Another build to look at . . .

[Galaphile]

Hey everyone, I have been mulling over the idea of a high AC character for a long time (read Mod 1-2). Having returned to the game after a 6 month break, I find this notion highly appealing, and with a working intimidate, I decided to do some looking into it. Here is what I have come up with.

Column, LG Dwarven Pal11/Ftr5

Abilities
Str 26 (+8) = 15 Start + 4 Level + 1 Fighter Str + 6 Str Belt
Dex 20 (+5) = 13 Start + 6 Dex Gloves + 1 Tome
Con 22 (+6) = 14 Start + 2 Dwarven Con + 6 Con Necklace
Int 14 (+2) = 14 Start
Wis 13 (+1) = 11 Start + 2 Favor Tome
Cha 22 (+6) = 12 Start + 3 Paladin Cha + 6 Cha Helm + 1 Tome

I have the tomes down to be eaten as follows: CHA at Lvl 8 to get Force of Personality, the wisdom as my favor tome ~= Lvl 10 so I can cast lvl 2 and eventually lvl 3 spells, and Dex Tome sometime in the later levels so I get the full bonus for my armor. This way I don't have to use any tomes until I know I like this character and that he is viable in game.

Feats
Lvl 1 Ftr: Toughness, WF:S
Lvl 2 Pal:
Lvl 3 Pal: Combat Expertise
Lvl 4 Pal:
Lvl 5 Pal:
Lvl 6 Pal: Dodge
Lvl 7 Pal:
Lvl 8 Ftr: IC:S
Lvl 9 Ftr: Force of Personality
Lvl 10 Ftr: WS:S
Lvl 11 Pal:
Lvl 12 Pal: Shield Mastery
Lvl 13 Pal:
Lvl 14 Pal:
Lvl 15 Pal: Bullheaded
Lvl 16 Ftr:

Enhancements
Dwarven Armor Mastery I
Dwarven Armor Mastery II
Dwarven Constitution I
Dwarven Constitution II
Dwarven Spell Defense I
Dwarven Spell Defense II
Dwarven Toughness I
Dwarven Toughness II
Dwarven Toughness III
Fighter Armor Mastery I
Fighter Tower Shield Mastery I
Fighter Intimidate I
Paladin Bulwark of Good I
Paladin Bulwark of Good II
Paladin Bulwark of Good III
Paladin Resistance of Good I
Paladin Resistance of Good II
Paladin Extra Lay on Hands I
Paladin Extra Lay on Hands II
Paladin Charisma I
Paladin Charisma II
Paladin Charisma III
Fighter Strength I
Paladin Toughness I
Paladin Toughness II

Skills
Intimidate 45 = 19 Ranks + 6 Cha + 15 Ring + 2 Bullheaded + 2 Luck + 1 Fighter Toughness
Jump 13 = 8 Ranks + 8 Str + 2 Luck - 5 Armor
Balance 21 = 15.5 Ranks + 5 Dex + 2 Luck + 4 Racial - 5 Armor
UMD 17 = 9.5 Ranks + 6 Cha + 2 Luck

The Luck bonus would come from a Head of Good Fortune, and I could get another +4 to all skills with GH.

Armor Class
10 Base
14 Armor
9 Shield
5 Protection
3 Dodge
4 Aura
5 Dex
5 CE
55 Unbuffed

I can easily take a Haste and Barkskin potion for another +4 and blocking will give me another +2. If I can get a Chattering ring it will be another +3 for a total of 64 self-buffed, with a +4 against Giants and such. There is also a possible +4 insight bonus from a crafted weapon. Without relying on others for any buffs, I should be able to hit 68/72

Saving Throws
Fort 33 = 11 Base + 6 Con + 3 Aura + 6 Divine Grace +5 Resistance + 2 Luck
Reflex 25 = 4 Base + 5 Dex + 3 Aura + 6 Givine Grace + 5 Resistance + 2 Luck
Will 27 = 4 Base + 6 Cha + 3 Aura + 6 Divine Grace + 5 Resistance + 2 Luck + 1 Bullheaded

There is also the +4 against spells and effects, and a +2 against poison.

