Dragon Knight

Creating a Dragon Knight

As you create a dragon knight, the most important thing to consider is what draconic order you are a part of and why. Beyond just the abilities they grant, consider the tendencies and interests of each order. If you have the Monster Manual, you may consider reading about the dragon that your order reveres. How do you fit in, or not fit in, with this Draconic Order?

Dragon knights pursue many ways of life for many different reasons. Are you dedicated to an order because you were saved by a dragon, and are now on a quest to repay him? Are you a mercenary looking for a way to increase your capabilities that also aligns with your personal philosophies? Are you a fallen prince or princess, seeking great power to reclaim your throne?

Class Features

As a dragon knight, you gain the following class features.

Draconic Spells

You gain spells (or cantrips) based on your draconic order at 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th levels. Once you learn these spells, they are always prepared and do not count against your number of prepared spells per day. Any spells you learn from your draconic order are cast as dragon knight spells even if they do not appear on the dragon knight spell list.

Discipline Spells

At 15th and 17th levels, you have disciplined your study of magic such that you advance beyond your previous capabilities. You focus this discipline by studying another way of life that your draconic order admires. At 15th level, you gain one 8th-level spell of your choice from a particular class's spell list - determined by your draconic order. Additionally, you learn one cantrip of your choice from that spell list, and it does not count toward your total number of cantrips known. At 17th level, you gain one 9th-level spell of your choice from the same spell list. Additionally, you learn one 1st-level spell of your choice from this spell list, and it does not count toward your total number of prepared spells each day.

You may cast the 8th and 9th level spells once per long rest without expending a spell slot, and they do not count toward your number of spells prepared each day. You regain any expended uses after finishing a long rest.

Ability Score Improvement

When you reach 4th Level, and again at 8th, 12th, 16th, and 19th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two Ability Scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can’t increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.

Spellblade

When you reach 5th level, you may take both an Attack and a Spell action each turn. If you used your action to do anything besides those two things, you do not get any extra actions.

Territorial

Starting at 7th level, you have advantage on saving throws in a particular type of terrain, and your physical attacks deal an extra 1d4 damage in that terrain. The terrain type is determined by your draconic order and in line with the terrain your order's dragon typically inhabits. This is further detailed under the Dweller feature in your draconic order's section.

Starting at 11th level, you also have an additional 5 feet of movement speed in that terrain.

Frightful Presence

Starting at 10th level, once per long rest, you can use your Frightful Presence feature at the start of combat. All hostile creatures within 90 feet must make a Charisma saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect

on itself on a success.

Starting at 19th level, you can use this ability twice per long rest, and the range increases to 120 feet.

Dragon Form

At 20th level, you have mastered your draconic connection, and can use it once per day to transform into a dragon of your order for up to 1 minute. Your size increases to Huge, your speed increases to 40 feet, and you gain a fly speed of 80 feet. Your hit points are doubled, and you take on a natural armor class of 20. The range of your breath weapon increases to 60 feet if it’s a line or 30 feet if it’s a cone, and the damage increases to 12d6.

You have the Multiattack feature, which allows you to use your action to make one attack with your bite and two with your claws. Your bite deals 5d10 piercing damage and your claws deal 3d8 slashing damage. You can alternatively use your action to attack with your tail, which deals 4d8 bludgeoning damage and knocks any creature that is Large or smaller back 10 feet. You are proficient with all these attacks, which are based in Strength. You may still cast spells as normal while in this form.

Your ability scores increase as follows: Strength – +7; Dexterity – +2; Constitution – +4; Wisdom – +5; Intelligence – +3; Charisma – +7.

If you are Order of the Faerie Dragon or Pseudodragon, things are a bit different. Your size is instead tiny, and your Strength and Dexterity scores are swapped. Your bite deals 2d10 piercing damage. As a faerie dragon you cannot make a claw attack. As a pseudodragon, your claws deal 2d10 slashign damage. Your tail attack deals 1d8 bludgeoning damage and does not knock targets back, but your tail is prehensile and can grab and lift objects. You are also able to cast spells at will without expending spell slots. For Faerie Dragons, Pseudodragons, and Wyverns, the Breath Weapon improvement differs, and this is explained further under each draconic order's specific section.

