Attack roll or AC? Which is easier to optimize at 6th level. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Attack roll or AC? Which is easier to optimize at 6th level. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Particle_Man
12-15-06, 08:27 PM 3.5 Wotc books, 6th level character, 28 point buy.

I always thought that the attack roll outstrips the AC pretty quickly, but am willing to be shown the error of my ways (or to find vindication!). So what is out there?
GaffeR
12-15-06, 08:38 PM Hrmm... Orc Barbarian 4/Fighter 2... assume 18 Str bought
Weapon Focus (X)
Extra Rage
Shock Trooper
Power Attack
Imp Bull Rush

Attack bous (no magic) = +17 (+6 BAB +1 WF +2 Charging + 8 Str - 6 PA +6 Heedless Charge)

Pretty high. A full plate/tower shield combo gets you AC 23 with 12 dex, without magic. When you start tossing on magic, the sky's the limit.

I think at higher levels, you can optimize either to about the same level, though (if you try hard enough). AC may actually outstrip to-hit bonus, though, due to multiple attributes contributing (Dex, Wis with Swordsage, Cha with Divine Shield, etc). More synergy.
jstorrie
12-16-06, 12:52 AM You could always optimize both - Improved Shield Bash and wielding your shield as a two-handed weapon (ugh).

Wildrunners Power Attacking with Weapon-Finessed Elven Courtblades can get up there in both respects, too.
Hanniball
12-16-06, 01:57 AM Here's a decent AC using something pretty simple.

Cleric 5/anything 1
Domains: Spell, Plant
Relevant Feats: Divine Spell Power, Divine Shield, Dodge
Relevant Ability Scores: Dex 13, Wis 13, Cha 20 (17 base, +2 age, +1 level)

Preparation: Use Divine Spell Power as many times as is necessary to get your caster level to at least 9 for Barkskin and Magic Vestment.

10 Base
+8 Full Plate
+2 enhancement (Magic Vestment)
+7 Heavy Steel Shield + Divine Shield
+2 enhancement (Magic Vestment)
+1 Dex
+6 Natural (Alter Self-Troglodyt cast via Anyspell)
+4 enhancement (Barkskin domain spell)
+3 deflection (Shield of Faith)
+1 Dodge (Dodge feat)
= 44

This obviously isn't fully opimized, but that's what you get working from memory. I can easily squeeze out another few points by being older, using other caster level enhancers, BoED spells (IIRC), combat expertise, et al. Still, GaffeR's Barb needs a nat 20 to hit, but he already stated how crazy it gets with magic in the mix. :)

Either way...just my 2 cp

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Particle_Man 12-15-06, 08:27 PM	3.5 Wotc books, 6th level character, 28 point buy. I always thought that the attack roll outstrips the AC pretty quickly, but am willing to be shown the error of my ways (or to find vindication!). So what is out there?
GaffeR 12-15-06, 08:38 PM	Hrmm... Orc Barbarian 4/Fighter 2... assume 18 Str bought Weapon Focus (X) Extra Rage Shock Trooper Power Attack Imp Bull Rush Attack bous (no magic) = +17 (+6 BAB +1 WF +2 Charging + 8 Str - 6 PA +6 Heedless Charge) Pretty high. A full plate/tower shield combo gets you AC 23 with 12 dex, without magic. When you start tossing on magic, the sky's the limit. I think at higher levels, you can optimize either to about the same level, though (if you try hard enough). AC may actually outstrip to-hit bonus, though, due to multiple attributes contributing (Dex, Wis with Swordsage, Cha with Divine Shield, etc). More synergy.
jstorrie 12-16-06, 12:52 AM	You could always optimize both - Improved Shield Bash and wielding your shield as a two-handed weapon (ugh). Wildrunners Power Attacking with Weapon-Finessed Elven Courtblades can get up there in both respects, too.
Hanniball 12-16-06, 01:57 AM	Here's a decent AC using something pretty simple. Cleric 5/anything 1 Domains: Spell, Plant Relevant Feats: Divine Spell Power, Divine Shield, Dodge Relevant Ability Scores: Dex 13, Wis 13, Cha 20 (17 base, +2 age, +1 level) Preparation: Use Divine Spell Power as many times as is necessary to get your caster level to at least 9 for Barkskin and Magic Vestment. 10 Base +8 Full Plate +2 enhancement (Magic Vestment) +7 Heavy Steel Shield + Divine Shield +2 enhancement (Magic Vestment) +1 Dex +6 Natural (Alter Self-Troglodyt cast via Anyspell) +4 enhancement (Barkskin domain spell) +3 deflection (Shield of Faith) +1 Dodge (Dodge feat) = 44 This obviously isn't fully opimized, but that's what you get working from memory. I can easily squeeze out another few points by being older, using other caster level enhancers, BoED spells (IIRC), combat expertise, et al. Still, GaffeR's Barb needs a nat 20 to hit, but he already stated how crazy it gets with magic in the mix. :) Either way...just my 2 cp