top: Allies gain +[Cha mod] to damage rolls when charging; Grant Move Action 1/day: Allies may move up to their speed as free action; Master of Opportunity: Allies gain +[Cha mod] to attack rolls on AoOs; Resilient Troops: Allies gain +[Con mod] to Fort saves. Possessions: +1 spear, +1 shield, masterwork full plate armor, lance.
Level 10 Brief:
Master of battlefield control, riding a black dragon, buffing allies and devastating foes with draconic auras and powerful attacks.
Stat Block Level 10:
Dragon Tribe Warleader[1]: Male, Silverbrow Human Marshal 8/Dragon Lord 2; CR 10; Medium Humanoid (Dragonblood); HD 10d8+30; hp 84; Init +0; Spd 30 ft.; AC 21, touch 10, flat footed 21; Base Atk +9; Grp +15; Atk Spear +15 melee (1d8+6); Full Atk Spear +15/+10 melee (1d8+6); SA Breath weapon (1d4), Draconic Aura +1; SQ Minor Aura, Major Aura +1, Grant Move Action 1/day, Double Draconic Aura; AL NG; SV Fort +10, Ref +3, Will +6; Str 23, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 18.
Skills and Feats:
Diplomacy +4, Handle Animal +4, Intimidate +9, Ride +8; Skill Focus (Diplomacy), Dreadful Wrath, Mounted Combat, Draconic Aura, Imperious Command. Special Attacks and Qualities: Breath weapon up to 2 times every 1d4 rounds, Draconic Auras provide buffs to allies. Possessions: Spear, shield, high quality armor, eventually a lance.
Dragon Tribe Warleader[1]: male, Half Dragon Silverbrow Human Marshal 8/Dragon Lord 7 (3 LA buyback); CR 15; Medium Dragon (Augmented Humanoid); HD 15d10+45; hp 137; Init +0; Spd 30 ft.; AC 20, touch 10, flat footed 20; Base Atk +11; Grp +17; Atk +18 melee (1d8+7, lance); Full Atk +18/+13/+8 melee (1d8+7, lance); SA Breath Weapon, Draconic Auras; SQ Draconic Auras, Dragon Leadership; AL LG; SV Fort +12, Ref +6, Will +10; Str 23, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 18.
This Marshal Dragon Tribe Warleader[1] rides into battle on a dragon, utilizing auras to buff allies and breath weapons to decimate foes.
Stat Block Level 20:
Dragon Tribe Warleader[1]: male, Half Dragon Silverbrow Human Marshal 8/Dragon Lord 10/Dragonrider 2; CR 20; Medium Dragon (Human); HD 8d8+3 + 10d10+3 + 2d10+3; hp 188; Init +0; Spd 30 ft.; AC 22, touch 10, flat footed 22; Base Atk +16; Grp +23; Atk +26 melee (1d8+7 spear) or +26 melee (1d6+7 shield bash); Full Atk +26/+21/+16 melee (1d8+7 spear) and +24 melee (1d6+3 shield bash); SA Dragon Breath; SQ Minor Aura, Major Aura, Draconic Aura, Grant Move Action, Master of Opportunity, Resilient Troops, Dragon Cohort, Dragonriding; AL LG; SV Fort +14, Ref +9, Will +7; Str 23, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 18.
Skills and Feats:
Diplomacy 4, Handle Animal 4, Intimidate 9, Ride 8; Skill Focus (Diplomacy), Dreadful Wrath, Mounted Combat, Draconic Aura, Imperious Command, Skill Focus (Ride). Special Attacks and Qualities: Buff allies with various auras, use dragon breath weapon every 1d4 rounds. Possessions: A spear, shield, best armor you can afford, a Lance.
Critical Milestones of Level Distribution
For a detailed guide on level distribution and character progression, check out our strategic class guide for D&D 3.5.
