I don't wish to hijack the thread on transforming into a Gold Dragon, so I'll begin a new one.
What are the downsides of becoming a Gold Dragon? What would make a PC wish they were a normal PC again? These could become tools for a DM wanting to "play" with the character to show that the grass is not always greener in the other man's yard.
For one, I would think a dragon has to eat a lot of food. Where is a gold dragon going to fulfil his apatite?
Second, because he is a dragon, he is going to be feared by many and hunted but others just for his treasures. I think many NPCs would take the option of "shoot first and ask questions later", like "Great, now where's the treasure?"
Third, you probably don't sneak up on anyone as a gold dragon. If you need to approach an enemy, they'll see you coming a mile away. If the enemy is underground in a narrow passage, I guess the gold dragon isn't coming.
What else ... ?
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Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt
A gold dragon PC can't change back into their original shape, because draconic change shape only works if the new shape as a valid CR, which PCs don't have. Even if it could do it, the new shape's class abilities are lost. They can turn into a humanoid commoner of the same species and appearance, of course - but that's not quite the same thing, is it?
Otherwise, most of the concerns you raised are cancelled by change shape.
Another downside is that the PC's alignment should coerce to Lawful Good, just as lycanthropy coerces alignment, as part of the standard DM attempts to monkey paw all wishes. I would 100% play straight the character's draconic urges to help people who need help, fight evil for its own sake without demanding recompense, etc.
Also, fire immunity. The character never gets to enjoy hot soup, coffee, tea, cider, baths, etc again, since nothing feels hot to them.
Ancient and Adult Gold Dragons can change shape. That pretty much solves all their problems. They can eat normal food, in normal amounts, and they can look like a normal humanoid, so they can eat what they like, don't have to worry about treasure hunters, and if they want to be sneaky, they can do that. But, as soon as the secret gets out:
I don't imagine anyone capable of casting Wish would choose to be:
a Wyrmling one, as one level 17 opponent would find that a trivial encounter
a Young one, as two level 17 opponents would find that a trivial encounter
an Adult one, as two level 17 opponents would find that hard, three would be medium, four would be easy, and five would be a trivial encounter
an Ancient one, as two would be Deadly, three would be, four would be, and at five it would only be medium. It becomes easy at 7, and a trivial encounter at 15
So maybe an Ancient one... but...
A Gargantuan Ancient Gold Dragon is a Legendary creature with lair actions that are also Legendary, and that's only a medium encounter for 5 level 17 opponents. I don't know. I think they would probably Wish they had never tried becoming a Gold Dragon, and that's a Wish I would grant.
In my campaign world, ancient metallic dragons would have responsibilities. They'd have to protect a territory and deal with all the political issues within. They'd have to meet with peers and discuss dragon things. They didn't just inherit a body, they inherited a title and everything that goes with it.
A gold dragon PC can't change back into their original shape, because draconic change shape only works if the new shape as a valid CR, which PCs don't have. Even if it could do it, the new shape's class abilities are lost. They can turn into a humanoid commoner of the same species and appearance, of course - but that's not quite the same thing, is it?
Otherwise, most of the concerns you raised are cancelled by change shape.
Yes, I figure if you Wish to be a Gold Dragon, you're stuck with it until you Wish to be something else. So that is the basis for my view that you are now a huge animal.
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Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt
Dragons aren't animals, though. They have sentience and culture, though their minds are alien from ours. I think Geann makes a good point in that an older dragon's ability to change its shape to anything else negates many of the downsides, and with Tasha's additions you can argue alignment is no longer forced. Yes, I think a PC transforming into a Gold Dragon would be compelled to do good, be lawful and strike against evil, but I would consider it a compulsion much like an urge to consume sweets. It's difficult, but not impossible to resist, and sometimes you'll do better than at others.
Gold Dragons also have the benefit of being heavily into spellcraft. A PC Wizard would have to be taught by a natural Gold Dragon how to use Somatic components in their new shape, but Verbal and Material components don't change.
Cons: As someone said above, in many campaigns dragons, particularly metallic ones, have some sort of "cosmic role" involving destiny, etc. Also everyone wants to kill dragons to steal their gold. Also, with your high strength score, massive size, and ability to fly, all of your friends will expect you to help them move when they change houses or apartments.
