Ranger AC

[mresch]

Looking for a little feedback. Just got my first ranger to 11 and am way below where I would like to be as far as AC, especially in GH. I'm a casual player and don't have all the loot I could possibly have, but am looking for feedback on what other rangers are doing and ways to improve my build. I got pwned a few times this weekend in GH!!

Pure drow ranger (11)
I am at 36 AC w/barkskin using my +5 mith chain shirt. 34 AC wearing robes (deathblock of invulnerability). 28 dex w/+3 protection item and +4 armored bracers when wearing robes.

Any chance of a pure TWF ranger hitting the mid-40's AC around lvls 11-12? Am I missing some obvious clickies or items?

Thanks in advance for the feedback!

[Aranticus]

if you are wearing robes, put on armor bracers

if u using chain, get chaosgardes

additional items of note

chattering ring (+3 dodge)
shield clickie/wand (+4 shield bonus)

[gfunk]

For an armor wearing, mid-dex (<30) ranger at level 11 (without raid gear):

10 … base
10 … +5 mithral chain shirt base
5 … dex (max +5)
2 … chaosguard (these have gotten a lot cheaper lately, maybe in the 50k plat range sometimes)
4 … protection (+4 item at your level)
1 … armor ritual
1 … dodge (feat)
2 … daggertooth belt (allows another +2 from dex. From crucible, price similar to chaosguards)
2 … tempest enhancement
37 … (total unbuffed)

BUFFS:
4 … barkskin (at level 11)
1 … haste
4 … shield spell if you have UMD, or clickie for 1 min worth
2 … recitation (clerics can cast this at the same time caster do haste)
48 … total buffed (maybe a few more points if close to a palidan)

you could also get another couple points by turning on defensive fighting, if your to hit bonus can handle it.

[EKKM]

Just wanted to note re the above guidelines that the shield buff will not stack with the tempest AC when mod 9 hits (I know - could be months)

[pizzandew]

Can't tell without a breakdown from the OP... but don't forget to do the Armor Ritual on your robes if you haven't yet. :D

[Arnya]

+5 Combat Expertise :)

[gfunk]

+5 Combat Expertise :)

at level 11 as a drow he wouldn't have space for that (assuming he took tempest pre-req's)there are only 4 feats avail by then, so he would need dodge, mobility, spring attack, and probably weapon finesse. He still would need improved crit as well. CE is pretty tough to fit into a pure ranger finesse elf build.

[Riggs]

Level 12 will get +1 from barksin.
Level 13 will allow you to find/use +5 protection item. (so +2)
Level 14 will allow you to flag and run Stealer of Souls. Armor 6 robes, plus chaosguard (if lawful), and maybe get lucky on the soverign rune.
Shield clickies (+4 until mod 9 drops)

So immediately can get +6 from chaosguard and shield clickies (if not lawful....well maybe try for Hound bracers maybe).

In 2 levels will get several more points from protection and barkskin. Assuming 30 dex at least by 16, teh chain shirt should be gone and some kind of robes/bracers will be used.

By level 14-16 should be hitting at least a 53 ac or so. Then later add a +4 insight item(or rune on robes), and maybe get lucky on a chattering ring.

[mresch]

Thanks to all the responders...

Bad planning on my part and not Lawful, no chaosgardes. Did not do the armor ritual on robes, only chain. Thanks!! Have a shield clickie, but I hate the one minute duration... still, every little bit helps.

No CE yet, took finesse instead. That will be next, before I need two weapon defense for tempest 3 at 18. Or do I swap out finesse for CE?

[Riggs]

Unless you also have a 28 str, need to keep finesse.

level 12 probably take improved crit. Level 15 combat expertise (Assuming the reason for drow was the extra stat points not just rapier, 12 int +1 tome gets ce), level 18 two weapon defence for tempest 3.

Get at least 3 3/day clickies, in the ah or hang out a lot in the rusty nail. +4 ac is huge, and also even with mod 9 changing to a shield bonus....magic missle can still hurt a LOT in some quests. Anything with efreeti, or storm giants. Force missle can hit for like 50-80 I think, and getting that spammed on you will hurt.

Assuming rest into dex, I am guessing should be hitting at least a 34 by level 16, so final ac will be more close to 60 by level 16. (dex, plus insight, haste, and if some kind of paladin and bard are around can hit 70ish with ce on).

[Arnya]

at level 11 as a drow he wouldn't have space for that (assuming he took tempest pre-req's)there are only 4 feats avail by then, so he would need dodge, mobility, spring attack, and probably weapon finesse. He still would need improved crit as well. CE is pretty tough to fit into a pure ranger finesse elf build.

I took CE at lvl9 because I knew GH was coming and 50AC helps a lot out there :)

I wasn't tempest until lvl10 because I was multiclass anyways...

[Noctus]

CE will have a much bigger impact on your play experience (and combat performance) than IC would have.

-->Take CE at 12th level.