Dwarven Destroyer (3.5e Prestige Class)

Dwarven Destroyer
"What do I have to fear from a short fat man who can't mov- OOF!"

The dwarves are known for being bulwarks of defense. Like the stone they live in, they are immobile and difficult to bring low. The dwarves have remained safe for long thanks to dwarven defenders, but some enemies would strike at them with indirect means. Faced with this threat the dwarves needed to go on the offensive, and thus the dwarven destroyer is called to bear.

Becoming a Dwarven Destroyer
Dwarven Destroyers are front-line fighters, combining the hard-as-rock dwarven nature with a good deal of raw offense. They are treated as any fighter, and certainly a stubborn one.

Class Features
All of the following are class features of the dwarven destroyer.

 (Ex): A dwarven destroyer is trained in the art of the traditional weapons of axe and hammers. The Weapon Focus and Weapon Specialization feats, as well as their improved versions, have their bonuses doubled when using an axe or hammer they have the focus and specialization in. For example, Weapon Focus grants +2 to attack and Weapon Specialization grants +4 damage.

At 5th level it is improved again to three times the bonus (+3 to attack and +6 damage).

 (Ex): As the dwarven defender becomes an unmoving and durable warrior, so too does the destroyer become an unstoppable and powerful warrior. When he adopts an offensive stance, a destroyer gains +6 to Strength, +4 to Constitution, the effects of a haste spell including the speed bonus and extra attack, and a bonus to any Strength check equal to twice the destroyer's class level. 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 offensive 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 an offensive stance, a defender cannot fight defensively or use the total defense action. An offensive stance lasts for a number of rounds equal to 3 + the character’s (newly improved) Constitution modifier. A destroyer may end his offensive stance voluntarily prior to this limit. At the end of the offensive stance, the destroyer is winded and takes a -2 penalty to Strength for the duration of that encounter. A destroyer can only use his offensive stance a certain number of times per day as determined by his level (see Table: The Dwarven Destroyer). Using the offensive stance takes no time itself, but a destroyer can only do so during his action. Offensive stance counts as a form of rage for the purpose of feats and pre-requisites.

 (Ex): The destroyer is accustomed to swinging with maximum force, even if only holding his weapon in one hand. At 2nd level a destroyer deals 1 1/2 Strength damage when using a weapon one-handed. Likewise when using a weapon two handed he deals 2 times Strength damage. Power attack is similarly effected, dealing 2 damage per 1 penalty for one handed weapons and and 3 damage per 1 penalty for two handed weapons.

His dwarven destroyer levels stack with any fighter levels to determine his fighter level for fighter-only feats like Greater Weapon Specialization.

 (Ex): The destroyer can appraise the situation and strike hard in a powerful blow. At 3rd level a destroyer may burn an offensive stance attempt as a swift action and gain the benefit of true strike.

 (Ex): Damage reduction means nothing to a dwarven destroyer. At 4th level a dwarven defender can ignore all damage reduction except DR/- and DR/epic. When the dwarven destroyer takes his 11th level of dwarven destroyer, he can bypass DR/epic as well.

 (Su): Empowered by the spirit of the earth, a dwarven destroyer cannot be moved to terror even in the face of the greatest of horrors and temptations. At 7th level a dwarven destroyer becomes immune to fear and compulsion effects.

 (Su): At 2nd level, a dwarven destroyer gains a bonus equal to his Constitution bonus (if any) on all saving throws.

 (Ex): Everything can be destroyed by the might of dwarven stone! At 10th level, a dwarven destroyer finds ways to critical things that normally cannot, such as undead and objects, or even those protected by fortified armor. In addition, when using the weapon they have weapon focus and specialization in, the critical multiplier is increased by 1 (such an an axe dealing x4 instead of x3).

The epic dwarven destroyer gains a bonus feat (selected from the list of epic dwarven destroyer feats) every 3 levels after 12th.

Epic Dwarven Destroyer Bonus Feat List: Armor Skin, Damage Reduction, Devastating Critical, Dire Charge, Epic Endurance, Epic Prowess, Energy Resistance, Epic Toughness, Epic Weapon Focus, Epic Weapon Specialization, Exceptional Deflection, Improved Combat Reflexes, Improved Whirlwind Attack, infinite Deflection, Legendary Rider, Legendary Wrestler, Overwhelming Critical, Penetrate Damage Reduction, Perfect Two-Weapon Fighting, Reflect Arrows, Spellcasting Harrier, Storm of Throws, Superior Initiative, Two-Weapon Rend. In addition to the feats on this list, the dwarven destroyer may treat any feat designated as a fighter bonus feat, but not listed here, as being on his or her bonus feat list.

Ex-Dwarven Destroyers
While the training for destroyers is looser than that for defenders, dedication and teamwork is still required. You keep all class features if you ever become chaotic in alignment, but you may not level in dwarven destroyer until your alignment returns to non-chaotic.

Playing a Dwarven Destroyer
Combat: As a front line fighter, the dwarven destroyer's job is simple. Hit it with your axe and hammer! Is it dead? HIT IT AGAIN! While overtly simple, the dwarven destroyer has access to strength your typical fighter does not.

Advancement: Any fighter-worthy prestige class is worth a look from a destroyer.

Resources: Dwarven destroyers are the offensive branch of dwarven defenders, their ranks can be found in dwarven military worldwide.

Dwarven Destroyers in the World
"AND MY AXE!!!!"

NPC Reactions: To the typical NPC, they cannot tell the subtle differences between the fighter, the dwarven defender, and the dwarven destroyer. All they know is that they have big axes, and they hit... and hard.

Dwarven Destroyer Lore
Characters with ranks in Knowledge history can research Dwarven Destroyers to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.

Dwarven Destroyers in the Game
Adaptation: Perhaps other-stone minded races, like Goliaths, could qualify. Perhaps adjust the pre-requisites to include ranks in Knowledge History if the class becomes more open to others.

Sample Encounter: The dwarven armies are moving against the surface world. Beware, their shock troopers, the destroyers, are ready to batter down the town's gates!

EL whatever: 15.