Draconic Orders

Becoming a dragon knight involves dedicating yourself to a draconic order. You cannot become a dragon knight without following the path of a particular dragon type, and the order you choose determines many of your capabilities and helps shape your character's traits, values, and goals.

Acid Breath

The damage type of your breath weapon is Acid, and its shape is a 5 x 30 ft. line. Creatures in its path must make a Dexterity saving throw.

Acid Resistance

You have resistance to acid damage.

Cruel Hope

Starting at 2nd level, you may forgo an attack of opportunity against a creature that provokes one in order to deal extra damage on your next attack against them equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier.

Strong Stomach

Starting at 2nd level, you have advantage on Constitution saving throws related to any food or liquid you’ve consumed (willingly or unwillingly).

Festering Overgrowth

Starting at 6th level, you can use this feature once per long rest. By meditating for one hour, you can cause an up-to-100-foot square (be it terrain, building, dungeon, etc.) to become overgrown with vines and weeds, making it difficult terrain. If this square is within one mile of a swamp, the water is also fouled.

Starting at 14th level, the square can be up to 300 feet, and the water is fouled no matter what. At this point, if you are within one mile of a swamp, some of the plants exude a nauseous gas that requires creatures to make a Constitution saving throw (the DC of which is based on your Spell Save DC) or be Poisoned for 1 minute. Poisoned creatures take 1d10 poison damage per round.

Swamp Dweller

Starting at 7th level, you have advantage on saving throws in swamp terrain, and your physical attacks deal an extra 1d4 damage in that terrain.

Starting at 11th level, you also have an additional 5 feet of movement speed in swamp terrain.

Prey on the Weak

Starting at 8th level, when engaging three or more foes in combat, you can use a free action on your first turn in the initiative order to attack whichever foe is weakest. You still have your action(s), movement, and any potential bonus actions which can be used on this turn.

Starting at 11th level, you have advantage on this attack roll, and you roll a critical hit for this roll on an 18, 19, or 20.

Warlock Discipline Spells

At 15th and 17th levels, you choose your discipline spells from the Warlock spell list. Discipline Spells are further detailed above in the Discipline Spells subsection of Spellcasting.

Acidic Assault

Starting at 17th level, any critical hits you land deal a bonus 1d12 acid damage.

Order of the Blue Dragon

The Order of the Blue Dragon models many of its techniques after the blue dragons they revere; they hone lightning abilities, learn the desert and how to manipulate terrains to their advantage, develop networks with trusted criminals, surround themselves with crystals and glass, and stand for nothing less than being the best. They come from all walks of life and pride themselves on their versatility and adaptability.

Sorcerer Discipline Spells

At 15th and 17th levels, you choose your discipline spells from the Sorcerer spell list. Discipline Spells are further detailed above in the Discipline Spells subsection of Spellcasting.

Draconic Pride

Starting at 17th level, once per long rest, if you have failed an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw of any kind, you may choose to succeed instead. You regain the use of this feature after finishing a long rest.

Order of the Brass Dragon

The Order of the Brass Dragon takes great pleasure in conversation as well as providing shelter and aid to those in need. Many of them spend much of their time in humanitarian work, though they are all skilled combatants. They are unlikely to become mercenaries, instead preferring to offer their services as just that; services. Some will run or work at inns as a means of income. They devote much of their training to positively influencing and protecting others, though their penchant for conversation can at times be a little self-serving, much like the brass dragons they revere.

Order of the Bronze Dragon

The Order of the Bronze Dragon attracts soldiers, generals, tacticians, war historians, and so forth. They seek out conflicts of righteousness, looking to aid in battles or wars on the side of the good. They spend a great deal of time studying the ways of war. They also are peaceable with animals, usually preferring instead to eat fish and plants like the bronze dragons they revere.

Lightning Resistance

You have resistance to lightning damage.

Animal Whisperer

Starting at 2nd level, you can cast the Animal Friendship spell as a cantrip.

War Historian

Starting at 2nd level, you have advantage on all Intelligence and Wisdom based checks related to battles or violent conflicts that have already happened.

Repulsion

Starting at 6th level, any creature that fails any kind of melee attack roll against you is pushed back 10 feet.

