First of all, an NPC does not need to made using the same rules as a PC. You can give them any abilities you see fit. You can even have them just be a dragon in human form.
But, if you really want to go with a PC-build route, there are things you can do for a draconic theme.
Shapechange is available to Druids and Wizards. Cons: Expensive M component, temporary. Pros: you can cast spells as a dragon. True Polymorph is available to Bards, Warlocks and Wizards. Cons: You cannot cast spells as a dragon, your stats - including your mental stats - become that of the dragon, which might be less. Cons: M component has zero cost, can be made permanent.
Both are subject to Dispel Magic and Antimagic Field and they are 9th level spells, so you will need 17 levels in the relevant class before they can be used.
There are some classes that feature dragon-inspired subclasses such as:
Barbarian - Path of the Storm Herald : has abilities based on lightning, fire and cold which you could flavour as dragon abilities. Druid - Circle of Wildfire : has abilities based on fire that you can flavour as dragon abilities. You could make the Wildfire spirit appear like a small dragon. Monk - Way of the Ascendant Dragon - has dragon-related abilities. Ranger - Drakewarden - has dragon-related abilities which includes summoning a a dragon-like companion. Sorcerer - Draconic Bloodline - has dragon-related abilities.
That's about all I got from the top of my head. Should be a place to start, though.
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond. Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ thisFAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
There is also he Dragonborn species that looks basically like an upright dragon without wings. If it had one of the classes that even temporarily gave it wings and flight it would appear pretty much like a small dragon. If you gave it the fly spell and it manifest as dragon wings that might even work.
I'm a newly dm, a npc is going to join the players is there a class I can give this npc to be able to turn into a dragon.
First of all, an NPC does not need to made using the same rules as a PC. You can give them any abilities you see fit. You can even have them just be a dragon in human form.
But, if you really want to go with a PC-build route, there are things you can do for a draconic theme.
The spells Shapechange and True Polymorph both allow you a character to be changed into a dragon.
Shapechange is available to Druids and Wizards. Cons: Expensive M component, temporary. Pros: you can cast spells as a dragon.
True Polymorph is available to Bards, Warlocks and Wizards. Cons: You cannot cast spells as a dragon, your stats - including your mental stats - become that of the dragon, which might be less. Cons: M component has zero cost, can be made permanent.
Both are subject to Dispel Magic and Antimagic Field and they are 9th level spells, so you will need 17 levels in the relevant class before they can be used.
Those are the only ways to "become a dragon".
There are spells that give you dragon-like abilities such as Dragon's Breath, Fly, and Draconic Transformation. There are spells that can summon dragon-like things: Illusory Dragon and Summon Draconic Spirit.
There are some classes that feature dragon-inspired subclasses such as:
Barbarian - Path of the Storm Herald : has abilities based on lightning, fire and cold which you could flavour as dragon abilities.
Druid - Circle of Wildfire : has abilities based on fire that you can flavour as dragon abilities. You could make the Wildfire spirit appear like a small dragon.
Monk - Way of the Ascendant Dragon - has dragon-related abilities.
Ranger - Drakewarden - has dragon-related abilities which includes summoning a a dragon-like companion.
Sorcerer - Draconic Bloodline - has dragon-related abilities.
That's about all I got from the top of my head. Should be a place to start, though.
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond.
Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ this FAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
Thank you so much this help a lot.
There is also he Dragonborn species that looks basically like an upright dragon without wings. If it had one of the classes that even temporarily gave it wings and flight it would appear pretty much like a small dragon. If you gave it the fly spell and it manifest as dragon wings that might even work.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
I think there was also an UA feat where dragonborn could grow permanent wings, but they only gave you a 20 foot movement speed.
Go in the opposite direction. Some dragons have traditionally had the ability turn into humans or elves.