DWARVEN DEFENDER BUILD, Neverwinter Nights NWN1

The Dwarven Defender Build is a NWN Build for BioWare's cRPG Definition of 2002, Neverwinter Nights 1.

This is a 13th level tank build based on Dwarven Defender NWN. Defensive Stance is active in the above pic, and no magical items are equipped. It's hard to kill in low level modules.

NWN Dwarven Defender Build Foundation

• Dwarf NWN, Male, Lawful Good, Fighter 7 / Dwarven Defender 6
• Role: Physical-based damage dealer and conventional tank and healer (healing kits are very, VERY useful even if the party's got a cleric).
• Stats: Str 16, Dex 13 (requirement for Dodge), Con 16, Int 13 (If you want to take them, this is a requirement for Disarm and Expertise), Wis 10, Cha 8
• Soundset: Boisterous, good-natured.

NWN Dwarven Defender Build Progression

• Fighter 1: Weapon Proficiency: Exotic, Weapon Focus: Dwarven Waraxe
• Fighter 2: Dodge
• Fighter 3: Power Attack NWN
• Fighter 4: Str +1, Cleave NWN
• Fighter 5: --
• Fighter 6: Weapon Specialization NWN: Dwarven Waraxe, Toughness
• Fighter 7: --
• Fighter 7 / Dwarven Defender 1: Str +1, Defensive Stance (1)
• Fighter 7 / Dwarven Defender 2: Improved Critical NWN: Dwarven Waraxe, Defensive Awareness (1)
• Fighter 7 / Dwarven Defender 3: Defensive Stance (2)
• Fighter 7 / Dwarven Defender 4: --
• Fighter 7 / Dwarven Defender 5: Str +1, Blind-Fight, Defensive Awareness (2)
• Fighter 7 / Dwarven Defender 6: Dwarven Defender Damage Reduction 3/-

cf. Rogue Dwarven Defender Build NWN (advanced).

Note that most NWN modules don't actually itemize Dwarven Waraxes. You could go for Battleaxe, Warhammer or Scimitar etc. instead. Scimitar NWN is best due to its crit-range. 

 
Skillpoints should go into Heal, Spellcraft NWN and Tumble NWN. Always wear the heaviest armors and wield the sturdiest tower shield off-hand.

Look for NWN items with Str boosts and perma-immunities (fear, immobilization) and resistances (elemental). Bag up and use healing kits like they're going out of fashion.

Buffing Dwarven Defender Builds

In addition to quaffing potions, DD builds can be buffed with NWN companion spells. Improved Invisibility and Stoneskin greatly increase the survivability of DDs.

To make DDs better offensively, they can be buffed with Flame Weapon, Haste and Bull's Strength. Key wards to cast on DDs include Clarity and Freedom of Movement.

Dwarven Defender Epic Damage Reduction

If you keep leveling, you may want to pump Con to 21 in order to get Epic Damage Reduction (x3), which stacks with Dwarven Defender Damage Reduction. Then, you can shrug off 15 points of damage per hit! If you take 20 more DDs on top of that, you can shrug off up to 30 points of damage per hit.

6 DD DR + 9 EDR + 15 DD DR from 20 more DD levels = shrug off 30 dmg per hit.

As Fighter 10 / DD 30, you can get Devastating Critical NWN but not Epic Weapon Specialization NWN because that needs an Epic fighter level. The choice is: EWS vs. +3 DR.

Best Waraxes NWN

HotU:

• Dwarven Waraxe [x2_wdwraxe001]
• Dwarven Waraxe +1 [x2_wmdwraxe002]
• Dwarven Waraxe +2 [x2_wmdwraxe003]
• Dwarven Waraxe +3 [x2_wmdwraxe004]
• Dwarven Waraxe +4 [x2_wmdwraxe005]
• Dwarven Waraxe +5 [x2_wmdwraxe006]
• Dwarven Waraxe +6 [x2_wmdwraxe007]
• Dwarven Waraxe +7 [x2_wmdwraxe008]
• Azer Flaming Waraxe +5 [x2_it_crewmazera]

Swordflight:

• Duergar Waraxe [duergaraxe001]
• Drow Waraxe +5 [udrowaxew005]
• Duergar Waraxe +4 [dueraxew004]
• Daraz Waraxe +2 [darazaxe002]
• Thorik's Masterwork Waraxe [thorikaxe001]
• Drow Waraxe +5 [udrowaxew005]
• Duergar Waraxe +4 [dueraxew004]
• Withering Waraxe +5 [wthbladed005]

Aielund Saga:

• Barbarian Waraxe +4 [wmdwraxe007]
• Dwarven Waraxe +7 [wmdwraxe009]
• Dwarven Waraxe [dwarvenwaraxe]
• Dwarven Waraxe +1 [dwarvenwaraxe001]
• Dwarven Waraxe +2 [dwarvenwaraxe002]
• Gaston's Waraxe [item019]

Best Armor for Dwarven Defenders

The best armor for Dwarven Defenders is Full Plate. Dwarven Defenders can increase their defense by off-handing a Tower Shield.

SMAC Guide:

Neverwinter Nights Builds	Weapon Master Build NWN	Wizard Build NWN
Red Dragon Disciple Build NWN	Fighter Build NWN	Sorcerer Build NWN
Cleric Build NWN	Paladin Build NWN	Bard Build NWN
Monk Unarmed Build NWN	Barbarian Build NWN	Gnome Illusionist Build NWN
Monk Kama Build NWN	Dwarven Defender Build NWN	Druid Build NWN
Rogue Build NWN	Arcane Archer Build NWN	Shifter Build NWN