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!
To read the latest guides, news, and features you can visit our Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited Game Page.