Half-Dragon in Dungeons & Dragons 5e
An Emperor's Guide to Mil'Tu
Half-Dragon
Template. Templates are powerful changes that are added on top of a creature, and most often provide powerful boons as a creature is stronger, smarter, or otherwise more capable than a typical member of its race. Template rarity primarily refers to how common creatures of this template are. In turn, a template's value is rated on a scale of 1-5, with 1 being slightly more powerful and 5 being incredibly powerful.
Ability Redundancy. If an ability score improvement gained from a template is redundant due to that score being already maxed at 24, the DM may allow you to use that score improvement in a different stat. The stat must be of the same type: Physical or Mental. For example, a creature with 24 strength gains a template that gives it 2 more points of strength, under this rule the creature could put that into dexterity or constitution, but not intelligence.
Multiple Templates. It's possible for a creature to have more than one template, and many features may cause awkward overlap. In the event of two or more of the identical feature, the most common result is that the creature maintains the best possible outcome of the combination. In terms of size, the largest is always used. Certain features may stack additively, for example if one template allows one type of shapechanging and another allows a different kind, then a creature with both templates can shapechange in both ways. At the DM's option, certain features may be lost as a result of multiple templates if it would make sense to do so. A template type refers to how this template is gained: Inherited means a creature is born with the template, acquired means it is gained through some means- most often a magical ritual.
Template Rarity. Uncommon
Template Type. Inherited or Acquired.
Template Value. 4
Ability Redundancy. If an ability score improvement gained from a template is redundant due to that score being already maxed at 24, the DM may allow you to use that score improvement in a different stat. The stat must be of the same type: Physical or Mental. For example, a creature with 24 strength gains a template that gives it 2 more points of strength, under this rule the creature could put that into dexterity or constitution, but not intelligence.
Multiple Templates. It's possible for a creature to have more than one template, and many features may cause awkward overlap. In the event of two or more of the identical feature, the most common result is that the creature maintains the best possible outcome of the combination. In terms of size, the largest is always used. Certain features may stack additively, for example if one template allows one type of shapechanging and another allows a different kind, then a creature with both templates can shapechange in both ways. At the DM's option, certain features may be lost as a result of multiple templates if it would make sense to do so. A template type refers to how this template is gained: Inherited means a creature is born with the template, acquired means it is gained through some means- most often a magical ritual.
Template Rarity. Uncommon
Template Type. Inherited or Acquired.
Template Value. 4
ability score increase:
Your Strength and Constitution scores increase by 8, to a maximum of 28. Your Charisma increases by 2, to a maximum of 20.
age:
Half-Dragon's typically live three times longer than their base race
alignment:
Half-Dragons typically share the same alignment of their dragon side
Size:
Large
speed:
Same as base creature + 10ft, fly 80ft
Languages:
Same as base creature + Draconic
race features:
Dragon Ancestry. When you gain this template, choose an option from the table. You gain the breath weapon and immunity tied to that type of half-dragon, additionally your alignment may change to be similar to the Dragon in question. A "Cone" refers to a 60 foot cone, and a "Line" is a 90 foot long, 5 foot wide line. "Dex" Refers to a Dexerity saving throw, and "Con" to a Constitution saving throw. Your breath weapon DC is 8 + your Proficiency bonus + your Constitution modifier. It deals the same damage as a dragon of that size and color (for example, a red wyrmling does 8d6 and is medium) and recharges at the start of your turn on 5-6. Your creature type is Dragon, this type overrides other types from other templates unless that template has a higher value.
Improved Senses. You have blindsight out to 30 feet, and darkvision out to 120 feet. You have proficiency in perception, or expertise if you are already proficient.
Legendary. You have 3 uses of Legendary Resistance. You also have 3 legendary actions. At the end of another creature's turn, you can use one action to make a tail attack, one to make a wisdom (perception) check, two to make a wing attack. You can use one to swallow a creature you have grappled.
Natural Armor. You have tough, scaly skin. When you aren't wearing armor, your AC is 15 + your Dexterity modifier. You can use your natural armor to determine your AC if the armor you wear would leave you with a lower AC. A shield's benefits apply as normal while you use your natural armor.
Natural Weapons. Your natural weapons use Strength. Damage assumes a medium sized creature, larger creatures follow rules for oversized weapons.
Traits. You gain a climb or swim speed if your dragon type would normally have one. If your dragon counterpart is Amphibious or has the Ice Walk trait, you gain these traits as well.
