Dwarven Defender
The defender is a sponsored champion of a dwarven cause, a dwarven 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 stone, and much more dangerous.
| Type | Prestige class |
| Hit die | d12 |
| Skill points | 2 + Intelligence modifier per level |
| Attack bonus | full - 1 per level, +20 by level 20 |
| Strong saves | Fortitude and Will |
| Spellcasting | None |
| Alignment | Any lawful |
| Primary ability | Strength |
| Maximum level | 30 |
How it works
- Defensive Stance deals bludgeoning damage to creatures that hit you in melee. The damage depends on your Dwarven Defender level and your Constitution modifier.
- Below level 10: 1 + your Constitution modifier. At level 10: 2 + 1.25x it. At level 20: 4 + 1.5x it. At level 30: 8 + 2x it.
Requirements
| Alignment | Any lawful |
| Feat | Dodge |
| Feat | Toughness |
| Attack bonus | +7 |
| Race | Dwarf |
What you gain, level by level
| Level | Gain |
|---|---|
| 1 | Armor Proficiency (light), Armor Proficiency (medium), Armor Proficiency (heavy), Shield Proficiency, Weapon Proficiency (martial), Weapon Proficiency (simple), Defensive Stance (2 + (your Dwarven Defender levels / 5) a day) |
| 2 | Defensive Awareness (1) |
| 5 | Defensive Awareness (2) |
| 6 | Dwarven Defender Damage Reduction |
| 10 | Defensive Awareness (3) |
| 11 | Epic Dwarven Defender |
| 14 | bonus feat (and again every 4 levels to 30) |
| 15 | +1 Constitution |
| 30 | +1 Constitution |
Bonus feat choices
A bonus feat is granted at the levels marked in the table above, and can be spent on any of the following.
As a bonus feat or as an ordinary feat: Armor Skin, Devastating Critical (any of 40), Energy Resistance, Acid (any of 10), Energy Resistance, Cold (any of 10), Energy Resistance, Electrical (any of 10), Energy Resistance, Fire (any of 10), Energy Resistance, Sonic (any of 10), Epic Damage Reduction (any of 3), Epic Prowess, Epic Toughness (any of 9), Epic Weapon Focus (any of 40), Overwhelming Critical (any of 40), Perfect Health, Two-Weapon Fighting.
Class skills
One point per rank instead of two: Concentration, Craft: Harvesting, Craft: Mastery, Craft: Speed, Discipline, Heal, Listen, Lore, Parry, Ride, Spot.