I don't wish to hijack the thread on transforming into a Gold Dragon, so I'll begin a new one.
What are the downsides of becoming a Gold Dragon? What would make a PC wish they were a normal PC again? These could become tools for a DM wanting to "play" with the character to show that the grass is not always greener in the other man's yard.
For one, I would think a dragon has to eat a lot of food. Where is a gold dragon going to fulfil his apatite?
Second, because he is a dragon, he is going to be feared by many and hunted but others just for his treasures. I think many NPCs would take the option of "shoot first and ask questions later", like "Great, now where's the treasure?"
Third, you probably don't sneak up on anyone as a gold dragon. If you need to approach an enemy, they'll see you coming a mile away. If the enemy is underground in a narrow passage, I guess the gold dragon isn't coming.
What else ... ?
Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt
A gold dragon PC can't change back into their original shape, because draconic change shape only works if the new shape as a valid CR, which PCs don't have. Even if it could do it, the new shape's class abilities are lost. They can turn into a humanoid commoner of the same species and appearance, of course - but that's not quite the same thing, is it?
Otherwise, most of the concerns you raised are cancelled by change shape.
Another downside is that the PC's alignment should coerce to Lawful Good, just as lycanthropy coerces alignment, as part of the standard DM attempts to monkey paw all wishes. I would 100% play straight the character's draconic urges to help people who need help, fight evil for its own sake without demanding recompense, etc.
Also, fire immunity. The character never gets to enjoy hot soup, coffee, tea, cider, baths, etc again, since nothing feels hot to them.
Ancient and Adult Gold Dragons can change shape. That pretty much solves all their problems. They can eat normal food, in normal amounts, and they can look like a normal humanoid, so they can eat what they like, don't have to worry about treasure hunters, and if they want to be sneaky, they can do that. But, as soon as the secret gets out:
I don't imagine anyone capable of casting Wish would choose to be:
So maybe an Ancient one... but...
A Gargantuan Ancient Gold Dragon is a Legendary creature with lair actions that are also Legendary, and that's only a medium encounter for 5 level 17 opponents. I don't know. I think they would probably Wish they had never tried becoming a Gold Dragon, and that's a Wish I would grant.
<Insert clever signature here>
In my campaign world, ancient metallic dragons would have responsibilities. They'd have to protect a territory and deal with all the political issues within. They'd have to meet with peers and discuss dragon things. They didn't just inherit a body, they inherited a title and everything that goes with it.
My homebrew subclasses (full list here)
(Artificer) Swordmage | Glasswright | (Barbarian) Path of the Savage Embrace
(Bard) College of Dance | (Fighter) Warlord | Cannoneer
(Monk) Way of the Elements | (Ranger) Blade Dancer
(Rogue) DaggerMaster | Inquisitor | (Sorcerer) Riftwalker | Spellfist
(Warlock) The Swarm
Yes, I figure if you Wish to be a Gold Dragon, you're stuck with it until you Wish to be something else. So that is the basis for my view that you are now a huge animal.
Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt
Dragons aren't animals, though. They have sentience and culture, though their minds are alien from ours. I think Geann makes a good point in that an older dragon's ability to change its shape to anything else negates many of the downsides, and with Tasha's additions you can argue alignment is no longer forced. Yes, I think a PC transforming into a Gold Dragon would be compelled to do good, be lawful and strike against evil, but I would consider it a compulsion much like an urge to consume sweets. It's difficult, but not impossible to resist, and sometimes you'll do better than at others.
Gold Dragons also have the benefit of being heavily into spellcraft. A PC Wizard would have to be taught by a natural Gold Dragon how to use Somatic components in their new shape, but Verbal and Material components don't change.
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Pros: Lots of powers, great stats, very mobile.
Cons: As someone said above, in many campaigns dragons, particularly metallic ones, have some sort of "cosmic role" involving destiny, etc. Also everyone wants to kill dragons to steal their gold. Also, with your high strength score, massive size, and ability to fly, all of your friends will expect you to help them move when they change houses or apartments.
Two words: adventuring parties.
Half of them want to kill the dragon and take its treasure; the other half want to enlist the dragon's help in some dangerouns and/or incovenient job.