.jpg?q=50&fit=contain&w=1140&h=&dpr=1.5)
Neverwinter: Dragonslayer completely overhauled its dragons by using Dungeon & Dragons' Fizban's Treasury of Dragons as inspiration, according to the developers.
In an exclusive to CBR, the development team at Cryptic Studios discussed their inspirations for the new Neverwinter: Dragonslayer module and also dropped a few tidbits about what players can expect when the game launches today. Along with a complete overhaul of its dragons, the update includes complex personalities for each chromatic dragon species, varied and dynamic fighting styles from each dragon and a breakdown of the unique traits of the five dragon species players can look forward to facing.
Elliot Minner, the Content Designer for Neverwinter, spoke briefly about how Neverwinter's dragons take after the source material in Fizban's Treasury of Dragons. "We wanted to give each chromatic dragon a distinct personality that stays true to the source material," he explained. "For example, green dragons are cleverer and manipulative, which we translated to more of a focus on spellcasting and special abilities, whereas white dragons are often wilder and more physical in defending their lairs."
Each of the species of dragons also has certain preferences in posture, he added, as Dragonslayer adds different stances for the dragons to take when they fight players. Quadruped, the standard pose, is how dragons stand for their basic attacks. Dragons rear up on their hind legs when preparing spells, with a massive variety now at their disposal to keep players similarly on their toes. Finally, dragons may also take flight, allowing them to use aerial breath weapons and claw strikes.
In terms of special attacks, each of the five chromatic dragon species possesses unique moves players will need to memorize in order to better prepare for battle against them. Like those from DnD, Neverwinter's dragons share the same varying breath attacks based on their color -- Black has acid, Blue has lightning, Red has fire, Green has poisonous gas and White has ice. These elemental affinities reflect the types of spells each can cast, such as a Red dragon's ability to cast Wall of Fire against players as well as breathing the classic fire breath attack.
Not only does the dragon species denote attack types, but so does age. Young dragons tend to wander alone, making them easier targets for players just starting out on Dragon Hunts. Adult dragons live in groups of three, making them more challenging to hunt but also worth greater shares of loot. The most difficult to fight are the Ancient dragons, which travel in a full party of five. Players who manage to slay their dragon foes are in for an assortment of loot, namely dragon scales and ridges, which can be used to forge powerful weapons, such as the Mighty Cuirass of the Dragon Hunter armor, from Smerdiuk Dragonbane's armorer.
Dragonslayer follows up on the events in Dragonborn Vale after players managed to rid the Storm Coast of Valindra Shadowmantle, though not before she cast a flawed version of Scaleblight Mythal. At the start of Dragonslayer, the spell awakens countless dragons, urging them into a mad rage and twisting their motivations. Players must join forces with Smerdiuk Dragonbane, the legendary dragon slayer, to rid the world of these dragons.