Dragon Physiology

"Dragons always attracted me as a mythological element. They seemed to be able to comprise human malice and bestiality together so extraordinarily well, and also a sort of malicious wisdom and shrewdness — terrifying creatures!"

― J. R. R. Tolkien

"We men dream dreams, we work magic, we do good, we do evil. The dragons do not dream. They are dreams. They do not work magic: it is their substance, their being. They do not do; they are."

― Ursula K. Le Guin, The Farthest Shore

The power to use the abilities of Dragons. Variation of Mythical Bestiary and Reptilian Physiology.

Also Called

Draconic Mimicry/Physiology
Dragon Mimicry
Ryū Mimicry/Physiology
Vritra Mimicry/Physiology
Wyrm Physiology/Mimicry

Capabilities

User with this ability either is or can transform into Dragon: a legendary creature, typically with serpentine or reptilian traits, that features in the myths of many cultures. There are two distinct cultural traditions of dragons: the European dragon, derived from European folk traditions and which is ultimately related to Greek and Middle Eastern mythologies, and the Chinese dragon, with counterparts in Japan, Korea and other East Asian countries.

Broadly speaking, dragons can be divided into following groups:

Western Dragons typically depicted as a huge fire-breathing, scaly and horned lizard-like creature, with leathery, bat-like wings, with four legs and a long muscular tail. It is sometimes shown with feathered wings, crests, fiery manes, ivory spikes running down its spine and various exotic colorations. Dragon's blood often has magical properties. The typical dragon protects a cavern or castle filled with gold and treasure and is often associated with a great hero who tries to slay it. Though a winged creature, the dragon is generally to be found in its underground lair, a cave that identifies it as an ancient creature of earth.

Asian Dragons typically portrayed as long, scaled, serpentine creatures with four legs. Traditionally they symbolize potent and auspicious powers, particularly control over water, rainfall, hurricane, and floods, and are also a symbols of power, strength, and good luck. They have also extended range of supernatural powers, changing size or form (most are able to take human shape), fly among the clouds or hide in water, form clouds, turn into water, change color as an ability to blend in with their surroundings as an effective form of camouflage or glow in the dark.

Lesser Drakes is something of a catch-all category, including the lesser dragon-like beings, such as wyvern, worm/wyrm, lindworm, etc., which are generally smaller and more animal-like in mind and behavior.

Applications

Atmospheric Adaptation
Decelerated Aging or Semi-Immortality
Dermal Armor/Scale Manifestation
Elemental Breath
- Fire Breath
Enhanced Condition or Supernatural Condition
- Enhanced Durability or Supernaturally Dense Tissue
- Enhanced Endurance or Supernatural Endurance
- Enhanced Intelligence or Supernatural Intelligence
- Enhanced Strength or Supernatural Strength
- Enhanced Senses or Supernatural Senses
  - Enhanced Vision or Supernatural Vision
Fear Masking/Fearlessness
Flight, possibly by Wing Manifestation
Hypnosis
Magic Resistance/Magic Immunity
Natural Weaponry
Omnilingualism
Thermal Resistance

Variations

Types of Dragons

Associations

Limitations

May not be able to transform back.
Size could be an issue.
In some, dealing with the issue of using energy to fly or use fire can be a problem since some who constantly breathe fire could have a problem with flying.
User gains the fundamental weaknesses of a dragon's body.

Universal differences

In some universes, there are a variety of dragons with different abilities; in Dungeons and Dragons, for example, dragons are arranged by type and corresponding element (Red dragons are fire-breathers, Bronze dragons use electricity).