Starting at 14th level, the distance increases to 20 feet and they also take 1d6 force damage.

Coast Dweller

Starting at 7th level, you have advantage on saving throws in coast terrain, and your physical attacks deal an extra 1d4 damage in that terrain.

Starting at 11th level, you also have an additional 5 feet of movement speed in coast terrain.

Battle Tactics

Starting at 8th level, you can call out suggestions to allied creatures in battle at any time, and if they use their action to fulfill your suggestion, they have advantage on any rolls they have to complete for that action.

Starting at 17th level, your allies can add a d4 to all their attack rolls during combat if you are the first among your allies in the initiative order.

War Machine

Starting at 11th level, you may add your Strength modifier to the damage of all physical attacks.

Cleric Discipline Spells

At 15th and 17th levels, you choose your discipline spells from the Cleric spell list. Discipline Spells are further detailed above in the Discipline Spells subsection of Spellcasting.

Order of the Copper Dragon

The Order of the Copper Dragon is a place for storytellers, pranksters, musicians, and entertainers. It also sometimes attracts Bards, and they tend to have good relations with Bards. They take an optimistic approach to life, and while they are often mercenaries or soldiers for the cause of good, they insist on bringing a sense of fun to everything, since life is hard enough as it is. They revere copper dragons.

Order of the Dragon Turtle

The Order of the Dragon Turtle attracts honest sailors, pirates, and scholars fascinated with the aquatic world. They revere dragon turtles and have a great respect for the power and danger of the sea and other large bodies of water. They are resourceful and make great defenders, though they usually do not go out of their way to help others unless it serves their own interests.

Order of the Faerie Dragon

The Order of the Faerie Dragon is a place for tricksters and mischief makers and those who are friendly to or fascinated by the fey. There are more serious members of this order, but they are always adventurous or friendly in some way. They are not tied to a specific alignment, but they are often good. They revere faerie dragons, and though they are formidable warriors, they tend to prefer solving problems through peaceable (and/or amusing) means.

Psychic Resistance

You have resistance to psychic damage.

Friend of the Fey

At 2nd level you learn Sylvan, and starting at 2nd level, you have advantage on Charisma-based checks with fey creatures.

Minor Magic Resistance

Starting at 2nd level, you can add a d2 to any saving throws against magic.

Faerie Dust

Starting at 6th level, you can use this feature once per rest as an action to sprinkle rainbow, glittery, magic dust on a willing creature. For the next hour, the affected creature can add a d4 to all ability checks. This stacks with similar effects.

Starting at 14th level, the bonus die increases to a d10.

You regain the use of this feature after finishing a short or long rest.

Forest Dweller

Starting at 7th level, you have advantage on saving throws in forest terrain, and your physical attacks deal an extra 1d4 damage in that terrain.

Starting at 11th level, you also have an additional 5 feet of movement speed in forest terrain.

Mystical Mischief

At 8th level, you learn two non-damaging transmutation and/or illusion cantrips of your choice, and these do not count toward your total number of cantrips known.

At 11th level, you learn one 1st-level transmutation and one 1st-level illusion spell of your choice from any spell list as cantrips. You can cast them at will, and they do not count toward your total number of cantrips known.

Druid Discipline Spells

At 15th and 17th levels, you choose your discipline spells from the Druid spell list. Discipline Spells are further detailed above in the Discipline Spells subsection of Spellcasting.

Alter Color

Starting at 17th level, you can use this feature once per long

rest to permanently or temporarily (your choice) alter the color of an inanimate object or willing creature to any color of your choice. You can alter one part of them or all of them, but you may only alter to one color at a time. You regain the use of this feature by finishing a long rest.

If a creature is unwilling, it makes a Constitution saving throw (against your Spell Save DC). On a failed save, the color change is permanent if you so choose. On a successful save, the color change can only last up to one hour. Either way, the unwilling creature becomes hostile toward you.

You can choose any color. However, racial skin changing would be highly looked down on by this draconic order, and if you attempt to do so the spell will automatically fail.

