I have a question about how you run dragons. So looking at the DM’s Sourcebook to the Realms (1E Gray Box), it mentions that FR dragons are significantly stronger than those presented in the 1E MM, like having twice the number of attacks (up to 6) and a stronger (1) Breath Weapon.
Now looking at the 2E MM and the 5E MM, Most dragons only have 3 attacks, claw/claw/bite, with a tail attack every now and then. My question is, would you run Dragons in other editions of D&D (2e 3.5 or 5e) with the changes presented in the original Gray Box? (2)— Alex McClay (@AlexMcclay2000) March 29, 2021
So they could attack claw/claw/claw/claw/bite/bite and potentially use their Breath Weapon more often / it being more dangerous?
Thanks in advance!
— Alex McClay (@AlexMcclay2000) March 29, 2021
1)
Heh. The short answer, in the Realms, is almost always: it depends.
On the dragon, that is.
They are strong-willed, vain individuals, and very much Do Things Their Own Way.
Most of “my” dragons had long-standing spell defenses (2e: guards and wards, later… 2)
…editions, legendary actions/lairs) in place around them, traps, and "hanging" spells (cast but not unleashed, hanging fire until the right moment, which is when they need them against an intruder. Most dragons don't like to fight in their lairs (too confined), #Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 29, 2021
3)
…and try to take the battle outside in a hurry, where they can take to the skies and launch flyby and pounce attacks, or even trigger (pre-prepared) avalanches and collapses, or unleash caged monsters on intruders. Fiction (Hollywood and small-screen… 4)
…in particular) have given us endless incidents of so-called brilliant adversaries who are stupid enough to stand and fight heroes in person when they could use smarter tactics, but dragons are seldom so stupid. "My" dragons usually avoid situations where…#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 29, 2021
5)
…nastier claw attacks and breath weapons are helpful. Though I do love a good tail sweep/smash. ;}
As Gary used to say: "The game is called Dungeons & DRAGONS. Your dragons should be AWESOME. Meaning, FEARED."#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 29, 2021