Dragon-Rider Bond

This is a set of optional boons and bonuses that can be granted to a pair of player characters or NPCs, consisting of a paired dragon rider and a dragon. The system has been tailored to make use of a different homebrew which this content applies a few tweaks to in order to make narrative sense in my homebrew campaign setting.

In the past, others have attempted to create similar systems to represent a dragon-rider bond. Some have made PC classes or subclasses that let player characters become dragon riders, or which otherwise let them fight alongside dragons. Others have homebrewed systems for how to play as or run campaign settings using dragons, both RAW and homebrew.

My choice was to design a system of incremental bonuses that can be taken by any class in dnd, granting them the flavor of working together with a dragon, while also providing mechanical and thematic benefits to the dragon itself as a part of this bond. Some assumptions about the classes used and the nature of dragons were made, such as:

1. This system is neither a class, nor a series of feats. It is a series of boons granted by the DM which help indicate the degree to which the rider and the dragon trust, work, and fight together. Both rider and dragon can gain the boons of the Dragon-Rider Bond at any level, and the benefits granted by the bond are added onto any existing class features. The level of the Dragon-Rider Bond is intended to be an indicator for how closely the pair have worked together and advanced their relationship. The system does not use experience points, and depends on the DM "leveling up" the bond similarly to milestone leveling.

2. This system assumes that both the rider and the dragon are played by actual players. For the dragon player, this system assumes that the dragon character makes use of the Demi-Dragon homebrew, made by u/chimericWilder, but does not directly depend on the features granted by that content. The choice was made for balance purposes to make it of relative parity to the power level of the rider player character. That being said, since I am making this for my homebrew world, several thematic changes are made to it due to my in-universe lore regarding dragons.

Art Credit: Alex Lopez

Thematically, the changes are:

• Demi-dragons in my setting are actual true-born dragons, but the entire draconic race suffers from a curse that sometimes causes dragons to be born weaker, smaller, less magical, and less intelligent than the true dragons—which are that dragons that can be found in the Monster Manual of 5th edition D&D. In this setting, demi-dragons exist through the use of a magical compact which binds such a cursed dragon magically with a sapient humanoid, mixing the essence of their souls together, providing the dragon with a spark of intelligence and power that imitates the power and might of their ancestors, while also enabling them to develop unique skill sets that allow them to specialize and unlock their potential in different ways.
• Demi-dragons are non-sapient before the ritual is performed, and are at best highly intelligent beasts with some modicum of draconic might. After the ritual, they become demi-dragons. While they develop their own personality over time, it is common for each demi-dragon to share many characteristics with their first rider.

Mechanically, the changes are:

• Demi-dragons start only knowing Draconic, but automatically gain the benefits of the first level of the Dragon-Rider Bond, which grants them additional languages.
• You cannot multiclass into the demi-dragon class in this setting.

This system takes inspiration from other fantasy works, notably Eragon and The Inheritance Cycle, by Christopher Paolini. As both the rider and dragon simultaneously level up in their Dragon-Rider Bond, they will gain features such as telepathy, tandem-fighting tactics, and traits that bleed over between the two player characters, in order to signify how the bond between dragon and rider enables them to work together as a team.

Fight as One

When initiative is rolled, either the rider or dragon can choose to act on the other's initiative. For the remainder of the combat encounter, both rider and dragon can act on the same turn order. At the start of each subsequent round, the rider and dragon can choose which one goes first.

Constant Pressure

Any time one of the two hits a target with an attack, the other may activate this Tactic to use their reaction to make a single melee or ranged weapon attack against the same target. They must be within range in order to take this reaction.

Goad and Swap

While one of the two is in melee range of an enemy, and both are within 5 feet of each other, the Activator can use their bonus action to activate this Tactic. The Activator gains the benefit of the Disengage action, and they immediately swap positions with the other member if possible. As a reaction, the Reactor can choose to make 1 melee weapon attack at advantage against an enemy within their range. Both Activator and Reactor must be able to move into each other's space to activate this Tactic.

Defensive Interception

When one of the two is about to be hit by a melee weapon attack, and the other can see the source of the attack and is within range, they can immediately use their reaction to make a melee weapon attack against the hostile attacker, resolving the Tactic before the initial attack. Hit or miss, the attacker rolls its attack against the original target with disadvantage.

