The Defensive Assault Dwarf


By Nuitaran



The Defensive Assault Dwarf (DAD) is the ultimate armor class href="http://ddo.tentonhammer.com/index.php?module=ContentExpress&func=display&ceid=141">fighter
build. His job is to have the
highest AC possible, without sacrificing attack bonus by using tower
shields, and being able to keep up some solid damage. Many people claim
that the best tank has an outrageous Constitution and vast amounts of
hit points. I believe hit points are meaningless if you never get hit
in the first place.



This build will save the cleric spell points and ensure that he
keeps you around as his favorite tank.

Character Snapshot

Race: href="http://ddo.tentonhammer.com/index.php?module=ContentExpress&func=display&ceid=51">Dwarf



Starting Abilities:

Strength:  17 (+1 at levels 4, 8 and 12 = 20)

Dexterity: 13

Constitution: 12

Intelligence: 14

Wisdom: 10

Charisma: 6



Note:
The DEX and INT are for prerequisites mostly, but pick up the +3 DEX
bracers from Tangleroot, and use Armor Mastery or Mithral Full Plate to
supercharge your AC.



Alignment: True Neutral to make
use of Stability Items, or Lawful Good to make use of the various
weapons that require lawful good. This will also set you up to meet the
requirements for the Dwarven Defender prestige class if Turbine decides
to add it.



Hit Points: 152 at Level 12



Class/Racial Features:

  • Dwarven Stability: Dwarves are naturally able to keep their
    balance, providing a +4 to balance checks.
  • Dwarven Stonecutting: Dwarves are naturally good with stonework,
    providing them a +2 bonus on their search checks.
  • Exotic Weapon Proficiency – Dwarven Waraxe: The Dwarven Waraxe
    counts as a Martial Weapon for all Dwarves.
  • Giant Evasion: Dwarves are trained in fighting and dodging
    Giants, providing them a +4 dodge bonus to AC vs. monsters of the Giant
    type.
  • Orc and Goblin Hatred: Dwarves are trained from youth in fighting
    these hated enemies, providing them a +1 to attack rolls vs. Orcs and
    Goblinoids.
  • Poison Save Bonus: Dwarves are hearty, and receive a +2 bonus to
    saves vs. poison.
  • Spell Save Bonus: Dwarves are resistant to magic, granting them
    +2 saves against all spells.
  • Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The DAD is proficient with all
    simple, and martial weapons, shields, and all armor types. Because of
    his Dwarf heritage he is proficient with a Dwarven Waraxe.

Feats
(in the order seelcted):

href="http://ddo.tentonhammer.com/modules.php?set_albumName=album17&id=More_DAD_Action&op=modload&name=Gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php"> alt="More_DAD_action"
src="http://ddo.tentonhammer.com/files/gallery/albums/album17/More_DAD_Action.sized.jpg"
style="border: 2px solid ; width: 200px; height: 150px;" align="left">
Weapon
Focus: Slashing

Dodge

Mobility

Combat Expertise

Spring Attack

Whirlwind Attack

Improved Trip

Improved Critical: Slashing

Weapon Specialization: Slashing

Greater Weapon Focus: Slashing

Greater Weapon Specialization: Slashing

Power Attack



Skills:

Tumble (Keep training until the modifier exceeds the check penalty of
Full Plate and a Heavy Steel Shield)

Balance (a few points)

Jump (a few points)

Swim (a few points)

Others (as desired)



Notes:
Don’t bother with Intimidate. A solid Whirlwind Attack has the same
effect. Spot can be extremely helpful in getting a good whack in on
stealthed monsters before they run for the squishies.



Combat:

Base Attack Bonus 12 with Abilities modifiers but no items added in.



Enhancements:

Fighter's Strength, Armor Mastery (If you are wearing a DEX item of +3
or greater, and not wearing Mithral Full Plate), Fighter's Dodge,
Fighter's Action Boost.