Level 1: Kick off your journey with Skill Focus (Diplomacy) and Mounted Combat. Thus establishing your Warleader[2] as a force to be reckoned with.
Level 3: Draconic Aura adds a layer of mystical prowess, boosting the capabilities of your comrades.
Level 9: Imperious Command cements your Warleader’s authority, enabling you to dominate the battlefield with your presence.
Level 12: Double Draconic Aura allows simultaneous auras, doubling the tactical options at your disposal.
Level 15: Dragon Cohort marks the pinnacle of your build, granting you a dragon ally to ride into battle.
Equipment Progression
Level Range
Equipment
Details
1-5
Spear
Simple, but effective. Melee weapon, 1d8 damage, x3 critical.
Melee weapon, 1d8 damage, x3 critical, +1 to attack and damage rolls.
+1 Heavy Steel Shield
+3 AC, +1 enhancement bonus to AC.
+1 Scale Mail
Medium armor, +5 AC, max Dex +3, -4 Armor Check Penalty, +1 enhancement bonus to AC.
10-15
+2 Dragonhide Breastplate
Medium armor, +6 AC, max Dex +3, -4 Armor Check Penalty, +2 enhancement bonus to AC. Provides energy resistance 10 against one type of energy (chosen at crafting).
+2 Flaming Burst Lance
Melee weapon, 1d8 damage, x3 critical, +2 enhancement bonus to attack and damage rolls. On a critical hit, deals an additional 1d10 fire damage, or 2d10 if the critical multiplier is x3.
+2 Animated Heavy Steel Shield
+3 AC, +2 enhancement bonus to AC. When commanded, it floats and protects you, allowing you to use both hands freely.
15-20
+3 Mithral Full Plate
Heavy armor, +8 AC, max Dex +3, -3 Armor Check Penalty. Mithral reduces armor check penalty by 3 and counts as medium armor. +3 enhancement bonus to AC.
+3 Frost Brand Lance
Melee weapon, 1d8 damage, x3 critical, +3 enhancement bonus to attack and damage rolls. Deals an additional 1d6 cold damage on a hit.
Banner of the Storm’s Eye
When planted in the ground, it provides immunity to fear and charm effects within 20 feet.
Crown of the Dragon Lord
Grants +4 Charisma, allows communication with dragons, and enhances dragon cohort abilities.
Combat Scenarios
Dungeon Crawls
Lead with caution: Use your Minor Aura (Motivate Dexterity) to increase the party’s initiative and reflexes.
Scout and support: Have your dragon cohort scout ahead if space allows; otherwise, take point to utilize your breath weapon for clearing clustered enemies.
Control engagements: Utilize tight corridors to limit the number of enemies that can engage at once. Allowing you to maximize the effectiveness of your auras and breath weapon.
Open Field
Charge and conquer: Use mounted charges with your lance to break enemy lines.
Positioning and mobility: Keep mobile, using your Grant Move Action to reposition allies and exploit weak points in the enemy formation.
Maximize aura coverage: Ensure your allies stay within range of your Major Aura and Draconic Auras for maximum effectiveness.
Ambushes
React swiftly: Activate your Motivate Dexterity aura to grant your allies quick reflexes and improve their initiative.
Breath weapon usage: Position yourself to maximize the impact of your breath weapon on clustered attackers.
Dragon cohort coordination: Use your dragon cohort strategically to counter flank and draw enemy attention away from vulnerable allies.
Defensive Stands
Anchor the defense: Utilize your Major Aura of Resilient Troops to bolster allies’ morale and defensive capabilities.
Strategic repositioning: Employ your Grant Move Action to reposition key allies or reinforce weak points in your defensive line.
Intimidation tactics: Leverage the presence of your dragon cohort and your Dreadful Wrath ability to intimidate and demoralize attackers.
Urban Encounters
Tactical navigation: Use your diplomatic skills and knowledge of the city to navigate through tight spaces and avoid unnecessary conflicts.