Known Dragon Types

Warcraft: These dragons are the guardians of Azeroth, they are divided into different Dragonflights which protect a different Aspect of Azeroth.
- Red: Life
- Blue: Magic
- Green: Dream
- Bronze: Time
- Black: Earth, after Corruption: Death
- Infinite: Anti-Time
- Chromatic: Biological
- Netherwing: Space
- Twilight: Twilight

Dungeons & Dragons: The powers and personality depend on scale colors. There are two main categories of dragon: chromatic (the Evil-aligned) and metallic (the Good-aligned). Keep in mind that dragons tend to change in Dungeons and Dragons, as different editions are created and discarded. Here is a sample selection of what you might encounter:
- Black, Copper and Green dragons breathe acid. Black and Copper dragons breathe a line of acid, whereas Green breathe a cone of acidic gas.
- Brass, Gold and Red dragons breathe fire. A Red or Gold dragon's breath is a cone, whereas a Brass dragon's breath is a line. NOTE: Brass dragons can also breathe a cone of sleep.
- Silver and White dragons breathe cold. Both dragons breath cones. NOTE: Silver dragons can also breathe a cone of paralyzing gas.
- Bronze and Blue dragons breathe lightning. Both dragons breathe in lines. NOTE: Bronze dragons can also breathe a cone of repulsion.
Metallic Dragons: Dragons that also have extra breath weapons with spell-like effects, breathed in cones.
- Copper dragons breathe slow gas.
- Brass dragons breathe sleep gas.
- Silver dragons breathe paralyzing gas.
- Bronze dragons breathe repulsion gas.
- Gold dragons breathe weakening gas.
Spyro universe: These dragons are much inspired by the classic European, with powers of flight and a breath weapon, but are limited to the mastery of a single element. In the original series of games, there were six breaths: Fire, Water, Bubble, Electricity, Ice and Wind. Other breaths added later include Fury, Earth, Poison, Shadow and Fear.
- Purple dragons are a special and rare breed of dragon. They have the ability to harness the power of multiple elements as opposed to a single one.
Skylanders Universe: These dragons vary in size and appearance, as well as powers. Younger dragons are highly adaptive to their surroundings, making their environment and childhood a key factor to their adulthood, powers, appearance, and personality. Their powers are mainly linked to the elements of Skylands, these dragons also possess powerful magic which also makes them immune to mind control. There are multiple species of dragons as well, which all possess their own unique abilities.
- Purple Dragons Much like the purple dragons from the Spyro series, purple dragons in Skylanders can harness the powers of all the elements.
Fairy Tail: In this universe, there are dragons corresponding to each element, and each dragon is attuned to their element.

American Dragon: Within the universe, dragons are shape changers who can easily shift between human and dragon form to move between the mystic & human worlds. They have the traditional set of powers, but utilize their chi to make Thinking Duplicates of themselves and as an excess supply for Mysticism and spell casting. More experienced users can utilize their chi for making Life-Force Constructs such as energy claws.
How to Train Your Dragon: In the Book of Dragons (also known as the Dragon Manual), Vikings of the Barbaric Archipelago recorded information about dragons and classified them.
- Stoker Class: Dragons are hotheaded fire breathers, and most of them are capable of setting themselves on fire or possess their own, specialized form of using fire.
- Boulder Class: Dragons are tough and associated with the earth. They can eat rocks, and despite that their wings are smaller compared to their entire body, they are able to fly as fast and as high as most other dragons can.
- Sharp Class: Dragons are vain and prideful, and all possess sharp body parts.
- Tidal Class: Dragons live in and near the ocean, and unlike most dragons, they don't have fire breaths as their ranged attacks. These dragons are generally bigger in size than most of other classes, consisting of species classified in the large Dragons.
- Fear Class: Dragons are stealthy and often (but not always) have multiple heads. Instead of fire, they breathe gases with different effects.
- Strike Class: Dragons of this category are super fast, have pin-point accuracy, are highly intelligent and have incredible vice-like jaw strength. They are also the most difficult to train, but the most loyal once trained.
- Mystery Class: Dragons that have little known about them. The often display unique abilities and behavior, whether they can hide themselves, or construct armor consisting of dragon bones.
- Tracker Class: Dragons that have a highly acute sense of smell to track and find things.

