Dragon Shaman (Dungeons & Dragons)
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In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the Dragon Shaman is a character class introduced in the Player's Handbook II supplement.
This is not to be confused with a book series that shares the name Dragon Shaman Chronicles
Dragon Shamans are beings who strive to gain Draconic powers, not unlike what a Dragon Disciple does. However, unlike a Dragon Disciple, these beings are not necessairly born with the bloodline of a Dragon. Dragon Shamans, instead, earn their power by making a pact with a certain breed of Dragon. That Dragon is known as a Totem Dragon. By choosing a race of Dragons (usually the ones found in the Monster Manual, although a DM may allow other types of Dragons found in the Monster Manual 2 or the Monsters of Faérun), Dragon Shamans will slowly begin to grow less like their own species and more like a dragon; gaining auras, heal wounds similar to a Paladin's Lay on Hands ability, scaley skin, a dragon's breath, and eventually, a dragon's wings.
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[edit] Ability Scores
A Dragon Shaman makes use of a number of ability scores These are:
- Strength is always a key ability for any class that focuses on melee combat, enabling the Dragon Shaman to always hit its mark and make sure they feel it.
- Constitution not only increases a Dragon Shaman's health, but it also increases the save DC of its breath weapon.
- Charisma is useful for a Dragon Shaman if you wish to use the healing ability and remove negative conditions.
[edit] Alignment Restrictions
A Dragon Shaman must be within one step of their Totem Dragon's alignment. A Dragon Shaman cannot be True Neutral, as no dragon in the Core Rules is of such an alignment.
[edit] Skills and Starting Age
Dragon Shamans start off with 2 skill points + Intelligence modifier x4. They will then gain 2 skill points plus their Intelligence modifer per level thereafter. They also gain certain class skills based on what dragon they have made into their totem.
A Dragon Shaman's starting age, saves & Base Attack Bonus is exactly like a Druid.
[edit] Class Features
A Dragon Shaman gains the following abilities with their class:
- Weapon Proficiency (Simple) as well as Armor Proficiency (Light) and (Medium). They are also capable of handling all shields except towers.
- The option to take Draconic as a bonus language.
In addition, they gain several abilities as they progress with the class:
- Starting at 1st level, dragon shamans gain the supernatural ability to project an aura of draconic power that gives themselves and their allies a boost. The benefit depends on the kind of aura the dragon shaman chooses. Seven different kinds of auras are available, and the dragon shaman knows three of them at 1st level. At every odd-numbered level after that, dragon shamans will learn another aura, until they knows all seven at 9th level.
The various auras can sheathe dragon shamans and their allies in a protective energy shield, improve melee damage, provide a bonus to interaction skills, provide energy resistance, provide a bonus to perception skills, provide damage reduction, or provide a limited form of the fast healing special quality. The aura has a 30-foot radius and lasts as long as the dragon shaman remains conscious or uses a swift action to change the aura's effect. The benefit usually comes in the form of a bonus to a roll or check or has another numerical effect as noted in the class description. At 1st level, the bonus from a dragon shaman's aura is +1. The bonus improves to +2 at 5th level, +3 at 10th level, +4 at 15th level, and +5 at 20th level.
- The ability at 2nd, 8th, and 16th level to gain the Skill Focus feat for any skill that their Totem Dragon gives them.
- At 4th level, a Dragon Shaman gains a breath weapon depending on their Totem. The initial damage is 2d6, but increases every two levels to a maximium of 10d6 at 20th level. The DC is 10 + 1/2 Dragon Shaman level + Constitution modifer. After use, you must wait 1d4 rounds before you can use it again.
- No longer succumbs to paralysis or sleep effects starting at 4th level. They are also no longer effected by a dragon's fear aura.
- Gain certain adaption abilities based on your Totem. It can range from Spider Climb at will to full functionality in water. At 13th level, they can extend this abilitiy to their allies within 30 feet of them.
- At 6th level gains the ability to heal others for a maximium of twice their class level times their Charisma modifer. At 11th level, a Shaman can cure status conditions depending on how many points they put into it.
- Have scales on their skin, adding a +1 Natural Armor bonus at 7th level . It increases to +2 at 12th and +3 at 17th.
- The ability to become immune to the energy type of your breath weapon at 9th level.
- The ability to commune with your Totem Dragon at 14th level.
- Gain Draconic wings at 19th level.
[edit] Losing the Class
For a Dragon Shaman, shifting in alignment one step outside of the Totem Dragon's will result in losing all the abilities given by the dragon.
For instance, Parn the Dragon Shaman's totem is a Red Dragon. Parn's alignment must be either Neutral Evil, Chaotic Evil, or Chaotic Neutral. If Parn's alignment were to move towards Lawful Evil, or in this case Chaotic Good, the Totem Dragon would no longer allow Parn to use his powers or abilities.
Parn then must search out for another dragon of his or close to his alignment that will allow him access to his powers. If he finds a Dragon Shaman of higher level that has a Brass Dragon that is its totem, the Dragon Shaman must use all his or her touch of vitality ability on Parn every day for a week. Once the week is over, they obtain that Dragon's abilities. Parn must now adjust all of his skill focuses to match that of the Brass Dragon's allotted skills.
Any skill points that Parn put into the class abilities gained by the Red Dragon remain the same. However, the skills are now considered to be cross-classed except for bluff which is a skill the Brass dragon gives access to.
