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Way of the Dragon

Dragons are among the oldest forces in the world — patient, elemental, and terrifyingly powerful. Monks of the Way of the Dragon do not worship dragonkind, but they seek to emulate it: to channel the same primal energies that course through a dragon's blood into their own ki, reshaping their strikes and breath into weapons of elemental fury.

These monks are often intense and proud, carrying a regal stillness that can shift without warning into explosive violence. They select a draconic heritage at the start of their training and spend years binding that elemental identity into every movement. By the time they reach the pinnacle of the path, their presence alone carries the weight of a creature that commands fear across entire civilizations.

Way of the Dragon Table:

Level Subclass Features Gained
3rd Draconic Heritage, Dragon Strike
6th Wings of the Dragon
11th Draconic Breath
17th Dragon Aspect

Subclass Features

Draconic Heritage

3rd-level Way of the Dragon feature

You align your ki with the elemental power of dragonkind. Choose one of the following dragon types: acid, cold, fire, lightning, or poison. This choice determines your heritage type.

You gain resistance to your heritage damage type. You also learn one cantrip of your choice that deals damage of your heritage type.

Dragon Strike

3rd-level Way of the Dragon feature

When you hit a creature with an unarmed strike, you can spend 1 ki point to infuse the blow with draconic energy, dealing an additional \(1d6\) damage of your heritage type instead of the attack's normal damage type.

Wings of the Dragon

6th-level Way of the Dragon feature

You can channel your ki to manifest spectral dragon wings. As a bonus action, you can spend 2 ki points to cause translucent wings to spring from your back. For 10 minutes, you gain a flying speed equal to your walking speed.

While the wings are visible, you have advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks as the sight of them unnerves lesser creatures.

You can dismiss the wings at any time (no action required).

Draconic Breath

11th-level Way of the Dragon feature

You can exhale elemental energy in a devastating burst. As an action, you can spend 3 ki points to breathe elemental power in one of the following shapes (your choice each time you use this feature):

  • A 30-foot cone
  • A 60-foot line that is 5 feet wide

Each creature in the area must make a Constitution saving throw (DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier). A creature takes \(6d6\) damage of your heritage type on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one.

Dragon Aspect

17th-level Way of the Dragon feature

Your draconic power radiates outward with crushing force. Whenever you spend ki points, you can choose to emit an aura of draconic power until the start of your next turn. Each creature of your choice within 30 feet of you must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw (DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier) or be frightened of you until the end of your next turn.

In addition, while your Wings of the Dragon are manifested, your movement no longer provokes opportunity attacks.