“What makes a hero... a shield?”
Is it their armor? Their will?
…or the quiet choice to stand in harm’s way when no one else will?
In this episode of Life of Fiction – the Podcast, we step behind the shield and dive deep into the ironclad role of the Defender.
More than a tank, more than a wall—this class is about tactical protection, battlefield control, and choosing to take the hit when no one else can.
As with each of the classes, we’ve designed the Defender as a three-stage class that grows. Here’s the exact article this podcast is connected to:
The Hero Within RPG 9: The Defender Class – Shields, Guardians, and Unbreakable Resolve
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Here's what we cover:
🛡️ Class Progression – From dependable Guardian, to seasoned Protector, to the nearly unbreakable Sentinel.
🧱 Defensive Archetypes – The Shieldbearer, The Warden, The Paragon, and The Iron Wall. Each brings a new way to shape the flow of battle.
⚔️ Offense vs. Defense Debate – Should Defenders deal damage? Or is battlefield presence enough?
🔋 Unique Resource Mechanics – Explore stamina pools, guard points, and fortified modes—ways to keep defense dynamic and strategic.
💥 Lore Integration – How do Defenders show up in the world of Wanted Hero and Chronicles of a Hero? (Hint: you already know some…)
Plus: A look at what it really means to be a protector in a world full of chaos, and how you—the listener—can help us design the most meaningful tank class in RPG history.
💬 Join the discussion at LifeOfFiction.com
Because sometimes, being the hero means standing between the world and the fire.
Drop your thoughts in the comments!
NEXT TIME: 💖 The Healer’s Path: From Field Medic to Divine Force (sorry — no Rogues…)
Start the Adventure we’re all talking about…
Thats it. That’s all I’ve got for you this week.
If you love storytelling, role-playing games, or just being part of a creative movement, now is your chance.
Come play with me.
Remember: You are MORE than you THINK you are!
...see you next time. 🚀
Let us know what you thought of the podcast, or if you have any questions, make sure to leave them in the comments or email podcast@lifeoffiction.com.
A monk can also be a protector, he's the dude that is always behind you because of jumps and insane speed, and his endurance keeps him hitting you in the back. He's not protecting by soaking hits, he's interrupting and harrassing the opponent. He's not soaking hits, he spends endurance to evade hits.
Great perspective. Like that a lot.
Thanks for that input, Tillerz.
This is another example of why I'm moving towards a skill-based system and not class.