Order of the Gold Dragon

The Order of the Gold dragon is dedicated to rooting out and destroying evil. They devote their lives to this cause, and hone their skills after the gold dragons they revere. Some Paladins join this order, but the order itself is dedicated to a utopian goal, so unlike paladins, their oaths can never truly be fulfilled. Still, they maintain their idealistic hopes and goals, and perservere through great discouragement.

Coast Dweller

Starting at 7th level, you have advantage on saving throws in coast terrain, and your physical attacks deal an extra 1d4 damage in that terrain.

Starting at 11th level, you also have an additional 5 feet of movement speed in coast terrain.

Rejuvenating Riches

Starting at 8th level, once per long rest, you can use your action to magically consume any amount of gold, regaining hit points equal to half the gold you consumed.

Starting at 11th level, you can now regain hit points equal to the amount of gold you consumed. You can also gain up to 5 temporary hit points this way.

Cleric Discipline Spells

At 15th and 17th levels, you choose your discipline spells from the Cleric spell list. Discipline Spells are further detailed above in the Discipline Spells subsection of Spellcasting.

Premonition

Starting at 17th level, you have advantage on your first saving throw of each combat encounter. If you already had advantage on that saving throw due to another trait, you automatically succeed instead. This does not stack with spells, however.

Order of the Green Dragon

The Order of the Green Dragon focuses its training on cleverness, subterfuge, and an affinity with nature. They attract con artists and naturalists and are always looking for ways to get the best out of any situation or transaction. They make uniquely useful mercenaries and exceptional spies. They revere green dragons, though they are not necessarily as covetous as the creatures.

Order of the Pseudodragon

The Order of the Pseudodragon is a haven for those seeking

Pseudodragon Spells

Puncturing Touch

Rather than a breath weapon, you have a draconic touch, which is a touch-ranged ability. The damage type is Piercing, and a touched creature must make a Constitution saving throw. If the saving throw fails by 5 or more, the creature falls unconscious for 1 hour or until otherwise awakened.

At 20th level, while in Dragon Form, the damage increases to 13d6, and the creature falls unconscious if they fail the saving throw at all.

Psychic Resistance

You have resistance to psychic damage.

Keen Senses

Starting at 2nd level, you have advantage on Perception and Investigation checks that rely on sight, hearing, or smell.

Minor Magic Resistance

Starting at 2nd level, you can add a d2 to any saving throws against magic.

Empath

Starting at 6th level, you are able to communicate and read emotions telepathically. You have advantage on Insight checks to tell what other creatures are feeling, and you can send simple emotional impulses such as happiness, anger, or curiosity. Creatures are unaware that they have been impacted by your empathic abilities, and you have advantage on any Charisma checks to get them to do what you want.

Starting at 14th level, you may send up to three strong impulses per long rest. A creature must make a Charisma saving throw or be overwhelmed by the emotional impulse you send, acting accordingly. For example, a creature overwhelmed by anger may start attacking creatures and objects indiscriminately.

Familiar with Familiars

Starting at 8th level, you learn the find familiar spell, and you may cast it once per long rest without expending a spell slot.

Solitary Defender

Starting at 11th level, whenever there are no allies within 25

feet of you, you have advantage on attack rolls and saving throws.

Quiet Spellcaster

Starting at 17th level, you may cast all spells without any verbal components, meaning you can still cast verbal spells when silenced.

Varied Dweller

Starting at 7th level, you have advantage on saving throws in one of the following terrains of your choice, and your physical attacks deal an extra 1d4 damage in that terrain. Your terrain options are: coastal, desert, forest, grassland, or mountain.

Starting at 11th level, you also have an additional 5 feet of movement speed in your chosen terrain.

Sorcerer Discipline Spells

At 15th and 17th levels, you choose your discipline spells from the Sorcerer spell list. Discipline Spells are further detailed above in the Discipline Spells subsection of Spellcasting.

Order of the Red Dragon

The Order of the Red Dragon has a reputation for being the most violent and greedy, though this is not necessarily true. While there are evil-aligned members of this red-dragon-revering order, many others are simply financially ambitious and prefer to punch first and ask questions later. They make excellent mercenaries. Fire magic, money acquisition, and subjugation of enemies are all a part of their unique training.

Coercion

Starting at 6th level, you have advantage on Intimidation checks.

