Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
There be dragons here..., 8 Mar 2007
Here goes... If, like me, you think the Dragon section in the Monster Manual just isn't detailed enough, then this is the book for you. It has tons of good solid material, including information on the anatomy, psychology, 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, which is also a plus.
The Draconomicon is divided into five chapters and two appendices, and they are:
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, so you definitely feel you've got something for your buck. 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, a distinctly superior piece of art for a D&D supplement making this one truly a standout.
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, which is surely going to whet someone's appetite for a challenge.
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 also 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.
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, though, is a minor quibble, and barely registers once you've put the book down.
This is by far one of the strongest supplements from Wizards of the Coast since 3.5 started, and it has subsequently been complemented by the slightly-less-impressive but very useful Dragon Magic. Don't bother with Races of the Dragon, even if you're a big dragon fan like me. I really don't think Draconomicon will ever be surpassed. It has a feeling of purity about it, perhaps because it truly harks back to the origins of the game, whichever versions you've played.
Dragons. I love 'em.
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20 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not too bad, 15 Feb 2004
By A Customer
This book comes in pretty handy if you want to incorporate dragons into your campaign. Although this book is mainly about dragons there is a chapter for players to look at which has new spells, feats and prestige classes (which are all mainly associated with dragons). There is also a chapter based on some new monsters and there is a chapter which shows sample dragons of all colours and sketches of what their lairs may look like.
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5 of 48 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
the best, 7 Jan 2004
although all about dragons this book has superd artwoark and will encorage all dms to include at least 1 dragon encounter well done wizards!!!!!
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