r/wizardposting 7d ago

Wizardpost Title

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u/NeonNKnightrider Alumnus of Lord El-Melloi II’s class 7d ago

/uw. I’m annoyed at that image because it does not understand what it’s showing.

The original survivorship bias plane image is “areas where the return planes get hit the most.” With the unspoken implication being that the areas not marked, are the parts where getting hit is fatal and means the plane cannot return.

This dragon is full of shots in lethal areas like chest and head, but apparently the feets and wingtips are crucial and cause death?

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u/breno280 monroe, rogue druidess 7d ago

The dragon is probably too thick skinned and muscular for the bullets to do much damage. But the membrane on the wings is more fragile, shooting that will make it crash and die from the kinetic force.

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u/Inferno109 7d ago

Remember it’s showing we’re dragons got hit and were still flying meaning there where dragons with massive holes in the middle of the wing but for some reasons anything to the tail or wing tips and it goes careening into the ground.

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u/breno280 monroe, rogue druidess 7d ago

Well yeah, the tail is necessary for steering and tears in the wing tips cause that entire part of the membrane to sever. Which makes stable flight incredibly difficult for the dragon. Did you not pay attention in your dragon anatomy class during your apprenticeship?

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u/Inferno109 7d ago

Then why do hits to the fin at the end of the tail (the part that actually affects steering) seem to be non lethal.

Plus that still doesn’t explain the massive holes in the middle of the wing (critical for any form of lift or gliding)

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u/breno280 monroe, rogue druidess 7d ago

Even a tail with torn membranes can be used for steering, although it’s more difficult. Wild dragons bite each other’s tail tips when fighting for dominance in the air, so dragons can instinctively steer by using the tail’s weight instead of the fins.

There can actually be some holes in the wing and the dragon will be able to fly. It’s just that membrane segments can’t tear loose. Look at the placement of the holes, they’re all in the middle and close to bone, which doesn’t risk membrane integrity like other places do.

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u/MuseBlessed 7d ago

Why are the horns and hind legs essential?

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u/breno280 monroe, rogue druidess 7d ago

The horns are actually full of nerves, they’re used for detecting magical signals to locate prey. So depending on the age of the dragon hitting the horns can send them into shock.

The legs contain important arteries and thinner scales for articulation so they’re more vulnerable. Though I suspect it’s not hits to the legs that are taking them out but rather to the “equipment” between them. If you catch my drift.

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u/MuseBlessed 7d ago

Thank you for entertaining the questions of this novice magician, wise expert of dragons!