The Dragonbond Hunter
As we continue Dragon Week, I thought it was about time PCs got a chance to use their very own dragon to fight alongside them. Normally, in order to secure a dragon compatriot, a PC has to grab Improved Familiar and settle for a pseudo-dragon or wait, until he is an unreasonably high level to draft a CR 7-10 monster as a cohort. So for those of you who want to pal around with a dragon, and who are willing to play as a hunter, this one is for you. Enter the dragonbond hunter.
New Hunter Archetype
Dragonbond Hunter
The dragonbond hunter has a powerful bond with a draconic companion that is gifted with many special abilities which go beyond that of the basic animal companion. In addition to enjoying the benefits of a powerful new ally, the dragonbond hunter has a number of abilities that allow her to enhance her dragon companion.
Dragon Companion (Ex): A dragonbond hunter has a special dragon animal companion which has additional special powers that exceed that of a regular animal companion. A dragon companion has special starting statistics and advances in power at several stages. It still gains all the traits and special abilities associated with an animal companion, though as a dragon it cannot take feats which requires being an animal (though it can still take feats which require it be an animal companion). Because of its increased intelligence, a dragon companion can take any feat it qualifies for, and has skill points and class skills as appropriate for a dragon; additionally, due to its higher intelligence, it can put ranks in any skill (ignore the total skill ranks section on the animal companion table).
Each dragon companion is resistant to one type of energy and has a breath weapon which deals damage of the same energy type. This choice is made at creation and cannot be changed later. A dragon companion’s resistance and breath weapon must be the same type. Dragon companions can speak Draconic.
Dragon Companion
Starting Statistics
Size Small; Speed 10 ft., fly 20 ft. (good maneuverability), and either climb 10 ft. or swim 10 ft.; AC +2 natural armor; Attack bite (1d4) and 2 claws (1d3); Ability Scores Str 10, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 6, Wis 8, Cha 12; Special Attacks breath weapon (15-ft. cone, 2d6 acid, cold, fire or electricity damage, Reflex DC 10 + 1/2 the dragon’s HD + the dragon’s Constitution modifier for half, usable every 1d4 rounds); Special Qualities darkvision, low-light vision, scent, and acid, cold, fire, or electricity resistance 5.
7th-Level Advancement
Size Medium; Speed 20 ft., fly 30 ft. (average maneuverability), and either climb 20 ft. or swim 20 ft.; AC +2 natural armor; Attack bite (1d6) and 2 claws (1d4); Ability Scores Str +4, Con +2, Dex -2, Int +2, Cha +2; Special Attacks breath weapon (20-ft. cone, 6d6 acid, cold, fire or electricity damage, Reflex DC 10 + 1/2 the dragon’s HD + the dragon’s Constitution modifier for half, usable every 1d4 rounds); Special Qualities acid, cold, fire, or electricity resistance 10.
14th-Level Advancement
Size Large; Attack bite (1d8), 2 claws (1d6) and 2 wings (1d4); Ability Scores Str +4, Dex –2, Con +2, Int +2 Cha +2; Special Attacks breath weapon (30-ft. cone, 10d6 acid, cold, fire or electricity damage, Reflex DC 10 + 1/2 the dragon’s HD + the dragon’s Constitution modifier for half, usable every 1d4 rounds); Special Qualities acid, cold, fire, or electricity resistance 15.
20th-Level Advancement
Size Huge; AC +2 natural armor; Attack bite (2d6), 2 claws (1d8), 2 wings (1d6) and tail (1d8); Ability Scores Str +4, Dex –2, Con +2, Int +2 and Cha +2; Special Attacks breath weapon (40-ft. cone, 14d6 acid, cold, fire or electricity damage, Reflex DC 10 + 1/2 the dragon’s HD + the dragon’s Constitution modifier for half, usable every 1d4 rounds); Special Qualities acid, cold, fire, or electricity immunity.
This ability modifies the animal companion class feature and replaces the improved empathic link, greater empathic link, and master hunter class features.
Dragon Focus (Ex): A dragonbond hunter can call upon her close relationship with dragons to assume a draconic trait. At 1st level, the dragonbond hunter can select one of the following traits as a swift action to gain its benefits. The dragonbond hunter can use this ability for a number of minutes per day equal to her level. This duration does not need to be consecutive, but must be spent in 1-minute increments.
Resistance: The dragonbond hunter gains resist acid, cold, fire or electricity 5. She must select the same energy type as the one chosen for her dragon companion’s breath weapon.
Senses: The dragonbond hunter gains darkvision and low-light vision
Wrath: The dragonbond hunter gains a +1 bonus on attack and damage rolls.
This ability replaces the animal focus class feature.
Greater Dragon Focus (Su): As she progresses in power, the dragonbond hunter can call upon more powerful draconic traits. At 8th level, she can choose from the following when she uses her dragon focus.
Defense: The dragonbond hunter gains 5 points of damage reduction which can only be overcome by magic weapons.
Flight: The dragonbond hunter sprouts dragon-like wings which allow her to fly with a fly speed equal to her land speed (average maneuverability).
Power: The dragonbond hunter gains a +1 bonus to her caster level.
This ability replaces the second animal focus class feature.