after all that, Im STILL getting hit

[TheBlueFox]

level 9 halfling

10 base
8 dex
6 wis
1 protection
2 dodge
1 feat
2 centered
1 size
4 mage armor
4 1 min shield clickie
38

chaosguards bring it to 40 on chaotic enemies I believe.

after all that, im STILL getting hit pretty reliably...

[Junts]

40 armor class is not exceptional at level 9; its exceptional at level 6.


There is no reason you should haev anything less than +3 protection, via a potion of shield of faith +3. and you should also have potion of barkskin +3 .. those 2 things alone would increase you to 45 armor class.

Chaosgarde is +2 dodge vs -all- foes. The chaosguard effect on Remlin's step only applies to chaotic foes.


You should have +2 dodge from chaosgarde's and +4 armor from the vulkoorim dervish robe. this would get you to an armor class of 47 with the shield clicky.

Then you would not get hit.

[TheBlueFox]

never heard of that robe, what are its effects and where is it located?

*edited to remove information I misread*

Ill have to look for those bark 3's and shield 3's. House J has em I bet

[Junts]

never heard of that robe, what are its effects and where is it located?

*edited to remove information I misread*

Ill have to look for those bark 3's and shield 3's. House J has em I bet

Yes, it does

The robe drops in the sands of menechtarun explorer zone; its armor +4, lesser fire resistance.

It's a valuable transitional item until you can get the armor 6 on the dragontouched outfit. It usually isn't very expensive.


http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/jgould2005/DDO/Items/Robes/VulkoorimDervishRobe.jpg

[TheBlueFox]

hmm, for the moment my 5 use mage armor clickie has been serving me well. this could be a problem as its limited by time, uses, and dispellable. Ill look for that.

Currently my Fortification item is my robes though, so in its stead Ill look for a fortification...ring?

Thanks for the help

[Junts]

hmm, for the moment my 5 use mage armor clickie has been serving me well. this could be a problem as its limited by time, uses, and dispellable. Ill look for that.

Currently my Fortification item is my robes though, so in its stead Ill look for a fortification...ring?

Thanks for the help

Just stick with a heavy fort robe until level 11, then get Minos Legens and pick up the vulkoorim robe.

Minos Legens needs to marry your head when you hit level 11 anyway, and it takes care of the fort issue.

[TheBlueFox]

ah, I totally forgot about the minos legends. stupid thing is ive almost gotten all the necessary items for it on another character. thanks for reminding me ^_^

[excess]

Just stick with a heavy fort robe until level 11, then get Minos Legens and pick up the vulkoorim robe.

Minos Legens needs to marry your head when you hit level 11 anyway, and it takes care of the fort issue.

That bonus I believe reads the same as the named bracers from the WW (blackwidow bracers) - could they be used as a substitute?

[Junts]

That bonus I believe reads the same as the named bracers from the WW (blackwidow bracers) - could they be used as a substitute?

Yes, but then you can't use chaosgarde for dodge +2, as they are bracers.

[Roziel_Longblade]

Consider getting DR5/'something' and your AC will seem much more impressive. You can get robes and outfits of invulnerability, DR5/magic, that will make a big impact all the way up to the low teens if you keep your AC in the 'hard to hit' realm. If you cant find invulnerability item check out an Eerie trinket from the necropolis that gives you DR5/evil and undead guard.

If you have a 5 mage armor clickie it is an easier option to Vulkoorim Robes since will cost you a lot of plat or time to get. If you happen to find one it is great to not have to deal with a clicky, but as you mentioned it takes up a precious item slot. However I would look for a second clicky or keep some mage armor potions stocks for emergencies. If it gets dispelled you will not need to swap your clicky in if you have a few potions on hand.

You should also look into running the Therenals. At the end of a three series of quests you get some really great gear for a lvl 9. One item is a pair of googles that give +3 deflection bonus and +4 reflex save. Both work very well on a monk.

Even with a top of the line AC, remember that AC alone will not keep you from getting hit. Keep positioning in mind. If you get surrounded or attacked from behind you are losing AC. Look out for a paralyzer weapon. It probably will not be available for you to use for another couple lvls, and they hard to find on handwraps, but it will also make your AC seem a lot more impenetrable than it is. Finally dont be afraid to ask for party buffs - blurr, barkskin, and stoneskin make a big difference when supplementing AC. Just like with Mage Armor, back up pots are your friend.

[Mussashi]

Sorry if it looks like I’m hijacking the OP post, but I would like to ask you Vets a question regarding AC as well.
My human monk is only 7 atm and I had a great time lvling it so far.
However, I went to Sorrowdusk and Oggres/Trolls are hitting me a lot and for a great deal of damage sometimes.
I can’t get the precise numbers right now as I’m at work, but if I remember well; my AC is 27 without clicks or buffs. I can have it at around 32 during 3 minutes with dex/wis +4 buffs and around 35 with shield clicks but only for 60s.
I have an outfit of moderate fortification which gives me 75%, right? I already have +4 bracers but only a +1 protection ring that stacks with it.
I’m sorry I can’t give you my base stats, but My DDO shows Dex 20 and Wis 19, although I don’t know what I had on when I logged out.
What I would like to know is if this lvl of AC is normal at my current lvl 7 or I’m missing something or doing something wrong. I mean, do I need to rely more and more on clicks and potions as I lvl up? Do I need to get used to being hit and just get over it? I still love playing my monk and wholeness of body is just… well, like cheating, lol.
Thx in advance!

