+spellcasting and Armor Proficiency (Heavy)?

[Sian]

Been playing a bit around lately with the idea of a Dwarven Arcanist (most probably Wizard) which intends to go Runesmith, and wanted to know if there were anyone that where aware of a way of getting Armor Proficiency (Heavy) without dipping into a non-spellcaster level or a severe feat tax ... anyone?

[Mongobear]

No idea what Runesmith actually is, but if you're not 100% arcane magic, Clerics get Heavy Armor proficiency. As far as Arcane casters, the close I can think of is maybe Duskblade from PHB2, but I don't know how that would work out for your intended PrC.

If I remember right, maybe the Battle Sorcerer variant from Unearthed Arcana, i believe they get Medium Armor proficiency, in that case it would only take 1-2 Feats to get up to Heavy and be able to functionally exist in Heavy armor.

[Darrin]

Dragonslayer (Draconomicon) has full BAB, +1 CL, and grants proficiency with all martial weapons and all armor, but it has a feat tax: Dodge and Iron Will.

[Telonius]

Memory Smith, from Dragon 311. Bard-specific, but gives Heavy proficiencies and caster levels.

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

This Wizard variant (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#wizard) plus a visit to the Otyugh Hole in CS can qualify you for a Dragonslayer dip without spending any actual feats on it. It comes in a bit late, though.

You could pull some creature type shenanigans for proficiency. Dip a single level of the Half-Fiend template class (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/sp/20031010a) for the Outsider type or similar (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/arch/sp), you never have to spend more levels on that (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/sp/20030824a), and buy off (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/races/reducingLevelAdjustments.htm) that +1 LA. Describe your character as wearing heavy armor, and he's proficient with it (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/typesSubtypes.htm#outsiderType).