Starting at 14th level, a successful Intimidation check allows you to give the affected creature a command that they must obey, so long as it is not fatal to them.

Mountain Dweller

Starting at 7th level, you have advantage on saving throws in mountain terrain, and your physical attacks deal an extra 1d4 damage in that terrain.

Starting at 11th level, you also have an additional 5 feet of movement speed in mountain terrain.

Volcanic Eruption

Starting at 8th level, you can use this feature as an action once per long rest. When you are outside of a building on the ground, choose a point on the ground to cause magma to erupt in a 10 foot square around it. Those caught in the eruption take 3d8 fire damage and 1d4 bludgeoning damage. The magma remains there permanently, becoming difficult terrain, and it takes 24 hours to cool. Every 5 feet a creature moves through the magma inflicts 1d8 fire damage.

Starting at 11th level, it becomes a 15 foot square and the initial fire damage increases to 4d8.

You regain the use of this feature after finishing a long rest.

Vengeful

Starting at 17th level, whenever a creature lands a critical hit against you, if they are within melee range, you may use your reaction for a retaliatory strike with whatever melee weapon you are using (or simply your hands if you do not have one), which is an automatic critical hit.

Sorcerer Discipline Spells

At 15th and 17th levels, you choose your discipline spells from the Sorcerer spell list. Discipline Spells are further detailed above in the Discipline Spells subsection of Spellcasting.

Order of the Sapphire Dragon

The Order of the Sapphire Dragon is an order for scholars and scientists. Revering sapphire dragons, they focus on forbidden knowledge – which often puts them at odds with aberrations – and the manipulation of psionic energies. They immerse themselves in research or experimentation, and often are helping people or embarking on quests to find answers or perhaps to find new questions. They tend to be more neutral about the affairs of the world than evil or good, but their thirst for knowledge can put them anywhere on that spectrum.

Order of the Shadow Dragon

The Order of the Shadow Dragon is made up mostly of thieves, bandits, and assassins, though not all factions of the order are evil. They revere shadow dragons and as such have a fascination with the Shadowfell – a dark and dangerous plane and the source of all such dragons. They prize subtlety and stealth and often pursue lives of quiet warfare or daring heists.

Shadow Dragon Spells

Shadow Breath

The damage type of your breath weapon is Necrotic, and its shape is a 15 ft. cone. Creatures in its path must make a Dexterity saving throw.

Necrotic Resistance

You have resistance to necrotic damage.

Brash Subtlety

Starting at 2nd level, you become proficient in the Stealth skill, and you do not have disadvantage on stealth checks while wearing heavy armor.

Enhanced Darkvision

Starting at 2nd level, you gain Darkvision if you do not have it already, and you can see an additional 30 feet in both darkness and dim light.

In the Shadows

Starting at 6th level, you have advantage on attack rolls in dim light and darkness.

Starting at 14th level, you land a critical hit if you roll an 18-20 while in dim light or darkness.

Underdark Dweller

Starting at 7th level, you have advantage on saving throws in Underdark terrain, and your physical attacks deal an extra 1d4 damage in that terrain.

Starting at 11th level, you also have an additional 5 feet of movement speed in Underdark terrain.

Dark Portal

Starting at 8th level, you can use this feature once per long rest as an action to create a portal to the Shadowfell. You can choose which creatures are able to enter the portal. Once in the Shadowfell, you can use the feature to create another portal back to the Material Plane, but only if you do so within one minute, otherwise you are trapped there until you finish a long rest.

Starting at 11th level, once you have opened a portal, you can use a bonus action to beckon a creature to pass through the portal from the Shadowfell. The creature is determined either at random or by the DM. Once it enters, you must make a Charisma saving throw to see if the creature is hostile toward you. On a successful save, it is friendly toward you for one hour. On a failed save, it is hostile.

Wizard Discipline Spells

At 15th and 17th levels, you choose your discipline spells from the Wizard spell list. Discipline Spells are further detailed above in the Discipline Spells subsection of Spellcasting.

Shade In

Starting at 17th level, whenever you exit Stealth, whether that be willingly or upon being discovered, you deal 1d10 necrotic damage to any hostile creatures within 15 feet of you, and you may add a d4 to your next saving throw, (if it is within 1 minute).