Empower allies: Continuously use your auras to empower your allies in close quarter combat.
Intimidate and control: Use Dreadful Wrath to intimidate foes and control the battlefield, compensating for the absence of your dragon cohort.
Party Synergy and the Dragon Tribe Warleader
The Dragon Tribe Warleader is a beacon of power on the battlefield, but even the mightiest leader knows the value of their comrades. It’s the combination of your strategic prowess and their skills that creates an unstoppable force.
Pair with a Wizard or Sorcerer to combine your auras with their spells, creating devastating combos that can control the flow of battle.
A Rogue in your ranks benefits immensely from your Motivate Dexterity aura, gaining the edge they need to strike quickly and fade away.
Front line Fighters and Paladins become nigh unstoppable with your Major Aura of Art of War, turning each strike into a potential tide turner.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Weakness
Counter
Limited Mobility
Boots of Striding and Springing: These boots increase your base land speed by 10 feet and allow you to jump with a +5 competence bonus on Jump checks. This helps you maintain the effectiveness of your auras by keeping up with fast moving allies.
Dependency on Mount
Figurine of Wondrous Power (Ebony Fly): This figurine can become a large fly that can carry you if your primary mount is incapacitated. Alternatively, training multiple mounts ensures you always have a backup option.
Targeted by Enemies
Cloak of Displacement, Minor: This cloak grants a 20% miss chance on attacks against you, making you harder to hit and helping you maintain your ability to lead and buff your party.
Spell Disruption
Ring of Counterspells: This ring can be attuned to a single spell and will automatically counter that spell when cast at you. This protects you from debilitating spells that could interrupt your command or disable your auras.
Resistance to Breath Weapon
Rod of Lower Resistance: This rod allows you to reduce the target’s resistance to your breath weapon. By using it, you ensure your breath weapon remains a potent threat even against foes with high resistances.
Cultural Influence & Traditions
As a Marshal Dragon Tribe Warleader, you’re not just a commander on the battlefield; you’re a bearer of ancient traditions. The heritage of dragonkind flows through your veins, and with it comes a deep respect for the power and wisdom of these majestic creatures. You embody the essence of both human ingenuity and draconic might, a fusion that is as awe inspiring as it is fearsome.
Adherence to a strict code of honor, reflective of the noble nature of dragons.
A tradition of storytelling that passes down the legends of dragons and their kin.
Rituals that celebrate the bond between dragon and rider, such as the Trial of Flames.
The history of your Warleader[2] is a patchwork of conflicts won, friendships formed, and obstacles surmounted. Maybe you looked for the partnership as a part of a personal quest, or maybe you were selected by a dragon when you were young. You should have a long history of experiences that have molded your leadership style and put your mettle to the test.
Incorporating Dragon Lore into Roleplaying
Dragon lore is the lifeblood of your Warleader’s identity. It’s not just about knowing your dragon’s breath weapon range or the specifics of your auras. It’s about understanding the ancient bond between dragon and rider, the nuances of draconic language, and the customs that govern their society. When you speak, your words carry the weight of centuries, and when you lead, you do so with the authority of dragonkind itself.
FAQ
What is the optimal race for a Dragon Tribe Warleader?
The optimal race for a Dragon Tribe Warleader is one that complements the build’s focus on charisma and leadership, such as the Silverbrow Human. This race brings the necessary dragonblood lineage to harness the draconic auras effectively.
How do Marshal auras work in a Dragon Tribe Warleader build?
Marshal auras are the cornerstone of the Dragon Tribe Warleader build. They are auras of influence that emanate from the Warleader, bolstering allies’ abilities and morale. The Warleader selects which auras to project, and these can be changed as needed to adapt to the flow of combat or the demands of the adventure.
Can a Dragon Tribe Warleader fit into any campaign setting?
