Dwarf Class Guide

*For general class information, see Dwarf.*
The Dwarf's specialty is high magic resistance. While most melee heroes struggle to obtain MGR-boosting items, Dwarves innately have 70 MGR. Since armor cannot effectively block out spell damage and many of the most dangerous opponents rely on spell attacks, the Dwarf's magic resistance is a significant advantage, particularly in the midgame. Another key advantage of Dwarves is they cannot be petrified by the Petrify spell (although they can be bound and petrified by the Terrify spell). This is an excellent feature, as some encounters will be against multiple foes that can "chain-incapacitate" the hero, which leads to a quick death. Dwarves also enjoy Immunity to Poison, which is useful against poison-equipped opponents.

The Dwarf's main disadvantages include a poor physical defense values and a relatively weak set of late-game, class-specific items. In the mid-game, the lack of dodge and parry attributes can compensated by wearing plate armor, available only to the Dwarf and two other classes.

## Progression

### Early game

The Dwarf's magic resistance is not particularly helpful during the first 10 levels when there very few foes that use magic to any appreciable effect. In addition, Plate Mail is not available until out of Valmorgen, thus depriving the Dwarf of one key advantage. Early game priorities include armor (800 gold) enchanted to +3 (1,600 Gold) and a Ring of Protection. Spellcasting is also extremely useful in the beginning stages of the game. Since the Dwarf class's starting intelligence attribute ranges from 10-15, it is beneficial to reroll to ensure that starting INT is at least 11, to allow the PowerShock and FlameShield spells to be purchased at the Valmorgen Library.

### Mid game

After leaving Valmorgen, the primary goal is to acquire better armor as quickly as possible. First, head to Lormidia and get the Green armor +4 charm and some +100 HP potions. The Goblin Territory and Graveyard are good early areas to explore. Your high magic resistance, augmented by the Blue Charm, Ring of Protection and Fire Shield spell (70+10+10+20 MGR) should be enough to block many of the Vampire's spells, while your higher offense and hitpoints should let you overcome the fights.

Find a Mithril Plate Armor or Magic Plate Armor, which provide a considerable defensive gain. It is also beneficial to find a Mithril Breastplate, which provide useful stat bonuses. The Mithril Breastplate is generally superior to the aforementioned standard plate armor. At this point, after enchanting your armor, fights will be significantly easier. Generic mid-game strategies can be followed.

### Late game

Into the late game, upon entering the Desolate Wastelands region, the Dwarf and will face strong challenges from monsters with high intelligence, damage, and combat stats which counteracts the advantages enjoyed by Dwarves. Ironically, Dwarves are unable to wear the powerful Dwarven Locket, which means that their naturally high MGR cannot be further augmented.

Dwarves lack class-specific items that boost Double Attack and Attack Multiple Foes, which are the abilities that most high-damaging melee classes rely on for damage output. On the other hand, the Dwarf's Golem Sledge schematics item provides the Slayer ability, which works well together with items that increase weapon damage. Therefore, in the late game, Dwarves benefit greatly from items that boost weapon damage.

## Items

Below are the optimal items for each category, as well as other notable items important to this class. For a full list of usable items, see items usable by Dwarf.

* **Weapon**
	+ Golem Sledge (*Damage: 19, Slayer ability*) → Golem Smiter (*Damage: 20, Slayer ability, ARM +2, H2H +20*)
	+ Early on: Hammer of Resolve (*Damage: 17, H2H +15, STR +15*)
* **Armor**:
	+ Plate Armor of the Dwarf (*Armor: 18, PAR +10, STR +2*)[Thallis item]
	+ Mithril Breastplate (*Armor: 11, H2H +10, PAR +5, DOD +5, MGR +10*) – This item provides a different set of bonuses and is potentially superior to the Plate Armor of the Dwarf in a greater number of circumstances. The Mithril Breastplate has a much lower armor rating, but armor rating becomes less useful in the late game, whereas the combat stat bonuses of the Mithril Breastplate remain useful.
	+ Also useful: Mithril Studded Leather Armor or Mithril Plate Armor embedded with 3x Beard Rings
* **Cloak**
	+ Cloak of the Sturdy (*Armor +3*)[Thallis item] – Unlike the Thallis cloaks of other classes, this cloak is not necessarily optimal in all circumstances.
	+ Protective Cloak
	+ Farmer's Cloak
* **Headgear**
	+ Circlet of Lycanthropy (item) (*H2H +15, RNG +15, PAR +15, DOD +15, Werewolf Form*) → True Werewolf Circlet (*stats as per the circlet ARM +1, MGR +10*)
	+ Adult Dwarven Headband (*H2H +5, Parry +5, Dodge +5*) embedded with 5x Shield/Skull/Goblin Dwarven Beard Rings, depending on the need (WIL, MGR, or STR)[Thallis item] – While the upgraded circlet is the optimal headgear in most circumstances, the Adult Dwarven Headband can provide specialized functions for particular fights.
	+ Early on: Steel Full Helm or Battered Crown
* **Belt**
	+ Belt of Ravaging – Useful with the Golem Sledge/Smiter's *Slayer* ability
	+ Belt of Brawling embedded with a "Might" accessory (total bonus: *Armor +1, Parry +5, Damage +1, STR +16, H2H +20*)
	+ Early on: Belt of Rage
* **Footwear**
	+ Boots of Lunord (*Armor: 2, SPD +2, PAR +10, DOD +15, MGR +5, DMG +1*)
	+ War Chargers (*Armor: 3, STR +4, H2H +10; Wizard Tower schematic*)
* **Glove**
	+ Golem Gloves (*Armor: 3, H2H +10, PAR +20, STR +16*)[Thallis item]
	+ War Gauntlets embedded with 2x Ratman or Hammer Beard Rings
* **Armband**
	+ Mithril Bracers or Nevryl Bracers embedded with 2x Ratman or Hammer Beard Rings
* **Necklace**
	+ Ring Amulet embed with Ring of Protection or Dark Band
	+ Neckband of Smashing – Useful with the *Slayer* ability
	+ Rezzenthells Spellkiller
* **Ring**
	+ Ring of Protection, Dark Band, or Ring of Fortitude – The Dark Band is useful with with the *Slayer* ability
* **Accessory**:
	+ Holster of Respite (*Invisibility, DMG+2, H2H +10*)[Thallis item] – Likely the optimal item when used in conjunction with Invisibility Gems.
	+ Black Stone
	+ Holster of Might