Dwarven Defender
Dwarven Defender
PRESTIGE CLASS: This class is not available at character creation and must be unlocked by meeting special requirements, listed below.
The dwarven defender is a sponsored champion of a dwarven cause, a dwarf aristocrat, a dwarven deity, or the dwarven way of life. As the name might imply, this character is a skilled combatant trained in the arts of defense. A line of dwarven defenders is a far better defense than a 10-foot-thick wall of stones, and much more dangerous. Most Dwarven defenders are fighters, paladins, rangers, or clerics, although ex-barbarians, sorcerers, wizards, and druids can certainly all benefit from the defensive capabilities of this prestige class. Rogues, bards, and monks usually depend too heavily on mobility to use the abilities of the dwarven defender class to their fullest.
Requirements
To qualify to become a Dwarven Defender, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.
- Race: Dwarf
- Alignment: Any Lawful
- Base Attack Bonus: +7
- Feats: Dodge, Toughness
Class Skills
The class skills of the Dwarven Defender are:
- Craft Alchemy
- Craft Armor
- Craft Weapon
- Listen
- Parry
- Spot
Class Features
Base Attack Bonus Progression: High
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Hit Dice: D12
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The Dwarven Defender is proficient in the use of all simple and martial weapons, light, medium, and heavy armors, and shields (except for tower shields).
Defensive Stance: The dwarven defender can become a bastion of defense. They cannot move from the spot they're defending, but they gain +2 enhancement bonus to Strength and +4 to Constitution, a +4 Dodge bonus to AC, and a +2 bonus to all saves. A 1st-level dwarven defender can use this ability once per day. They gain an additional use every two levels beyond 1st.
Improved Defense: The dwarven defender receives a +1 dodge bonus to AC at 1st level. This bonus improves by an additional +1 at 4th, 7th, and 10th level.
Uncanny Dodge: At 2nd level the dwarven defender retains their Dexterity bonus even when caught flat-footed.
Trap Sense: At 4th level the dwarven defender gets a +1 reflex bonus against all traps. At 9th level this bonus increases by an additional +1.
Damage Reduction: At 6th level, the dwarven defender gains DR 3/-. This increases to DR 6/- at 10th level.
Improved Uncanny Dodge: At 6th level, the dwarven defender can no longer be sneak attacked except by a character with 4 or more total levels in classes that grant sneak attack than the character levels of the dwarven defender.