Dragon Defender

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Dragon defenders gain no proficiency with any weapons or armor.

Empathy (Su): Once a lair is secured and stocked, the defender initiates a process to bind its companion and itself to each other. As a free action the character or the dragon ally can detect the surface emotions of the other. The character and the ally need not be able to see each other, but they must be on the same plane. Using this power reveals the subject’s basic needs, drives, and emotions.

Improved Frightful Presence (Ex): When flying together, the dragon and her comrade make an imposing pair, and the dragon seems to loom larger and seem even more fearsome than otherwise. With the comrade in the saddle, the save DC against the dragon’s frightful presence power increases by +1. For every three psionic dragon comrade levels the rider has, the bonuses increases by an additional +1 (+1 at 1st level +2 at 4th level, and so on).

Defensive Tactics (Ex): At 6th level, neither the defender nor her comrade can be flanked while the comrade is in the saddle. They have learned to look in each other’s blind spots to prevent enemies from sneaking up on them.

Defensive Teamwork (Ex): At 8th level, the defender and her comrade work so well together that they continually act to prevent each other from harm. Both the defender and companion receive a +2 circumstance bonus to Armor Class and a +1 circumstance bonus on Reflex saving throws.

Improved Maneuverability (Ex): The rider’s presence in the saddle allows the dragon to anticipate and react to conditions in the air more quickly than normal, and the dragon also learns to take advantage of the rider’s weight, shifting it at just the right moment to help it maneuver. Whenever the comrade is in the saddle, the dragon gets a one-step bonus to its maneuverability rating. For example, a dragon with Poor maneuverability gains Average maneuverability when the comrade is aboard.