It’s a common question among fantasy role-playing game enthusiasts: just how fast are dragons supposed to be? When you picture a majestic dragon soaring through the skies, the idea of them being slow hardly comes to mind. Yet, many game systems, including popular tabletop RPGs, often assign surprisingly modest speeds to these mythical beasts. Let’s delve into why the often-cited dragon flight speeds might feel underwhelming and how to approach this in your games.
The Official Speed: Examining the 20 mph Rule
In many fantasy settings, you’ll find dragons capped at a flight speed hovering around 20 miles per hour. This number often stems from game mechanics designed for balanced combat encounters and map scale. The original article we’re discussing points out this very issue, highlighting the disconnect between this speed and our intuitive understanding of dragon flight. Is 20 mph truly representative of a dragon’s aerial prowess?
Real-World Speed Comparisons: Horses, Birds, and Squirrels
To put 20 mph in perspective, consider real-world animals. As the original author notes, an average horse can easily reach speeds of 30-40 mph. Even a common squirrel, darting through trees, can hit a top speed of around 20 mph. Swallows, birds known for their agility in the air, can also fly at 30-40 mph. When we compare these speeds to a dragon – a creature of immense size and power – 20 mph starts to feel surprisingly sluggish. Imagine witnessing a dragon traveling at the same speed as a squirrel; it hardly evokes the sense of awe and speed we associate with these legendary creatures.
Why 20 mph Feels Wrong: Gameplay vs. Realism
The discrepancy arises because game speeds are often abstracted for gameplay purposes. During combat encounters, precise movement and tactical positioning are key. Limiting dragon speed to 20 mph keeps them within the bounds of manageable combat scenarios on typical battle maps. However, when we consider overland travel, chases, or simply the narrative image of a dragon in flight, this speed can feel immersion-breaking. The original article rightly argues that these in-game speeds are designed for battle proportionality, not necessarily for depicting realistic travel across vast distances.
DM’s Guide to Speed: Adjusting Dragon Speed for Epic Adventures
So, what’s a Dungeon Master to do? The original author suggests a crucial point: DMs should feel empowered to adjust these speeds, especially outside of combat. While sticking to the core game rules for combat encounters is important for balance, out-of-combat scenarios offer flexibility. Consider proportionally increasing dragon speeds for overland travel or chase sequences. This doesn’t break the game but enhances the sense of scale and realism.
For instance, if you feel 20 mph is too slow for a dragon traversing continents, consider a proportional increase that applies to all creatures and characters, maintaining the relative speed differences within the game world while making long journeys feel less protracted. This approach honors the game’s mechanics while allowing for a more believable and exciting narrative.
Conclusion: Embracing Believable Dragon Flight
Ultimately, the question of “how fast can dragons fly” is less about strict numbers and more about creating a believable and engaging experience for players. While game rules provide a framework, DMs have the power to interpret and adapt them to enhance the story. By acknowledging the limitations of abstracted game speeds and considering proportional adjustments for out-of-combat scenarios, you can ensure that dragons in your game truly feel like the awe-inspiring, fast-flying creatures of legend.
