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.
Feats: Dodge, Toughness (NOTE: Toughness in ALFA is currently a Level 1 only feat)
| Hit die: 12 |
| Proficiencies: Weapons (simple, martial), armor (light, medium, heavy), as well as shields (except for tower shields) |
| Skill points: 2 + Int modifier |
| Class skills: Craft, Listen, Parry, Sense Motive, Spot |
| Base attack bonus progression: High |
| Saving throws | high: | Fortitude, Will |
| low: | Reflex |
| Level | Features Gained |
|---|---|
| 1 | Defensive stance x1, improved defense I |
| 2 | Uncanny dodge |
| 3 | Defensive stance x2 |
| 4 | improved defense II, trap sense I |
| 5 | Defensive stance x3 |
| 6 | Dwarven Defender damage reduction I, improved uncanny dodge |
| 7 | Defensive stance x4, improved defense III |
| 8 | |
| 9 | Defensive stance x5, trap sense II |
| 10 | Dwarven Defender damage reduction II, improved defense IV |
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.
As of Patch 1.06, this feat has been fixed and is now working correctly. It was broken in all patches prior to 1.06.
The feat cannot be altered by modifications, since it is hardcoded into the game and any reference to scripts or the spells.2da doesn't matter.
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.
At 2nd level the dwarven defender retains their Dexterity bonus even when caught flat-footed.
At 4th level the dwarven defender gets a +1 reflex bonus against all traps. At 9th level this bonus increases by an additional +1.
At 6th level, the dwarven defender gains DR 3/-. This increases to DR 6/- at 10th level.
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.