So after some thought, I decided that I should simplify the Dragon Rider Class. I made him more of a spellsword Knight class with access to Sorcerer spells. Here's what I have listed:
Class Features
Hit Points
Hit Dice: 1d12 per Dragon Rider level
Hit Points at 1st Level: 1d12 + Constitution modifier
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d12 (or 5) + Constitution modifier per Dragon Rider level after 1st
Proficiencies
Armor: light armor, medium armor, and shields
Weapons: Simple weapons and two martial weapon of player's choice
Tools: None
Saving Throws: Strength and Charisma
Skills: Two of the following: Acrobatics, Arcana, Athletics, Intimidation, History, Perception, Persuasion, and Survival. Animal Handling is for free.
Equipment
You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:
One martial weapon (and ammunition, if applicable).
Dragon Scale Mail (Matches the color of your dragon)
An exotic saddle (dragon)
(a) A short bow and a quiver with 24 arrows or (b) A long bow with 24 arrows
(a) A Dungeoneer's Pack or (b) an Explorer's Pack
If getting your own items instead of the ones listed in the Equipment section, starting wealth is 4d4x10 gp.
Table: The Dragon Rider
Level Proficiency Bonus Features
1st +2 New Dragon Rider, Draconic Bond
2nd +2 Draconic Resistance
3rd +2 Draconic Prowess
4th +2 Ability Score Improvement
5th +3 Wyrmling Dragon Rider
6th +3 Ability Score Improvement
7th +3 Draconic Sense
8th +3 Ability Score Improvement
9th +4 Draconic Prowess Upgrade
10th +4 Young Dragon Rider
11th +4 Draconic Senses Upgrade
12th +4 Ability Score Improvement
13th +5 Draconic Prowess Upgrade
14th +5 Ability Score Improvement
15th +5 Adult Dragon Rider
16th +5 Ability Score Improvement
17th +6 Last Stand
18th +6 Draconic Senses Upgrade
19th +6 Ability Score Improvement
20th +6 Ancient Dragon Rider
New Dragon Rider
You have bonded with a Dragon Hatchling, and a special bond has been forged between you and your first Dragon. At 1st level, you have a Pseudodragon (species is player's choice) whose alignment can differ by one (a LG player would have a dragon of NG, LN, or LG alignment). This dragon is treated as a normal dragon, but is loyal to you, as you’ve raised it and developed a strong bond. If your dragon is abused by you, however, the dragon may turn on you and leave. As you’ve begun your training as a Dragon Rider, choose one of the following feats: Blade Mastery, Dual Wielder, Great Weapon Master, or Savage Attacker. At first level, you have learned to speak with your dragons with your thoughts. Since your bond is relatively new, you can only communicate telepathically up to 100 feet. You can speak, read, and write in Draconic.
Draconic Bond
When you first began your training, you were given a dragon of your very own. You start off your journey with a Pseudodragon. This dragon acts independently of you, but it always obeys your commands. As you gain levels in this class, your dragon grows in power. If you are unconscious or absent, your dragon does its best to protect itself and you from harm, even if it means fleeing from danger. In the event of your dragon’s death and you survive, you must make a wisdom save with penalties against madness. If the rider dies, the dragon will suffer from the same affects. You cannot bond with another dragon, and your dragon cannot bond with another rider. The survivor may retire or resume their adventure.
Draconic Prowess
Starting at 3rd level, your bond with your dragon seems to have quickened your limbs. Whenever you take the attack action, you may make two attacks. However, if you are wielding a weapon with the Heavy or Oversized properties, you do not get this bonus. You also increase your walking speed by 10ft. However, if you are wearing Heavy Armor, you do not get this bonus. At 7th level, whenever you take the attack action, you may make up to 3 attacks. However, you can only make up to 2 attacks if you are wielding a weapon with the Heavy or Oversized properties. You also have a 20 feet bonus to your base movement speed, which is decreased to only 10 feet if you are wearing Heavy armor (this ability effectively replaces Draconic Prowess). At 14th level, whenever you take an attack action, you may make up to 4 attacks. You can wield Heavy or Oversized weapons or armor without penalty. You gain proficiency with Heavy Armor. You also have a bonus of 40 feet movement to your base speed.
Draconic Protection
At level 2nd level, you have found that you don't notice when your dragon uses a breath attack. You gain immunity to the damage type of your dragon's breath weapon. If you dragon is within 30 feet, enemies get disadvantage on attack rolls against you, and you can give disadvantage on attacks against your dragon.
Ability Score Increase
When you reach 4th level, and again at 6th, 8th, 12th, 14th, 16th, and 19th, level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, increase two ability scores of your choice by 1, or choose a feat of your choice.
Wyrmling Dragon Rider
When you reach 5th level, your pseudodragon’s accelerated growth has allowed it to grow into a Dragon Wyrmling. Your dragon’s stats improve. Telepathy with your dragon increases to 500 feet. The Dragon Rider is promoted and given a Cloak of the Dragon Riders and Dragon Scale Helm as a reward from the Dragon Rider Faction. Your dragon is now large enough to ride, though not enough to fly with the rider. You gain the Mounted Combatant Feat when you reach this level.
Draconic Sense
At 6th level, your bond with your dragon had given you draconic senses. You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) check that use sight, smell, and/or hearing. Enemies have a disadvantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks if they can be detected by sight, smell, and/or hearing. You also gain faster reactions. You are now able to perform a bonus action and a parry reaction. You are now able to make a bonus action in addition to your normal reaction. If you are attacked by an enemy that you are within sight and have at least one weapon in hand, you may add +3 AC to parry the attack. This can only be done once until you have a long rest. At 13th level, your parry reaction will be +4 AC, and be used twice before needing a long rest. At 18th level, gain +5 AC and can be used three times before needing a long rest.
Young Dragon Rider
When you reach 10th level, your dragon ages and becomes a Young Dragon due to its accelerated growth. Your dragon’s stats improve. Telepathy with your dragon improves to 1000 feet. As a result of your strong bond, your body ceases to age and cannot be aged magically. You can still die of old age, disease, etc. +1 to AC to rider and dragon if rider is mounted.
Adult Dragon Rider
When you reach 15th level, your dragon becomes an adult dragon due to its accelerated growth. Your dragon’s stats improve. Telepathy with your dragon improves to one mile. +2 AC to both if rider is mounted.
Last Stand
At 17th, you and your dragon are so bound together, you can even resist death for them. When you drop to 0 HP or die (including instant death, death through exhaustion, etc.), make a Constitution saving throw. If you succeed, you drop to 1 HP instead. You also lose one level of exhaustion. This lasts as long as you still have 1 HP. If your dragon is within 120 feet of you, you automatically succeed in the saving throw. You cannot use this again until you complete a long rest. This applies to your dragon as well.
Ancient Dragon Rider
When you reach 20th level, your dragon has reached its pinnacle strength due to its accelerated growth. Your dragon’s stats improve. Telepathy has improved so much, you are now mentally linked with your dragon, no matter the distance between the two. +3 AC to both if rider is mounted. If your dragon is able to Polymorph, you can have your Ancient Dragon polymorph into a humanoid or another creature of your choice.
