Editing Dragonborn (section)

==Dragonborn in 4e==
::Height: 74" - 80". Weight: 220 - 320 lbs.
::Size Class: Normal. Speed: 6 squares.
::Ability Bonuses: +2 Strength or +2 Constitution, +2 Charisma
::Skill Bonuses: +2 History, +2 Intimidate
::Dragonborn Fury: +1 bonus to attack when Bloodied (half hitpoints or lower)
::Draconic Heritage: +CON bonus to healing surges
::Dragon Breath: (Encounter Power, Minor Action) choose an element type (Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning or Poison) and one physical attribute at character creation. Once per encounter, may exhale as a close blast-3 attack using ability mod +2 vs. Reflex for 1d6 +attribute bonus elemental damage to all in area. Attack roll bonus and base damage increase each time you go up a tier; +4 and 2d6 at level 11, +6 and 3d6 at level 21.
:::Recommended classes: Fighter, Paladin, Warlord

They have fine scales over all their body, with colors ranging between golden, scarlet, rust, ocher, bronze and brown. The scales aren't metallic, they feel like leather. They have blunt snouts, frills along the jawline, and a headcrest of long ropey scales (think the dreadlocks that the Predator alien had). There used to be a huge Dragonborn empire, [[Arkhosia]], but it was wiped out in a war with the [[Tiefling]] empire of [[Bael Turath]] more than a dozen generations ago (and Dragonborn live only as long as humans do), and now they're just rootless clans. They still hold onto the pride of once being on top, and they insist they were always honorable in the good ol' days, so feel free to play them like fire-breathing [[Star_Trek|Klingons]], or musclebound Russian gypsies.

Because of their stats, they make one of the best races in the PHB for [[Paladin]]s and [[Warlord]]s, in contrast to [[half-orcs]], who spent most of the last two editions basically pigeonholed into being [[barbarian]]s. (Though one good thing 4e did for the half-orc was open up a number of other classes, like the [[monk]]). It goes without saying that they're also killer Draconic [[Sorcerer (Dungeons & Dragons)|Sorcerers]].

An article in [[Dragon Magazine]] #388 introduced a dragonborn subrace, the Dragonfear Dragonborn, who lack the traditional draconic breath weapon but can instead invoke a terrifying aura. Mechanically, this works as replacing their Dragon Breath racial power with the Dragonfear power, an Encounter Close Burst 5 (10, at level 21+) Fear attack that targets the Will defense and, on a hit, inflicts a -2 penalty to attack rolls and causes the victim to grant combat advantage. This subrace has some dedicated feats and a unique racial [[Paragon Path]], the Fear Walker, both in the same article.

They had both their own Ecology of the Dragonborn article in [[Dragon Magazine]] #365, ''and'' a miniature PHB devoted to themselves. The latter had a sidebar talking about the traditional Dragonborn code of honor, and you could really do worse than read both of them even if you're playing 5e: they're full of all kinds of neat cultural lore and artifacts, like how dragonborn regard the various classes, their family structure, their history, religion, all that good stuff.

The PHBR: Dragonborn booklet featured multiple new dragonborn [[Paragon Path]]s, one for each of the Power Sources that were present in the game at the time (it came out around the same time the PHB2 did):
* Arcane: '''Ninefold Master''': Practices draconic spellcasting techniques, learning to unite the arcane energy of their spells with their fundamentum in order to wield potent sorcerous exhalations.
* Divine: '''Platinum Templar''': A champion of [[Bahamut]] who strives to emulate the teachings of the Platinum Dragon, until their draconic physiology reshapes itself to emulate Bahamut's own.
* Martial: '''Honorable Blade''': A master of Arkhosian fighting styles that channel the draconic magic within their blood into their limbs and weapons.
* Primal: '''Storm Dragon''': A worshipper of the blue dragon or the typhoon dragon as a symbol of the primal might of the storm, whose worship changes their own draconic physiology to match.

The Dragonborn Honor Code:
* In battle, treat your enemies with courtesy and respect.
* Fear is a disease, and cowardice a moral failing.
* Keep your promises; a solemn oath is more important than your life. Speak with honesty, and don't make promises lightly.
* Strive to do your best, and if your best isn't good enough, improve yourself until it is. Do not give up until you have made every possible effort.
* Respect your elders, your leaders, and others who deserve your respect. Obey just commands, and carry out the duties they impose on you. Oppose those who misuse their authority.
* Remember that your deeds reflect on your companions, your clan, and your entire race. Do not do that which would bring you shame if another in your clan did it.
* Boldly challenge your enemies, just as you challenge yourself.

Whilst the Dragonfear Dragonborn was the only "subrace" that dragonborn ever got, the mechanics that the [[Neverwinter]] Campaign Setting introduced to tweaking [[Dwarf]], [[Eladrin]] and [[Elf]] racial stats to better mesh with traditional [[Forgotten Realms]] lore were applied to dragonborn in a similar way. Dragon Magazine #421 used the "swap racial features" mechanics to let dragonborn base stats stand in for 4e [[draconian]]s, specifically the Bozaks and Kapaks. As always, you could selectively mix and match these traits to create unique custom breeds of dragonoid for your own settings.

'''Bozak Draconian Racial Traits'''
::Replace Dragonborn Fury with Draconian Blood (+1 to damage for arcane attacks, scales up to +2 at level 11 and +3 at level 21)
::Replace Draconic Heritage with Instinctive Flight (Gain a flight speed of 6, but you can't carry a heavy load and must land after flying)
::Replace Dragon Breath with Concussive Vengeance (Racial Daily; close burst burst 1 Str/Dex/Con+2 vs Reflex; If successful, both you and that target take thunder damage equal to your bloodied value and fall prone (missing halves damage and negates prone); if you die, this is used immediately)

'''Kapak Draconian Racial Traits'''
::Replace Draconic Heritage with Instinctive Flight (Gain a flight speed of 6, but you can't carry a heavy load and must land after flying)
::Replace Dragonborn Fury with Murderous Eye (Gain combat advantage vs immobilized, slowed, and weakened enemies)
::Replace Ability Bonuses with +2 Dexterity and +2 Charisma
::Replace Dragon Breath with Caustic Heritage (Two racial powers)
:::'''Toxic Saliva''' (Racial Encounter; minor action; makes the next hit with an axe, heavy blade, light blade, pick, or spear, or an arrow/crossbow bolt deal 1d6 poison damage (2d6 on level 11, 3d6 on level 21) and save-ends slowed - first failed save escalates slowed to immobilized)
:::'''Toxic Revenge''' (Racial Daily; immediate reaction close burst 2 Str/Dex/Con+2 vs Reflex; If successful, this deals 1d6 poison damage and save-ends ongoing 5 poison damage (2d6 and 10 ongoing on level 11, 3d6 and 15 ongoing on level 21)).