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I was working on my campaign making some Duergar NPCs when I noticed a powerful synergy in feats and Duergar spells. Assuming a 5th level character as the base example.
Step one: Duergar Race (note that Duergar are Dwarven subtype, and qualify for Dwarf feats)
Step two: Ironhide (APG) +1 Nat Ac as Dwarf.
Step three: Toughness feat (pre-requisite for #4)
Step four: Tough as Iron: +2 Nat AC if you have an A.C. bonus already (+0 if you have none)
step five: use of the duergar spell Ironskin which grants a +4 enhancment bonus to Nat A.c..
Optional feat: improved natural armor
Optional: Amulet of Natural Armor+1 can replace the step 2 of this.
Natural Armor Bonus to AC at level 5: +7
BEWARE THE IRONSKIN CLAN OF DUERGAR.
I am stealing this because this is awesome. I just imagine the Duergar play knife hand without any fear because the knife would just bounce off their skin.
I am stealing this because this is awesome. I just imagine the Duergar play knife hand without any fear because the knife would just bounce off their skin.
That's awesome! Stealing that from you :)
Basically, due to Ironskin and and Tough as Iron, Duergar can get bonus to AC others can't get, and only Dwarves, half-orcs, and Orcs can also get Ironhide.
I was working on my campaign making some Duergar NPCs when I noticed a powerful synergy in feats and Duergar spells. Assuming a 5th level character as the base example.
Step one: Duergar Race (note that Duergar are Dwarven subtype, and qualify for Dwarf feats)
Step two: Ironhide (APG) +1 Nat Ac as Dwarf.
Step three: Toughness feat (pre-requisite for #4)
Step four: Tough as Iron: +2 Nat AC if you have an A.C. bonus already (+0 if you have none)
step five: use of the duergar spell Ironskin which grants a +4 enhancment bonus to Nat A.c..Optional feat: improved natural armor
Optional: Amulet of Natural Armor+1 can replace the step 2 of this.Natural Armor Bonus to AC at level 5: +7
BEWARE THE IRONSKIN CLAN OF DUERGAR.
The amulet of natural armor provides an enhancement bonus to natural armor and replaces step 5 to a small extent, not step 2.
Personally I dont think taking a 3 feat chain is worth getting only a +3 AC, unless you have feats to spare.
I would use the Ironskin spell however. :)
PS: On a two-handed fighter type that nat armor can mitigate not having a shield however.
I was working on my campaign making some Duergar NPCs when I noticed a powerful synergy in feats and Duergar spells. Assuming a 5th level character as the base example.
Step one: Duergar Race (note that Duergar are Dwarven subtype, and qualify for Dwarf feats)
Step two: Ironhide (APG) +1 Nat Ac as Dwarf.
Step three: Toughness feat (pre-requisite for #4)
Step four: Tough as Iron: +2 Nat AC if you have an A.C. bonus already (+0 if you have none)
step five: use of the duergar spell Ironskin which grants a +4 enhancment bonus to Nat A.c..Optional feat: improved natural armor
Optional: Amulet of Natural Armor+1 can replace the step 2 of this.Natural Armor Bonus to AC at level 5: +7
BEWARE THE IRONSKIN CLAN OF DUERGAR.
The amulet of natural armor provides an enhancement bonus to natural armor and replaces step 5 to a small extent, not step 2.
Personally I dont think taking a 3 feat chain is worth getting only a +3 AC, unless you have feats to spare.
I would use the Ironskin spell however. :)
PS: On a two-handed fighter type that nat armor can mitigate not having a shield however.
Things can get nasty with reach weapons and big two handers. Sadly, Duergar do not get Dwarven racial weapon proficiency as a trait in core. Dwarven Longhammers and Longaxe's are nice, with boulder helmet to boost anti-crit ac by +2.
Even better than Ironhide, go with draconic blood rages and get +1 natural armor at level 3. That saves you the feat for the same +7 nat ac at 5th level.
Then go Dragon Disciple at level 6 to bring that +8, +9 at 8th level +10 at 10th level, +11 at 12th level, and finally +14 at level 15 with an amulet of natural armor +5 instead of the spell.
Even better than Ironhide, go with draconic blood rages and get +1 natural armor at level 3. That saves you the feat for the same +7 nat ac at 5th level.
Then go Dragon Disciple at level 6 to bring that +8, +9 at 8th level +10 at 10th level, +11 at 12th level, and finally +14 at level 15 with an amulet of natural armor +5 instead of the spell.
I'd still stay with the spell, the spell at 15th-level provides a +7 enhancement bonus.