Class levels for a gold dragon?

[Veven1290]

i have a player who is hellbent on playing a gold dragon Wyrmling. The campaign starts at ECL 12 so the wyrmling's 8HD and +4 lvl adjustment fit perfectly.
What are some classes that would be good for him to take once he starts gaining levels. I know sorcerer seems natural but level 1 sorcerer casting at level 13 is kinda meh..

any suggestions would be helpfull

 

[BrokeAndDrive]

Not very many class levels add much to any dragon, but there are some neato prestige classes tailor-made for true dragons in Draconomicon.

Dunno if a wyrmling could take them, but you never know 'til you look.

If that's not an option... paladin seems like the obvious flavor choice. Maybe you could look to "cherry-dipping" for class features that don't rely on having a lot of class levels to be effective, such as the paladin's bonus to saving throws or a monk's unarmored AC bonus (whoa, that would be totally cheesy for a dragon! brings back memories of Neverwinter Nights and the druid/monk build who shapechanges into an adult dragon... AC 70+ and flurry of blows with claws and bites *drools*).

Perhaps you could "trade out" useless ones (for your dragon) for bonus feats (like lay on hands)? That's what I like doing when playing a ranger because I hate favored enemies!

 

[FEADIN]

Take a look at the Book of Exalted Deeds, may be there's something he can play.
A gold dragon with vow of poverty....

 

[LuckyBoneDice]

Take a look at the Book of Exalted Deeds, may be there's something he can play.
A gold dragon with vow of poverty....

I like this idea. Maybe an Exalted Arcanist (since Dragon gets free sorcerer spellcasting) would be not only flavorful, but mechanically good

 

[Shin Okada]

First of all, forget about spellcaster classes. With racial HDs of 8 and LA of +4, he can never, ever, be a descent spellcaster PC (Remember a wyrmling does not have spellcasting ability yet).

He will work best as a melee character. His BAB is -4 lower than usual melee characters of equal ECL and his strength is not so spectacularly high comparing to the warriors of the same ECL. His racial strength modifier is +6. But LA +0 characters, at 12th-level, is raising his ability score 3 times already. A 12th-level Half-Orc has only 1 lower strength compared to him.

But at least he can be a more than descent melee attacker with his 5 natural attacks per turn (bite, claw, claw, wing, wing). Take Multiattack feat in MM and possibly Improved Multiattack in Draconomicon.

As for class, he can either take classes with full-BAB (Paladin?) or maybe Rogue. Yes, sneak attacking with 5 natural attacks will be good.

If I were the player, I will take 1-2 Rogue levels, then take 1-3 Paladin levels. And when hitting ECL 16 (a 12th-level character), take Devoted Performer feat to continue multiclassing between those two classes. And/or proceed to Shadowbane Inquisitor prestige class.

I will not take Vow of Poverty. Actually, a Dragon CAN USE MAGIC ITEMS.

Read Draconomicon and other books (say, Magic Item Compendium). He can even wear tailored armor as per PHB rule. He has natural armor bonus of +7. With a tailor-made magic full-plate, his AC could be really high. Even if he is not proficient in any armor, he can wear tailored mithral chain shirt (no armor check penalty).

 

[Ahnehnois]

Sword of Righteousness (the BoED class for fighters that gives bonus feats) makes sense. So does Ruathar. The wyrmling isn't going to get his draconic casting during the campaign unless you play for decades, so I wouldn't go there. In general, simple prestige classes that he can qualify for are probably the best option.

 

[Runestar]

Dr is my greatest worry. Yeah, you have 5 natural weapons, but they each deal modest damage at best, and lv12 is the time when dr starts becoming a major pain in the behind. You can't rely on power attack to punch through dr, and you can't enchant your natural weapons as readily as a normal weapon. Amulet of mighty fists tackles dr/magic, some feat in BOED handles dr/good, but it seems you are screwed vs the rest.

If you have dragon 33?, you may consider just continuing progressing in the gold dragon monster class. Screw the fluff about him advancing to the next age category in only 10+ years.

 

[Shin Okada]

Ring of Adamantine Touch (MIC) lets his natural attacks overcome DR X/Adamantine.

Gauntlets of Weaponry Arcane is for overcoming DR X/ Silver. But by RAW it does not work for natural attacks as it says "Any weapon you hold". You don't hold your own natural attacks.

Regarding DR X/Alignment, a Wand of Align Fang will at least make one of his natural weapon to overcome such DR. As True Dragon has UMD as his racial class skill, hitting DC 20 will not be that difficult.

But yeah, he may have hard time fighting against higher level demons and such. Maybe he should alter form into a humanoid and use a manufactured weapon in some fight.

 

[FEADIN]

You can always get adamantine (or cold iron....) spiked gauntlets tailored to the claws.
And if you're not afraid go to the dentist for the Great Holy Undead bane Fiery burst Adamantine Jaws
Come on you Dracolich, wanna fight?

 

[jefgorbach]

i have a player who is hellbent on playing a gold dragon Wyrmling. The campaign starts at ECL 12 so the wyrmling's 8HD and +4 lvl adjustment fit perfectly.
What are some classes that would be good for him to take once he starts gaining levels. I know sorcerer seems natural but level 1 sorcerer casting at level 13 is kinda meh..

any suggestions would be helpfull

He's gaining decent base stats, +7 natural ac, flight, water breathing, a 2d6 fire/weaking gas breath weapon, altn form 3x, and invulnerable to fire in exchange for a vulnerability to cold for 4 class levels.

I suggest a level of Monk with the remaining seven class levels in Rogue for a +4d6 sneak attack with your claws/fangs by virtue of the monk's Improved Unarmed Weapon feat. More importantly, "A monk’s unarmed strike is treated both as a manufactured weapon and a natural weapon for the purpose of spells and effects that enhance or improve either manufactured weapons or natural weapons" per the srd - allowing you to have them permanently enchanted and apply augmentation crystals to your gauntlets to customize them for the situation like your peers.