PF 1e - Dragon Rider

Mental Link (Su)

A bonded dragon and rider can communicate telepathically at will, as long as they are on the same plane. They always know the direction to each other, and are aware of any conditions the other is suffering. A bonded dragon uses the same initiative as its rider.

Draconic Power (Sp)

At 2nd level and every 2 levels after, the bond between dragon and rider has strengthened enough for the rider to gain a draconic power, as the rider's very being is shaped by the magical power surging through their connection.

Unless otherwise specified, each power can only be taken once. All energy damage and energy resistance mentioned in these powers are of the same type as the bonded dragon's breath weapon. If the rider bonds with a new dragon, the energy damage and energy resistance change type to match the new dragon's breath weapon.

Wings, for Flight and Fight(ing)

Imperial dragons, unlike chromatic, metallic, primal, outer, and esoteric dragons, are wingless. Their flight is a supernatural ability, and they gain the ability to gore enemies with their horns rather than attack foes with their wings.

Bonded Dragon Features

Racial Traits

• d12 Hit Die
• low-light vision
• 60 ft. darkvision
• immune to magical sleep and paralysis
• energy resistance 10 to their own energy type
• 30 ft. base speed, 20 ft. swim speed
• size-dependent fly speed and maneuverability

Advancement

While the dragon rider prestige class only has 10 levels, a chart is provided all the way up to level 20 because of the possibility of stacking with other class levels (in exchange for replacing existing companions). See the rider's Bonded Dragon class feature for details.

Languages

A bonded dragon knows Common and Draconic. It can learn new languages normally, through an increased Int modifier or the Linguistics skill.

Ability Scores

All baby bonded dragons are shaped by their magical bond with the rider, giving them the following starting ability scores: Str 8, Dex 14, Con 10, Int 11, Wis 10, Cha 12. They also get 5 extra points to distribute at 1st level, but no more than 3 of those points can go into any one ability score. The listed ability score bonuses and penalties given in the Bonded Dragon table replace the standard bonuses and penalties that come with increased size.

Skills

The bonded dragon's class skills are Acrobatics (Dex), Appraise (Int), Climb (Str), Escape Artist (Dex), Fly (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Knowledge (nature) (Int), Perception (Wis), Stealth (Dex), Survival (Wis), and Swim (Str). A bonded dragon with an increased Int modifier gains extra skill ranks per hit die, as normal.

Breath Weapon (Su)

At 1st level, once every 1d6 rounds, a bonded dragon can use its breath weapon as a standard action. It deals 1d6 damage, plus another 1d6 for every 2 bonded dragon levels beyond 1st. Targets can make a Reflex save for half damage (DC = 10 + 1/2 the dragon's Hit Dice + the dragon's Con modifier).

A line breath has a range of 20 ft. plus 10 ft. for every 2 bonded dragon levels beyond 1st, while a cone breath has a range of 10 ft. plus 5 ft. for every 2 bonded dragon levels beyond 1st. The damage type and the breath shape vary from dragon to dragon, and are listed on the Dragon Types tables.

Bite

At 1st level, a bonded dragon can bite its foes. This is a primary attack that adds 1-1/2 times the dragon's Str modifier to damage. It also has reach as though the dragon were one size larger.

Claws

At 1st level, a bonded dragon can make two claw swipes. These are primary attacks that add the dragon's Str modifier to damage.

Share Spells (Ex)

At 2nd level, the rider may cast a spell or spell-like ability with a target of "You" on the bonded dragon (as a touch range spell). The rider may cast spells or spell-like abilities on the bonded dragon even if they would normally not affect creatures of its type.

Spell-Like Abilities (Sp)

At 2nd level and every 4 levels thereafter, a bonded dragon learns to use a new spell-like ability (see the Dragon Types tables), using its Hit Dice (not its bonded dragon level) as its caster level (DC = 10 + 1/2 the dragon's Hit Dice + the dragon's Cha modifier). It can use these abilities a number of times per day as shown on the Bonded Dragon table.

Intimidating (Ex)

At 4th level, a bonded dragon gains a morale bonus to Intimidate equal to its Hit Dice.

Wings

At 6th level, a bonded chromatic, metallic, primal, outer, or esoteric dragon can make two wing attacks. These are secondary attacks that add 1/2 times the dragon's Str modifier to damage.

Gore

At 6th level, a bonded imperial dragon can gore foes with its horns. This is a primary attack that adds 1-1/2 times the dragon's Str modifier to damage. It also has reach as though the dragon were one size larger.

Multiattack (Ex)

At 7th level, a bonded dragon gains Multiattack as a bonus feat.

Reciprocated Share Spells (Ex)

At 9th level, the bonded dragon may cast a spell or spell-like ability with a target of "You" on the rider (as a touch range spell). The bonded dragon may cast spells or spell-like abilities on the rider even if they would normally not affect creatures of its type.

Tail Slap

At 11th level, a bonded dragon can slap enemies with its tail. This is a secondary attack that adds 1/2 times the dragon's Str modifier to damage.

Enhanced Senses (Ex)

At 13th level, a bonded dragon gains 30 ft. scent and a +6 racial bonus to Perception.

Potent Breath (Su)

At 16th level, a bonded dragon's breath weapon can be used once every 1d4 rounds, and its damage dice are changed from d6s to d8s.

Frightful Presence (Ex)

At 20th level, a bonded dragon gains a frightful presence aura with a radius of 60 ft., a duration of 3d6 rounds, and a DC = 10 + 1/2 the dragon's Hit Dice + the dragon's Cha modifier.

Standard Dragons

Exotic Dragons

Alien Dragons