Shattered Kingdoms

Dwarves are my favorite non-human class in a fantasy setting. It used to be elves and drow, but elves became too popular and emo people stole the coolness out of drow.

I've always thought of them as stout, runty little buggers that you'd best never back into a corner and are vertually unflankable when on the defense of something they know is coming.

Thus, I give you:

Innate: Guard

Help Guard

Syntax: Guard (direction)

There are none in the realms that can stand their ground quite like a dwarf. When a dwarve knows the direction of his incoming foes he can sink himself in to ward off the would be attackers. While guarding a specific direction dwarves get a bonus to their defensive and offensive skills against any who come from that direction. As well, the can only be pushed back by bashing and attempts to trip rather than be fully bolled over. However, if a dwarf is flanked by a keen party, his defensive ability is greatly decreased, as is his offense while he struggles to regain his footing.

"Aye, a dwarf holed up in a cave can stand his ground for days. And if the fear of attacking him while he's so defending doesn't drive ya off, the stench of 'im eventually will."

Basically you add a small lag after said dwarf picks a direction. You take a realitively small amount of PE from him (this causes them to wear out if they keep switching their stance and opens them up so they aren't invincable). The dwarf gets a good plus to attack and defense against any attackers coming from that direction, and a decrease in both areas from any attackers coming from any other direction. And put a large lag on fleeing, if not making it impossible.

I think it's both tactical and practical in usage. Dwarves would be the best of the best defenders and other parties would have to deeply take into consideration one of them tanking. With this, all dwarven kind could tank to at least some degree. The dwarf would be constantly aware of what is around him, likely want to stick near mountains and inside of caves and cities so as not to be out flanked. Yet it doesn't make them anywhere near invincable to anything.

It's a rough draft to an idea because I am bored and my internet connection is really busted right now, but I think it could be fine tuned into something that would make dorfs fun and really fit with their theme.

Oh, and I want to see dwarven pallys and hellys, thanks.

I like the idea about bonuses to fighting when drunk. Dwarves should always be drunk, or drinking.

The idea of making dwarves immune to bash lag is definitely interesting.

And definately overpowered.

I don't think dwarves need any buffs. They are good at what they do. The problem lies in players who get pissed off at something they are unable to do themselves, hype it, and then everybody else jumps on the bandwagon.

Innate ability to use an axe whatever the class could be cool, though I don't think anything else is really needed.

I've played alot of dwarves, I listed them on the SKlogs site, I'll do it here for Dulriks benefit.

GM Dwarf shaman, Roath Stonehammer.

GM Dwarf Scout, Dwallstrom.

GM Dwarf Barbarian, Semli Ironforge.

GM Dwarf Mercenary, Ulro Vor Yon.

GM Dwarf Mercenary, Beufo.

What I would give dwarves, to make them more appealing wouldn't be earthmeld, which I think is not very good, I would give them a racial bonus while using the following weapons; axes, warhammers, and crossbows. All types of each. That would in my opinion bring them easily up to snuff with other races.

If you don't want to go that route then add one to the max int and one to the max str of dwarves. That's about all they need.

That VERY last thing Orac just posted is about the only good thing anyones posted that could change dwarves.

I can agree with that. I don't think dwarves NEED anything. But so long as D has an idea to give them something to make them a little more attractive and fun, then I figured I'd throw in my suggestion.

I do think it is lame that their strength is so low. I've always considered dwarves to be as strong as a centaur, and even MORE so than the human warrior. As it stands, while being the third (?) in line for strongest innately, they are still behind humans, which I think is dumb.

So.. That's a vote for my idea, the idea about axes and maces, and a double one for the +STR, +INT. Obviously not all of them should be implemented.. but maybe one or two would make them more desireable without being twinked out.

There needs to be a better dodge/size parry/size ratio.