Drake RiderSource Draconic Codex
pg. 220A dragon chooses its rider.
Only a few are worthy. “Having the soul of a dragon” is an apt Avistani saying for individuals who show indomitable charisma, unfaltering purpose, and an iron will. Such qualities mark every drake rider, while a proud or noble dragon also demands respect from any who would ride upon their back. A dedicated rider who doesn’t confuse violence with strength and shows no hesitation or fear earns a deep bond that grows from the dragon’s mutual respect. In the air or on the ground, this bond forms a lethal union of dragon and rider.
Uncommon Archetype Dedication Source Draconic Codex
pg. 220Archetype Drake RiderPrerequisites trained in
Nature; Charisma +1
You gain the service of a young
riding drake,
riding dragonet, or another animal companion with the
dragon trait you have access to. Your bond with your dragon companion lets you communicate and issue commands to it telepathically with a range of 100 feet. You must still use the
Command an Animal action to direct it but don’t require words or gestures to do so.
Archetype Source Draconic Codex
pg. 220Archetype Drake RiderPrerequisites Drake Rider Dedication
Your dragon companion matures and the bond you share is strengthened. The dragon companion you gained with your Drake Rider Dedication is now a
mature animal companion.
Your dragon companion gains greater independence. During an encounter, even if you don’t use the
Command an Animal action, your dragon companion can still use 1 action that round on your turn to
Stride or
Strike. It can do this at any point during your turn, as long as you aren’t currently taking an action. If it does, that’s all the actions it gets that round—you can’t Command it later.
Archetype Source Draconic Codex
pg. 220Archetype Drake RiderPrerequisites dragon companion with the mount special ability;
Drake Rider Dedication
While drakes and dragons are able flyers, they’re uncomfortable carrying a rider in the air without special training. Through hard work, nerves of steel, and the deep bond you share with your draconic companion, your companion has learned to carry you skyward, if only briefly. Your dragon companion gains the Winged Leap action.
Winged Leap [one-action] Frequency once per round;
Effect Your dragon companion
Flies. If it doesn’t normally have a
fly Speed, it gains a fly Speed of 25 feet for this movement. If it isn’t on solid ground at the end of this movement, it falls.
Archetype Stance Source Draconic Codex
pg. 220Archetype Drake RiderPrerequisites Drake Rider Dedication; trained in
Acrobatics
You spend little time in your saddle as you flip unpredictably around your dragon mount, dodging attacks. While mounted and in this stance, your mount always provides you with
lesser cover and you don’t take the –2 circumstance penalty to Reflex saves while mounted.
Archetype Aura Stance Source Draconic Codex
pg. 220Archetype Drake RiderPrerequisites Drake Rider Dedication; expert in martial weapons; dragon companion with a support benefit that includes damage
Your dragon’s constant breath threatens your foes. While in this stance, your dragon companion has an aura in a 5-foot
emanation. Each creature that starts its turn in the aura takes the damage listed under the dragon’s support benefit with a
basic Reflex save against your mount’s
Athletics DC.
Archetype Source Draconic Codex
pg. 220Archetype Drake RiderPrerequisites Mature Dragon Companion
Your mature dragon companion develops further, becoming more robust and formidable. Your dragon companion becomes a
nimble or
savage animal companion, gaining additional capabilities determined by the type of companion.
Archetype Source Draconic Codex
pg. 220Archetype Drake RiderPrerequisites Winged Leap
Your bond with your dragon has been honed so fine that it can carry you aloft with its full capability. Your dragon companion has a
fly Speed of 25 feet at all times.
Death Dive [three-actions] Feat 12
Archetype Source Draconic Codex
pg. 220Archetype Drake RiderPrerequisites Flair Rider Stance;
Wing RiderRequirements You are riding your dragon companion and are airborne.
You guide your mount into a plummet, diving headlong at a single foe. You command your mount to
Fly twice. It must end this movement at a lower altitude than it began its turn at. You and your mount gain a +4 circumstance bonus to AC against reactions triggered by this movement. At the end of this movement, your mount attempts a melee
Strike against one creature in its reach. If the Strike hits, the target is knocked
prone if it’s smaller than your mount; if it’s a critical hit, the target is knocked prone if it’s the same size as your mount or smaller.
Archetype Source Draconic Codex
pg. 221Archetype Drake RiderPrerequisites War Rider StanceRequirements War Rider Stance is active.
You urge your dragon mount forward, wreathed in magical power. Your mount
Strides three times. If your mount has a
fly Speed, it can substitute a
Fly action for any of these Stride actions. As it moves, your dragon companion’s magical breath billows around you. The aura from War Rider Stance increases to a 10-foot
emanation during this movement, and each creature that’s in the emanation at any point during your movement takes the damage from it (with the normal save). A creature can take damage only once, even if you move past it multiple times.
Archetype Source Draconic Codex
pg. 221Archetype Drake RiderPrerequisites Wing RiderTrigger Your turn ends.
Requirements Your airborne dragon mount has not used the
Fly action this turn.
You guide your draconic companion, whose outstretched wings fill with unseen thermals. Your mount hovers without needing to use a
Fly action to stay in place.