Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 warpiglet Apr 30, 2015 17:31:44	i would like some discussion about attack progression and armor class in the game.  Specifically, which is more important?  Secondarily, can armor class be a viable means for pcs who focus on it to survive?  Can you keep your armor class relevant at mid to high levels?  How relevant is it at low level?
#2 Xeviat-DM Apr 30, 2015 19:10:53	Strictly by the numbers, Player attack bonus scales as they gain levels (ability increases and proficiency) while AC scales much lower (ability increases OR armor improvements).   Monster AC scales EXACTLY with player attack bonus; From CR 1 to CR 20, monster AC increases by +6; player attack increases by +4 proficiency and possibly +2 ability (if you start at 16 or 17, which is the max with standard array, and you boost to 20).   Monster Attack scales much faster than player AC; From CR 1 to CR 20, monster attack bonus increases by +7; player AC increases by maybe +2 (16 to 20 Dex, or Chain Mail to Plate; the Barbarian and Monk have higher chances for increasing AC, with a gain chance of possibly +4 or +5, to as much as +7 for a maxed out Barbarian with 24 Con and 20 Dex).   This is ignoring magic items. Thus, I think a player may want to increase their AC more than their attack. Seemingly, player HP and healing capabilities make up for the fact that they'll get hit a lot more. I haven't played at high levels, only looked at the math, so I don't know exactly how things play out.
#3 kalil May 01, 2015 3:00:19	Atfack progression all the way. Dead monsters doesnt hit at all. Since monsters at higher levels have quite high attack bonuses the best way to stay alive is most probably to ignore you AC and just build offensively.
#4 mellored May 01, 2015 6:35:23	To-hit scales faster then AC HP scales faster then damage    So you hit more, but each attack means less.  Overall keeping balanced.   +1 AC is roughly equal to +2 Con.   Though your best defense has a mix.
#5 warpiglet May 01, 2015 10:38:13	All things for my group to chew on.  I have one pal who wants to use AC centered builds for survival potential.  Given above anybody have any recs?
(Reply to #5) AaronOfBarbaria	warpiglet wrote:
#7 mellored May 01, 2015 12:37:08	warpiglet wrote:
#8 SterlingRat May 01, 2015 12:50:25	I find that the best results come from pairing up... I played the Paladin built exactly as Mello is referring to, and I rarely did any damage myself. The group I was playing with had 2 rogues and a monk... all I did was get in the thick of things and shove or restrain (ensnaring strike and OoA channel divinity) so that the rest of the group could dance in, stab, retreat...    I'm a little ticked I'll never get to dual wield my shield... we went to the new AL season before I got dual wield feat (I would have picked it up at 12) and now I'm a religious lawyer/wizard who wouldn't know what to do with a shield. and armor chaffes.   Anyway - I focused on defense. They focused on offense. together, we are Wild Stallio... I mean, we did quite well.
#9 mellored May 01, 2015 12:54:44	kalil wrote: