Dwarves in OD&D

DWARF (LBB+CHAINMAIL VERSION)

Hit dice: d6
Move: 6’’, charge 9’’
Alignment: Law or Neutral
[Option: Dwarves use chainmail and a shield, as well as any weapon.]

Because the dwarf-land, their natural habitat, is deep under the ground, these stout folk operate equally
well day or night. They have the ability to see in normal darkness as if it were light. Dwarves dig twice
as fast as an equal number of human sappers. They note slanting passages, traps, shifting walls and
new construction in underground settings. Dwarves sometimes domesticate bears, wolves and other
unintelligent beasts for defence purpose.

Dwarves can locate secret passage and will detect sound within if there is any to be heard on the roll of
a 1 or a 2 (on a six-sided die). They are required to roll a 1 to open doors. Dwarves have they have a
high level of magic resistance. This is reflected in their saving throws.

Although they are no threat to the larger creatures, because of their relatively small size, clumsy
monsters like Trolls, Ogres, and Giants find them hard to catch because of their small size, so count
only one-half normal damage points when Dwarves fight with them, for either attacks upon the
Dwarves or returns should the Dwarves be the attacker.

Goblins and Kobolds are their natural (and most hated) enemies, and Dwarves will attack Goblins
(Kobolds) before any other enemies in sight, regardless of orders to the contrary. They will not
automatically attack, but if ordered to attack and Goblins or Kobolds are within charging distance,
they will attack them to the exclusion of orders to the contrary.

In addition to their own language, Dwarves are able to speak the languages of Gnomes, Kobolds and
Goblins in addition to their alignment tongue. They also have 20% chance of speaking the common
tongue of humans.

Dwarf Level Progression*

Experience Level Hit Dice Title
0 1 1+1 Veteran
2,000 2 2 Warrior
4,000 3 3 Swordsman
8,000 4 4 Hero
16,000 5 5+1 Swashbuckler
32,000 6 6 Myrmidon
*Dwarves may never progress beyond the 6th level (Myrmidon).

Dwarf Saving Throws

Wands,
Death Ray Polymorph, Dragon Staves &
Level or Poison Paralyzation Petrification Breath Spells
1-2 10 11 12 13 14
3-5 8 9 10 10 12
6 6 7 8 8 10

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DWARF FIGHTER (GREYHAWK VERSION)

Hit dice: d8
Move: 6’’, charge 9’’
Alignment: Law or Neutral

Dwarves are about four feet tall, stocky of build, weigh 150 pounds, shoulders very broad, their skin a
ruddy tan, brown or gray, and are of various types (hill, mountain, or burrowers) (such as gnomes).

Because the Dwarf-land, their natural habitat is deep under the ground, these stout folk operate equally
well day or night. They have infravision and can see monsters up to 60' away in the dark. Dwarves dig
twice as fast as an equal number of human sappers. They note slanting passages, traps, shifting walls
and new construction in underground settings.

Dwarves can locate secret passage and will detect sound within if there is any to be heard on the roll of
a 1 or a 2 (on a six-sided die). They are required to roll a 1 to open doors. Dwarves have they have a
high level of magic resistance. This is reflected in their saving throws.

Although they are no threat to the larger creatures, because of their relatively small size, clumsy
monsters like Trolls, Ogres, and Giants find them hard to catch because of their small size, so count
only one-half normal damage points when Dwarves fight with them, for either attacks upon the
Dwarves or returns should the Dwarves be the attacker.

Goblins and Kobolds are their natural (and most hated) enemies, and Dwarves will attack Goblins
(Kobolds) before any other enemies in sight, regardless of orders to the contrary. They will not
automatically attack, but if ordered to attack and Goblins or Kobolds are within charging distance,
they will attack them to the exclusion of orders to the contrary.

Dwarves add +1 to hit probabilities, and subtract - 1 from chances to be hit, when fighting kobolds,
goblins, orcs, hobgoblins, gnolls, ogres, trolls, giants, gnomes, dwarves, elves and ents, being of the
“giant class” monsters.

In addition to their own language, Dwarves are able to speak the languages of Gnomes, Kobolds and
Goblins in addition to their alignment tongue. They also have 20% chance of speaking the common
tongue of humans. Dwarves sometimes domesticate bears, wolves and other unintelligent beasts for
defence purpose.

Dwarf fighter Level Progression

Experience Level Hit Dice Title
0 1 1d8+1 Veteran
2,000 2 2d8 Warrior
4,000 3 3d8 Swordsman
8,000 4 4d8 Hero
16,000 5 5d8+1 Swashbuckler
32,000 6 6d8 Myrmidon
64,000 7 7d8+1 Champion*
120,000 8 8d8+2 Super Hero**
*Dwarves with a strength of 17 can work up to 7th level fighter
**Those of 18 strength can work up to 8th level.

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Dwarf Saving Throws

Wands,
Death Ray Polymorph, Dragon Staves &
Level or Poison Paralyzation Petrification Breath Spells
1-2 10 11 12 13 14
3-5 8 9 10 10 12
6-8 6 7 8 8 10

DWARF THIEF (GREYHAWK VERSION)

Hit dice: d4
Move: 6’’, charge 9’’
Alignment: Neutral

Dwarf thief Level Progression*

Experience Level Hit Dice Title
0 1 1d4 Apprentice
1,200 2 2d4 Footpad
2,400 3 3d4 Robber
4,800 4 4d4 Burglar
9,600 5 5d4 Cutpurse
20,000 6 6d4 Sharper
40,000 7 7d4 Pilferer
60,000 8 8d4 Master Pilferer
90,000 9 9d4 Thief
125,000 10 10d4 Master Thief
250,000 11 10d4+1 Master Thief, 11th Level
375,000 12 10d4+2 Master Thief. 12th Level
500,000 13 10d4+3 Master Thief. 13th Level
+125,000 / level +1 hp
*Dwarf thief progression is unlimited.

Dwarves are about four feet tall, stocky of build, weigh 150 pounds, shoulders very broad, their skin a
ruddy tan, brown or gray, and are of various types (hill, mountain, or burrowers) (such as gnomes).
Because the Dwarf-land, their natural habitat is deep under the ground, these stout folk operate equally
well day or night. They have infravision and can see monsters up to 60' away in the dark. Dwarves dig
twice as fast as an equal number of human sappers. They note slanting passages, traps, shifting walls
and new construction in underground settings.

Dwarves can locate secret passage on the roll of a 1 or a 2 (on a six-sided die). They are required to
roll a 1 to open doors. Dwarves have they have a high level of magic resistance. This is reflected in
their saving throws.

When acting as fighter / thieves, dwarves can wear only leather armor and cannot employ shields. They
can employ magic daggers and magic swords but none of the other magical weaponry, except the
warhammer +3.

Although they are no threat to the larger creatures, because of their relatively small size, clumsy
monsters like Trolls, Ogres, and Giants find them hard to catch, so count only one-half normal damage

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 Dwarves in OD&D

points when Dwarves fight with them, for either attacks upon the Dwarves or returns should the
Dwarves be the attacker.

Goblins and Kobolds are their natural (and most hated) enemies, and Dwarves will attack Goblins
(Kobolds) before any other enemies in sight, regardless of orders to the contrary. They will not
automatically attack, but if ordered to attack and Goblins or Kobolds are within charging distance,
they will attack them to the exclusion of orders to the contrary.

Dwarves add +1 to hit probabilities, and subtract - 1 from chances to be hit, when fighting kobolds,
goblins, orcs, hobgoblins, gnolls, ogres, trolls, giants, gnomes, dwarves, elves and ents, being of the
“giant class” monsters.

In addition to their own language, Dwarves are able to speak the languages of Gnomes, Kobolds and
Goblins in addition to their alignment tongue. They also have 20% chance of speaking the common
tongue of humans. Dwarves sometimes domesticate bears, wolves and other unintelligent beasts for
defence purpose.

