Dwarven Defender... 7th level class?

[magnas_veritas]

perhaps bard is the answer.

Bard is never, ever the answer. ;-)

Seriously, well, let's see. I think he wants to stay in a good BAB class/PrC so he can take Dwarven Defender at 8th level.

Barbarian, while amusing, has the nasty alignment issues.

Paladin has good alignment correlation, and Divine Grace, but you're (1) a fighter and (2) a dwarf. I can't imagine a dwarven fighter having a useful Charisma. You'll have to find another dump stat elsewhere, then.

Ranger has good skills, and you get at least one bonus feat. Even if it gets nerfed, it's still pretty cool. For core classes, it's probably the best, aside from another level of fighter.

In PrCs, the best bet might be Templar. Sure, you have to take WF (Warhammer, for Moradin) and choke down 8 ranks of K (Religion), which is impossible without a late level of paladin or Educated, which is probably the best solution. You've got feats and skill points to spare, being a fighter. It also seems to fit aesthetically.

Brad

(Edit: Added the dump stat sentence to fighter paragraph)

 

[CRGreathouse]

If you qualify, consider throwing in some Survivor levels. Improved evasion, Uncanny Dodge, all "good" saves, and DR 5/- ... nothing to sneeze at, if you want to be "unkillable" ...

It would, though, stop him from being a dwarven defender until he takes levels elsewhere...

 

[Technik4]

If its a long term campaign the fighter level is your best bet. When youre a 17th level character (ftr7/dwd10) youll be glad that youre next level in fighter gets you a bonus feat

Technik

 

[Andion Isurand]

Dwarven Defender + Devoted Defender

A few levels in Devoted Defender (sword & fist) work great with full levels in Dwarven Defender. I think you can enter the Devoted Defender PrC after you get +5 BAB and a couple of skills and feats.

Then you would be a Devoted Dwarven Defender.

 

[The Souljourner]

I think I've decided, I'm going to go 4 fighter, 2 paladin, and 1 templar before going into dwarven defender. Taking Roll With It (SS) twice, to start off with DR 4/-. I love that he'll be immune to fear, it works perfectly with the character concept I'm going for. I did drop a decent stat into Charisma to get some benefit out of Divine Grace, but it's not like I really need Intelligence or Dexterity anyway. mmm... Dwarven Stone Armor...

He is going to be so much fun. Almost everyone else in the party is sneaky, and I'm SO not going to be sneaky. I can't wait!

Oh yeah - from Arms and Equipment Guide - Steadfast Boots. Wearer can't be tripped or pushed back by a bullrush, and always counts as being set vs. a charge. Now are those dwarven defender boots or what!?

-The Souljourner

 

[Gez]

I like the suggestion so far: bard (non-lawful), barbarian (non-lawful), survivor (don't progress in BAB, meaning the prerequisite for BAB 7 won't be reached), fast movement being useful for a dwarven defender (defensive stance: you don't move)... This reminds me of the infamous "cow smackdown", always be wary when you asks EN Worlders to optimize a character for you.

Ftr 4/Pal 3 or Ftr 4/Pal 2/Templar 1 seem better ideas.

 

[Darklone]

Another vote for one level Devoted Defender.

And make sure to get a nice polearm with reach... Defensive stance sucks without reach.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

If you really do not want to take Fighter, I suggest Ranger. (Hehe, maybe even at 1st level to get more skill points).

You gain the ability to track, and you can use the 4+INT skillpoints to get some ranks in it. You might not be the best in it, but at least you can do it. It also opens the Ranger`s Spelllist to you, allowing you (even if you cannot cast the spells on your own) to use Wands (like Cure LIght Wands) and Scrolls (maybe of Polymorph Self? A Dwarfen Defender on Defensive Stance using a Reach Weapona and a Reach form might be a good choice).

I do not recommend taking other prestige classes, that sounds stupid to me if you are aiming for a Dwaren Defender and might be a bit to much min-maxing. (Besides the fact that you are forced to fulfill even other prerequisites)

Taking a Fighter Level can also have its merits - as somebody already explained, there might be a time where you are finished with Dwarfen Defender (10 level), and have to take 3 other levels - The next Fighter level than will give you an extra feat.

(Do not only plan for 7th level, plan for 20th level as well - having an optimized character at every level is probably not possible - and maybe that`s good - but give it a try )

Mustrum Ridcully

 

[Darklone]

Even Better idea. Start with Ranger, take some fighter levels, then start the paladin as prestige class from Call of Duty, then go Dwarven Defender

 

[The Souljourner]

Heh, Gez, I agree 100%. However, one suggestion was pretty good - devoted defender. Same idea as dwarven defender, just a slightly different point of view.

As for reach... hrm. Problem with reach weapons is lack of a shield (don't even mention Monkey Grip). I had considered ranger, since their skill list is awesome. Even just spot and listen would be nice to have a class skills (even if just for first level).

I like the paladin/templar route however. If I didn't care about feats, I'd probably go straight paladin/templar/dwarven defender, but it's difficult to be fightery without the bonus feats. And since that route takes 4 feats, only one of which is actually useful (weapon focus), it's a tough route (since you wouldn't be getting into dwarven defender at 8th, 'cause you'd only have 2 of the three feats it requires...).

So hard to decide... I'm tempted to go paladin 3/fighter 2/templar 2 before getting in to DD. However, losing that extra feat from fighter 4 is annoying.

-The Souljourner