Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Merlock231 10-06-05, 10:41 PM	My friend is trying to make a character with as high an AC as possible that is still "fun" to play. I don't quite know what he means by "fun" but I said I'd see what you guys think. He said no druids, and I don't think he wants a dwarven defender either. My guess is he wants some sort of unique/unusual ability/twist/tactic beyond just having an obscene AC. Any ideas? I'm sure there have been many tank optimizations on the CO board, but I don't know my way around (can the board be searched?) so feel free to just link to appropriate threads rather than give new input if you want. Right now we are level 10... this character will probably start somewhere between 10 and 12. I'd like it if I could get one optimized for level 12 and then extended to level 20 if possible. Much appreciated!
Ashlan 10-06-05, 10:43 PM	What books are allowed? Does he have any preference for race/class? What type of stat generation do you use? Ash
PhaedrusXY 10-06-05, 10:44 PM	Go check out the Warmind/Elocater link in my sig. Oh yeah and the usual: what books? what stats? any weird rules on multiclassing, etc?
Merlock231 10-06-05, 10:55 PM	Books: Umm... just about anything 3.5 except Incarnum as none of my friends have that yet. We're also missing a couple of Forgotten Realms books I think, and Stormwrack. Between the members of my group, I think we have most all of the other 3.5 books, and anything we have the books for goes pretty much. Stats: Our DM is insane and likes making crazy stat systems. I think assuming a 28-pt. buy will give a good enough approximation. I think the actual system is: roll 1d6. The number rolled is the number of stats you point-buy with like #*32/6 rounded up points. You roll the other stats, one 5d6 keep best 3, one 3d6, and the rest 4d6 keep best 3. If that initial number was a 1 you get one 18 to place instead of point-buy (effectively 16 pt pt.-buy for the one stat), and if you had a 5 on the first roll then your non-pt. buy stat is rolled with 4d6 take the best 3. Like I said... insane... assuming 28 pt. point-buy is probably best.
Ashlan 10-06-05, 11:20 PM	Is the reason he doesn't want druids that he doesn't want to wildshape? How about the wildshaping ranger variant from UA. Dwarven Ranger 5 / Deepwarden 2 / Master of Many Forms 5 This gives Con to AC and lots of options for stuff to change into with high Con and NA. It also gives lots of adaptability to different situations and seems like it would be fun to play. If this sounds at all interesting, I can try to flesh it out but I know there is a thread arround he all about this. Ash
Endarire 10-06-05, 11:27 PM	What about Druidic Avenger from UA? -EE
Merlock231 10-07-05, 01:09 AM	What about Druidic Avenger from UA? -EE Interesting class that I hadn't remembered, but I'm pretty sure that it falls into the category of druid (which as I said, he doesn't want). My guess is the reason he wants to stay away from druids is that he might not like the wildshaping stuff (don't know who could hate pmorphing stuff but *shrug*). Therefore the Master of Many Forms (while something I normally would love to play myself) isn't likely to be something he's looking for. Thanks for the idea though.
thegreatbuddha 10-07-05, 01:47 AM	Human Monk1/Swashbuckler3/Fighter2/Scout1/Dervish5/Survivor1/Duelist7 Take Kung-Fu genius, load up on TWf feats and your PrC prereqs, and you can get something in the order of +20 AC when fighting defensively. Survivor nets Uncanny Dodge , and swashbuckler & scout ensure your attacks deal sufficient damage is there to ensure you can do some extra damage. Keep Dex and int high, and use your weapon finesse for kamas. Flurrying in a dervish dance while TWFing nets 8 attacks with a haste or weapon of speed, and your high AC (which is even higher vs AoOs caused by movement) ensures nothing short of the Tarrasque will hit you as you dance about delivering death.
Tony Vargas 10-07-05, 02:08 PM	That's not much to go on, but I'm guessing one of the several Monk AC-exploits (hitting PrCs that also give you a WIS bonus to AC, but named, so that you can assert that it stacks, for instance :rolleyes: ), might apeal. You'll have high AC, mobility, skills, so more options than the usual Dwarven Defender tank.
Outla 10-07-05, 03:17 PM	There are prestige classes that let a no-armor or low-armor fighter have almost the same AC as a full-plate shield-using fighter. Things like Dervish and some monk variations, or even barbarian or ranger variations. But... it sounds to me like he's willing to wear platemail, but doesn't want to spend his feats on defense. Try putting all his feats into attack abilities, things like jump attack, cleave, whirlwind attack, improved grapple, ride-by-attack, and other combat moves and tactics that can't be done without a feat. You want to give him a good Tumble skill so he can move around, and get Combat Expertise, but save the rest of the feats for special attacks.
El_Machinae 10-07-05, 03:55 PM	Fun? You want fun? Gnome Ranger 3/Stoneblessed (Goliath) 3/Goliath Barbarian 2/ Ranger X Normally this fellow is 3.5 feet tall, but when he rages, he turns into a large creature. Might as well get favoured enemy (giants) since you'll have +8 AC vs. them already. Grab proficiency in Tower Shield and EWP (spiked chain) and monkey grip. He'll carry a small spiked chain in one hand and use the tower shield (-4 penalty total to hit). When he rages, he can wig out with his small shield (was a tower shield) and small spiked chain, twin weapon fighting. For further hyjinks, ask your DM if you can do Stoneblessed for Dwarf next.
Caelic 10-07-05, 04:32 PM	Heh. Actually, I was going to suggest a Whisper Gnome Fighter 4/Stoneblessed 3 (Dwarf)/Deepwarden 2, and then go from there. Con to AC, small size, Titan Fighting for an additional 4 AC against anything medium sized or larger...
Merlock231 10-14-05, 08:05 PM	Heh. Actually, I was going to suggest a Whisper Gnome Fighter 4/Stoneblessed 3 (Dwarf)/Deepwarden 2, and then go from there. Con to AC, small size, Titan Fighting for an additional 4 AC against anything medium sized or larger... I noticed that (at least for the whisper gnome... haven't checked others) the racial trait section for races just list the +4 dodge bonus to AC vs. giants as that... dodge bonuses, not "racial dodge bonuses". I'm curious (though I think I already know the answer's not in favor of the player here...) as to whether the +4 dodge AC vs. giants from stoneblessed would be considered racial. Rules-wise (assuming I didn't miss something) I'd think know, but flavor-wise that seems the intent, both in the fact that you're gaining abilities to become a member of another race (basically), and also in the fact that the ability granting it to you is "RACIAL battle technique". Had the racial trait sections actually called the normal bonus a racial dodge bonus, this would be a total no-brainer, but it doesn't so there MIGHT be something to the argument. I'm trying to ascertain this for the purposes of Titan Fighting. I guess another (and less breaking) application of the same question is to consider a human taking Stoneblessed levels. Upon obtaining the 2nd Stoneblessed level, does he now qualify for Titan Fighting or not? If it DID count as a racial dodge bonus, then I think this would definitely qualify for a fun, high AC char... even if the AC is only against one creature at a time...
Merlock231 10-14-05, 08:15 PM	When deepwarden subs con for dex, is it subject to the same max due to armor as dex, or not? For example if you're wearing full plate, is your con bonus to AC maxed at +1, or not? Thanks!
Seeker of Truth 10-14-05, 08:20 PM	When deepwarden subs con for dex, is it subject to the same max due to armor as dex, or not? For example if you're wearing full plate, is your con bonus to AC maxed at +1, or not? Thanks! RAW there is nothing to suggest that it is. Living greyhawk has a house rule that does limit it to the max dex of the armor, and it's a common houserule among DMs I play with.