[Mobeius]

Sorry if it looks like I’m hijacking the OP post, but I would like to ask you Vets a question regarding AC as well.
My human monk is only 7 atm and I had a great time lvling it so far.
However, I went to Sorrowdusk and Oggres/Trolls are hitting me a lot and for a great deal of damage sometimes.
I can’t get the precise numbers right now as I’m at work, but if I remember well; my AC is 27 without clicks or buffs. I can have it at around 32 during 3 minutes with dex/wis +4 buffs and around 35 with shield clicks but only for 60s.
I have an outfit of moderate fortification which gives me 75%, right? I already have +4 bracers but only a +1 protection ring that stacks with it.
I’m sorry I can’t give you my base stats, but My DDO shows Dex 20 and Wis 19, although I don’t know what I had on when I logged out.
What I would like to know is if this lvl of AC is normal at my current lvl 7 or I’m missing something or doing something wrong. I mean, do I need to rely more and more on clicks and potions as I lvl up? Do I need to get used to being hit and just get over it? I still love playing my monk and wholeness of body is just… well, like cheating, lol.
Thx in advance!

Some places, mobs just hit like a tone of bricks and seemingly dont miss, especially on higher difficulties. Welcome to DDO. Giants and Ogres just seem that way, when you get to Gianthold they will be the same way.

Items all gear up (Armor and weaposn even) at odd numbers, and if possible, should always strive to constantly update your monks gear.

Protection Items are +1 to +5, and level 5 it is +2, and level 7 its +3, now if you are lucky you can sometimes find a RR (Race Restricted) item gives you more. Meaning you can use a RR Ring of protection +4 at level 7 instead if Level 9.

Barkskin Pots are wonderful, should always have stacks of these on your monk, you can buy the +2 versions in market place, and +3 versions are sold at House J and House K, Reavers Refuge, and Meridia.

If you need an extra AC item for low levels, carry around handwraps that have parry on them, thats a +1 Insight Bonus.

Shield Clickies are great for those big fights coming up, only 1 minute, but it can help. Also helps against areas were you know mobs cast magic/force missles too.

[Mussashi]

Thx a lot Mobeius! Your posts are always helpful.
I will look for a +2 or +3 protection item and get barkskin pots ASAP!
Btw, do you know a quest that gives me a chance of getting those protection items?
Oh, another question. I just realized that on game options there is something about getting class related loot.
But all the time I only see useless outfits and handwraps on chests and quest rewards. Is this game option good or is it preventing me of getting better or different but useful loot?
Thx again!

[Mobeius]

Thx a lot Mobeius! Your posts are always helpful.
I will look for a +2 or +3 protection item and get barkskin pots ASAP!
Btw, do you know a quest that gives me a chance of getting those protection items?
Oh, another question. I just realized that on game options there is something about getting class related loot.
But all the time I only see useless outfits and handwraps on chests and quest rewards. Is this game option good or is it preventing me of getting better or different but useful loot?
Thx again!

You are welcome...

You can use +3 barkskin pots at level 7, before that its +2... fyi

I ALWAYS left class loot ON, just for the off chance to get rawking handwraps, even at low levels... which can be a precursor to store if you ever TR your monk.

Most of the time the stuff you find will be useless, just bide your time, if you turn it off, it can populate end rewards more for other classes, like higher level you might get a vorpal khopesh of uberness, or something else.

I would check the vendors too, for items...sometimes someone elses vendor trash is your prize collection. Weapons Vendor is in House D (higher levels Amrath, RR, and Insp 1/4), Armor is in House K and general Items are in the Market Place. Always check the AH for items as well.

[rimble]

Yes, but then you can't use chaosgarde for dodge +2, as they are bracers.

In that level range I just drank potions of Mage Armor, I think Heavy Fort on my robe, and Chaosgarde. Potions of Mage Armor are CHEAP.

Really he just needs Prot +3, and Barkskin pots. That's about topped out. Maybe try and keep Blur up too.

He hasn't mentioned what content he's doing though.

[NXPlasmid]

Minos Legens needs to marry your head when you hit level 11 anyway, and it takes care of the fort issue.

I've been trying to divorce that thing on most of my toons for a while, talk about a ball n' chain... breaking up is hard to do when it comes to the minos... ;)

[Mobeius]

I've been trying to divorce that thing on most of my toons for a while, talk about a ball n' chain... breaking up is hard to do when it comes to the minos... ;)

Aint that the truth. The only thing you could maybe lose that for is a GS helm of some sort...