Deatiled progression by level

-Level 1:

Class trained: fighter

Skills: Balance x4, Jump x4, Swim x4, Tumble x4

Feat: Weapon Focus: Slashing

Bonus href="http://ddo.tentonhammer.com/index.php?module=ContentExpress&func=display&ceid=316">Fighter
Feat: Dodge



-Level 2:

Class trained: fighter

Skills: Tumble (if modifier does not exceed armor check penalty);
others as desired

Bonus Fighter Feat: Mobility

href="http://ddo.tentonhammer.com/modules.php?set_albumName=album17&id=DAD_in_action&op=modload&name=Gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php"> alt="DAD_in_action"
src="http://ddo.tentonhammer.com/files/gallery/albums/album17/DAD_in_action.sized.jpg"
style="border: 2px solid ; width: 200px; height: 150px;" align="right">


-Level 3:

Class trained: fighter

Skills: Tumble (if modifier does not exceed armor check penalty);
others as desired

Feat: Combat Expertise



-Level 4:

Class trained: fighter

Skills: Tumble (if modifier does not exceed armor check penalty);
others as desired

Bonus Fighter Feat: Spring Attack

Ability: Strength +1



-Level 5:

Class trained: fighter

Skills: Tumble (if modifier does not exceed armor check penalty);
others as desired



-Level 6:

Class trained: fighter

Skills: Tumble (if modifier does not exceed armor check penalty);
others as desired

Feat: Whirlwind Attack

Bonus fighter Feat: Improved Trip



-Level 7:

Class trained: fighter

Skills: Tumble (if modifier does not exceed armor check penalty);
others as desired



-Level 8: href="http://ddo.tentonhammer.com/modules.php?set_albumName=album17&id=DAD_Kicking_some_butt&op=modload&name=Gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php"> alt="DAD_Kicking_some_butt"
src="http://ddo.tentonhammer.com/files/gallery/albums/album17/DAD_Kicking_some_butt.sized.jpg"
style="border: 2px solid ; width: 200px; height: 150px;" align="right">

Class trained: fighter

Skills: Tumble (if modifier does not exceed armor check penalty);
others as desired

Bonus Fighter Feat: Improved Critical: Slashing

Ability: Strength +1



-Level 9:

Class trained: fighter

Skills: Tumble (if modifier does not exceed armor check penalty);
others as desired

Feat: Weapon Specialization: Slashing



-Level 10:

Class trained: fighter

Skills: Tumble (if modifier does not exceed armor check penalty);
others as desired

Bonus Fighter Feat: Greater Weapon Focus: Slashing



-Level 11:

Class trained: fighter

Skills: Tumble (if modifier does not exceed armor check penalty);
others as desired



-Level 12:

Class trained: fighter href="http://ddo.tentonhammer.com/modules.php?set_albumName=album17&id=Post_DAD_Slaughter&op=modload&name=Gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php"> alt="slaughter"
src="http://ddo.tentonhammer.com/files/gallery/albums/album17/Post_DAD_Slaughter.sized.jpg"
style="border: 2px solid ; width: 200px; height: 150px;" align="right">

Skills: Tumble (if modifier does not exceed armor check penalty);
others as desired

Feat: Greater Weapon Specialization: Slashing

Bonus fighter Feat: Power Attack

Ability: Strength +1



Notes:
The DAD requires a certain play style. Lacking in Intimidate, he has to
find other ways to grab aggro. Whirlwind Attack works equally as well
as--if not better than--Intimidate and damages enemies as well. Spring
Attack allows the DAD to maneuver the entire battlefield getting aggro
from those mobs that break off for the casters without losing valuable
attack bonus.



For equipment, I recommend Mithral Full Plate (as it will allow an
Enhancement other than Armor Mastery), Heavy Steel Shields, and
Elemental Burst Dwarven Axes. Also go for the Spectacular Optics from
Threnal, and carry plenty of Barkskin +3 potions. These things will
maximize your armor class and keep your attack bonus and damage output
on par with damage-per-second fighters of your level.



Plan for the future. The last Feat selection of Power Attack may seem
out of place, but it is in place for the future. Should the game ever
progress to epic levels, Feats such as Overwhelming Critical and
Devastating Critical will require Power Attack, Cleave, and possibly
Great Cleave. Might as well start planning for the future now!


[ href="http://forums.tentonhammer.com/forumdisplay.php?f=178">Want to
Post a Build of Your Own? Do it HERE!]





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Last Updated: Mar 13, 2016

About The Author

Karen is H.D.i.C. (Head Druid in Charge) at EQHammer. She likes chocolate chip pancakes, warm hugs, gaming so late that it's early, and rooting things and covering them with bees. Don't read her Ten Ton Hammer column every Tuesday. Or the EQHammer one every Thursday, either.

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