Feats to improve AC [Archive] - Wizards Community

Feats to improve AC [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
LimaBeanMage
04-27-08, 06:09 PM I suppose the title says it all. I'm just looking for some feats that give a bonus to AC. I know of the simple ones like dodge, mobility, and luck of heroes. I just figured there might be some out there a little better in general, or better in specific situations.

Isn't there a feat that also lets you add a portion of INT to your AC?
dman11235
04-27-08, 06:15 PM No, such a feat would be overpowered. There is also Expeditious Dodge from RotW, but other than that, I don't think so. There's also a couple flaws or traits, and I suppose the deformity feat for +2 dex counts.
GalaGalaxia
04-27-08, 07:00 PM Combat Expertise
Heavy Armor Optimization
Greater Heavy Armor Optimization
Shield Specialization
Shield Ward
... and lots of other armor/shield/buckler feats that net you a +1 AC here and there.
dman11235
04-27-08, 07:05 PM Right, those too.

Note how none of them are more than a +1 to AC, or have some other drawback (CE having the trade of AB for AC).
LimaBeanMage
04-27-08, 08:08 PM Hmm, it looks like there are just a bunch of miscellaneous bonuses here and there. Can someone give me to a link to the page with listings of items, feats, and class features that let you substitute one ability with another? I think what I remember looking for might be in there.
dman11235
04-27-08, 08:09 PM It's in my Handy Haversack. I suggest Realms Help for feats.

EDIT: Oh wait, you mean the one you were looking for substituted an ability for another? Well, X stat to Y bonus is in my HH as well. But what I think you are looking for is Kung-Fu Genius which switches int for wis for monks. Or the other one.
curtis_ownby
04-27-08, 09:47 PM What book would that be in, and if you know off the top of your head page as well. I would like to try playing a smart monk insteed of a wise one for a change. Think even more skill points!:D
Thanks!
dman11235
04-27-08, 11:25 PM Dragon Compendium. And Carmedine Monk is somewhere else, check one of the search sites (Crystal Keep, Consolidated Lists, Realmshelp, all of which linked in my Handy Haversack).
Divisionbyzer0
04-28-08, 02:43 AM What book would that be in, and if you know off the top of your head page as well. I would like to try playing a smart monk insteed of a wise one for a change. Think even more skill points!:D
Thanks!

When in doubt about where a feat is from google "forgotten realms feats" and check it.
Divisionbyzer0
04-28-08, 02:45 AM What book would that be in, and if you know off the top of your head page as well. I would like to try playing a smart monk insteed of a wise one for a change. Think even more skill points!:D
Thanks!

When in doubt about where a feat is from google "forgotten realms feats" and check it. It can tell you where almost any feat in the game can be found in addition to other stuff as well ;)
dman11235
04-28-08, 06:25 PM Double post division. Also, I told him about realms help. It's linked in my Handy Haversack. Though it only has feats and skills, go to Crystal Keep for everything else.
LimaBeanMage
04-28-08, 09:54 PM Yes, it helped. What I was looking for was actually a bit convoluted, so much that I can't use it, but I have other uses out of that thread. And I actually just bookmarked your sack of goodies, thank you.

The reason I'm really looking to increase my AC is to meet with the rest of my party in a new campaign. I'm a human chameleon (path of shadow), which is basicially a rogue for intents and purposes, yet with 17 Dex and light armor I have the lowest AC of our group at 15. That includes a halfling bard, an elf ranger, a drow fighter, and a human barbarian. I have as much AC as the drow necromancer, unfortunately. But the halfling bard has 20 AC at level one and I'm supposed to be the person infiltrating bases, sneaking behind lines, and distracting assailants. The higher monsters that our DM is going to throw at us is going to get me killed, due to half our party taking races with ECL and my inability to.

I needed to be human for the extra skill points/feats (rogue), and because I'm the one who is going to need to sneak into organizations through disguises, so I really need to be the common and dominant race in our area.
dman11235
04-28-08, 10:15 PM Wait, your AC is 15? What level? And level 1, how are you a chameleon already? I'm confused.
LimaBeanMage
04-28-08, 11:09 PM Chameleon is also a 3.0 class from the Path of Shadow. My DM let's us pick a few classes from 3.0 as long as they don't have abilities that conflict with 3.5 rules. The only thing in this class that doesn't fit in 3.5 is the class skills innuendo and pick pocket.

But yes, 15 AC level one: 17 Dex and armored robes (+2). I'd use heavier armor but 3.0 chameleon's also get four of the wizard's spell schools.
dman11235
04-28-08, 11:49 PM Well, what else do you have? For a no armor character, that's pretty good AC there. You might want to look into Mage Armor and Shield if you really want more AC. BUt at level 1, that's fine. The bard with 20 AC has high AC for level 1.
LimaBeanMage
04-29-08, 01:18 AM I suppose mage armor will have to do, though I'd rather have AC when I don't know something is going to happen. I don't have anything else to give me AC, since I just started out; though I'm not with out armor, armored robes count as light armor.

You're right though, this is decent AC for my level. It's just hazard sine the rest of my party are elves/halflings with above average AC. As such, our DM needs to throw tougher monsters at us to compensate; which is just annoying.
Divisionbyzer0
04-29-08, 02:19 AM If you dual wield with any of dagger, long sword, short sword, scimitar, or rapier (which I don't think you are), you can take twin sword style; this gives you +2 to AC against one opponent when you are dual wielding. It's similar to dodge, and it would be better for dual wielding swordsmen than dodge, only it doesn't let you qualify for the feats that have dodge as a prerequisite.
curtis_ownby
04-29-08, 04:12 PM If you are willing to wear light armor go with a chain shirt and dastana to give you +5 to your AC. Dastana is found in OA and AaEG. If you go with masterwork armor you will only have a -1 armor check penilty.

It you wish to not use armor, then enter the Iaijutsu class from OA page 41. At first level you can add your int to AC as well as your dex. Since you have a high dex you would should like the fact you also get the Weapon Finesse feat and this one works with a katana.

Now to get some feats that work well with the above or by them selves. First get Graceful Edge (DU124 p.44) which gives a +1 shield bonus to AC, you also get to treat it as a light weapon so Weapon Finesse will wotk with it. Now Einhander(PH2 p.94) will work with Graceful Edge.

If you go with the Iaijutsu class and the feats use a Katana. If you go with just the feats then I would use a broadblade short sword(CAdv p.117). Most of these this work with fighting defensively and total defence, with are good ways to increase AC. Be sure to get at least 5 ranks in tumble if you are going to use them.

If you take the two feats above, have 5 ranks in tumble, and are using a broadblade short sword you get to add 9 to your AC and you are owny taking a -4 to attack. You get to add +3 for your dex and if you have on the above armor that gives you a total AC of 27. That is without any magic. That take 5 feats. The cheap way to go is just take Einhander and get five ranks in tumble a long with the armor for an AC of 23 when fighting defensively.

