Prestige Classes
DWARVEN DEFENDER
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.