Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Moosh Nailo 11-13-07, 03:41 PM	I just created a frontline melee character, but am having a little difficulty finishing up. I'm trying to get his AC as relatively high as possible (at level 6), but am pretty sure I'm not going about it properly. The character is a soulknife(6) using UTP, and is mostly set in stone. Dex 15, will be making excessive use of both combat expertise and fighting defensively (with synergy from ranks in tumble). I have one feat that isn't solid, Focused Shield. It gives an extra +1 AC bonus to my +1 heavy steel shield, for a total of +4. Armor is +1 mithril Breastplate, for a +6. I've also got an Amulet of Natural Armor and a +1 Ring of Protection, for a total AC of 24. Now, I was considering taking medium armor prof to snag mithril half or full plate, in place of Focused Shield. But the price of the plate armor would mean I lose the enhancement on the shield, the amulet of natural armor, and the bonus from the focused shield feat. And all that results in no net change for my final AC. What am I doing wrong? What could I be doing better? 10600 gp to work with. (Right now its 5350 for the +1 mithril breastplate, 1170 for the +1 heavy steel shield, 2000 for the amulet of natural armor, and 2000 for a +1 ring of protection for a total of 10520 gp)
Nephlite 11-13-07, 03:58 PM	I just created a frontline melee character, but am having a little difficulty finishing up. I'm trying to get his AC as relatively high as possible (at level 6), but am pretty sure I'm not going about it properly. The character is a soulknife(6), and is mostly set in stone. Dex 15, will be making excessive use of both combat expertise and fighting defensively (with synergy from ranks in tumble). I have one feat that isn't solid, Focused Shield. It gives an extra +1 AC bonus to my +1 heavy steel shield, for a total of +4. Armor is +1 mithril Breastplate, for a +6. I've also got an Amulet of Natural Armor and a +1 Ring of Protection, for a total AC of 24. Now, I was considering taking medium armor prof to snag mithril half or full plate, in place of Focused Shield. But the price of the plate armor would mean I lose the enhancement on the shield, the amulet of natural armor, and the bonus from the focused shield feat. And all that results in no net change for my final AC. What am I doing wrong? What could I be doing better? 11600 gp to work with. (Right now its 5350 for the +1 mithril breastplate, 1170 for the +1 heavy steel shield, 2000 for the amulet of natural armor, and 2000 for a +1 ring of protection for a total of 10520 gp) Dusty Rose ioun Stone adds +1 insight (hard to find bonus type) to AC from DMG. 8 K. But granted that is most your money.
kelvinaw273 11-13-07, 08:27 PM	Soulknives are not tanks, they are more monk-like in focus. How about taking a level of Psion or psychic warrior and use it to add powers like Force Screen, Defensive Precognition, Biofeedback (no help to AC but gives you damage resistance), concealing amorpha (at higher level) should all help. But bottom line is, AC 24 is not bad for 6th level with no more than light armour. Dodge might be a better feat than the shield advantage as it branches into other feats you can likewise use, as well as psionic dodge. Psionic Weapon can help you enormously, giving you a devastating first strike combined with your psychic strike. Weapon Finesse is essential if your Dex outweighs your strength. Other than that, how about gloves of dexterity? Boosting your dex would be good, for a soulknife it should be your top stat: Hit first, hit hard, use flanking, get the casters to buff you to hell and back.
Moosh Nailo 11-13-07, 09:19 PM	Not too worried about not being 100% optimized, nobody in this group is. I realize that soulknives aren't the most spectacular tanking class. But as the main melee combatant in the group, the role is mine. Also, I'm using the soulknife fix from Untapped Potential, so it doesn't bite as hard. I'll grab gloves of dex the second I get enough cash. Considered nabbing a level of psion for the defensive powers, but as they don't stack with armor or shield, decided against it. Wild talent has been switched out for hidden, I have yet to decide on the power. I took focused shield instead of dodge because it applies to attacks from anyone, and I'm not really looking into mobility. More of a heavy duelist. Looking it over, replacing focused shield for medium armor prof (for when I eventually pick up some bigger armor) seems the thing to do.