A Dragon Tribe Warleader can be adapted to fit into any campaign setting. From the high fantasy realms of Faerûn to the war torn lands of Eberron. The key is to weave the Warleader’s background and abilities into the fabric of the world, ensuring that the character feels integral to the story being told.
Effective combat formations for a Dragon Tribe Warleader[1] build often involve placing the Warleader at the heart of the action. Where their auras can reach as many allies as possible. A protective circle or a wedge formation with the Warleader at the apex are both classic strategies that leverage the Warleader’s strengths.
How do I handle the level adjustment for a half dragon race in this build?
Handling the level adjustment for a half dragon race requires careful planning. You’ll need to balance the benefits of your draconic heritage with the slower progression in class levels. It’s often best to focus on the Warleader’s core abilities and ensure that each level gained significantly contributes to the character’s effectiveness.
Join the Stellar Dragons Community
Now that you’ve seen the might of the Marshal Dragon Tribe Warleader build, it’s time to take your gameplay to the next level. But why go it alone when you can join a community of like minded strategists and dragon enthusiasts? Join the Stellar Dragons Discord!
Writer, Editor, GM, Technologist – Andrew’s been playing TTRPGs since as far back as he can recall… at least sometime in the nineties… or was it the early 2000s?
They separated into four teams of two. The Captain and the Barbarian Champion arrived at the Chromatic Tribe. These were barbarians devoted to Tiamat. Their warchief, atop a black dragon, rode to them.
“Why are you here,” he growled.
As the Captain was formulating a reply, the Barbarian Champion intoned, “To crush you and make sure your tribe will never be a problem again.”
The Captain stood aghast as the Dragon Lord bellowed a thunderous laugh.
“Very well human, you shall be today’s meal.“
The Captain, regaining his composure, turned to the Barbarian Champion, “I suppose you have a plan?“
“Yes, I kill them all,” the Champion replied smugly.
Race
Half-Dragon Silverbrow Human
Class
Marshal 8/Dragon Lord 10/Dragonrider 2 (3 LA Buyback)
A spear, shield and the best armor you can afford. Eventually a Lance for weapon.
Goal
Yep, you ride a dragon into battle like an absolute gigachad. You, yourself a half-dragon, you have up to two breath weapons at your disposal every 1d4 rounds each.
Additionally, you’re able to buff all your allies with your various auras, which includes two Draconic Auras at that.
As the team made their way through the cult’s base, suddenly, a loud scream, as if five dragons had roared together, shook the entire cavern. Out of the shadows emerged a Draconic Hobgoblin, wielding a mace in the image of his unholy goddess – Tiamat. He pointed it towards the team.
-Leave, and I might spare you.
The Half-Dragon and his Golden brother replied in unison
-Surrender, and we might spare YOU.
Race
Draconic Hobgoblin
Class
Dragon Shaman 10/Talon of Tiamat 10 (2 LA Buyback) Str 10/Dex 10/Con 22/Int 8/Wis 8/Cha 20
Skills
Bluff 4, Intimidate 4, Knowledge(Arcana) 4
Equipment
Heavy Mace, the best armor you can get, a shield.
Goal
You are the fury of Tiamat incarnate. Both a capable leader with a Dragon’s Frightful Aura, the ability to borrow her Breath Weapons for you to use, and the capability to wield her relics, make you a more than capable frontliner, despite your lower strength.
Level
Class
HD
Feat
Special
1
Dragon Shaman
16
Dreadful Wrath
Draconic Aura +1, Totem Dragon (Red)
2
Dragon Shaman
1d10+6
Skill Focus(Bluff)
–
3
Dragon Shaman
1d10+6
Dragonthrall
Draconic Adaptation
4
Dragon Shaman
1d10+6
–
Breath Weapon 2d6, Draconic Resolve, +1 Cha
5
Dragon Shaman
1d10+6
Imperious Command
Draconic Aura +3
6
Dragon Shaman
1d10+6
–
Breath Weapon 3d6, Touch of Vitality (Heal Wounds)
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