Boosting AC for a Necromancer [Archive] - Wizards Community

Boosting AC for a Necromancer [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Factol Rhys
09-25-04, 04:04 PM Alright, I've got a character in an Eberron campaign who's a 2nd-level Wizard (Necromancer) of Neutral alignment (sort of a penitent sinner personality). Unfortunately, my characters always suffer from low AC's, even combat-oriented ones, because of my distaste for heavier armors. This guy has an AC of 12 so far, thanks to his Dex. Any tips for how to boost his AC? Or even just general tricks for boosting character AC?

Feats are a viable solution, since he'll be level 3 soon. Armor would suck, obviously, because he'd get arcane spell failure. He has shield (no mage armor because he gave up Conjuration), but I'd like something more reliable than 2-minute long spells. One idea I had was to get robe/coat style armor with no ASF but with no armor bonus, that could be enchanted with an enhancement bonus.

I know that he's a wizard and should just avoid being attacked, but I like to be able to act heroically sometimes without dying.
Blade2718
09-25-04, 04:08 PM At level 3 there aren't many options. Fight defensively or use total defense if forced into combat. Combat Expertise and Dodge can help, but are pretty much wasted feats. If you have skill points to burn, then you could get 5 ranks in Tumble.
MetalGemini
09-25-04, 05:01 PM Get Cat's Grace as a 2nd level spell. +4 to Dex = +2 AC.

Bracers of Armor are a must for any wizard. Since you are still low level, you can buy them at +1 and get craft wonderous item and improve them to +2 thru +5 as you level up. Amulet of Natural Armor works the same way and stacks with Bracers of Armor. Thankfully you were lucky enough to choose shield over mage armor, b'c that +4 shield bonus stacks with all the above.

So if you can get either the bracers or amulet, you can get up to AC 19. (10 base + 2 Dex + 2 Cats Grace + 4 shield + 1 item) Not bad for level 3. You're basically going to have to play safely until you get larger bonus items and deal with bonuses that only last 2-3 minutes.
SolitudeSeraph
09-25-04, 06:22 PM Once you get some gp get a +1 twilight mithral chain shirt and a +1 twilight buckler (9,100gp total)...No Armor check penalty, no ASF, and +7 to AC...until then..just don't get hit?

Also you can get an amulet of natural armor as mentioned above (although I prefer an amulet of health...) and there's a ring of protection also

The trick is...to get stuff with no Armor check penalty and no ASF...no ac penalty because you're not proficient (when you have armor check penalty and you're NOT proficient, then the penalty is applied to everything...where as if you are you only suffer the penalty to certain skills...so no ac penalty means you can wear armor you're not proficient with..) and the no ASF problem is a no brainer...

Plus it gives a cool mental image of a mage running around in a buckler and a mithral chain shirt :D
catharz
09-25-04, 06:53 PM Get Mithral Chahar-aina [OA] (AC +1, 5 lbs, 4,75 gp), and Mithral Dastana [A&E] (AC+1, 2.5 lbs, 1,025 gp). They compliment a Twighlight mithral chain shirt wonderfully.
SolitudeSeraph
09-25-04, 06:54 PM There's also an ioun stone that gives +1 to AC...
EatFlan
09-25-04, 11:27 PM too bad you're a wiz, in defenders of the faith there is a necro-caster who gets bone armor which is basically full plate but it's natural armor with no spell casting failure.

that and a prothetic arm! COOL!
catharz
09-25-04, 11:30 PM too bad you're a wiz, in defenders of the faith there is a necro-caster who gets bone armor which is basically full plate but it's natural armor with no spell casting failure.

that and a prothetic arm! COOL!

Are you sure you aren't thinking of a PrC from Tomb and blood? For wizard necromancers?
Factol Rhys
09-26-04, 12:17 AM Yes, that's the Pale Master from Tome & Blood. But it's a little to icky of a PrC for this particular character. It looks like I'll have to go with the standard wizard set of items like rings of protection coupled with bracers of armor. Unless anyone knows of a way to get some armor without ASF. Those damn bards. They have a lot of suck, but they also have one really sweet ability that no other class ever gets.
Blade2718
09-26-04, 12:23 AM A level of Spellsword would get you reduced ASF.

