Hurlbut
2009-12-11, 05:49 PM
Dwarven Defender
Fearsome warriors, dwarven defender are rare even among their folk. Their durability and toughness are legendary. They are are feared for their abilities to take blows that would fell a weaker race and do their duty even unto Death.
Only dwarves can become dwarven defender, they are usually fighters, some paladins taking up the call are not unheard of.
Role: Dwarven Defenders have the ability to take anything thrown at them and endure them while they go to work on hacking away at their opponents.
Alighment: Lawful
Hit Die: d12
REQUIREMENTS
To qualify to become a defender, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.
Race: Dwarf
Base Attack Bonus: +5 (changed from +7)
Feats: Dodge, Endurance, Toughness
Class Skills
The defender’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Craft (Int), Listen (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), and Spot (Wis).
Skill Ranks at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
{table=head]Level|BAB|Fort|Refl|Will|Special
1st|+1|+2|+0|+2|Stalwart Stance
2nd|+2|+3|+0|+3|Uncanny dodge
3rd|+3|+3|+1|+3|Damage Reduction 2/-, Dodge Bonus +1
4th|+4|+4|+1|+4|Spell Sense +1
5th|+5|+4|+1|+4|Shrug It Off
6th|+6|+5|+2|+5|Damage Reduction 4/-, Improved Uncanny Dodge, Dodge Bonus +2
7th|+7|+5|+2|+5|Improved Stalwart Stance
8th|+8|+6|+2|+6|Surprise Rush, Spell Sense +2
9th|+9|+6|+3|+6|Damage Reduction 6/-, Dodge Bonus +3
10th|+10|+7|+3|+7|Most Stubborn[/table]
Class Feature
All of the following are class features of the vanguard.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency
A dwarven defender is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, all types of armor, and shields.
Stalwart Stance
He can use the stalwart stance for a number of rounds per day equal to 4 + Constitution modifier. At each level after first, he can use stalwart stance for 1 additional round. Temporary increases to Constitution, such as those gained from stance, rage, and spells like bear’s endurance, do not increase the total number of rounds that a dwarven defender can use stalwart stance per day. A dwarven defender can enter stalwart stance as a fee action. The total number of rounds of stalwart stance per day is renewed after resting for 8 hours, although these hours do not need to be consecutive.
While in stalwart stance, a defender gains phenomenal strength and durability. He gains +2 to Strength, +4 to Constitution, +4 Dodge bonus to his AC and can add his newly modified Constitution Bonus to AC instead of his Dexterity Bonus. The dwarven defender loses this Constitution bonus to his Armor Class whenever he would normally be denied his Dexterity bonus to AC. In such a situation, the dwarven defender would still be considered flat-footed.
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 stalwart stance when the Constitution score drops back 4 points. These extra hit points are not lost first the way temporary hit points are.
A defender can end he stance as a free action and is fatigued after stalwaft stance for a number of rounds equal to 2 times the number of rounds spent in the stalwart stance. A defender cannot enter a stalwart stance while fatigued or exhausted but can otherwise enter stalwart stance multiple times during a single encounter or combat. If a defender falls unconscious, his stalwart stance immediately ends, placing him in peril of death.
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).
Damage Reduction (Ex)
At 3rd level, a dwarven defender gains damage reduction. Subtract 2 points from the damage the dwarven defender takes each time he is dealt damage. At 6th level, this damage reduction rises to 4/- and at 9th level to 6/-. Damage reduction can reduce damage to 0 but not below 0.
Dodge Bonus (Ex)
The dwarven defender receives a dodge bonus to Armor Class that starts at +1 at 3rd Level and improves to +2 at 6th and +3 at 9th.
Spell Sense (Ex)
At 4th level, a dwarven defender gains a +1 bonus on saves made against spells and spell-like effects and a +1 dodge bonus to AC against touch attacks by spells and spell like effects. At 8th level, these bonuses rise to +2.
Shrug It Off (Ex)
At 5th level and higher, a dwarven defender can scorn death and unconsciousness while in stalwart stance. As long as his stance continues, he is not treated as disabled at 0 hit points, nor is he treated as dying at -1 to -9 hit points. Even if reduced to -10 hit points or less, he continues to fight normally until his stance ends. At that point, the effects of his wounds apply normally if they have not been healed. This ability does not prevent death from massive damage or from spell effects such as slay living or disintegrate.
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.
Improved Stalwart Stance (Ex)
At 7th level, his bonuses to his Strength and Constitution increases to +4 and +6 while in stalwart stance. He may avoid becoming fatigued upon leaving stalwart stance by rolling a Constiution check. The DC is 10+two times the number of rounds spent in stalwart stance. The bonus from Endurance may be included on his roll.
Counter Attack Rush (Ex)
At 8th level, a dwarven defender’s base movement is doubled in the round after using a Fighting Defensively or Total Defense action for one round.
Most Stubborn (Ex)
At 10th level, a dwarven defender may add his Endurance bonus to saves made against death that would result from damage or death-causing effects such as the Death Attack from the assassin. 3 times per day he may reroll a failed saving throw against death attacks or spells and spell-like effects which cause damage that would put him at 0 HP or lower including disintegrate and slay living. This ability does not prevent death from damage through disintegrate or slay living even if he succeeded on his new saving throw. He must take the new second roll, it cannot be rerolled through this ability.
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Well it's not polished, so I appreciate some criticism.
I do have an ability in mind that can replace either Stubborn or Shrug It Off. I tried to make the PRC a little more player friendly so that it could be used outside dungeons or dwarven delvings.
