Dragon Lancer (3.5e Prestige Class)

Dragon Lancer
===Dragon Lancer=== "She is not my steed, she is my companion."

Fantasy worlds are filled with people who ride around on all kinds of stuff, but none is more immediately iconic than that of the Dragon Rider. Every fantasy world has warriors who ride around on dragons. Even ones that don't fit into D&D methodology in any other way. At some level it resonates.

===Becoming a Dragon Lancer=== ====Becoming a Dragon Lancer====

Class Skills (Skill Points::4 + Int modifier per level)

====Class Features==== =====Class Features=====

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The Dragon Rider gains no proficiency with armor or weapons.

A level appropriate Dragon is 2 levels lower than the Dragon Rider's character level.



 (Ex): A Dragon Rider is naturally resilient to whatever it is that her dragon breathes. She gains Energy Resistance equal to her Base Attack Bonus to that energy type.

This is appropriate Dragonscale equipment that does not require the skinning of a live Dragon. While the Dragonrider is using it, this Dragonscale equipment has an enhancement bonus equal to one third of her character level.

 (Ex): At 3rd level, a Dragon Rider gains immunity to whatever energy type her Dragon Mount breathes. Also she has the immunities granted by being a Dragon – immunity to Paralysis and Aging.

 (Ex): A 4th level Dragon Rider knows the tricks of fighting with and against Dragons. Both the Dragon Rider and her mount have the Edge for any attack they make against a Dragon. Also, any attack she makes against a Dragon inflict an extra 2d6 of damage.

 (Ex): A 4th level Dragon Rider has Blindsight out to 30', as well as Darkvision out to 60' and Low-light Vision.

 (Ex): At 5th level, a Dragon Rider may ride her mount straight through objects that obstruct her path. While flying at full speed, her mount may crash through objects even as structurally sound as Force effects without slowing down.

===Sample Dragon=== ====Sample Dragon====

First of all, we know that the Dragons in the Monster Manual make you sad. They make us sad too. Not just because they are all color coded by philosophy and that's really dumb, but also because Dragons are way too small. Seriously, the proper challenge for most adventurers is a Dragon the size of my dog, and you just can't ride around on those things at all. Most characters want to ride around on a dragon that is at least two sizes larger than they are, and under the normal rules that's just not available until epic levels (by which time you no longer care).

Naturally of course, complete rules for making a Dragon that is scalable and a decent challenge while being substantially larger than my cat will be introduced in the Tome of Tiamat. But since we know that won't be out for a while, let's throw in a preview mount for Vayn to have when she's an 11th level character:

Mitzraicha

Dragon (White) 7 / Metallic Paragon 2

Large Dragon (Cold): – 100 Hit Points

Speed: 60 ft., Burrow 10 ft., Fly 200 ft. (average)

Strength 23, Dexterity 8, Constitution 18, Intelligence 14, Wisdom 13, Charisma 15

Balance: +14, Concentration +16, Diplomacy +16, Listen +13, Sense Motive +13, Spellcraft +14, Spot +13, Survival +13

Attacks: Bite +14 (2d6+9) & 2 Claws +12 (d8+3)

Special Actions: Breath Weapon (9d6 Cold or paralyzing gas) - DC 18. Fear DC, human form, fog cloud.

Special Qualities: Blind Sense 60', Immunity to Cold and Paralysis, DR 5/Magic, Fire Vulnerability, Ice Walking, SR 14.

Saves: Fort: +11, Reflex +6, Will +8

&rarr; Warriors with Class