Order of the Silver Dragon

The Order of the Silver Dragon attracts philosophers and illusionists. They are very personable and friendly, and tend to be of longer-lived races such as elves and gnomes, as – like the silver dragons they revere – they are fascinated with the idea of mortality, specifically that of the shorter-lived races such as humans. They also vigorously study shapeshifting and seek to develop an innate magic for it on their own.

Shapeshifter

Starting at 8th level, you can use this feature as an action once per long rest to transform into any humanoid creature of any race or gender you have seen that has a challenge rating (or NPC character level) equal to or lower than your character level. The change lasts up to one hour.

Your game statistics are replaced by the statistics of the chosen creature, though you retain your alignment and Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores. You also retain all of your skill and saving throw proficiencies, in addition to gaining those of the creature. If the creature has the same proficiency as you and the bonus listed in its statistics is higher than yours, use the creature's bonus in place of yours. You can't use any legendary actions of the new form. You do not learn any of the creature’s languages that you do not already speak.

Starting at 11th level, you can use this feature twice per long rest and can use it as a bonus action. You also learn the creature’s languages that you don’t speak, but you retain none of this linguistic knowledge once the transformation is over.

You regain any expended uses of this feature after finishing a long rest.

Avoid Collateral Damage

Starting at 17th level, any spells you cast that may negatively affect or damage friendly or allied creatures will leave them unscathed. You may also choose to leave any parts of the environment unscathed that your character would wish to preserve when applicable.

Wizard Discipline Spells

At 15th and 17th levels, you choose your discipline spells from the Wizard spell list. Discipline Spells are further detailed above in the Discipline Spells subsection of Spellcasting.

Order of the White Dragon

The Order of the White Dragon attracts hunters, trappers, and even sometimes rangers. They revere white dragons, are adept at adapting to cold environments, and excel at hunting and tracking prey. They pride themselves on having a singular focus and always see their missions and commitments through.

Order of the Wyvern

The Order of the Wyvern attracts alchemists, hunters, and adventurers, though they tend to be those on the aggressive side. They revere wyverns, cousins to dragons, and attempt to emulate both their prowess as hunters and their comfort with

Wyvern Spells

Stinging Touch

Rather than a breath weapon, you have a draconic touch, which is a touch-ranged ability. The damage type is Poison, and a touched creature must make a Constitution saving throw. If the saving throw fails by 5 or more, the creature is poisoned for 1 hour.

At 20th level, while in Dragon Form, the damage increases to 13d6, and the creature is poisoned if they fail the saving throw at all.

Poison Resistance

You have resistance to poison damage.

Poisoner

Starting at 2nd level, you become proficient with a poisoner's kit, and you have advantage on any Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma checks related to poisons, venomous creatures, or poisonous plants.

High Ground

Starting at 2nd level, you have advantage on all attack rolls against creatures 10 or more feet lower than you.

Starting at 11th level, you deal an additional 1d2 damage on attacks for every 5 feet you are above the creature you're attacking, starting at 10 feet above.

Aggressive

Starting at 6th level, you deal 1d4 additional damage to an enemy that has not attempted to attack you yet.

Mountain Dweller

Starting at 7th level, you have advantage on saving throws in mountain terrain, and your physical attacks deal an extra 1d4 damage in that terrain.

Starting at 11th level, you also have an additional 5 feet of movement speed in mountain terrain.

Jump Attack

At 8th level, you gain the ability to use this feature once per long rest. While taking the attack action, you leap into the air before striking and score an automatic critical hit.

At 17th level, you may use this feature twice per long rest.

Recklessness

At 14th level, you may take a permanent 1 point decrease in either Intelligence or Wisdom (your choice) for a permanent

2 point increase in either Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, or Charisma. Alternatively, you may increase two of those by 1 point.

Witch Doctor Discipline Spells

At 15th and 17th levels, you choose your discipline spells from the Witch Doctor spell list. Discipline Spells are further detailed above in the Discipline Spells subsection of Spellcasting.

If you don't have access to this spell list, you may use either the Druid or Sorcerer spell list instead, but not both.

Class-Exclusive Spells

Dragon Knight Spells