For many fantasy fans, the idea of soaring through the skies on the back of a mighty dragon is the ultimate adventure. Whether you dream of raising a loyal draconic companion or mastering ancient techniques to bond with these legendary beasts, tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) offer a gateway to that fantastical reality. In this article, we’ll explore two TTRPG systems that celebrate dragons and give you the tools to train them. The most important thing will be to clearly communicate the fantasy you are trying to create to your player or GM. Here are two systems that we can modify to help you train that Dragon!
Dragon & Monster Mastery In Dungeons & Dragons
For fans of epic fantasy and draconic legends, Dungeons & Dragons offers a treasure trove of adventures — especially when you integrate dedicated modules and supplements that focus on training dragons and other formidable companions. Four standout resources in this arena are Odyssey of the Dragon Lords, Monster Trainer’s Handbook, Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, and the Dragon Ranger Subclass from Fizban’s Treasury of Dragons. Together, these options allow you to craft campaigns where forging bonds with dragons and other monsters is not just an ancillary theme — it’s front and center.
Odyssey of the Dragon Lords
• Dragon Companionship: This adventure module places dragons at the core of its narrative, providing dedicated mechanics and immersive role-playing moments that let you form a deep and dynamic bond with your dragon companion.
• Epic Adventure Setting: Set in a richly detailed world teeming with draconic lore the players will explore sprawling landscapes, ancient ruins, and dragon-guarded strongholds — all designed to elevate the thrill of dragon training.
• Integrated D&D Mechanics: Seamlessly blends familiar Dungeons & Dragons rules with innovative adaptations tailored to highlight aerial tactics, specialized bonding abilities, and unique combat challenges.
Monster Trainer's Handbook
• Expanded Bestiary: Developed as a comprehensive 5e supplement, this handbook broadens your options by introducing a wide range of animal and monstrous companions—from classic beasts to exotic, mythic creatures — ideal for any adventurer looking to train a loyal ally.
• Detailed Customization: It offers robust mechanisms for personalizing your companion’s skills, abilities, and backstory, thus ensuring that each bond is unique and deeply impactful on your campaign’s narrative.
• Seamless Integration: Crafted specifically for D&D 5e, it effortlessly enhances your game without disrupting established mechanics. Therefore, opening up fresh strategic and storytelling opportunities.
Ranger: Drake Warden (from Fizban's Treasury of Dragons)
• Draconic Bonding: The Drake Warden Subclass allows players to merge the ranger’s natural prowess with a deep, personal connection to dragons. This class option lets you raise your dragon, ride it, and fight alongside it!
• Specialized Abilities: With features emphasizing tracking and combat alongside dragon-inspired magic, the Drake Warden offers a unique blend of martial skill and mythical flair.
• Narrative Integration: Perfect for campaigns focused on draconic lore, this subclass enriches your story by embedding the dragon connection directly into your character’s progression and abilities, creating memorable moments of heroic synergy.
Dragon Sidekicks with Tasha's Cauldron of Everything
Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything introduced updated companion features that can be creatively retooled to let your players bond with and command dragon companions. By adapting these rules, you can transform a standard beast companion into a draconic ally, enhancing your campaign’s epic, dragon-centric narrative.
• Enhanced Companion Mechanics: The revised companion rules offer increased customization options, allowing you to adjust attributes, abilities, and traits to suit a dragon’s might and mystique.
• Customization for Draconic Traits: With a bit of homebrew flair, you can modify companion statistics and abilities to reflect the unique traits of dragons — such as breath weapon enhancements, flight, and elemental resistances, ensuring that your dragon companion feels as legendary as the creatures in myth.
• Seamless Integration: These companion rules naturally blend with the standard D&D 5e mechanics. With creative adjustments, they provide a balanced framework that lets dragon companions thrive without overshadowing the party’s collective abilities.
Cypher
Created by Monte Cook Games, the Cypher System is renowned for its flexibility and narrative-driven approach. Although it’s commonly associated with science-fantasy settings (as seen in games like Numenera and The Strange), its lightweight mechanics with a few creative tweaks make it an excellent candidate. Its Predation setting can be transformed into a vibrant world of dragon training. By reworking its mechanics, you can shift the focus from survival to epic adventures where the bond between dragon and trainer takes center stage.
Cypher System (Adapted for Dragon Training)
Key Features:
• Narrative Flexibility: The Cypher System’s streamlined rules make it easy to reimagine its original themes, allowing you to create an immersive, dragon-centric setting emphasizing storytelling over rigid mechanics.
• Custom Power Generation: Adapt the system’s unique points and descriptors to craft extraordinary abilities — both for trainers and their dragons — mirroring the awe-inspiring powers found in draconic lore.
• Dynamic World-Building: Modify the predation setting challenges to create a society of dragonriders.
Using It for Dragon Training:
• Custom Dragon Bonding: Introduce new mechanics that reflect the profound connection between trainer and dragon, offering benefits that evolve as the bond deepens.
• Setting Adjustments: Shift the thematic focus from science to a mystical, dragon-infused universe, complete with magical creatures, ancient ruins, and soaring skies.
• Epic Narratives: Emphasize collaborative storytelling that highlights themes of growth, trust, and the transformative journey of mastering draconic companionship.
Conclusion
In any TTRPG, talk with your GM to have some of your regular abilities manifest as a dragon you train. The dragon could always do your physical tasks, or the spells you cast are thrown from your dragon’s mouth. Good GMs are always ready to work with their players to add fun and flair to the game!
Matt Balogh (GMBalogh), a four-year Pro GM veteran who’s ready to include you in their game!
