| Abilities | Constitution; and either Strength or Wisdom |
| Skills | +2 Dungeoneering +2 Endurance |
| Size | Medium |
| Speed | Low average |
| Vision | low-light |
| Languages | Common Dwarven |
| Traits | Cast-Iron Stomach Dwarven Resilience Dwarven Weapon Proficiency Encumbered Speed Stand Your Ground |
| Avg. height | 4'3"–4'9" 130–145 cm |
| Avg. weight | 160–180 lbs. 73–100 kg |
| Subraces | gold dwarf shield dwarf |
Dwarf is a player character race in Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition as part of the core races in the Player's Handbook.[PH:36][HotFL:248]
Racial traits[]
Dwarves have the following racial traits.
- Cast-Iron Stomach
- High racial bonus to saving throws against poison.
- Dwarven Resilience
- You can use your second wind as a minor action instead of a standard action.
- Dwarven Weapon Proficiency
- You gain proficiency with the throwing hammer and the warhammer.
- Encumbered Speed
- You move at your normal speed even when it would normally be reduced by armor or a heavy load. Other effects that limit speed (such as difficult terrain or magical effects) affect you normally.
- Stand Your Ground
- When an effect forces you to move—through a pull, a push, or a slide—you can move a square less than the effect specifies. This means an effect that normally pulls, pushes, or slides a target a square does not force you to move unless you want to.
In addition, when an attack would knock you prone, you can immediately make a saving throw to avoid falling prone.
Dwarf feats[]
The following feats have the dwarf (or mul) race as a prerequisite. Other prerequisites are noted.
- Dodge Giants
- Dwarven Weapon Training
- Dwarven Durability
- Forgeborn Heritage[Dr383:75] (Bloodline)
- Iron Hide Resilience
- Keen Hatred
- Wrathful Legacy
- Improved Legacy (Level 11)
- Wrathful Resurgence (Level 11)
- Knock Back[Dr391:51]
- Quick Steps[Dr391:51]
- Solid Footing[Dr391:51]
- Unstoppable Drive[Dr388:21]
Dwarf paragon paths[]
The following paragon paths have the dwarf (or mul) race as a prerequisite. Other prerequisites are noted.
Favored classes[]
Development[]
The dwarf ability bonus was originally a moderate bonus to both Constitution and Wisdom.[PH:36] The Essentials update and subsequent books changed the bonus to Constitution, and either Strength or Wisdom.[U :E]
The Neverwinter Campaign Setting introduced the concept of subraces, as well as the dwarf subraces gold dwarf[NCS:49] and shield dwarf.[NCS:50]
Physical qualities[]
Dwarves average about 4½ feet (1.37 in meters) in height and are very broad, weighing as much as a typical human. Dwarves have the same color variety of skin, eye, and hair as do humans, although red hair is a lot more common among them. Male dwarves are often have no hair and braid their long beards into interesting and magnificent patterns. Female dwarves braid their hair to show ancestry and clan. Although they reach physical maturity at roughly the same age as humans (about 25 years old), dwarves age more slowly and remain vigorous well past 150, often living to see 200.
Dwarven typical wear and equipment, including weapons and shields, are decorated with bold geometric shapes, natural gems, and silhouttes of ancestor's facial features.