Grand wrote on Oct 2
nd, 2016 at 11:39am:
I guess my point is, are they any better than human or other race in that role. I was a Dwarf fan for a while, I like how they look and such but now running one seems like a compromise on performance.
I consider S&B a compromise in the context of tanks not mattering (that might change in the future though.)
Still Dwarf is probably the best way to do S&B if you are going to do it.
The bonus skill points don't matter. The bonus feat is equalized by Dwarven Waraxe proficiency. That leaves enhancements...human tends to trump everyone else because of the % based action boost making the other races small static bonuses insignificant. However, S&B Dwarf has Dwarf Fortress. So you have a full time 7% damage boost competing with a 20% boost for ~3 minutes. It is expensive at 18 AP, but there is enough worthwhile in the tree that you won't have any filler.
So you're looking at 18 in Dwarf (+10 hp, +3 dodge, +1 to hit/+1 damage, +4% hp, +3 fortitude, -3 reflex, PRR AB, +6 AC, +3 Intim), 41 in Vanguard, 20 in Defender, 1 in KotC on a pure pally.
(TYWA and fortress cost 24 together /vomit)
Human would go 12 in Human (AB, +1 stat, +2 action surge, Hamp, Shield Mastery, Hamp), 41 in Vanguard, 1 in KotC, 27 in Defender (+5 PRR/MRR, +6 str or con, 10% move speed and +30% to full plate bonus.)