Dragonalt The Resonance: The dragons are mecha-like beings, that can transform into humans and return to their natural form using a process called Actualizing
Dragon Crisis: Dragons born in human form with scales on their hands. They use a color-classification system similar to that of Dungeons and Dragons.
- Red: Fire Dragons
- Black: Darkness Dragons
- White: Ice Dragons
- Blue: Water Dragons
Breath of Fire: Dragons of the Brood Clan can interbreed with other species due to having a human form. Such individuals can turn into a dragon via Ascension, and have the power to transform into different forms of dragons.

A Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones: These dragons are inspired by the European version, but more closely resemble the Wyvern, having wings attached to their forelimbs. Most of the members of House Targaryen (and their ancestors, the Valyrians) tamed dragons and frequently used them in warfare. Hatching the eggs is no easy task, requiring a combination of fire and a blood sacrifice. Scale color also varies.

Known Users

See Also: Dragon Tropes, especially Our Dragons Are Different.

Video Games

Dragon Knight (Dota 2)
Dragons (Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim)
Dovahkin/Dragonborn (Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim)
Dragonborn (Fourth Edition Dungeons and Dragons)
Ryu (Breath of Fire franchise)
Valerie (Breath of Fire II)
Yua/Patty (Breath of Fire II)
The Dragoons (The Legend of Dragoon); via Dragoon Spirit
Acid spitting mini dragon (Level Up)
Dragon Aspects (Warcraft)
Makuta Miserix (Bionicle)
Dragons (Skylanders)
Dragons (Dungeons & Dragons)
Dragons (Dragon Age)
Shyvana (League of Legends)
Aurelion Sol (League of Legends)
Fou-Lu (Breath of Fire IV)
Draco (Dragonheart)
Drake (Dragonheart: A new Beginning)
Griffon (Dragonheart: A new Beginning)
Dragons (Warcraft)
Reis Duelar (Final Fantasy)
Dragons (Spyro the Dragon)
- Spyro
- Cynder
- Ember
- Flame
Ryu Hayabusa (Ninja Gaiden); through Art of the True Inferno
Manaketes (Fire Emblem)
Sash Lilac (Freedom Planet)
Robin (Fire Emblem: Awakening); though joining with Grima
Cynder (The Legend of Spyro)
Dragon (The Legend of Spyro)
Magma Dragoon (Mega Man X4)
Mecha Dragon (Mega Man Classic series)
Mirmulnir (Elder Scrolls: Skyrim)
Amphis And Baena (Valkyrie Crusade)
Dragon Princess (Valkyrie Crusade)
Azure Dragon (Valkyrie Crusade)
Red Dragon (Valkyrie Crusade)
Huang Long (Valkyrie Crusade)
White Dragon (Valkyrie Crusade)
Black Dragon (Valkyire Crusade)
Sol Badguy (Guilty Gear)
Corrin/Kamui (Fire Emblem Fates)
Volga (Hyrule Warriors)
Liu Kang (Mortal Kombat)
Drogoz (Paladins)

Anime/Manga

Dai (Dai's Great Adventure)
Baran (Dai's Great Adventure)
Dragon Knights (Dai's Great Adventure)
Issei Hyoudou (High School DxD)
Dragons (Fairy Tail)
Acnologia (Fairy Tail)
Dragons (Seikoku no Dragonar)
Echo (Seikoku no Dragonar)
Dragon-type Pokémon (Pokémon)
Pokémon that learn Dragon-type moves (Pokémon)
Shenron (Dragon Ball)
Porunga (Dragon Ball)
Shadow Dragons (Dragon Ball)
Guardian ÄRM, V (Fünf) - Dead Dragon (Marchen Awakens Romance)
Drago (Bakugan)
Apollonir (Bakugan)
Helios (Bakugan)
Dharak (Bakugan)
Hyōrinmaru (Bleach)
Bago (Zatch Bell!)
Ashuron (Zatch Bell!)
Elzador (Zatch Bell!)
Dragons (Dragonaut The Resonance)
Paccalachi/Drago (Eto Rangers)
Momonosuke (One Piece); via Devil Fruit
Lugyao (One Piece:Mugiwara Theatre)
Shōryūki (Ghost Sweeper Mikami)
Yui Hongo (Fushigi Yûgi)
Seiryuu (Fushigi Yûgi)
Dracomon (Digimon)
Coredramon (Digimon)
Wingdramon (Digimon)
Slayerdramon (Digimon)
Examon (Digimon)
Imperialdramon Dragon Mode (Digimon)
Magnadramon (Digimon)
Majiramon (Digimon)
Mafuga (Doraemon)
Dragon Race (Rave Master)
- Let
- Julia
Sigmund (Unbreakable Machine-Doll)
Dragons (Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon)

