Desert Heat and AC [Archive] - Wizards Community

Desert Heat and AC [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Frogmantis
08-03-07, 03:54 AM I'm going to start a desert (waste) campaign, and there are pretty good reasons not to be heavily armored in the desert. but if you can't wear that shiny full plate, what are some viable options for keeping your AC up? note, in waste campaigns, ANY armor except armor specifically made to be heat resistant (and the book only mentions two).

any ideas or suggestions?
Shaggy_Shaggs
08-03-07, 04:19 AM Good dexterity. Good Wisdom and Monk's Belts (or being monks or classes like them). Smaller-than-medium sizes, whether natural or magical. Natural armor, either naturally possessed or via magic. Rings of deflection. Bracers of armor. Defensive feat chains. Fighting defensively. Aid another actions. Cover bonuses to AC if they can be arranged. Using crossbows and going prone in ranged combat.
Lawkeeper
08-03-07, 04:20 AM By "the book", you mean Sandstorm, right ? Otherwise, first thing to do is get it.

Good options to keep the AC up are plenty - they just aren't free.
First, use magic not to keep AC up, but to alleviate heat penalties. Resist Element and Resist Energy are fine in most circumstances. Any Fortitude save buff is good to take too.

Second, use special materials and special mundane/alchemical equipment from Sandstorm to do the same. Fins are a good armor augmentation. Desert/heatsuit outfit are mandatory, and hydration suit ideal. Armourbright lasts all day.
The Heat Endurance feat is also a gift.

Third, a few possible AC-buff that are heat-friendly are :
- obviously, mage armor spells and Bracers of Armor, coupled with Amulets of Natural Armor and Rings of Protection
- shields are still ok
- lighter armor means higher DexMax, so enhance your Dexterity
ibayboy
08-03-07, 04:39 AM There is an armor crystal in the MIC that will give you endure elements type heat protection, its only 500gp.
Frogmantis
08-03-07, 04:52 AM all awesome suggestions, thank you guys. I was flirting with using class defense, from unearthed arcana... but its... not right. messing the touch AC... smells funny to me.

any other suggestions, or fixes for the insanely high defense bonuses from UA?
Kouk
08-03-07, 04:56 AM I would definitely just go with a ring or necklace of Fire Resist/Endure Elements (whichever is right for this) and wear my durned full plate. But under a robe, so it takes people by surprise, "What the? He's wearing that in the desert??? Damn, maybe he's a Jinn, let's run for it!"

Isn't there also "ultra shiny armor" that helps with metal armor?
Lawkeeper
08-03-07, 04:59 AM Those are not insane : they replace the armor. A +5 full plate has +13 armor bonus : it's better than the best defence bonus.
Frogmantis
08-03-07, 04:23 PM Those are not insane : they replace the armor. A +5 full plate has +13 armor bonus : it's better than the best defence bonus.

true, but, with that AC bonus working against touch attacks, wizards and sorcerers will never make their touch or ranged touch attacks. possibly ever. ...and I play a lot of spellcasters. it would be entirely unbalancing. I understand that a natural defense bonus would factor into touch AC, but that gives a first level fighter an AC of at least 16 (i think) and that doesn't include dex. that wizard will never hit him with ray of enfeeblement. and that is extremely unbalancing for the game.
Frogmantis
08-03-07, 04:24 PM I would definitely just go with a ring or necklace of Fire Resist/Endure Elements (whichever is right for this) and wear my durned full plate. But under a robe, so it takes people by surprise, "What the? He's wearing that in the desert??? Damn, maybe he's a Jinn, let's run for it!"

Isn't there also "ultra shiny armor" that helps with metal armor?

True, and for some characters I will do that. I'm looking to use every trick I can, and the characters won't be continuously out in the middle of the wastes, not all the time. so those are definite options.
Lawkeeper
08-03-07, 04:48 PM If your problem is spellcasters not hitting touch AC, simply change the attack bonus for ray spells. Make it a caster level check, with the primary spellcasting attribute modifier.;)
crashlogic
08-03-07, 05:33 PM Chitin Armour from races of the dragon. Kobolds make it, and it is very light.
Frogmantis
08-03-07, 11:56 PM If your problem is spellcasters not hitting touch AC, simply change the attack bonus for ray spells. Make it a caster level check, with the primary spellcasting attribute modifier.;)

