As some of the most ancient, powerful, and capricious creatures in existence, dragons occasionally enter into trysts with unsuspecting mortals or sire offspring with exceptional individuals. Likewise, the great power wielded by these creatures has long intrigued wizards and alchemists who have sought various magical methods to infuse their bodies with draconic power. As a result, the blood of dragons runs through the veins of many races. For some, this heritage manifests as a sorcerous bloodline and a predilection for magic; for others, however, the power of their draconic ancestors becomes an obsession.
Spellcasters who embrace their draconic heritage and learn to channel their abilities can become dragon disciples, fearsome warriors who possess not only the repertoire of an accomplished sorcerer but also the ability to unleash the furious power of dragons upon their foes. As dragon disciples discover the power of their forebears, they can learn to breathe fire, take flight on leathery wings, and—at the pinnacle of their abilities—assume the form of a dragon. Although they are rare, dragon disciples can be found in any land where dragons interact with mortals.
Role
With the magic of a spellcasting class at their disposal, dragon disciples can assume the typical role of a magic-user, hampering the movement of the enemy and hurling damage-dealing spells at their opponents. Dragon disciples’ draconic abilities, however, make these versatile spellcasters even more formidable, as they use their breath weapons and flight to destroy their foes directly.
Alignment
Dragon disciples can be of any alignment, although they tend to be more chaotic than lawful. Those dragon disciples that assume the traits of chromatic dragons, such as bestial white and fearsome red dragons, have a proclivity for evil. Conversely, those that take after the metallic dragons, such as stoic brass and chivalric gold dragons, are often of good alignments.
Entry Requirements
Race: Any nondragon.
Skills: Arcane Lore 5 ranks.
Languages: Draconic.
Spellcasting: Ability to cast arcane spells without preparation.
| Base Attack Bonus | Fort Save | Ref Save | Will Save | Special | Arcane Spellcasting | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | +0 | +1 | +0 | +1 | Blood of dragons, natural armor increase (+1) | — |
| 2nd | +1 | +1 | +0 | +1 | Ability boost (Str +2), tooth and claw | +1 level of existing class |
| 3rd | +2 | +2 | +1 | +2 | Breath weapon (2d8) 1/day, wings | +1 level of existing class |
| 4th | +3 | +2 | +1 | +2 | Ability boost (Str +2), natural armor increase (+2) | +1 level of existing class |
| 5th | +3 | +3 | +1 | +3 | Blindsense 30 ft., breath weapon (3d8) 2/day | — |
| 6th | +4 | +3 | +2 | +3 | Ability boost (Con +2), bloodline advancement | +1 level of existing class |
| 7th | +5 | +4 | +2 | +4 | Breath weapon (4d8) 3/day, natural armor increase (+3) | +1 level of existing class |
| 8th | +6 | +4 | +2 | +4 | Ability boost (Int +2) | +1 level of existing class |
| 9th | +6 | +5 | +3 | +5 | Breath weapon (5d8) 4/day, wings | — |
| 10th | +7 | +5 | +3 | +5 | Blindsense 60 ft., dragon apotheosis | +1 level of existing class |
Class Skills (2 + Int modifier per level): Academics, Arcane Lore, Arms Lore, Athletics, Insight, Intimidate, Natural Lore, Perception, Persuasion, Profession, and Theology.
Class Features
Weapon and Armor Proficiency
A Dragon Disciple gains no proficiency with any type of weapon, armor, or shield.
Arcane Spellcasting
At each level of dragon disciple except 1st, 5th, and 9th, you progress an arcane spellcasting class you already possess. If you possess more than one arcane spellcasting class, you must decide to which class you add each new level of progression.
Blood of Dragons
You gain Draconic Bloodline as a bonus feat, obtaining a dragon bloodline of your choice. If you already possess a Minor draconic bloodline, you instead gain Intermediate Bloodline for your draconic bloodline as bonus feat. If you already possess an Intermediate bloodline, you instead gain Major Bloodline for your draconic bloodline as a bonus feat. If you already have a Major bloodline, you instead immediately advance to the next available bloodline level without spending any experience, even if this would advance you beyond the normal maximum bloodline level for your Hit Dice.
Natural Armor Increase
As your skin thickens, you take on more and more of your progenitor’s physical aspect. At 1st, 4th, and 7th level, you gain an increase to your existing natural armor (if any), as indicated on Table: The Dragon Disciple (the numbers represent the total increase gained to that point).
Ability Boost
As you gain dragon disciple levels, your ability scores increase as noted on Table: The Dragon Disciple. These increases stack and are gained as if through level advancement.
Tooth and Claw
At 2nd level, you gain claw and bite attacks if you do not already have them. The bite is a primary natural attack that deals 1d6 points of damage (1d4 if you are Small), plus 1–1/2 times your Strength modifier. The claws are treated as secondary natural weapons that deal 1d4 points of damage plus your Strength modifier (1d3 if you are Small).
You are considered proficient with these attacks. When making a full attack, you use your full base attack bonus with your bite attack but take a -5 penalty on claw attacks. (The Multiattack feat reduces this penalty to only -2.)
Breath Weapon
At 3rd level, you gain a minor breath weapon. The type and shape depend on the dragon variety whose heritage you enjoy (see below). Regardless of the ancestor, the breath weapon deals 2d8 points of damage of your Draconic Element.
The breath weapon can be used only once per day. Use all the rules for dragon breath weapons except as specified here.
At 5th level and every two levels thereafter, the damage increases by 1d8. and can be used one additional time per day.
The DC of the breath weapon is 10 + class level + Con modifier.
A line-shaped breath weapon is 5 feet high, 5 feet wide, and 60 feet long. A cone-shaped breath weapon is 30 feet long.
Wings
At 3rd level, you grow a set of draconic wings. You gain Draconic Glide as a bonus feat, even if you don’t meet the prerequisites.
At 9th level, you gain Draconic Flight as a bonus feat.
Blindsense
At 5th level, you gain blindsense with a range of 30 feet. Using nonvisual senses, you notice things you cannot see. You usually do not need to make Perception checks to notice and pinpoint the location of creatures within range of your blindsense ability, provided that you have line of effect to that creature.
Any opponent you cannot see still has total concealment against you, and you still have the normal miss chance when attacking foes that have concealment. Visibility still affects the movement of a creature with blindsense. A creature with blindsense is still flat-footed against attacks from creatures it cannot see.
At 10th level, the range of this ability increases to 60 feet.
Bloodline Advancement
At 6th level, your bloodline is strengthened by your dedication to your heritage. You gain Intermediate Bloodline for your draconic bloodline as bonus feat. If you already possess an Intermediate bloodline, resolve this as per the Blood of Dragons ability above.
Dragon Apotheosis
At 10th level, the strength of your draconic bloodline reaches full potency. Your creature type changes to Dragon. You gain Major Bloodline for your draconic bloodline as bonus feat. If you already possess a Major bloodline, resolve this as per the Blood of Dragons ability above.
In addition, your breath weapon damage increases by 1d8 to a total of 6d8, you gain +4 to Strength and +2 to Charisma. Your natural armor bonus increases to +4, and you acquire low-light vision, 60-foot darkvision, immunity to sleep and paralysis effects, and immunity to your Draconic Element.