There are more ways to increase AC, but you need to know what kind of character you want. You could have an AC of 27 by level 6 without magic but you would not have a lot in the way of attack power.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
LimaBeanMage 04-27-08, 06:09 PM	I suppose the title says it all. I'm just looking for some feats that give a bonus to AC. I know of the simple ones like dodge, mobility, and luck of heroes. I just figured there might be some out there a little better in general, or better in specific situations. Isn't there a feat that also lets you add a portion of INT to your AC?
dman11235 04-27-08, 06:15 PM	No, such a feat would be overpowered. There is also Expeditious Dodge from RotW, but other than that, I don't think so. There's also a couple flaws or traits, and I suppose the deformity feat for +2 dex counts.
GalaGalaxia 04-27-08, 07:00 PM	Combat Expertise Heavy Armor Optimization Greater Heavy Armor Optimization Shield Specialization Shield Ward ... and lots of other armor/shield/buckler feats that net you a +1 AC here and there.
dman11235 04-27-08, 07:05 PM	Right, those too. Note how none of them are more than a +1 to AC, or have some other drawback (CE having the trade of AB for AC).
LimaBeanMage 04-27-08, 08:08 PM	Hmm, it looks like there are just a bunch of miscellaneous bonuses here and there. Can someone give me to a link to the page with listings of items, feats, and class features that let you substitute one ability with another? I think what I remember looking for might be in there.
dman11235 04-27-08, 08:09 PM	It's in my Handy Haversack. I suggest Realms Help for feats. EDIT: Oh wait, you mean the one you were looking for substituted an ability for another? Well, X stat to Y bonus is in my HH as well. But what I think you are looking for is Kung-Fu Genius which switches int for wis for monks. Or the other one.
curtis_ownby 04-27-08, 09:47 PM	What book would that be in, and if you know off the top of your head page as well. I would like to try playing a smart monk insteed of a wise one for a change. Think even more skill points!:D Thanks!
dman11235 04-27-08, 11:25 PM	Dragon Compendium. And Carmedine Monk is somewhere else, check one of the search sites (Crystal Keep, Consolidated Lists, Realmshelp, all of which linked in my Handy Haversack).
Divisionbyzer0 04-28-08, 02:43 AM	What book would that be in, and if you know off the top of your head page as well. I would like to try playing a smart monk insteed of a wise one for a change. Think even more skill points!:D Thanks! When in doubt about where a feat is from google "forgotten realms feats" and check it.
Divisionbyzer0 04-28-08, 02:45 AM	What book would that be in, and if you know off the top of your head page as well. I would like to try playing a smart monk insteed of a wise one for a change. Think even more skill points!:D Thanks! When in doubt about where a feat is from google "forgotten realms feats" and check it. It can tell you where almost any feat in the game can be found in addition to other stuff as well ;)
dman11235 04-28-08, 06:25 PM	Double post division. Also, I told him about realms help. It's linked in my Handy Haversack. Though it only has feats and skills, go to Crystal Keep for everything else.
LimaBeanMage 04-28-08, 09:54 PM	Yes, it helped. What I was looking for was actually a bit convoluted, so much that I can't use it, but I have other uses out of that thread. And I actually just bookmarked your sack of goodies, thank you. The reason I'm really looking to increase my AC is to meet with the rest of my party in a new campaign. I'm a human chameleon (path of shadow), which is basicially a rogue for intents and purposes, yet with 17 Dex and light armor I have the lowest AC of our group at 15. That includes a halfling bard, an elf ranger, a drow fighter, and a human barbarian. I have as much AC as the drow necromancer, unfortunately. But the halfling bard has 20 AC at level one and I'm supposed to be the person infiltrating bases, sneaking behind lines, and distracting assailants. The higher monsters that our DM is going to throw at us is going to get me killed, due to half our party taking races with ECL and my inability to. I needed to be human for the extra skill points/feats (rogue), and because I'm the one who is going to need to sneak into organizations through disguises, so I really need to be the common and dominant race in our area.
dman11235 04-28-08, 10:15 PM	Wait, your AC is 15? What level? And level 1, how are you a chameleon already? I'm confused.
LimaBeanMage 04-28-08, 11:09 PM	Chameleon is also a 3.0 class from the Path of Shadow. My DM let's us pick a few classes from 3.0 as long as they don't have abilities that conflict with 3.5 rules. The only thing in this class that doesn't fit in 3.5 is the class skills innuendo and pick pocket. But yes, 15 AC level one: 17 Dex and armored robes (+2). I'd use heavier armor but 3.0 chameleon's also get four of the wizard's spell schools.
dman11235 04-28-08, 11:49 PM	Well, what else do you have? For a no armor character, that's pretty good AC there. You might want to look into Mage Armor and Shield if you really want more AC. BUt at level 1, that's fine. The bard with 20 AC has high AC for level 1.
LimaBeanMage 04-29-08, 01:18 AM	I suppose mage armor will have to do, though I'd rather have AC when I don't know something is going to happen. I don't have anything else to give me AC, since I just started out; though I'm not with out armor, armored robes count as light armor. You're right though, this is decent AC for my level. It's just hazard sine the rest of my party are elves/halflings with above average AC. As such, our DM needs to throw tougher monsters at us to compensate; which is just annoying.
Divisionbyzer0 04-29-08, 02:19 AM	If you dual wield with any of dagger, long sword, short sword, scimitar, or rapier (which I don't think you are), you can take twin sword style; this gives you +2 to AC against one opponent when you are dual wielding. It's similar to dodge, and it would be better for dual wielding swordsmen than dodge, only it doesn't let you qualify for the feats that have dodge as a prerequisite.
curtis_ownby 04-29-08, 04:12 PM	If you are willing to wear light armor go with a chain shirt and dastana to give you +5 to your AC. Dastana is found in OA and AaEG. If you go with masterwork armor you will only have a -1 armor check penilty. It you wish to not use armor, then enter the Iaijutsu class from OA page 41. At first level you can add your int to AC as well as your dex. Since you have a high dex you would should like the fact you also get the Weapon Finesse feat and this one works with a katana. Now to get some feats that work well with the above or by them selves. First get Graceful Edge (DU124 p.44) which gives a +1 shield bonus to AC, you also get to treat it as a light weapon so Weapon Finesse will wotk with it. Now Einhander(PH2 p.94) will work with Graceful Edge. If you go with the Iaijutsu class and the feats use a Katana. If you go with just the feats then I would use a broadblade short sword(CAdv p.117). Most of these this work with fighting defensively and total defence, with are good ways to increase AC. Be sure to get at least 5 ranks in tumble if you are going to use them. If you take the two feats above, have 5 ranks in tumble, and are using a broadblade short sword you get to add 9 to your AC and you are owny taking a -4 to attack. You get to add +3 for your dex and if you have on the above armor that gives you a total AC of 27. That is without any magic. That take 5 feats. The cheap way to go is just take Einhander and get five ranks in tumble a long with the armor for an AC of 23 when fighting defensively. There are more ways to increase AC, but you need to know what kind of character you want. You could have an AC of 27 by level 6 without magic but you would not have a lot in the way of attack power.