HP
20 Heroic Durability
10 Draconic Vitality
160 Ftr/Pal
30 Greater False Life
96 Constitution
18 Toughness
30 Dwarven Toughness III
15 Fighter Toughness II
379 HP

SP
120 Base
125 Wizardry V (Armor)
245 SP

Gear
Head: +6 Charismatic Helm
Trinket: Head of Good Fortune
Necklace: +6 Necklace of Health
Belt: +6 Belt of Giant Strength (replacable by Belt of Brute Strength)
Armor: Black Dragonplate Armor
Shield: +5 Mithril Tower Shield
Ring: Ring of Greater False Life (replacable by Chattering Ring)
Ring: +15 Ring of Intimidation
Bracers: Chaosguard
Cloak: +5 Cloak of Protection
Goggles:
Gloves: +6 Dextrous Gloves
Boots: Boots of the Innocent

The only raid loot I put in to begin was the Head of Good Fortune. My goal is to also get the belt and the ring mentioned above, but they aren't neccessary to the build. The only goggles I could think of that I really like are also raid loot, and would come after all the other 3, Sandstorm Goggles.

I think that should do it for now. Any questions, comments, or improvements are encouraged. Once upon a time I could run all these numbers in my head and know they were right, but it has been quite a while since I planned out a build. I could easily have screwed up.

[Dexxaan]

Take a look at Bruttus, Borroro and Cashiry`s builds as real reference of builds and numbers.

I bumped my old post for ez reading. (Bruttus - Just over 1 yr old.)

Definitely want to read the whole thread. Many issues and opinions worth looking at.

Happy Hunting!

[Impaqt]

TO cast spells your modified Wisdom jsut needs to be 10+ Spell Level. So as long as you have a +6 Item, you can cast all Paly Spells with a 8 Wisdom... Or 7 if ya eat a +1 Tome.

[Galaphile]

I thought about the WIS item, but couldn't think of where to put it . . . are there wisdom goggles?

[Impaqt]

I thought about the WIS item, but couldn't think of where to put it . . . are there wisdom goggles?

You can make a set in the Shroud..... Other than that, your limited to Rings, Neclaces and Helmets.. and the ever handy Owls Wisdom pots.

[BLAKROC]

You can make a set in the Shroud..... Other than that, your limited to Rings, Neclaces and Helmets.. and the ever handy Owls Wisdom pots.

goggles from tor, true seeing +2 wisdom. random drop in draggy chest, I just forget which one.

[Borror0]

Sorry for the delay, totally had forgot you.

I don't see any issue, seems good. Like Impaqt pointed out, there's the wisdom item that could be made fit in, that would free you some points.
There are wisdom googles. But they are only +2...

Other than that, there'd be droping Int to 13, take a +1 Tome and raise Dex to 14. With a +2 Dex tome that'd make it 22.... but you couldn't gain the bonus to AC until next cap.

The rest is all gear talk, so much less important.

Nice seeing paladin-based Intimitank.

[Slayer918]

Personally I'd drop either bullheaded or shield mastery for extend... you want divine favor up all the time and its much easier to do that every 2 min then every min...

You also only have 4 max dex w/ those enhancements (1 base dragonplate, 2 DAM, 1 FAM) you'd need to free up 6 aps to pick up DAM or lose 1 AC (though your currently spending 12 APs on bulwark which in mod 7 will only cost you 6...)

[Borror0]

Personally I'd drop either bullheaded or shield mastery for extend.

True, I'd also switch Bullheaded for SF:Intimidate. Your saves are high enough like this.
Of the two, I'd personally drop Shiled Mastery.

You also only have 4 max dex w/ those enhancements (1 base dragonplate, 2 DAM, 1 FAM) you'd need to free up 6 aps to pick up DAM or lose 1 AC (though your currently spending 12 APs on bulwark which in mod 7 will only cost you 6...)

Wow, can't believe I missed that.

There's two way to do it: Daggertooth Belt, or like Slayer said, wait until module 7 comes to get that one more AC.

[Galaphile]

Nice call Slayer, I'll have to look into fixing that, though it may be Mod 7 by the time it matters so much anyway. Currently sitting at 45 AC unbuffed and not blocking at level 8 with with 23 intimidate. With barkskin and shield of faith I get 49. I find groups of giants particularly entertaining. Makes me feel like a dwarven pinball. Next level, Chaosgarde!

[Borror0]

Makes me feel like a dwarven pinball. Next level, Chaosgarde!

hehe, being moved from left to right without taking damage is priceless.