Oath Of The Dragon Rider
The Oath Of The Dragon Rider is a solemn commitment for one of two things: To bring destruction or to bring protection. These paladins follow the example of the Twin Draconic Gods that once ruled over before the Dragonfall War; Bahamut and Tiamat. Whether they follow the examples of good or evil, these paladin follow their tenets to the extreme, never giving the slightest chance to break them.
Tenets Of Riders
The tenets of the Oath Of The Dragon Rider vary by paladin, but all the tenets revolve around becoming one with their Dragon Companions, almost as if they were one single being with a single soul.
Eternal Companionship. Lay down your life for your Companion, and it shall do the same for you.
Memories Of War. You honor the traditions of the dragonkin. Hoard gold or mementos of war, just like the ones that gifted you your power.
Power Of The Dragonkin. Dragons are known for their wrath in combat, with their stories striking fear and awe. Be one of these tales.
Oath Of The Dragon Rider Features
| Paladin Level | Feature |
|---|---|
| 3rd | Oath Spells, Channel Divinity |
| 7th | Aura Of Bonded Scales |
| 15th | Draconic Fusion |
| 20th | Dragon Heart |
Oath Spells
You gain oath spells at the paladin levels listed.
| Paladin Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 3rd | Absorb Elements*, Feather Fall |
| 5th | Enlarge/Reduce, Warding Bond |
| 9th | Fear, Haste |
| 13th | Elemental Bane*, Polymorph |
| 17th | Destructive Wave*, Hold Monster |
Channel Divinity
When you take this oath at 3rd level, you gain the following two Channel Divinity options.
-
Summon Dragon Companion. As an action, you can magically summon your Dragon Companion that is bound to you. It appears in an unoccupied space of your choice within 30 feet of you.
The dragon is friendly to you and your companions, and it obeys your commands. See its game statistics in the accompanying Dragon Hatchling Companion stat block, which uses your Proficiency Bonus (PB) in several places. Whenever you summon your companion, choose a damage type listed in its Draconic Essence trait table below.
In combat, the dragon shares your initiative count, but it takes its turn immediately after yours. It can move and use its reaction on its own, but the only action it takes on its turn is the Dodge action, unless you take a bonus action on your turn to command it to take another action. That action can be one in its stat block or some other action. If you are incapacitated, the companion can take any action of its choice, not just Dodge.
The dragon remains until it is reduced to 0 hit points, until you use this feature to summon your companion again, or until you die. Anything the dragon was wearing or carrying is left behind when the companion vanishes. -
Dragon Burst. As a reaction to seeing your Dragon Companion be reduced to 0 hit points, it regains a number of hit points equal to three times your Paladin Level and can immediately make a Breath Weapon attack even if not available.
Marked Spells
Spells that have a asterisk (*) on your Oath Spells feature may use your Dragon Companion Draconic Essence's damage type, alongside the ones included in the spell description.
Aura Of Bonded Scales
Starting at 7th level, your Dragon Companion now uses the Dragon Wyrmling Companion stat block. You can use the dragon as a mount even if you are the same size.
Moreover, you emanate an aura that extends 10 feet from you in every direction, but not through total cover. You, as well as any allied creature, gain resistance to the damage type equal to your Dragon Companion Draconic Essence trait.
At 18th level, the range of this aura increases to 30 feet.
Draconic Fusion
When reach 15th level, your Dragon Companion now uses the Young Dragon Companion stat block.
Additionally, while mounted on it, you can make any spell you cast that targets only you also target the Dragon Companion.
Draconic Essence Table
| Dragon Color | Damage Type | Breath Weapon |
|---|---|---|
| Gold, Red | Fire | 15' cone / Dex Save |
| Brass | Fire | 5' by 30' line / Dex Save |
| Silver, White, Lunar | Cold | 15' cone / Con Save |
| Bronze, Blue | Lightning | 5' by 30' line / Dex Save |
| Copper, Black | Acid | 5' by 30' line / Dex Save |
| Green | Poison | 15' cone / Con Save |
| Amethyst | Force | 15' cone / Str Save |
Dragon Heart
Finally, at 20th level, your Dragon Companion now uses the Adult Dragon Companion stat block.
Furthermore, as an action while mounted, you gain the following benefits for one minute:
- Your Dragon Companion has resistance to all damage.
- Your dragon's breath weapon area increases to either a 5-ft. by 60-ft. line or a 30-foot cone, depending on your Wyrmling Breath Weapon choice.
- You may treat any roll for your Dragon Companion to regain a recharge action as a 6.
Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.
| Dragon Color | Damage Type | Breath Weapon |
|---|---|---|
| Crystal, Solar | Radiant | 15' cone / Con Save |
| Emerald | Psychic | 15' cone / Int Save |
| Sapphire | Thunder | 15' cone / Con Save |
| Topaz | Necrotic | 15' cone / Con Save |
| Deep | Psychic | 15' cone / Wis Save |
| Moonstone | Radiant | 15' cone / Dex Save |
| Shadow | Necrotic | Choose from any previous color |
Dragon Hatchling Companion
Small Dragon
- Armor Class 15 (Natural Armor)
- Hit Points 4 + four times your paladin level (the dragon has a number of Hit Dice [d6s] equal to your paladin level)
- Speed 30 ft., fly 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 14 (+2) 13 (+1) 13 (+1) 9 (-1) 13 (+1) 13 (+1)
- Saving Throws Constitution PB+1, Wisdom PB+1
- Damage Resistances Determined by Draconic Essence type.
- Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
- Languages Common, Draconic
Draconic Essence. Choose a damage type based on the dragon's color, according to the Draconic Essence Table. The chosen type determines the dragon’s damage resistance and breath weapon.
Actions
Bite. Melee weapon attack: Your spell attack modifier, 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1d6+PB piercing damage.
Hatchling Breath Weapon (Recharge 6). Ranged spell attack: Your spell attack modifier, 30 ft., one target. Hit: 2d6 damage determined by Draconic Essence type.
Dragon Wyrmling Companion
Medium Dragon
- Armor Class 16 (Natural Armor)
- Hit Points 5 + five times your paladin level (the dragon has a number of Hit Dice [d8s] equal to your paladin level)
- Speed 35 ft., fly 40 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 15 (+2) 11 (+1) 14 (+2) 15 (+2)
- Saving Throws Constitution PB+2, Wisdom PB+2
- Damage Immunities Determined by Draconic Essence type.
- Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
- Languages Common, Draconic
Draconic Essence. Choose a damage type based on the dragon's color, according to the Draconic Essence Table. The chosen type determines the dragon’s damage resistance and breath weapon.
Magical Attacks. Your Dragon Companion attacks count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage.
Actions
Bite. Melee weapon attack: Your spell attack modifier, 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1d8+PB piercing damage.
Wyrmling Breath Weapon (Recharge 6). The wyrmling exhales a blast of energy. All creatures in a certain area must succeed at a saving throw against your Spell Save DC, taking 4d6 damage on a failed save or half as much on a successful save. The damage type, area, and type of saving throw are determined by your dragon's Draconic Essence.
Young Dragon Companion
Large Dragon
- Armor Class 17 (Natural Armor)
- Hit Points 6 + six times your paladin level (the dragon has a number of Hit Dice [d10s] equal to your paladin level)
- Speed 40 ft., fly 50 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 18 (+4) 15 (+2) 17 (+3) 13 (+1) 15 (+2) 17 (+3)
- Saving Throws Constitution PB+3, Wisdom PB+2
- Damage Immunities Determined by Draconic Essence type.
- Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
- Languages Common, Draconic
Draconic Essence. Choose a damage type based on the dragon's color, according to the Draconic Essence Table. The chosen type determines the dragon’s damage resistance and breath weapon.
Magical Attacks. Your Dragon Companion attacks count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage.
Actions
Bite. Melee weapon attack: Your spell attack modifier, 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1d10+PB piercing damage.
Expanded Breath Weapon (Recharge 5-6). The young dragon exhales a blast of energy. All creatures in a certain area must succeed at a saving throw against your your Spell Save DC, taking 6d6 damage on a failed save or half as much on a successful save. The damage type, area, and type of saving throw are determined by your dragon's Draconic Essence.
Adult Dragon Companion
Huge Dragon
- Armor Class 18 (Natural Armor)
- Hit Points 7 + seven times your paladin level (the dragon has a number of Hit Dice [d12s] equal to your paladin level)
- Speed 45 ft., fly 60 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 20 (+5) 16 (+3) 19 (+4) 15 (+2) 16 (+3) 19 (+4)
- Saving Throws Constitution PB+4, Wisdom PB+3
- Damage Immunities Determined by Draconic Essence type.
- Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13
- Languages Common, Draconic
Draconic Essence. Choose a damage type based on the dragon's color, according to the Draconic Essence Table. The chosen type determines the dragon’s damage resistance and breath weapon.
Magical Attacks. Your Dragon Companion attacks count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage.
Actions
Bite. Melee weapon attack: Your spell attack modifier, 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1d12+PB piercing damage.
Mature Breath Weapon (Recharge 5-6). The adult dragon exhales a blast of energy. All creatures in a certain area must succeed at a saving throw against your Spell Save DC, taking 8d6 damage on a failed save or half as much on a successful save. The damage type, area, and type of saving throw are determined by your dragon's Draconic Essence.
A divine alternative for the drakewarden; a paladin with a dragon companion. Take with you your oath powers and dominate the skies with your draconic companion!
Artist Credit:
Art: Omar Samy
Back Art: Mabs_Gabs
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