There are many beasts and creatures that roam the worlds ofDungeons & Dragons. Perhaps none are as iconic as the dragon. Not only does the game derive its name from the creature, but they’re exciting and intense foes and allies to make.
A drakewarden ranger has such an ally, a draconic spirit that is connected to them. This drake grows as their warden does, with the two sharing a bond. The drakewarden ranger is both connected to the simplicity and beauty of the natural world, and the awe and might of the dragons.
Drakewarden Ranger Features
Most of this subclass' features revolve around upgrading and developing your Drake Companion.Yet, the drake’s abilities and features will also occasionally apply to you, such as when granting you resistance to a type of damage. While your drake is important and powerful, just knowcommanding it costs a bonus action.It is worth your bonus action, but it does restrict some other options.
At third level, you gain your first two Drakewarden Features, Draconic Gift and Drake Companion. Draconic Gift provides you with the thaumaturgy cantrip, knowledge of the Draconic language, and one other language of your choice. But, these features are largely overshadowed by yourDrake Companion.Your Drake Companion starts weak and will grow to become much stronger, adding new features as you gain levels andincrease your proficiency bonus.
Your drake will start with20 health and an Armor Class of 16, a bite attack, and a reaction you apply to ally attacks. You also choose from a list of damage types. Not only isyour drake immune to that damage, it also dictates what damage your reaction deals. At level 7, the Bond of Fang and Scale feature will have the drakewarden themselves become resistant to that damage type.
In addition to that,the feature grants the Drake Companion a flying speed,the size of medium, an extra 1d6 damage on its bite attacks, and the ability to be mounted. The Drake cannot fly when someone is riding on it until level 15. It can only move on land.
At level 11, your drake gains a breath weapon. Once more, you choose a type of damage from a list, but it does not have to be the same you choose at third level. The drake expels its breath weapon in a 30-foot cone, dealing 8d6 damage. This is a powerful ability you can command your drake to use once every long rest, or more byexpending a third level spell slot.At level 15, the damage increases to 10d6.
The drakewarden’s 15th level feature is Perfected Bond. Similarly to your 7th level feature, the drake’s bite deals an extra 1d6 damage and increases in size to now be a large creature.This means you can ride on it as it flies.You also gain the Reflexive Resistance ability which allows you to use a reaction to either give yourself or your drakeresistance to any instance of damage.You can use it an amount of times equal to your proficiency bonus per long rest.
Your Drake Companion shares your initiative in combat, but always acts after you.
Best Ability Scores For A Drakewarden Ranger
As a ranger, regardless of if you are using ranged or melee weapons,you will likely want a high Dexterity.Dexterity offers many advantages over Strength, andunless you are using non-finesse weapons,Dexterity proves to be the better option.Wisdom is also importantfor any ranger as it is your spell casting ability.
Consult the following ability score spread that was made using point buy:
10
15
12
14
9
Best Species For A Drakewarden Ranger
There is a lot of potential theming that can be done when pairing a drakewarden ranger with a species. There is the obvious choice of choosing a draconic species to be your drakewarden and that becomes much easier if you are using customized origin rules. If you are not, considerprioritizing a species that has a bonus to Dexterity or Wisdomif you want that mechanical edge.There are many compelling options that do just that while also being thematic.
Dragonborn (Fizban’s)
It only makes sense for a Dragonborn to be a drakewarden. Unfortunately,the Player’s Handbook version of the Dragonborn falls flat.Later books have introduced Dragonborn’s better suited for a ranger, such as the options fromFizban’s Treasury of Dragons. They have versatile breath-weapons and extra resistances to damage types. They also havefloating ability scoresthat you’re able to assign to Dexterity and Wisdom.
Eladrin
The Eladrin is a natural ranger, being a fey-like Elf who taps into the potential of nature and the seasons. They typically have abonus to Dexterity while also having a very potent ability inFey Step.Fey Step allows you toteleport up to 30 feet awayas a bonus action.you’re able to also augment this ability depending on the season you choose for your Eladrin. You can eitherfrighten, charm, damage, or teleport someone else insteadwith your fey step.
Elf
The Elf and Wood Elf in particular and excellent choices for a ranged drakewarden. They often have abonus to Dexterity and Wood Elves have +1 to Wisdom.All Elves have proficiency in perception, making it easier to scout out their surroundings and Wood Elves can hide from enemies much easier. This makes them greater stalkers and hunters who cantrack from afar while using their drake in the frontlines.
Half-Elf
Half-Elves are a very versatile option that can make for a fantastic ranger. Half-Elves are all about flexibility, having three ability scores that get increasedand are able togive yourself abonus to Dexterity and Wisdom.They can also choose between a variety of features such asextra skillsor a variety of Elven ones.
Human (Variant)
Variant Human is always a strong option. This is no different when you play a ranger. You have flexible ability score improvementsand can choosea starting feat.It is hard to go wrong choosing this option.
Kobold (Volo’s)
The distinction between versions of the Kobold are small but important.Volo’s koboldstraditionally have anincrease to Dexterityand Pack Tactics.Pack Tactics grants advantageon an attack roll against a creature if you have an ally within 5 feet of it.In later versions, you instead haveDraconic Cry,which does not work as wellas the Drakewarden must use their bonus action to command their companion.
Best Spells For A Drakewarden Ranger
Due to the nature of the subclass and drake,you will likely want tostray away from spells that cost bonus actionsand towards long-lasting, concentration spells. Remember, yourspells are not there to replace your martial abilityand should instead complement it. Some bonus action spells, such as Guardian of Nature are worth forgoing a bonus action for, however.
Best Starting Equipment For A Drakewarden Ranger
There are two styles of armor available for the ranger at character creation, scale mail and leather. Scale mail offers 14 base Armor Class, with a maximum bonus of two through Dexterity, while leather armor offers 11 base AC with no restriction on your Dexterity Bonus. Ultimately,scale mail will have more protection, but leather armor is better if you plan to sneak
As for your other options, it’s anything you want. There is not much of a difference between Explorer and Dungeoneer packs, andShort swords are good simple weapons, butyou should not feel deterred from using you like more.
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