You’d be forgiven for thinking that every Dragon is a dragon. But actually, some Dragons look nothing like dragons. Here’s what we mean.
Another way of titling this might be “not all Dragons are dragon-shaped.” Which is still a little confusing, but maybe gets the point across a bit better.
You see in D&D, the Dragon creature type includes the dragons you might be thinking of: wings, fire breath (or ice or lightning or whatever), scales like shields, claws like spears, and so on. But it also includes a faor number of creatures that are nothing of the sort. In fact, the dragon family has expanded a fair but in the newest edition. So beware, dragons turn up where you least suspect them.
Pseudodragon
This one is a little strange because it has “pseudo-” right in the name. And indeed, in editions past, pseudodragons weren’t actually dragons. They were dragon-like fey. Now, however, these are tiny dragons.
They can’t breathe fire, and instead have a poison stinger that can knock creatures unconscious for an hour. They’re also the size of housecats, and just as entitled – a pseudodragon will have a category of treats it expects from its companion. So a Wizard hoping to keep one as a familiar should get used to pampering it.
Sea Serpent
Despite having “serpent” in the name, sea serpents are actually dragons now. Moreocer, these monstrous predators of the deep have gained some semblance of Draconic prowess. They can breathe a frosty cone of cold.
But these agile hunters love to demolish whole ships, then feed at leisure on helpless sailors in the water. Very dragon behavior. However, they cannot fly (though they can go on land, slowly).
Jabberwock
Beware the Jabberwock. And doubly so in D&D, where this creature of Carrol’s is reimagined as a fey-like dragon. Though they share little resemblence with their chromatic and metallic cousins, jabberwocks are actual dragons now.
Even if they burble madly as they come whiffling through the tulgy woods while slithy toves gyre and gimble in the wabe. Fighting one is an exercise in confusion.
Half-Dragon
Half Dragons have a whole new identity in D&D 5.5E. No longer just a weird sort of pseudo template that you can put onto an existing stat block, they are creatures in their own right. They are “magical warriors created by dragons.” They are created by dragons through magical rituals (and sometimes accidents) to help them accomplish various ends.
And they make excellent magical muscle. A single half dragon weighs in at CR 5, making them a perfect villlain to threaten a low-level party (probably around level 3 a party of four could take one down with some difficulty, but not without casualties). Though you could always beef one up if you want them to be deadlier.
Kobolds
At long last, one of D&D’s best collections of weird little guys, kobolds. Kobolds are finally dragons. Long have they served them. Long have they worshipped them. Aspired to be them. And now, at last, in 5.5E, kobolds are dragons. Technically.
They are otherwise completely unchanged. They still live short, petty, spiteful lives. But they can do so knowing that deep down they’re majestic dragons, taxnomically. And isn’t that what life is all about?
Happy adventuring!
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Source: Bell of Lost Souls
