So planning on running a significantly modified Hoard of the Dragon Queen game, and wanted to introduce a decently high level NPC as a recurring quest giver, counselor etc. etc. As most know HotDQ starts off with a combined cultist and dragon attack and i wanted this NPC to be able to realistically 1v1 the Dragon while the characters deal with the cultists. Any ideas on what best to accomplish this? My first thought was a low-mid teens spellcaster, but I wouldn't know which spells to use as I don't play them all that much.
i mean once 24 damage is done to it or it gets critically hit it's supposed to leave... so i don't know if you really want anything 1v1ing it. It should be attacking the npc guards on the wall more than your group...
Also to 1v1 the dragon you would need to be like lvl 20 even that would be dicey. ((its CR is 16))
Since it's an NPC and you're doing it for plot reasons, do whatever you want. High level fighter or ranger that has multiple arrows of dragon slaying, 20th vengeance paladin that flies up with smites, etc. Problem with a spellcaster is that the dragon is going to make at least the first 3 saves vs spells, maybe more depending on how the dragon rolls. Or again, since it sounds like it's a plot thing, ignore the legendary resistance and just have the spells work regardless. I'm assuming part of the modifications you are doing is that it doesn't fly away after a low amount of damage like in the module?
So planning on running a significantly modified Hoard of the Dragon Queen game, and wanted to introduce a decently high level NPC as a recurring quest giver, counselor etc. etc. As most know HotDQ starts off with a combined cultist and dragon attack and i wanted this NPC to be able to realistically 1v1 the Dragon while the characters deal with the cultists. Any ideas on what best to accomplish this? My first thought was a low-mid teens spellcaster, but I wouldn't know which spells to use as I don't play them all that much.
i mean once 24 damage is done to it or it gets critically hit it's supposed to leave... so i don't know if you really want anything 1v1ing it. It should be attacking the npc guards on the wall more than your group...
Also to 1v1 the dragon you would need to be like lvl 20 even that would be dicey. ((its CR is 16))
To be as powerful as an adult dragon is well beyond 20th level without the assistance of legendary or artifact level magic items.
Since the dragon encounter in HotDQ is scripted to flee after 24 damage, this could easily be done by a 5th level caster with the fireball spell.
Since it's an NPC and you're doing it for plot reasons, do whatever you want. High level fighter or ranger that has multiple arrows of dragon slaying, 20th vengeance paladin that flies up with smites, etc. Problem with a spellcaster is that the dragon is going to make at least the first 3 saves vs spells, maybe more depending on how the dragon rolls. Or again, since it sounds like it's a plot thing, ignore the legendary resistance and just have the spells work regardless. I'm assuming part of the modifications you are doing is that it doesn't fly away after a low amount of damage like in the module?