Tail Launch

While rider and dragon are within 5 feet of each other, the dragon can use their bonus action to launch the rider. The dragon can launch the rider 20 feet in any direction. As a reaction, the rider can immediately make a single melee weapon attack with advantage against any enemy they pass or which they land next to.

Hammer and Anvil

As a bonus action, either the rider or dragon can activate this Tactic and target an enemy within 5 feet of them. The Activator makes a Strength (Athletics) check contested by the target's Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check (the target chooses the ability to use). You succeed automatically if the target is incapacitated. If you succeed, the Activator can move the target up to 10 feet towards the Reactor. If the target is within the Reactor's melee range, they can immediately use their reaction to make a melee weapon attack against the target at advantage. On a hit, the target takes an extra amount of damage equal to the Activator's Strength modifier.

Magical Offensive

As a bonus action, either the rider or the dragon can activate this Tactic if the other member has the ability to cast spells. The Activator can use their bonus action to move up to half their movement in any direction and make one weapon attack at disadvantage against an enemy. Hit or miss, until the start of the Activator's turn, should the Reactor make a ranged spell attack against that same enemy, or cast a spell that forces that target to make a saving throw, the Reactor has advantage on their ranged spell attack rolls against this target and the target has disadvantage on saves against the spell being cast. This benefit is only gained for the next spell that the Reactor casts against the target of the Activator's attack. Should the effect or area of the spell also include the Activator, the Activator has advantage on their saving throw.

The Reactor can also choose to use a breath weapon instead of a spell, with the same benefits.

Wind Rider

As a Bonus Action, the dragon can activate this tactic if the rider is within 5 feet of them and the dragon has a Strength score of at least 15 or are of the Large size category. When activating this Tactic, the dragon bats their wings to send forth gusts of wind. Each creature within the area of a 15 feet long cone originating from the dragon must make a Strength saving throw, with a DC of 10 + Dragon's Strength Mod + Proficiency. On a failure, creatures in the cone are pushed 10 feet away from the dragon, and if they fail the saving throw by 5 or more, they are additionally knocked prone. As part of this Tactic, the rider can use their reaction to immediately move up to 15 feet within the same cone of effect without provoking opportunity attacks.

Sweep and Swap

As an action, the dragon can activate this Tactic while their rider is within 5 feet of them. Each creature within 5 feet of the dragon, excluding the Rider, must make a Dexterity saving throw, DC 10 + dragon's attack bonus for their tail weapon. On a failure, the creature takes an amount of damage equal to the tail weapon's damage die (without adding any Strength modifier or other bonus). After the resolution of the dragon's attack, the Rider can use their reaction to immediately move to a different spot within 5 feet of the Dragon without provoking opportunity attacks.

Rider Aspects

Optional Rule: Racial Feats

As an optional rule, instead of taking a feat according to the rider's class, the dragon can choose to take a feat that represents the rider's racial features. For example, if the rider is a tiefling, the Dragon might gain the benefits of the Flames of Phlegethos feat, or if the dragon's rider is a wood elf, the dragon might gain the benefits of the Wood Elf Magic feat. Naturally, any racial feat that involves wielding weapons, such as Elven Accuracy, or any feat that requires a certain class feature that the dragon does not have, say if the dragon wants Warcaster but does not cast spells, would be eligible to be picked. In addition, most Dragonborn racial feats are redundant, as they represent a racial benefit that the dragon already possesses.

Dragonborn Feats

These feats can be found in Xanathar's Guide to Everything

• Dragon Fear. If the rider does not have a breath weapon feature, they can use this feat once per long rest.
• Dragon Hide.
• Dragon Wings. If the rider already has wings their wings become draconic in appearance

Dragon-Related Feats

These feats can be found in Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

• Gift of the Chromatic Dragon
• Gift of the Gem Dragon
• Gift of the Metallic Dragon

Demi-Dragon Feats

These feats can be found in the Demi-Dragon homebrew.

• Broadened Breath. Only if the rider has a breath weapon.
• Misfit's Adaptation. Only if the chosen morph makes sense for a humanoid rider to have.
• Natural Ferocity. Only if the chosen effect makes sense for a humanoid rider to have.

Dragon's Breath

In lieu of picking one of the above feats, the rider can choose to gain the features of a Dragonborn's breath weapon, as well as resistance to the damage type dealt by the breath Weapon. The breath weapon must be of the same damage type as the rider's dragon companion.

Exterior Changes