Variant: Draconic Sorcerer. If a creature with this template is a Sorcerer, it's subclass changes to Draconic Sorcerer of the appropriate type with the following changes:
Dragon Ancestry. When you gain this template, choose an option from the table. You gain the breath weapon and immunity tied to that type of half-dragon, additionally your alignment may change to be similar to the Dragon in question. A "Cone" refers to a 60 foot cone, and a "Line" is a 90 foot long, 5 foot wide line. "Dex" Refers to a Dexerity saving throw, and "Con" to a Constitution saving throw. Your breath weapon DC is 8 + your Proficiency bonus + your Constitution modifier. It deals the same damage as a dragon of that size and color (for example, a red wyrmling does 8d6 and is medium) and recharges at the start of your turn on 5-6. Your creature type is Dragon, this type overrides other types from other templates unless that template has a higher value.
| Dragon | Element | Breath | Alignment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | Acid | Line, Dex | Chaotic Evil |
| Blue | Lightning | Line, Dex | Lawful Evil |
| Brass | Fire | Cone, Dex | Chaotic Good |
| Bronze | Lightning | Line, Dex | Lawful Good |
| Copper | Acid | Line, Dex | Chaotic Good |
| Gold | Fire | Cone, Dex | Lawful Good |
| Green | Poison | Cone, Con | Lawful Evil |
| Red | Fire | Cone, Dex | Chaotic Evil |
| Silver | Cold | Cone, Con | Lawful Good |
| White | Cold | Cone, Con | Chaotic Evil |
Improved Senses. You have blindsight out to 30 feet, and darkvision out to 120 feet. You have proficiency in perception, or expertise if you are already proficient.
Legendary. You have 3 uses of Legendary Resistance. You also have 3 legendary actions. At the end of another creature's turn, you can use one action to make a tail attack, one to make a wisdom (perception) check, two to make a wing attack. You can use one to swallow a creature you have grappled.
Natural Armor. You have tough, scaly skin. When you aren't wearing armor, your AC is 15 + your Dexterity modifier. You can use your natural armor to determine your AC if the armor you wear would leave you with a lower AC. A shield's benefits apply as normal while you use your natural armor.
Natural Weapons. Your natural weapons use Strength. Damage assumes a medium sized creature, larger creatures follow rules for oversized weapons.
- Your bite is a natural weapon that deals damage 1d10 + your Strength modifier Piercing damage plus 3d6 elemental damage (identical to your breath weapon). If the target is a creature, it is grappled and restrained (escape DC 10 + your Athletics)
- Your clawed hands and feet are natural weapons that deal 1d6 + your Strength modifier Slashing damage.
- Your long tail is a natural weapon that deals 1d8 + your Strength modifier Bludgeoning damage. When you attack with it, you can reach up to 15 feet away.
- You can swallow a grappled creature that is at least one size smaller than you by making a bite attack against it. A swallowed creature is blinded and restrained, has total cover from effects originating outside of you, and takes 4d6 + your Constitution modifier Acid damage and an additional 4d6 elemental damage (same as your breath weapon). If you are large, this damage increases to 6d6, 8d6 at huge, and 12d6 at gargantuan. If a creature is immune to your elemental damage type, it is only resistant instead. If it is normally resistant, it takes the normal full damage.
Traits. You gain a climb or swim speed if your dragon type would normally have one. If your dragon counterpart is Amphibious or has the Ice Walk trait, you gain these traits as well.
Variant: Draconic Sorcerer. If a creature with this template is a Sorcerer, it's subclass changes to Draconic Sorcerer of the appropriate type with the following changes:
- You can use Constitution for your natural armor, instead of Dexterity
- If you have Elemental Affinity (level 6), any Evocation spell you cast can deal the elemental damage of your Dragon type instead of its normal damage type. Additionally the damage ignores resistance.
- If you have Dragon Wings (Level 14) you instead gain Magic Resistance, as well as resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical attacks.
- Your Draconic Presence (Level 18) lasts 10 minutes, instead of 1.
Description:
Many folks tell tales of Dragons in both awe and fear as mighty creatures of great incredible power. Many scholars even consider Dragons to be the mightiest of the mortal creatures, and if it weren't for their hubris they would likely be the most dominant life across Mil'Tu. This fact, at least the first part, is something every Dragon takes great pride in hearing. It should then come as no surprise that their Half-Dragon children are among the most physically powerful humanoids.
Progeny. While Dragons may be good, particularly metallic dragons, this does not mean that they don't view themselves as the greatest beings to grace the mortal realm. As such, it's rare for a Dragon to find a romantic partner among non-dragons. Some Dragons, particularly Silver Dragons, may use their shape changing ability to blend in among humanoids which sometimes leads to breeding. The child born of these meetings is always a Half-Dragon.
Ritual Augmentation. While most Half-Dragons are born naturally, a few are made. Typically, such rituals are performed only by the most devout and fanatical of dragon cultists. The ritual is known as "Dragon Ascendancy" and may be found in the Ritual section.
Progeny. While Dragons may be good, particularly metallic dragons, this does not mean that they don't view themselves as the greatest beings to grace the mortal realm. As such, it's rare for a Dragon to find a romantic partner among non-dragons. Some Dragons, particularly Silver Dragons, may use their shape changing ability to blend in among humanoids which sometimes leads to breeding. The child born of these meetings is always a Half-Dragon.
Ritual Augmentation. While most Half-Dragons are born naturally, a few are made. Typically, such rituals are performed only by the most devout and fanatical of dragon cultists. The ritual is known as "Dragon Ascendancy" and may be found in the Ritual section.
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