True, that is an option. the point being, its a bit of work. i'll research it more, but its looking more and more like what i want. combine that with armor is DR for those who do dare wear it, I think that would make an interesting campaign, and new for me.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Frogmantis 08-03-07, 03:54 AM	I'm going to start a desert (waste) campaign, and there are pretty good reasons not to be heavily armored in the desert. but if you can't wear that shiny full plate, what are some viable options for keeping your AC up? note, in waste campaigns, ANY armor except armor specifically made to be heat resistant (and the book only mentions two). any ideas or suggestions?
Shaggy_Shaggs 08-03-07, 04:19 AM	Good dexterity. Good Wisdom and Monk's Belts (or being monks or classes like them). Smaller-than-medium sizes, whether natural or magical. Natural armor, either naturally possessed or via magic. Rings of deflection. Bracers of armor. Defensive feat chains. Fighting defensively. Aid another actions. Cover bonuses to AC if they can be arranged. Using crossbows and going prone in ranged combat.
Lawkeeper 08-03-07, 04:20 AM	By "the book", you mean Sandstorm, right ? Otherwise, first thing to do is get it. Good options to keep the AC up are plenty - they just aren't free. First, use magic not to keep AC up, but to alleviate heat penalties. Resist Element and Resist Energy are fine in most circumstances. Any Fortitude save buff is good to take too. Second, use special materials and special mundane/alchemical equipment from Sandstorm to do the same. Fins are a good armor augmentation. Desert/heatsuit outfit are mandatory, and hydration suit ideal. Armourbright lasts all day. The Heat Endurance feat is also a gift. Third, a few possible AC-buff that are heat-friendly are : - obviously, mage armor spells and Bracers of Armor, coupled with Amulets of Natural Armor and Rings of Protection - shields are still ok - lighter armor means higher DexMax, so enhance your Dexterity
ibayboy 08-03-07, 04:39 AM	There is an armor crystal in the MIC that will give you endure elements type heat protection, its only 500gp.
Frogmantis 08-03-07, 04:52 AM	all awesome suggestions, thank you guys. I was flirting with using class defense, from unearthed arcana... but its... not right. messing the touch AC... smells funny to me. any other suggestions, or fixes for the insanely high defense bonuses from UA?
Kouk 08-03-07, 04:56 AM	I would definitely just go with a ring or necklace of Fire Resist/Endure Elements (whichever is right for this) and wear my durned full plate. But under a robe, so it takes people by surprise, "What the? He's wearing that in the desert??? Damn, maybe he's a Jinn, let's run for it!" Isn't there also "ultra shiny armor" that helps with metal armor?
Lawkeeper 08-03-07, 04:59 AM	Those are not insane : they replace the armor. A +5 full plate has +13 armor bonus : it's better than the best defence bonus.
Frogmantis 08-03-07, 04:23 PM	Those are not insane : they replace the armor. A +5 full plate has +13 armor bonus : it's better than the best defence bonus. true, but, with that AC bonus working against touch attacks, wizards and sorcerers will never make their touch or ranged touch attacks. possibly ever. ...and I play a lot of spellcasters. it would be entirely unbalancing. I understand that a natural defense bonus would factor into touch AC, but that gives a first level fighter an AC of at least 16 (i think) and that doesn't include dex. that wizard will never hit him with ray of enfeeblement. and that is extremely unbalancing for the game.
Frogmantis 08-03-07, 04:24 PM	I would definitely just go with a ring or necklace of Fire Resist/Endure Elements (whichever is right for this) and wear my durned full plate. But under a robe, so it takes people by surprise, "What the? He's wearing that in the desert??? Damn, maybe he's a Jinn, let's run for it!" Isn't there also "ultra shiny armor" that helps with metal armor? True, and for some characters I will do that. I'm looking to use every trick I can, and the characters won't be continuously out in the middle of the wastes, not all the time. so those are definite options.
Lawkeeper 08-03-07, 04:48 PM	If your problem is spellcasters not hitting touch AC, simply change the attack bonus for ray spells. Make it a caster level check, with the primary spellcasting attribute modifier.;)
crashlogic 08-03-07, 05:33 PM	Chitin Armour from races of the dragon. Kobolds make it, and it is very light.
Frogmantis 08-03-07, 11:56 PM	If your problem is spellcasters not hitting touch AC, simply change the attack bonus for ray spells. Make it a caster level check, with the primary spellcasting attribute modifier.;) True, that is an option. the point being, its a bit of work. i'll research it more, but its looking more and more like what i want. combine that with armor is DR for those who do dare wear it, I think that would make an interesting campaign, and new for me.