Down to details (PDAH)

:This was originally published in Dragon Magazine #206
The AD&D game mechanics for playing half-dragons are generally like the ones given in the Council of Wyrms boxed set. All ability scores are obtained using any of the character-creation methods described in the DUNGEON MASTER® Guide, then applying the appropriate ability-score modifiers (given here in the section on each type of half-dragon).
Half-dragons use character-class Hit Dice and all standard rules for playing human or demihuman characters. Character classes available to half-dragons are listed in the section "Half-dragon roster." Half-dragons of any type cannot become multiclassed or dual-classed. They may have one class only. Tables 1-4 offer basic information on the appearance and thieving skills of various types of half-dragons discussed here.
Half-dragons do not have to use kits, but kits are recommended for adding flavor to the PCs. Kits require use of the proficiency rules outlined in the Player's Handbook and in Chapter Two of the Council of Wyrms boxed set's Book One: Rules. A half-dragon PC can use any kit allowed to its class and to its human or demihuman parent's race (including kits from the Complete Handbook series), except the dragon-rider kit from Council of Wyrms and any kit involving the slaying or harming of dragons. A number of kits from The Complete Book of Humanoids also are available: (Warrior) Sellsword, Wilderness Protector; (Wizard) Hedge Wizard, Humanoid Scholar, Outlaw Mage; (Priest) Oracle, War Priest, Wandering Mystic; (Rogue) Scavenger, Tramp.
The offspring of Oriental dragons, river spirit folk, almost never use these kits. Instead, they use kits reflecting their Oriental culture. The samurai kit was detailed in The Complete Fighter's Handbook (pages 31–32); the bushi and kensai kits were unofficially updated for the AD&D 2nd Edition game in DRAGON issue #189, in "The Other Orientals" (pages 28 and 30, respectively). If this issue is not available, the DM can create similar kits using the material from the Oriental Adventures volume.
Krynnish half-silvers, because of the unusual nature of their campaign set-up, can become members of the Holy Order of Stars (if clerics) or the Orders of High Sorcery (if wizards). Details on these variant classes are found in the Tales of the Lance boxed set (World Book of Ansalon, pages 80–96).
Two new half-dragon kits were given in the Council of Wyrms rules. They are repeated here, adapted for use in other AD&D game campaigns.
* Exile Kit
* Ward Kit
Category:Dragon Magazine Articles
Category:Articles