Drachenart

Drachenart is a German term used in fantasy literature and game worlds to denote a dragon’s taxonomic category or type. The word combines Drachen (dragon) and Art (kind, species, type). In this sense, Drachenart refers to distinct lineages within a fictional dragon population, defined by shared traits rather than real-world biology.

In worldbuilding and fiction, Drachenarten can be organized along several axes: elemental affinity (for example Feuerdrache, Eisdrachen), habitat (Gebirge, Höhle, Küste), size and physiology (from wyrmling to ancient, with variations in wings and horns), and temperament or behavior (territorial, solitary, wise). The taxonomy is not standardized and varies between authors and game systems, and distinctions are used to assign abilities, vulnerabilities, and lore rather than to reflect actual biology.

In role-playing games and novels, the concept helps create varied encounters and a sense of ecological complexity. Authors may describe a region as home to several Drachenarten, each with its own hoard, culture, flight patterns, and magical affinities. Some settings allow hybrids or regional variants that combine traits from multiple Arten.

Common Drachenarten encountered in fantasy media include Feuerdrache, Eisdrachen, Erddrache, Sturmdrachen, Wasserdrachen, and Kristalldrache. A note: the concept is a storytelling device and not a scientific classification.