Stalwart Defender was essentially designed with Dwarven Fighters in mind, but that doesn't mean it will be better for your character than staying in Fighter all the way.
This isn't 3.5, Prestige classes aren't an order of magnitude better than a base class, and since every base class has powers/abilities that scale on class level, it is almost always sub-optimal to take a prestige class.
So... ultimately, it is entirely dependent on 'does this prestige class match the theme of your character'.
|
So... ultimately, it is entirely dependent on 'does this prestige class match the theme of your character'.
I have discovered that with pathfinder, prestige classes are indeed better used as ways to theme your character. Sometimes, they in fact take away from a character that could have been more powerful had it stayed true to its base class.
dwarven defender
You are all thinking it, so I'll just say it... Mystic Theurge
Offtopic, but I agree on the prestige classes power levels. Currently using Living Monolith(slightly altered) as an alternate class, and he seems to be slightly on par with the Paladin.
Ontopic: Archetypes are almost like prestige classes in power and fluff, I suggest checking them out, many of them really suit a dwarf way better than the prestiges. Most prestiges now are VERY specific story/fluff elements, often bound to a specific race, nation or faction.
I think prestige classes are better used for flavor and patching sub-optimal builds, like Eldritch Knight for spellslingers.
Chevalier if allowed, it's dumb strong.