Defender (3.5e Class)
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Low - Moderate - Defender
The Defender is a frontline fighter that specializes in defense.
Making a Defender
Defenders specialize in getting guarding themselves and their allies. They typically rely on strong armor and a good shield to keep their armor class high.
Abilities: Constitution is the defender's most important ability, as it allows him to survive in the thick of combat. Strength is also quite important as it allows the defender to fend off his enemies. Dexterity is important for an extra boost to armor class. The mental stats are as important to a defender as they are to a fighter.
Races: Any race can become a defender.
Alignment: Any good.
Starting Gold: 5d6 ×10 gp (125 gp).
Starting Age: As fighter.
| Level | Base Attack Bonus |
Saving Throws | Special | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Fort | Ref | Will | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1st | +1 | +2 | +0 | +0 | Defend +1, Improved Sunder | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2nd | +2 | +3 | +0 | +0 | Nurse 1/day | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3rd | +3 | +3 | +1 | +1 | Holy Blade 1/day, Damage Reduction 1/- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4th | +4 | +4 | +1 | +1 | Bulwark | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5th | +5 | +4 | +1 | +1 | Defend +2, Cover, Nurse 2/day | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6th | +6/+1 | +5 | +2 | +2 | Holy Blade 2/day | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7th | +7/+2 | +5 | +2 | +2 | Damage Reduction 2/- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8th | +8/+3 | +6 | +2 | +2 | Nurse 3/day | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9th | +9/+4 | +6 | +3 | +3 | Holy Blade 3/day | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10th | +10/+5 | +7 | +3 | +3 | Defend +3, Reflex | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11th | +11/+6/+1 | +7 | +3 | +3 | Nurse 4/day, Damage Reduction 3/- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12th | +12/+7/+2 | +8 | +4 | +4 | Holy Blade 4/day | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13th | +13/+8/+3 | +8 | +4 | +4 | Saint Cross | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14th | +14/+9/+4 | +9 | +4 | +4 | Nurse 5/day | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15th | +15/+10/+5 | +9 | +5 | +5 | Holy Blade 5/day, Defend +4, Damage Reduction 4/- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16th | +16/+11/+6/+1 | +10 | +5 | +5 | Meltdown | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17th | +17/+12/+7/+2 | +10 | +5 | +5 | Nurse 6/day | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 18th | +18/+13/+8/+3 | +11 | +6 | +6 | Holy Blade 6/day | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 19th | +19/+14/+9/+4 | +11 | +6 | +6 | Damage Reduction 5/- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 20th | +20/+15/+10/+5 | +12 | +6 | +6 | Defend +5, Nurse 7/day, Aura | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Class Skills (2 + Int modifier per level, ×4 at 1st level) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the defender.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A defender is proficient with all simple and martial weapons and with all armor (heavy, medium, and light) and shields (including tower shields).
Defend (Ex): A defender is adept at guarding himself. He gains a +1 bonus to his armor class and saving throws. This bonus increases by +1 at 5th level and every 5 levels beyond that.
Improved Sunder (Ex): A defender gains Improved Sunder as a bonus feat.
Nurse (Su): At 2nd level the defender is able to channel small amounts of positive energy to heal the wounds of himself and his allies. Once per day as a move action he can heal a touched creature a number of hit points equal to his defender level times his constitution bonus. He gains an additional one use of this ability ever three levels thereafter. This ability has no effect on undead.
Damage Reduction (Ex): A 3rd level defender is so used to taking hits that he can shrug off a portion of the damage he takes. He gains damage reduction 1/-. This increases by 1 every 4th level beyond 3. This stacks with similar damage reduction, such as what a barbarian gets.
Holy Blade (Su): 3rd level defenders are more adept at channeling positive energy. Once per day as part of a normal attack they can channel energy into their weapon, adding 1d8 damage per two defender levels to the attack. The defender gains additional uses of this ability at every 3rd level.
Bulwark (Ex): A 4th level defender is able to guard himself so effectively as to be nigh-impervious. While taking a Total Defense action his damage reduction improves by 10.
Cover (Ex): A 7th level defender is able to guard his allies almost as well as he guards himself. Any allies adjacent to the defender gain his Defend bonus to their armor class.
Reflex (Ex): A 10th level defender is adept at dodging attacks, even in armor that normally restricts movement. He may increase the maximum dexterity bonus to armor class for any armor he wears by 2.
Saint Cross (Su): At 13th level the defender is able to use his Holy Blade in a different manner should he so choose. By spending one Holy Blade use as a standard action, he can channel his energy to deal 1d6 points of damage per two defender levels to each adjacent enemy.
Meltdown (Ex): A 16th level defender can make an all-out last ditch attack. In place of a standard attack he may choose to use this ability. If he hits, he automatically threatens a critical hit with his attack, and he gains a +4 bonus to confirm. After using this ability the defender takes non-lethal damage equal to his current hit point total+1.
Aura (Su): A 20th level defender is constantly surrounded in positive energy. When he would die from hit point loss or a negative energy effect, the positive energy around him flows into his body and rejuvenates him, preventing the death from occurring and healing him to half his maximum hit points. Once this ability takes effect, it takes one week for the defender to gather enough positive energy to use it again.
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