Otherworldly Patron
When becoming a Warlock, at 1st level, you have struck a bargain with an otherworldly being of your choice. Your choice grants you features at 1st level and again at 6th, 10th, and 14th level. The Ancient Dragon is a Homebrew Option for this feature.
The Ancient Dragon
You have made a pact with one of the oldest, most powerful magical beings known to man: dragons. They are creatures of legend, famous for their influence all across the world, whether as cruel monsters or fair guardians.
There are ten types of dragons, each with their own damage type expertise, and each belonging to one of two alliances: Chromatic or Metallic.
Chromatic dragons are inherently malicious and known for their wicked nature, while Metallic dragons are inherently benevolent and known for being mighty yet peaceful. Your alignment doesn’t have to align with that of your patron, though it would mean working against their nature.
You choose your patron’s type or determine it randomly, using the Dragon Type table.
Dragon Type
| d10 | Chromatic | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Black | Acid |
| 2 | Blue | Lightning |
| 3 | Green | Poison |
| 4 | Red | Fire |
| 5 | White | Cold |
| d10 | Metallic | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Brass | Fire |
| 7 | Bronze | Lightning |
| 8 | Copper | Acid |
| 9 | Gold | Fire |
| 10 | Silver | Cold |
Expanded Spell List
At 1st level, the Ancient Dragon lets you choose from an expanded list of spells when you learn a warlock spell. The Ancient Dragon Expanded Spells table shows the dragon spells that are added to the warlock spell list for you, along with specific spells associated with your patron's kind: Chromatic or Metallic.
Ancient Dragon Expanded Spells
| Spell Level | Dragon Spells | Chromatic Spells | Metallic Spells |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Absorb Elements | Command | Feather Fall |
| 2nd | Dragon's Breath | Detect Thoughts | Calm Emotions |
| 3rd | Elemental Weapon | Glyph of Warding | Protection from Energy |
| 4th | Polymorph | Dominate Beast | Freedom of Movement |
| 5th | Legend Lore | Planar Binding | Synaptic Static |
Draconic Influence
Starting from 1st level, you are resistant to the type of damage associated with your patron and have advantage on all charisma checks against dragons belonging to the same alliance.
Clawed Strike
At 1st level, your patron has bestowed you with a natural weapon to mimic its own. Your hands grow sharp claws like that of a dragon and can be used to make unarmed attacks as an action or bonus action.
If you make an attack using your claws, you can deal slashing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength or Dexterity modifier (your choice), instead of the normal bludgeoning damage for an unarmed strike.
Frightful Presence
At 6th level, you inherit your patron’s Frightful Presence.
As an action, you can display your patron’s powerful aura. Each creature of your choice that is within 15 ft. that can see you must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw against your Spell Save DC or become 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. If a creature's saving throw is successful or the Effect ends for it, the creature is immune to your Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.
Once you’ve used this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
Draconic Breath
When you reach level 10, your dragon patron gives you the gift of one of its most powerful weapons: its breath.
You can use your action to exhale destructive energy. Your Patron Type determines the size, shape, and damage type of the exhalation.
When you use your breath weapon, each creature in the area of the exhalation must make a Dexterity saving throw against your Spell Save DC, A creature takes 8d6 damage on a failed save, and half as much damage on a successful one.
Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
Breath Weapon
| Patron Type | Damage Type | Breath Weapon |
|---|---|---|
| Black | Acid | 5 by 60 ft. line (Dex. save) |
| Blue | Lightning | 5 by 60 ft. line (Dex. save) |
| Brass | Fire | 5 by 60 ft. line (Dex. save) |
| Bronze | Lightning | 5 by 60 ft. line (Dex. save) |
| Copper | Acid | 5 by 60 ft. line (Dex. save) |
| Gold | Fire | 30 ft. cone (Dex. save) |
| Green | Poison | 30 ft. cone (Con. save) |
| Red | Fire | 30 ft. cone (Dex. save) |
| Silver | Cold | 30 ft. cone (Con. save) |
| White | Cold | 30 ft. cone (Con. save) |
Draconic Form
When you reach level 14, your patron bestows you a draconic form of your own. As an action, you can transform into a dragon that looks like a smaller version of your patron. The transformation lasts for 1 minute and you can revert as a bonus action. You also revert into your original form if you fall unconscious or die. Once you've used this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.
While transformed your size is Large and your AC equals 13 + your Dexterity Modifier. Any gear you're carrying merge into your new form, and you can’t use any melee weapons besides your unarmed strikes.
In your Draconic Form you have the following benefits:
- Dragon Resilience. You gain temporary hit points equal to your Warlock Level + Your Charisma Modifier (minimum of 1).
- Dragon Wings. You have a flight speed of 30 feet.
- Dragon Tail. You have a dragon’s tail which can be used to slam your enemy. This attack deals bludgeoning damage equal to 2d8 + your Strength Modifier.
- Vicious Claws. Your unarmed strike deals 1d6 additional slashing damage.
- Multi Attack. You can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn. You can use this feature to attack twice with your claws or once with your claws and once with your tail.
- Breath Recharge. At the start of each of your turns, you roll a d6. On a 5 or 6, your Dragon’s Breath feature recharges and can be used again.
Homebrew: The Ancient Dragon V. 1.0 - 2020
This D&D 5E subclass was designed by Taima B. If you like my work, consider Tipping me on Ko-Fi!
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Credits & Thanks
- Thank you to my Patreons and friends for support and feedback.
- My roleplay group who gave me the idea to design a dragon patron.
- Shleyy and Hugo for all their feedback and support.
- Emilija who made the lovely warlock illustration.
Check out more of her work at: https://www.artstation.com/emikl
Special thanks to my $10+ Patrons at the time of creating this subclass
- Patrick Feeney - https://threetrollsandadryad.tumblr.com
- Mike Hilyard
- Avalon
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