Cartoons/Comics

Neddy (Adventure Time)
Prince Aragon (Danny Phantom); via Amulet of Aragon
Princess Dorathea (Danny Phantom); via Amulet of Aragon
Dragons (My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic)
Duncan Rosenblatt (Image Comics)
Drago (Jackie Chan Adventures)
Shendu (Jackie Chan Adventures)
Dragon Man (Marvel Comics)
Fin Fang Foom (Marvel Comics)
Dragons (American Dragon: Jake Long)
- Jake Long
- Haley Long
- Sun Park
- Gregory Long
- Fred Nerk
- Councilor Chang
- Councilor Andam
- Councilor Kulde
- Councilor Kukulkhan
- Councilor Omina
- The Dark Dragon
Dragonwing (Marvel Comics)
Alien Dragons (Ben 10: Alien Force)
Trogdor the Burninator (Homestar Runner)
Mobian dragons (Archie's Sonic the Hedgehog/Sonic SATAM)
- Dulcy The Dragon
Dragons (Dragon Tales)
Malchior (Teen Titans)
Ninja Turtles (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2003 TV series)
Ninja Tribunal (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2003 TV series)
Oroku Saki (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2003 TV series)
Dragonlord (Dragon Warrior)
Dragons (The 7D)
Dragons (Tara Duncan)
- Master Chem
Dragons (Sofia the First)
- Crackle
- Dragons of Enchancia
Princess Kyra (Reversal of the Heart); via dragon heart
Fang (Miraculous Ladybug)

Mythology/Folklore

Nidhogg (Norse Mythology)
Kiyohime (Japanese Mythology)

Television/Film

Ragonas (Ang Panday 2 - Film)
Kilgarrah, Dragons and Wyverns (Merlin)
Sarah Daniels (Dragon Wars - Film)
Maleficent (Once Upon A Time)
Dragonna (Komiks Presents: Dragonna)
Tagon (Komiks Presents: Dragonna)
Dragons (Reign of Fire)
Dragon (Shrek)
Dragons (Game of Thrones)
Maleficent (Disney's Sleeping Beauty)
Elliot (Pete's Dragon)
Dragons (How to Train Your Dragon)
Taro (The 7th Voyage of Sinbad)
Dragons (Barbie as Rapunzel)
- Penelope
- Hugo

Literature

The Blood Family (Dragon DelaSange)
Peter DelaSange (Dragon DelaSange)
Don Henri DelaSange (Dragon DelaSange)
Chloe Blood/DelaSange (Dragon DelaSange)
Henri DelaSange (Dragon DelaSange)
Lizzie DelaSange (Dragon DelaSange)
Elizabeth Blood/DelaSange (Dragon DelaSange)
Dragons (Inheritance Cycle)
Smaug (The Hobbit)
Ancalagon (The Silmarillion)
Perry Gomez (Shadow Falls)
Steve (Shadow Falls)
Temperaire (Temperaire/In His Majesty's Service)
Dragons (Discworld)
Dragons (A Song of Ice and Fire)
Sigmund (Unbreakable Machine-Doll)
Jim Eckert/Gorbash (The Dragon and the George)

Other

Mimring, Charos, Braxas, Nelfhim, and Zelrig (Heroscape)
Ugin (Magic: the Gathering)