Dwarves thieves of the 3rd level and above are able to read most (80%) languages, so treasure maps
can be read and understood by them without recourse to a spell.

Dwarves thieves of the 10th level and above are able to understand magical writings, so any scroll that
falls into their hands can be used by them — excluding spells which are clerical in nature. However,
with spells of the 7th level and above there is a 10% chance that the effect will be the reverse of that
intended (due to the fact that even Master Thieves do not fully comprehend such great magic). This
reverse effect can be known only after the spell is read.

By striking silently from behind the dwarf thief gains two advantages: First, he increases the chance to
hit by 20% (+4 on his die). Secondly, he does double damage when he so attacks, with like additional
damage for every four levels he has attained.

Dwarf Thief abilities

Level Open Remove Pickpocket Move Hide in Climb Hear Backstab
lock trap silently shadows sheer noise
surfaces
1 15 25 20 25 15 88 1-2 x2
2 25 30 25 30 20 89 1-2
3 30 35 30 35 25 90 1-3
4 40 45 35 40 30 91 1-3
5 45 50 45 50 40 92 1-3 x3
6 50 55 55 60 50 93 1-3
7 60 65 60 65 55 94 1-4
8 70 75 65 70 60 95 1-4
9 80 85 75 80 70 96 1-4 x4
10 90 95 85 90 80 97 1-4
11 100 100 95 100 90 98 1-5
12 100 100 100 100 95 99 1-5
13 100 100 100 100 100 100 1-6 x5

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Dwarf Thief Saving Throws

Wands,
Death Ray Polymorph, Dragon Staves &
Level or Poison Paralyzation Petrification Breath Spells
1 13 14 13 16 15
2-6 11 12 11 14 12
7-11 8 9 8 11 8
12+ 5 6 5 8 3

DWARF FIGHTER / THIEF (GREYHAWK VERSION)

Hit dice: see below
Move: 6’’, charge 9’’
Alignment: Neutral

Dwarf Fighter / Thief Level Progression

Experience Level Hit Dice
0 1/1 (1d4+1d8+1)/2
2,400 2/1 (2d4+1d8+1)/2
4,000 2/2 (2d4+2d8)/2
4,800 3/2 (3d4+2d8)/2
8,000 3/3 (3d4+3d8)/2
9,600 4/3 (4d4+3d8)/2
16,000 4/4 (4d4+4d8)/2
19,200 5/4 (5d4+4d8)/2
32,000 5/5 (5d4+5d8+1)/2
40,000 6/5 (6d4+5d8+1)/2
64,000 6/6 (6d6+6d8)/2
80,000 7/6 (7d4+6d8)/2
120,000 8/6 (8d4+6d8)/2
128,000 8/7* (8d4+7d8+1) /2 ou (8d4+6d8)/2
180,000 9/7 (9d4+7d8+1)/2 ou (9d4+6d8)/2
240,000 9/8** (9d4+8d8+2)/2 ou (9d4+6d8)/2
250,000 10/8 (10d4+8d8+2)/2 ou (10d4+6d8)/2
500,000 11/8 (10d4+8d8+3)/2 ou (10d4+6d8+1)/2
750,000 12/8 (10d4+8d8+4)/2 ou (10d4+6d8+2)/2
1,000,000 13/8 (10d4+8d8+5)/2 ou (10d4+6d8+3)/2
*Dwarves with a strength of 17 can work up to 7th level fighter
**Those of 18 strength can work up to 8th level fighter

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 Dwarves in OD&D

Dwarf Fighter / Thief abilities

Level Open Remove Pickpocket Move Hide in Climb Hear Backstab
lock trap silently shadows sheer noise
surfaces
1 10 10 20 20 10 88 1-2 x2
2 20 15 25 25 15 89 1-2
3 25 20 30 30 20 90 1-3
4 35 30 35 35 25 91 1-3
5 40 35 45 45 35 92 1-3 x3
6 45 40 55 55 45 93 1-3
7 55 50 60 60 50 94 1-4
8 65 60 65 65 55 95 1-4
9 75 70 75 75 65 96 1-4 x4
10 85 80 85 85 75 97 1-4
11 95 90 95 95 85 98 1-5
12 100 95 100 100 90 99 1-5
13 100 100 100 100 95 100 1-6 x5