Bladesinger gets Int-to-AC, but capped by Bladesinger level.

A Monk w/ the feat Kung-Fu Genius gets Int-to-AC, but loses a caster level. By the RAW, you could wear a monk's belt and use Kung-Fu Genius to get the same effect without a lost caster level, but that requires a lenient DM that won't go Sunder-happy.
EatFlan
09-26-04, 01:10 AM regardless of what book it's in (thanks for the correction tho)

how can a necromancer, aka: mr. i like to play with dead bodies. Feel that the Pale Master is 'icky'.

You want AC that is the class to get it! That graft is the ****!
catharz
09-26-04, 01:15 AM It looks like I'll have to go with the standard wizard set of items like rings of protection coupled with bracers of armor. Unless anyone knows of a way to get some armor without ASF.

Yep, it looks like you will, because there is no way for a wizard to wear armor without ASF. (http://boards1.wizards.com/showpost.php?p=4475722)
Blade2718
09-26-04, 01:18 AM regardless of what book it's in (thanks for the correction tho)

how can a necromancer, aka: mr. i like to play with dead bodies. Feel that the Pale Master is 'icky'.

You want AC that is the class to get it! That graft is the ****!It provides a natural armor bonus which doesn't stack, save DCs for the graft powers don't scale, and you have a bad spellcasting progression. Not really worth it, except as a dip for the Ur-Priest Necro.
Rod Howard
09-26-04, 04:40 AM Where's that Twilight thing for armor and shields?
Can't find it in any book.
SolitudeSeraph
09-26-04, 08:31 AM Unless anyone knows of a way to get some armor without ASF. Those damn bards.

Twilight Enhancement, add it to a mithral chain shirt and a buckler...reduces ASF by 10% I belief (which is what the chain shirt has and the buckler has 5)

It's in BoED IIRC
Sisyfos
09-26-04, 01:59 PM Cheap stuff for low levels (3+):

BASE: 10+2(your dex)+2(cat's grace or + to dex item)+1(mithral buckler... add enchantments to it when you have money)+5(+1 mithral twilight chain shirt)+6(alter self -> troglodyte)=26

