Prestige Classes
DWARVEN DEFENDER
The 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 10foot-thick wall of stone, 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. NPC dwarven defenders are usually soldiers in a dwarven citadel, segregated into their own units separate from regular warriors or fighters. Occasionally a lone, wandering dwarven defender can be encountered on some mission, although he usually guards his words so closely that it’s difficult to learn what his quest actually entails. |
Hit Die: d12.
Requirements
To qualify to become a defender, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.
Race: Dwarf.
Alignment: Any lawful.
Base Attack Bonus: +7.
Feats: Dodge, Endurance, Toughness.
Class Skills
The defender’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Craft (Int), Listen (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), and Spot (Wis).
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Table: The Dwarven Defender
| Level | Base Attack Bonus |
Fort Save |
Ref Save |
Will Save |
AC Bonus | Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | +1 | +2 | +0 | +2 | +1 | Defensive stance 1/day |
| 2nd | +2 | +3 | +0 | +3 | +1 | Uncanny dodge |
| 3rd | +3 | +3 | +1 | +3 | +1 | Defensive stance 2/day |
| 4th | +4 | +4 | +1 | +4 | +2 | Trap sense +1 |
| 5th | +5 | +4 | +1 | +4 | +2 | Defensive stance 3/day |
| 6th | +6 | +5 | +2 | +5 | +2 | Damage reduction 3/–, improved uncanny dodge |
| 7th | +7 | +5 | +2 | +5 | +3 | Defensive stance 4/day |
| 8th | +8 | +6 | +2 | +6 | +3 | Mobile defense, trap sense +2 |
| 9th | +9 | +6 | +3 | +6 | +3 | Defensive stance 5/day |
| 10th | +10 | +7 | +3 | +7 | +4 | Damage reduction 6/– |
Class Features
All of the following are Class Features of the dwarven defender prestige class.
AC Bonus (Ex): The dwarven defender receives a dodge bonus to Armor Class that starts at +1 and improves as the defender gains levels, until it reaches +4 at 10th level.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A dwarven defender is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, all types of armor, and shields.
Defensive Stance: When he adopts a defensive stance, a defender gains phenomenal strength and durability, but he cannot move from the spot he is defending. He gains +2 to Strength, +4 to Constitution, a +2 resistance bonus on all saves, and a +4 dodge bonus to AC. The increase in Constitution increases the defender’s hit points by 2 points per level, but these hit points go away at the end of the defensive stance when the Constitution score drops back 4 points. These extra hit points are not lost first the way temporary hit points are. While in a defensive stance, a defender cannot use skills or abilities that would require him to shift his position. A defensive stance lasts for a number of rounds equal to 3 + the character’s (newly improved) Constitution modifier. A defender may end his defensive stance voluntarily prior to this limit. At the end of the defensive stance, the defender is winded and takes a –2 penalty to Strength for the duration of that encounter. A defender can only use his defensive stance a certain number of times per day as determined by his level (see Table: The Dwarven Defender). Using the defensive stance takes no time itself, but a defender can only do so during his action.
Uncanny Dodge (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, a dwarven defender retains his Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) regardless of being caught flat-footed or struck by an invisible attacker. (He still loses any Dexterity bonus to AC if immobilized.)
If a character gains uncanny dodge from a second class, the character automatically gains improved uncanny dodge (see below).
Trap Sense (Ex): At 4th level, a dwarven defender gains a +1 bonus on Reflex saves made to avoid traps and a +1 dodge bonus to AC against attacks by traps. At 8th level, these bonuses rise to +2. These bonuses stack with trap sense bonuses gained from other classes.
Damage Reduction (Ex): At 6th level, a dwarven defender gains damage reduction. Subtract 3 points from the damage the dwarven defender takes each time he is dealt damage. At 10th level, this damage reduction rises to 6/–. Damage reduction can reduce damage to 0 but not below 0.
Improved Uncanny Dodge (Ex): At 6th level, a dwarven defender can no longer be flanked. This defense denies rogues the ability to use flank attacks to sneak attack the dwarven defender.
The exception to this defense is that a rogue at least four levels higher than the dwarven defender can flank him (and thus sneak attack him).
If a character gains uncanny dodge (see above) from a second class the character automatically gains improved uncanny dodge, and the levels from those classes stack to determine the minimum rogue level required to flank the character.
Mobile Defense (Ex): At 8th level, a dwarven defender can adjust his position while maintaining a defensive stance. While in a defensive stance, he can take one 5-foot step each round without losing the benefit of the stance.