Fearsome warriors, dwarven defender are rare even among their folk. Their durability and toughness are legendary. They are are feared for their abilities to take blows that would fell a weaker race and do their duty even unto Death.
Only dwarves can become dwarven defender, they are usually fighters, some paladins taking up the call are not unheard of.
Role: Dwarven Defenders have the ability to take anything thrown at them and endure them while they go to work on hacking away at their opponents.
Alighment: Lawful
Hit Die: d12
REQUIREMENTS
To qualify to become a defender, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.
Race: Dwarf
Base Attack Bonus: +5 (changed from +7)
Feats: Dodge, Endurance, Toughness
Class Skills
The defender’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Craft (Int), Listen (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), and Spot (Wis).
Skill Ranks at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
{table=head]Level|BAB|Fort|Refl|Will|Special
1st|+1|+2|+0|+2|Stalwart Stance
2nd|+2|+3|+0|+3|Uncanny dodge
3rd|+3|+3|+1|+3|Damage Reduction 2/-, Dodge Bonus +1
4th|+4|+4|+1|+4|Spell Sense +1
5th|+5|+4|+1|+4|Shrug It Off
6th|+6|+5|+2|+5|Damage Reduction 4/-, Improved Uncanny Dodge, Dodge Bonus +2
7th|+7|+5|+2|+5|Improved Stalwart Stance
8th|+8|+6|+2|+6|Surprise Rush, Spell Sense +2
9th|+9|+6|+3|+6|Damage Reduction 6/-, Dodge Bonus +3
10th|+10|+7|+3|+7|Most Stubborn[/table]
Class Feature
All of the following are class features of the vanguard.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency
A dwarven defender is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, all types of armor, and shields.
Stalwart Stance
He can use the stalwart stance for a number of rounds per day equal to 4 + Constitution modifier. At each level after first, he can use stalwart stance for 1 additional round. Temporary increases to Constitution, such as those gained from stance, rage, and spells like bear’s endurance, do not increase the total number of rounds that a dwarven defender can use stalwart stance per day. A dwarven defender can enter stalwart stance as a fee action. The total number of rounds of stalwart stance per day is renewed after resting for 8 hours, although these hours do not need to be consecutive.
While in stalwart stance, a defender gains phenomenal strength and durability. He gains +2 to Strength, +4 to Constitution, +4 Dodge bonus to his AC and can add his newly modified Constitution Bonus to AC instead of his Dexterity Bonus. The dwarven defender loses this Constitution bonus to his Armor Class whenever he would normally be denied his Dexterity bonus to AC. In such a situation, the dwarven defender would still be considered flat-footed.
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 stalwart stance when the Constitution score drops back 4 points. These extra hit points are not lost first the way temporary hit points are.
A defender can end he stance as a free action and is fatigued after stalwaft stance for a number of rounds equal to 2 times the number of rounds spent in the stalwart stance. A defender cannot enter a stalwart stance while fatigued or exhausted but can otherwise enter stalwart stance multiple times during a single encounter or combat. If a defender falls unconscious, his stalwart stance immediately ends, placing him in peril of death.
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).
Damage Reduction (Ex)
At 3rd level, a dwarven defender gains damage reduction. Subtract 2 points from the damage the dwarven defender takes each time he is dealt damage. At 6th level, this damage reduction rises to 4/- and at 9th level to 6/-. Damage reduction can reduce damage to 0 but not below 0.
Dodge Bonus (Ex)
The dwarven defender receives a dodge bonus to Armor Class that starts at +1 at 3rd Level and improves to +2 at 6th and +3 at 9th.
Spell Sense (Ex)
At 4th level, a dwarven defender gains a +1 bonus on saves made against spells and spell-like effects and a +1 dodge bonus to AC against touch attacks by spells and spell like effects. At 8th level, these bonuses rise to +2.
Shrug It Off (Ex)
At 5th level and higher, a dwarven defender can scorn death and unconsciousness while in stalwart stance. As long as his stance continues, he is not treated as disabled at 0 hit points, nor is he treated as dying at -1 to -9 hit points. Even if reduced to -10 hit points or less, he continues to fight normally until his stance ends. At that point, the effects of his wounds apply normally if they have not been healed. This ability does not prevent death from massive damage or from spell effects such as slay living or disintegrate.
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.
Improved Stalwart Stance (Ex)
At 7th level, his bonuses to his Strength and Constitution increases to +4 and +6 while in stalwart stance. He may avoid becoming fatigued upon leaving stalwart stance by rolling a Constiution check. The DC is 10+two times the number of rounds spent in stalwart stance. The bonus from Endurance may be included on his roll.
Counter Attack Rush (Ex)
At 8th level, a dwarven defender’s base movement is doubled in the round after using a Fighting Defensively or Total Defense action for one round.
Most Stubborn (Ex)
At 10th level, a dwarven defender may add his Endurance bonus to saves made against death that would result from damage or death-causing effects such as the Death Attack from the assassin. 3 times per day he may reroll a failed saving throw against death attacks or spells and spell-like effects which cause damage that would put him at 0 HP or lower including disintegrate and slay living. This ability does not prevent death from damage through disintegrate or slay living even if he succeeded on his new saving throw. He must take the new second roll, it cannot be rerolled through this ability.
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Well it's not polished, so I appreciate some criticism.
I do have an ability in mind that can replace either Stubborn or Shrug It Off. I tried to make the PRC a little more player friendly so that it could be used outside dungeons or dwarven delvings.