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Factol Rhys 09-25-04, 04:04 PM	Alright, I've got a character in an Eberron campaign who's a 2nd-level Wizard (Necromancer) of Neutral alignment (sort of a penitent sinner personality). Unfortunately, my characters always suffer from low AC's, even combat-oriented ones, because of my distaste for heavier armors. This guy has an AC of 12 so far, thanks to his Dex. Any tips for how to boost his AC? Or even just general tricks for boosting character AC? Feats are a viable solution, since he'll be level 3 soon. Armor would suck, obviously, because he'd get arcane spell failure. He has shield (no mage armor because he gave up Conjuration), but I'd like something more reliable than 2-minute long spells. One idea I had was to get robe/coat style armor with no ASF but with no armor bonus, that could be enchanted with an enhancement bonus. I know that he's a wizard and should just avoid being attacked, but I like to be able to act heroically sometimes without dying.
Blade2718 09-25-04, 04:08 PM	At level 3 there aren't many options. Fight defensively or use total defense if forced into combat. Combat Expertise and Dodge can help, but are pretty much wasted feats. If you have skill points to burn, then you could get 5 ranks in Tumble.
MetalGemini 09-25-04, 05:01 PM	Get Cat's Grace as a 2nd level spell. +4 to Dex = +2 AC. Bracers of Armor are a must for any wizard. Since you are still low level, you can buy them at +1 and get craft wonderous item and improve them to +2 thru +5 as you level up. Amulet of Natural Armor works the same way and stacks with Bracers of Armor. Thankfully you were lucky enough to choose shield over mage armor, b'c that +4 shield bonus stacks with all the above. So if you can get either the bracers or amulet, you can get up to AC 19. (10 base + 2 Dex + 2 Cats Grace + 4 shield + 1 item) Not bad for level 3. You're basically going to have to play safely until you get larger bonus items and deal with bonuses that only last 2-3 minutes.
SolitudeSeraph 09-25-04, 06:22 PM	Once you get some gp get a +1 twilight mithral chain shirt and a +1 twilight buckler (9,100gp total)...No Armor check penalty, no ASF, and +7 to AC...until then..just don't get hit? Also you can get an amulet of natural armor as mentioned above (although I prefer an amulet of health...) and there's a ring of protection also The trick is...to get stuff with no Armor check penalty and no ASF...no ac penalty because you're not proficient (when you have armor check penalty and you're NOT proficient, then the penalty is applied to everything...where as if you are you only suffer the penalty to certain skills...so no ac penalty means you can wear armor you're not proficient with..) and the no ASF problem is a no brainer... Plus it gives a cool mental image of a mage running around in a buckler and a mithral chain shirt :D
catharz 09-25-04, 06:53 PM	Get Mithral Chahar-aina [OA] (AC +1, 5 lbs, 4,75 gp), and Mithral Dastana [A&E] (AC+1, 2.5 lbs, 1,025 gp). They compliment a Twighlight mithral chain shirt wonderfully.
SolitudeSeraph 09-25-04, 06:54 PM	There's also an ioun stone that gives +1 to AC...
EatFlan 09-25-04, 11:27 PM	too bad you're a wiz, in defenders of the faith there is a necro-caster who gets bone armor which is basically full plate but it's natural armor with no spell casting failure. that and a prothetic arm! COOL!
catharz 09-25-04, 11:30 PM	too bad you're a wiz, in defenders of the faith there is a necro-caster who gets bone armor which is basically full plate but it's natural armor with no spell casting failure. that and a prothetic arm! COOL! Are you sure you aren't thinking of a PrC from Tomb and blood? For wizard necromancers?
Factol Rhys 09-26-04, 12:17 AM	Yes, that's the Pale Master from Tome & Blood. But it's a little to icky of a PrC for this particular character. It looks like I'll have to go with the standard wizard set of items like rings of protection coupled with bracers of armor. Unless anyone knows of a way to get some armor without ASF. Those damn bards. They have a lot of suck, but they also have one really sweet ability that no other class ever gets.
Blade2718 09-26-04, 12:23 AM	A level of Spellsword would get you reduced ASF. Bladesinger gets Int-to-AC, but capped by Bladesinger level. A Monk w/ the feat Kung-Fu Genius gets Int-to-AC, but loses a caster level. By the RAW, you could wear a monk's belt and use Kung-Fu Genius to get the same effect without a lost caster level, but that requires a lenient DM that won't go Sunder-happy.
EatFlan 09-26-04, 01:10 AM	regardless of what book it's in (thanks for the correction tho) how can a necromancer, aka: mr. i like to play with dead bodies. Feel that the Pale Master is 'icky'. You want AC that is the class to get it! That graft is the ****!
catharz 09-26-04, 01:15 AM	It looks like I'll have to go with the standard wizard set of items like rings of protection coupled with bracers of armor. Unless anyone knows of a way to get some armor without ASF. Yep, it looks like you will, because there is no way for a wizard to wear armor without ASF. (http://boards1.wizards.com/showpost.php?p=4475722)
Blade2718 09-26-04, 01:18 AM	regardless of what book it's in (thanks for the correction tho) how can a necromancer, aka: mr. i like to play with dead bodies. Feel that the Pale Master is 'icky'. You want AC that is the class to get it! That graft is the ****!It provides a natural armor bonus which doesn't stack, save DCs for the graft powers don't scale, and you have a bad spellcasting progression. Not really worth it, except as a dip for the Ur-Priest Necro.
Rod Howard 09-26-04, 04:40 AM	Where's that Twilight thing for armor and shields? Can't find it in any book.
SolitudeSeraph 09-26-04, 08:31 AM	Unless anyone knows of a way to get some armor without ASF. Those damn bards. Twilight Enhancement, add it to a mithral chain shirt and a buckler...reduces ASF by 10% I belief (which is what the chain shirt has and the buckler has 5) It's in BoED IIRC
Sisyfos 09-26-04, 01:59 PM	Cheap stuff for low levels (3+): BASE: 10+2(your dex)+2(cat's grace or + to dex item)+1(mithral buckler... add enchantments to it when you have money)+5(+1 mithral twilight chain shirt)+6(alter self -> troglodyte)=26