[rimble]

Aint that the truth. The only thing you could maybe lose that for is a GS helm of some sort...

Ended up taking mine off for a Devotion hat for the Halfling Dragonmarks.

[Junts]

I've been trying to divorce that thing on most of my toons for a while, talk about a ball n' chain... breaking up is hard to do when it comes to the minos... ;)

Actually don't use it on very many of my characters anymore, but that tends to be because I do some pretty uncommon stuff that heavily favors the use of the head slot for other things (melees who use sp/dragonmarks to heal, and consequently need a slot for devotion).

In the end, though, I think a few will be going back to it, but a lot of builds can break free of the Minos Chain via blue epic sockets. I'm hoping there's a green socket on the torc!

[NXPlasmid]

Actually don't use it on very many of my characters anymore, but that tends to be because I do some pretty uncommon stuff that heavily favors the use of the head slot for other things (melees who use sp/dragonmarks to heal, and consequently need a slot for devotion).

In the end, though, I think a few will be going back to it, but a lot of builds can break free of the Minos Chain via blue epic sockets. I'm hoping there's a green socket on the torc!

Yeah I think I'm almost there on a toon or two, got the laywyer's drawin' up the paper now.. :D T

[BLAKROC]

You are welcome...

You can use +3 barkskin pots at level 7, before that its +2... fyi

I ALWAYS left class loot ON, just for the off chance to get rawking handwraps, even at low levels... which can be a precursor to store if you ever TR your monk.

Most of the time the stuff you find will be useless, just bide your time, if you turn it off, it can populate end rewards more for other classes, like higher level you might get a vorpal khopesh of uberness, or something else.

I would check the vendors too, for items...sometimes someone elses vendor trash is your prize collection. Weapons Vendor is in House D (higher levels Amrath, RR, and Insp 1/4), Armor is in House K and general Items are in the Market Place. Always check the AH for items as well.

+3 bark pots are min lvl 5 :)

[Absolute-Omniscience]

Question; what content are you running? 40 ac before desert covers 95% of the hits, and still well over 50% in desert. Though only 5% in gh.

[Roziel_Longblade]

I will look for a +2 or +3 protection item and get barkskin pots ASAP!
Btw, do you know a quest that gives me a chance of getting those protection items?
As mentioned above the Threnals drop a +3deflection/+4 reflex pair of googles.

[Mussashi]

Thx Roziel, but I'm only lvl 7 atm. I guess I can't solo Threnal ;)
That is funny, I soloed Deralas last night but I'm still having a tough time in Sorrowdusk as I said before, although barkskin pots helped a lot.

[LAWPRE]

BlueFox
There is a reason why an Str item is called Ogre Str. They are just plain that strong - and giants are even worse!! As such, I am not surprised that you are getting hit. To some degree, no matter your AC, that will not change.

I tend towards mitigating DPS on me as opposed to making sure I do not get hit. That is why I LOVE DR items. In PnP, I wheeled and dealed in order to get a 10/- item on my Wiz/Cle. It was one of the best investments I ever made. I was actually able to heal in combat (my DM ruled that Heal spells are TOUCH!!) and that saved us many a time. The couple of toons that I do have DR on seem to rarely take damage. So, I would look for DR items as well

I am still using several +1 weapons on a Char Lvl 14 toon as they have the "better" stuff on them. I only switch over to my ONLY +4 and +5 weapons if I am not hitting. I am finding it difficult to part with the weapons as nothing really that much better has come along.

Mussashi - I would not worry to much about "hijacking" as long as it contributes to the overall good of the players. Still, it is nice that you acknowledged your role.

[Ereshkigal]

You can use +3 barkskin pots at level 7, before that its +2... fyi

Level 5 for the +3 pots.

[TheBlueFox]

I suppose using elite runs of Redwillows Ruins (quest level 6+2 = 8, current level 9)is not a good benchmark to see if my AC is protecting me. Its full of giants and they do seem to hit pretty roughly. and the mobs are elite and therefore have higher to hit than normal.

40 ac standing, 44 ac for 1 minute 3times/rest

its not bad, but against elite mobs they still hit you.

Ive done some other runs, level 9 that arent elite, and I survive MUCH better.

[Letrii]

In PnP, healing spells are touch, or ranged touch with metamagic feat from Complete Divine.

[Arvess]

I suppose using elite runs of Redwillows Ruins (quest level 6+2 = 8, current level 9)is not a good benchmark to see if my AC is protecting me. Its full of giants and they do seem to hit pretty roughly. and the mobs are elite and therefore have higher to hit than normal.

40 ac standing, 44 ac for 1 minute 3times/rest

its not bad, but against elite mobs they still hit you.

Ive done some other runs, level 9 that arent elite, and I survive MUCH better.


In elite, clerics hit with light spells for a lot of dmg.
How are you getting your 40 AC?

Nice to see your numbers going up as you progress

[rh75]

Also dont forget to block, I see lots of folks with shields and twf just standing there and getting hit when they could have 6 or 7 DR and a few more points of AC if they just hit the **** shift button.