Post by Masterbard Alyster Darkharp on Feb 13, 2009 14:47:27 GMT -5
Epic Dragons
Like other dragons, force and prismatic dragons are gigantic, winged, reptilian creatures. The epic dragons entirely outside the commonly accepted categories of chromatic and metallic dragons, and may originate on another plane of existence. They are further distinguished from the common dragons described in the Monster Manual by their tremendous size (even at hatching), their longer life span (with correspondingly greater increases in power as they age), and their mastery of unusual energy forms—force and prismatic energy.
While common dragons are easily categorized by alignment and temperament, epic dragons display much more individual variation in these areas. Dragons of both varieties are usually neutral, pursuing their own interests rather than the great causes of alignment conflict. Some are extremely selfish and ill-tempered, while others are as beneficent as gold dragons. Like other dragons, however, almost all epic dragons covet and hoard wealth.
All epic dragons speak Draconic.
Combat
Epic dragons share all the combat characteristics of standart dragons, as described in the Monster Manual. Even wyrmling epic dragons are Huge, however, and are capable of making tail sweep and crush attacks. Although there is no size category larger than Colossal, the oldest epic dragons have a greater reach and deal more damage with their attacks than other Colossal dragons, as shown on the Epic Dragon Face and Reach and Epic Dragon Attacks tables below. In addition, the breath weapon of the oldest epic dragons is a larger cone than most Colossal dragons possess. The size modifier for these dragons remains –8.
Wyrmling epic dragons possess certain abilities that common dragons do not acquire until later in life, including frightful presence, spellcasting, and spell resistance. An epic dragon with a caster level above 20th gains the Improved Spell Capacity feat as a bonus feat once for every three caster levels above 20th. Any epic dragon can choose epic feats for which it otherwise meets the prerequisites. Epic dragons also have access to the dragon feats in the Monster Manual, as well as the additional feats described in this book.
Empower Spell-Like Ability: An epic dragon can apply the Empower Spell feat to one of its spell-like abilities that it can use at least twice per day. If the dragon has limited use of the spell-like ability (3/day, for example), the empowered ability uses up two uses of the ability. If the dragon can use the ability at will, there is no cost for empowering the ability. The dragon does not need to specify a spell-like ability when it chooses this feat; it can apply the feat to any spell-like ability it possesses.
Maximize Spell-Like Ability: The dragon can apply the Maximize Spell feat to one of its spell-like abilities that it can use at least three times per day. If the dragon has limited use of the spell-like ability (3/day, for example), the maximized ability uses up three uses of the ability. If the dragon can use the ability at will, there is no cost for maximizing the ability. The dragon does not need to specify a spell-like ability when it chooses this feat; it can apply the feat to any spell-like ability it possesses.
Epic dragons fly even faster than common dragons, and can cover greater distances. Except as noted here, epic dragons conform to the general information that applies to all dragons given in the Monster Manual.
Source: Epic Level Handbook