====== Dwarven Defender ======

{{:en:class-changes:dwarven_defender.png?nolink&400 |}}

Dwarven Defenders are heavily armored defensive specialists who hold ground through defensive stance, awareness, armor class, and damage reduction.

**Class Type**: Prestige class.
**Hit Die**: d12.
**Proficiencies**: Simple weapons, martial weapons, all armor, and shields.
**Skill Points**: 2 + Int Modifier.
**Class Skills**: Discipline, Heal, Listen, Parry, Spot.
**Primary Saving throw(s)**: Fortitude, Will.
**Base Attack Bonus**: +1/level.
**Primary Ability**: Strength.
**Maximum Level**: None.
**Spellcasting**: None.

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===== Requirements =====

**Race**: Dwarf.
**Alignment**: Any lawful.
**Base Attack Bonus**: +7.
**Feats**: Dodge, Toughness.

===== Level Progression =====

^ Level ^ Base Attack Bonus ^ Fort Save ^ Ref Save ^ Will Save ^ Special ^
| 1st | +1 | +2 | +0 | +2 | Defensive Stance, __Dodge AC bonus: +1__ |
| 2nd | +2 | +3 | +0 | +3 | Defensive Awareness I |
| 3rd | +3 | +3 | +1 | +3 |  |
| 4th | +4 | +4 | +1 | +4 | __Dodge AC bonus: +2__ |
| 5th | +5 | +4 | +1 | +4 | Defensive Awareness II, __Defensive Stance ability/save bonus improvement: +2__ |
| 6th | +6 | +5 | +2 | +5 | Dwarven Defender Damage Reduction |
| 7th | +7 | +5 | +2 | +5 | __Dodge AC bonus: +3__ |
| 8th | +8 | +6 | +2 | +6 |  |
| 9th | +9 | +6 | +3 | +6 |  |
| 10th | +10 | +7 | +3 | +7 | Defensive Awareness III, __Dodge AC bonus: +4__, __Defensive Stance ability/save bonus improvement: +4__ |

===== Class Features =====

^ Feature ^ Description ^
| Defensive Stance | Grants +2 Strength, +4 Constitution, +2 resistance to all saves, and +4 dodge AC while preventing movement. It has 1 use per day at level 1 and gains another use every 2 class levels. __Its ability bonuses do not count toward the ability bonus cap, while its AC bonus counts toward the dodge AC cap. At level 5, the stance's ability and save bonuses improve by +2; at level 10, this improvement becomes +4. This does not increase the stance's AC bonus. The stance does not deactivate when casting a spell, drinking a potion, or using another item.__ Use: Selected. |
| Damage Reduction | Reduces physical damage by 3/- from level 6 and 6/- from level 10, improving by another +3/- every 4 Dwarven Defender levels thereafter. Use: Automatic. |
| Defensive Awareness | At level 2, retains the Dexterity bonus to AC when flat-footed or attacked by a hidden or invisible creature. At level 5, the Dwarven Defender can no longer be flanked. At level 10, it also grants +1 on Reflex saves against traps. Use: Automatic. |
| Dodge AC Bonus | __The Dwarven Defender gains +1 dodge AC at level 1. This increases by +1 every 3 class levels thereafter: +2 at level 4, +3 at level 7, +4 at level 10, and so on. The bonus counts toward the dodge AC cap.__ Use: Automatic. |

===== Epic Dwarven Defender =====

**Hit Die**: d12.
**Skill Points**: 2 + Int Modifier.

**Dodge AC Bonus**: __The class AC bonus continues to increase by +1 every 3 class levels after level 10, beginning with +5 at level 13.__

**Epic Bonus Feats**: one bonus feat every 5 class levels after level 10.

**Epic Dwarven Defender Bonus Feats List**:
Epic Armor Skin, Epic Damage Reduction, Devastating Critical, Epic Energy Resistance, Epic Prowess, Epic Weapon Focus, Overwhelming Critical, Epic Perfect Health, Epic Toughness, Two-Weapon Fighting, Fast Healing I-III, Bulwark of Defense.