View source for Dwarven Defender (3.5e Prestige Class)

====Class Features====

All of the following are class features of the Dwarven Defender.

'''{{Anchor|Weapon and Armor Proficiency}}:''' A dwarven defender is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, all types of armor, and shields. 

'''{{Anchor|Defensive Stance}} {{Ex}}:''' When he adopts a defensive stance, a defender gains phenomenal strength and durability, but he cannot easily 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 greater than the amount he is allowed. 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 1/day at 1st level and an additional time per day every odd level beyond.  Using the defensive stance takes no time itself, but a defender can only do so during his action. 

At first, the defensive stance ends of the dwarven defender moves more than 5 ft a round for any reason, but when they pick up mobile defense they are able to move much farther.

'''{{Anchor|Improved Stability}} {{Ex}}:''' The dwarven defender is very hard to topple.  They gain a +2 bonus plus their class level on ability checks made to resist being bull rushed or tripped when standing on the ground (but not when climbing, flying, riding, or otherwise not standing firmly on the ground).  This stacks with the dwarven racial feature.

'''{{Anchor|Shield Feat}}:''' A dwarven defender often has to use a lot of shields, and gains a bonus feat related to shields from the following list: Active Shield Defense<sup>PBHII</sup>, Agile Shield Fighter<sup>PBHII</sup>, Block Arrow<sup>HoB</sup>, Divine Shield<sup>CW</sup>, [[SRD:Improved Shield Bash|Improved Shield Bash]], Parrying Shield<sup>LoM</sup>, Shield Charge<sup>CW</sup>, Shield Slam<sup>CW</sup>, Shield Specialization<sup>PBHII</sup>, Shield Wall<sup>HoB</sup>, Shield Ward<sup>PBHII</sup>, [[Tower Bash (3.5e Feat)|Tower Bash]].  They must qualify for the feat as normal.

'''{{Anchor|Damage Reduction}} {{Ex}}:''' A 2nd level dwarven defender is as tough as the walls he mimics.  As long as they are not helpless, they gain DR/- equal to half their class level, or equal to their class level if in a defensive stance.

'''{{Anchor|Ranged Threat}} {{Ex}}:''' You are no threat if you simply stand there and wait for opponents to come to you.  At 2nd level and every even level beyond, the dwarven defender's threatened range increases by 5 ft.  The dwarven defender may not be able to reach those he threatens with mere melee, but this allows him to used ranged attacks and throwing weapons against those who provoke in this extended radius.

'''{{Anchor|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). 

'''{{Anchor|Blockade}} {{Ex}}:''' The 3rd level dwarven defender can't be a good wall if he doesn't protect those behind him.  He may treat his space as a solid object that can provide total cover, and cannot be tumbled through, as a free action.

'''{{Anchor|Shield Push}} {{Ex}}:''' At 3rd level, if the dwarven defender makes a shield bash, they may start a bull rush attempt as a free action without provoking attacks of opportunity.  They get a +2 on the check if they are using a tower shield.

On a confirmed critical hit with a shield bash, or a natural 20 on the bull rush roll, the creature also falls prone at the end of the movement.

'''{{Anchor|Mobile Defense}} {{Ex}}:''' At 4th level, a dwarven defender can adjust his position while maintaining a defensive stance. While in a defensive stance, he can move up to 1/4th his movement speed (round down, minimum 5 ft) without breaking his stance, and his stance is not broken if he is forcefully moved beyond his allowed limit.

At 8th level, he can move up to 1/2 his speed without breaking his stance.

If you possess Stone Dragon maneuvers (or other abilities where your speed is limited), they benefit from your mobile defense as well.

'''{{Anchor|Defensive Spell Resistance}} {{Ex}}:''' At 5th level, whenever the dwarven defender enters a defensive stance they gain spell resistance equal to their HD + 11.  If they already possess a better spell resistance, their pre-existing spell resistance rises by +3 when in defensive stance.  The dwarven defender is free to allow harmless spells to bypass his spell resistance as a non-action.

'''{{Anchor|Improved Defensive Stance}} {{Ex}}:''' At 5th level, the bonuses from defensive stance rise to +4 to Strength, +6 to Constitution, a +4 resistance bonus on all saves, and a +5 dodge bonus to AC.

'''{{Anchor|Unmovable Object}} {{Ex}} and {{Su}}:''' Nothing moves the dwarven defender.  At 5th level, whenever the dwarven defender enters a defensive stance they cannot be moved at all, automatically succeeding on balance checks, opposing bull rushes, and other abilities which would force him to move.  He can even stop himself in mid-air, though this use is a supernatural ability.  Treat this as the [[Unmovable (3.5e Equipment)|unmovable armor enhancement]] for purposes of interacting with the [[Unstoppable (3.5e Equipment)|unstoppable weapon enhancement]].

'''{{Anchor|Improved Blockade}} {{Ex}}:''' Though the 6th level dwarven defender doesn't move very much, they can move enough to leap in the way of danger briefly and causing trouble.  They treat an area within their allowable movement space in defensive stance as difficult terrain as they push and jostle the opponents (so a 4th level dwarven defender with a 40 ft move speed would have 10 ft of difficult terrain, and an 8th level one would have 20 ft).  In addition this area counts as providing soft cover for allies (+4 AC for allies).

'''{{Anchor|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. 

'''{{Anchor|Improved Shield Push}} {{Ex}}:''' At 7th level, the dwarven defender does not need to move with the creature on the bull rush when they use shield push.  They gain a +2 bonus to the check, and tower shields bonus rises to +4.

As an immediate action, they may attempt a shield bash or bull rush attempt on a character which charges them.  If they are successful at moving the opponent, they stop their charge.

'''{{Anchor|Greater Blockade}} {{Ex}}:''' When in defensive stance, the 9th level dwarven defender may as be a moving wall of force.  When they move, they automatically make a bull rush attempt at creatures and objects in the way.  This does not provoke attacks of opportunity.  If successful they can either push them back to the limit of the check result or their movement, or push them aside and out of the way.

'''{{Anchor|Greater Defensive Stance}} {{Ex}}:''' At 10th level, the bonuses from defensive stance rise to +6 to Strength, +8 to Constitution, a +6 resistance bonus on all saves, and a +6 dodge bonus to AC.

'''{{Anchor|Universal Damage Reduction}} {{Ex}}:''' At 10th level, a dwarven defender is so tough it matters not if its sword, flame, or mystic life force.  Their damage reduction applies to all sources of damage, even energy damage.

The epic Dwarven Defender gains a bonus feat (selected from the list of epic Dwarven Defender feats) at 13th and every three levels beyond.  

''Epic Dwarven Defender Bonus Feat List:'' PENDING.
Article Balance	High +
Author	Eiji-kun +
Base Attack Bonus Progression	Good +
Class Ability	Other +
Class Ability Progression	Other +
Fortitude Save Progression	Good +
Identifier	3.5e Prestige Class +
Length	10 +
Minimum Level	5 +
Racial Restrictions	Dwarf +
Rating	Undiscussed +
Reflex Save Progression	Poor +
Skill	Balance +, Concentration +, Craft +, Intimidate +, Knowledge +, Listen +, Profession +, Search +, Sense Motive + and Spot +
Skill Points	2 +
Summary	A fix to the Dwarven Defender class. Now with features that don't render you a useless lump. +
Title	Dwarven Defender +
Will Save Progression	Good +