Product Description
The Book of Dragons
This title takes a comprehensive look at the dragons of the
D&D world from a variety of perspectives. It includes information on playing dragons and dragon-like creatures, how to run a dragon in a fight, and how to both fight dragons and work with them as allies.
There are statistics on dragons of every type and at every age category, in addition to examples of lairs, hoards, and dragon minions. There are new rules, feats, spells, prestige classes, magic items, and other materials associated specifically with interaction with dragons including illustrated lairs and rules for creating treasure hoards. The book itself is designed in a prestige format, with heavy use of art throughout and constructed of premium materials.
To use this supplement, a
Dungeon Master also needs the Player’s Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide, and Monster Manual. A player needs only the Player’s Handbook.
Brad Smith @ 11:37 pm
Long-time D&D players will note that this is the second Draconomicon, the first being a AD&D 2nd Edition softcover that covered dragons in nowhere near the detail that this does.
This version of Draconomicon goes into great gobs of detail about D&D dragons…their life, death, anatomy, and psychology. They also discuss how dragons can fit into a campaign; not only as opponents, but as NPCs, cohorts, or even PCs.
There are also quite a few new dragon-centered feats, skills, magic items, spells, and prestige classes, both for dragons themselves and for the mortals who cower in terror/awe around them. I personally like the Initiate of the Draconic Mysteries, a monk-themed class that starts to hit REALLY HARD as you go up in level. Some material has been reprinted, such as epic feats from the Epic-Level Handbook.
There are also quite a few new monsters in this…while the vast majority are of the Dragon type, or dragon-shaped, there are golems and undead, as well as one irritating little vermin. You’ll also get to enjoy sample hoards, to get an idea of what that dragon might normally have in its bed and or/couch. Finally, in the back, you’ll find stat blocks and write-ups for 120 separate dragons…10 kinds of dragon (all the chromatics and metallics) and 12 age categories. Each of these can serve as an opponent, a client, or an ally, or sometimes all three.
In summation, this is an incredibly detailed source on dragons, and it’s quite nice. Both DMs and players can use it. However, if you don’t like or use dragons much, don’t bother, and stea… borrow a friend’s copy.
Scott Atwood @ 12:25 am
If you think the Dragon section in the Monster Manual just isn’t detailed enough for your tastes, this is the book for you.
It has tons of both flavor and crunch, including information on the anatomy, physiology, life cycle, history and culture of dragons. There are prestige classes, magic items, feats and spells appropriate for both dragon characters and non-dragon characters. This book is useful for both players and DMs.
From a player’s perspective, it includes information on how to fight a dragon, and how to aquire a dragon mount or cohort, or even play a dragon as a PC.
For the DMs, there is information on how to effectively run a dragon in combat, including how and when to use each of a dragon’s numerous combat options, new dragon and dragon-like monsters, how to incorporate dragons into an adventure or a campaign, and most importantly, sample dragons of each major type at each age category, and sample lairs.
If you have ever wanted to include dragons in your campaign, this is just the book for you. Even if you didn’t, after you read this book, you might just change your mind.
Terrence Walsh @ 2:16 am
I had this item on my wishlist for several months, but couldn’t get past the relatively bad reviews, and didn’t order it because I thought it was too pricey compared to the reviews it was getting here.
Amazon put the book on a 60% discount, and I overcame my apprehensions and snapped it up. I am very glad I did so.
The book is divided into five chapters and two appendices, listed below for your edification:
1. All about dragons
2. A DM’s Guide
3. The Player’s Perspective
4. New Monsters
5. Sample Dragons
App 1: The Dragon’s Hoard
App 2: Index of Dragons
The book clocks in at 288 pages. The cover is front and back and portrays what can only be defined as a moment of domestic bliss in the life of red dragons.
The content is generally very good. Sometimes it delves into the absurd, such as the rules for non-dragons incubating dragon eggs. Example: Silver dragon eggs must be kept at zero degrees or encased in ice. Wyrmlings which are hatched prematurely can be assisted by placing them in a situation reminiscent of their incubation needs. I just had a hard time thinking of a little hatchling silver dragon encased in a block of ice or a baby green dragon dropped in some 1d4/rnd dmg acid to help them stay alive.
This is a minor quibble, and can be easily filed under the “Dragons aren’t real, and if they were, they ain’t chickens” line of thinking.
Otherwise the writing is good quality, and the volume as a whole provides an in-depth look at the physiology, culture, nature and the life and times of D&D’s eponymous monster.
I’m sorry I hesitated to buy it at the regular Amazon price, so if the discount is gone and you think you might still be interested, I’d recommend getting it anyway.
It misses a star only because it doesn’t quite measure up to what I consider 5 star WoTC books like the 3rd edition Forgotten Realms campaign setting or the Silver Marches supplement, but it certainly accomplishes what it sets out to do.
Anonymous @ 3:58 am
The folks at Wizards have out done them selves on this one. If you wanted to know about dragons than this is the one shop stop. It covers everything from physiology, psychology, and society to how to run an effective dragon. This book covers running a dragon as an effective adversary as well as how they can fit into your campaign. It is loaded with dragon feats, spells, magic items, and tactics. They don’t forget about PC’s either. They have new feats and spells for characters that are dragon based. They have an in depth chapter on the dragon lairs and society. And of course new creatures and dragons. All in all one of the most complete and comprehensive books Wizards and TSR has put out in many years (and I have been roll playing and purchasing products for over 25 years). If you like or want to use dragons in your campaign at all I would HIGHLY recommend this book. I hope this is a peek into the future of all of Wizards roll playing works.
Philip Knapke @ 6:13 am
I don’t use dragons much and the price tag scared me off for quite a while but I finally bought this book and am glad I did. Even if you only use dragons sparingly like I do I find the book worth it simply because when I do use dragons I want the encounter to be important and challenging. Dragons straight out of the monster manual may be tough but I always find that my players prepare for the battle ahead of time and always make themselves immune to the breath weapon, the dragon’s most powerful ability. Well this book has plenty of spells and metabreath feats to shock and dismay your PCs like spells to change the breath weapon energy type or feats to maximize the breath weapon. Also there are dragon prestige classes and dragon magical items.
For players their are dragon based prestige classes such as a dragonhunter and a slew of magic items that can be crafted from a slain dragon’s corpse. Also their are more spells for players either to combat dragons or to give the player dragon-like abilities such as a breath weapon.
Lets not forget they also listed sample treasure hoards for every EL so you don’t have to roll them all out. Also there are sample dragons of every major type and age if you don’t want to go through the trouble of making up a dragon yourself. They also have sample dragon lairs for each type of dragon.
A very good book.