Dwarf Fighter / Thief Saving Throws

Wands,
Death Ray Polymorph, Dragon Staves &
Level or Poison Paralyzation Petrification Breath Spells
1/1 10 11 12 13 14
2/1 10 11 11 13 12
2/2 10 11 11 13 12
3/2 10 11 11 13 12
3/3 8 9 10 10 12
4/3 8 9 10 10 12
4/4 8 9 10 10 12
5/4 8 9 10 10 12
5/5 8 9 10 10 12
6/5 8 9 10 10 12
6/6 6 7 8 8 10
7/6 6 7 8 8 8
8/6 6 7 8 8 8
8/7* 6 7 8 8 8
9/7 6 7 8 8 8
9/8** 6 7 8 8 8
10/8 6 7 8 8 8
11/8 6 7 8 8 8
12/8 5 6 5 8 3
13/8 5 6 5 8 3

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DWARF (A SUGGESTION)
Dwarves are about four feet tall, stocky of build, weigh 150 pounds, shoulders very broad, their skin a
ruddy tan, brown or gray, and are of various types (hill, mountain, or burrowers). Because their natural
habitat is deep under the ground, these stout folk operate equally well day or night. They have
infravision and can see up to 60' away in the dark.

Dwarf knowledge: Due to their knowledge of forgotten mechanics and metalwork, they can also open
locks and remove traps. Dwarves capacities also include locate secret passage, noting slanting
passages, traps, shifting walls and new construction in underground settings.

Surprise: Because of their small size, dwarves can also hide in shadow and move silently, in order to
surprise a foe. When they get benefit of surprise, they had +4 to hit and double damage. They will
detect sound within if there is any to be heard, as noted below.

Combat: Dwarves can use leather armours or chainmails, shields and any weapon. When fighting
“giant class” humanoids (kobolds, goblins, orcs, hobgoblins, gnolls, ogres, trolls, giants, gnomes,
dwarves, elves and ents), they gain a +1 to hit and to AC. They tend to attack goblins and kobolds on
sight. Because of their small size, clumsy monsters like Trolls, Ogres, and Giants find them hard to
catch, they inflict and suffer only one-half normal damage points when fighting with them.

Languages: In addition to their own language, alignment and common tongue, Dwarves have 20%
chance to be able to speak each one of these languages: Gnome, Kobold and Goblin in addition to
their alignment tongue. Dwarves of the 6th level and above are able to read most (80%) runes, glyphs
and ancient languages.

Dwarf Level Progression

Experience Level Hit Dice
0 1 1d6
2,000 2 2d6
4,000 3 3d6
8,000 4 4d6
16,000 5 5d6
32,000 6 6d6
60,000 7 7d6
90,000 8 8d6+1
120,000 9 8d6+2
250,000 10 8d6+3
375,000 11 8d6+4
500,000 12 8d6+5
625,000 13 8d6+6

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 Dwarves in OD&D

Dwarf Saving Throws

Wands,
Death Ray Polymorph, Dragon Staves &
Level or Poison Paralyzation Petrification Breath Spells
1-3 10 11 12 13 14
4-6 8 9 10 10 12
7-9 6 7 8 8 10
10-12 4 5 6 6 8
13+ 2 3 4 4 6

Level Surprise Dwarf knowledge Hear noise

1-2 1-2 1 1-2
3-4 1-2 1 1-2
5-6 1-3 1-2 1-3
7-8 1-3 1-2 1-3
9-10 1-3 1-3 1-3
11-12 1-3 1-3 1-3
13+ 1-4 1-4 1-4

This compilation has been suggested by Snorri, with some material from Greyharp, in order to help referees using dwarves in
their campaigns. No challenge or claim to the ownership of any trademarks is intended or implied. This is a not-for-profit fan
work, believed to reside within Fair Use.