Paladin AC Challenge Build (can you defeat him?)

[sigtrent]

This build is from Sigtrent's build request thread

Build Name:Paladin AC Challenge Build
Author: Sigfried Trent
Requester: None
Last Updated: 07/01/10

Key Words [Maximum AC, Tank, Paladin, Siberys]

Objectives
I wanted to prove that Paladins could have the best AC in the game. This was back in 2008 mind you. Now... fighter can go a bit higher and possibly monk (I haven’t done the math for monk) but its not easy by any stretch.

The challenge was if anyone could make a build with better AC
The secondary challenge was if anyone could make a build with better AC, Saves, and HP.

Design
This is one of the rare builds where I did research and made an item list. In this case a fantasy item list of all the most grindy crazy items in the game, but its more a proof of concept than something you should go out and make.

The approach was simple. Make a dwarven paladin with Siberys and everything I could find to increase defenses with AC being primary and saves/hp secondary. And offense with whatever is left over.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.34
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 Lawful Good Dwarf Male
(1 Fighter \ 18 Paladin \ 1 Rogue) 
Hit Points: 358
Spell Points: 232 
BAB: 19\19\24\29\29
Fortitude: 24
Reflex: 21
Will: 15

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(36 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             14                    16
Dexterity            16                    22
Constitution         14                    18
Intelligence         12                    14
Wisdom               10                    12
Charisma             14                    16

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 3
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 7
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 7
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 7
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 7
+3 Tome of Dexterity used at level 11

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               7                    20
Bluff                 2                     3
Concentration         2                     7
Diplomacy             2                     3
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle                6                     7
Heal                  0                     2
Hide                  3                     6
Intimidate            6                    34
Jump                  6                     7
Listen                4                     5
Move Silently         3                     6
Open Lock             7                    10
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair                1                     2
Search                1                     4
Spot                  4                     7
Swim                  2                     3
Tumble                7                    10
Use Magic Device      6                    17

Level 1 (Rogue)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Haggle (+4)
Skill: Intimidate (+4)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Listen (+4)
Skill: Open Lock (+4)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Fighter
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Ranger
Feat: (Selected) Skill Focus: Intimidate
Enhancement: Dwarven Armor Mastery I
Enhancement: Dwarven Spell Defense I


Level 2 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Enhancement: Paladin Armor Class Boost I
Enhancement: Follower of the Sovereign Host
Enhancement: Paladin Focus of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil I


Level 3 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Dodge
Enhancement: Dwarven Shield Mastery I


Level 4 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Combat Expertise
Enhancement: Fighter Intimidate I


Level 5 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Enhancement: Dwarven Shield Mastery II
Enhancement: Dwarven Spell Defense II
Enhancement: Paladin Courage of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Bulwark of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Resistance of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands I


Level 6 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Paladin Armor Class Boost II
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness I


Level 7 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Sacrifice I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Might I


Level 8 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Enhancement: Paladin Defender of Siberys I


Level 9 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Past Life: Warrior of the Wild
Enhancement: Unyielding Sovereignty


Level 10 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Enhancement: Paladin Bulwark of Good II
Enhancement: Paladin Resistance of Good II


Level 11 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Enhancement: Paladin Exalted Smite I
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands II


Level 12 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Past Life: Student of the Sword
Enhancement: Dwarven Armor Mastery II


Level 13 (Paladin)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Enhancement: Paladin Bulwark of Good III
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness II


Level 14 (Paladin)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Paladin Defender of Siberys II


Level 15 (Paladin)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Bullheaded
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands III


Level 16 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: CON
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Paladin Armor Class Boost III
Enhancement: Paladin Resistance of Good III


Level 17 (Paladin)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Paladin Bulwark of Good IV


Level 18 (Paladin)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Paladin Armor Class Boost IV


Level 19 (Paladin)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 20 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: CON
Skill: Heal (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Enhancement: Dwarven Armor Mastery III
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Righteousness I
Enhancement: Paladin Defender of Siberys III

Play
You could make the build and slowly grind out all the items. For most folks, this build has more dex than they will ever manage to utilize so for a practical version I’d tone that down.

I also have to say I think a fighter does this a bit better. This would solo better due to self healing, but the fighter can build for this kind of AC and maintain more offense.

Variations
Something less insane.

Special Gear Section
I poured over what is listed on DDO-Wiki and the problem with item lists is the items in game change constantly. Today’s hot stuff is tomorrows ****. So... this is a dated section 07/01/10

Armor: Epic Red Dragon Scale (+2 max dex in colorless slot and +6Cha)
Shield: Light and Darkness (8shield, Prot 4, Defl 4, DR/5epic, bashing)
Ring1: Chattering Ring (standing the test of time +3 dodge)
Ring2: Band of Siberys (+6Str +1 Excep Cha) w (+2 Excep Dex)
Belt: Belt of the defenders of Siberys (6Con Greater False Life)
Bracers: Chaos Guard (also standing the test of time +2 dodge)
Neck: Epic Hyena Claw (Intim +15, Con +7, toughness)
Trinket: Epic Dusk Heart (Supreme False Life, Dusk, Deathward click)
Boots: Epic Dustless Boots (Blindness immunity)
Gloves: Epic Spectral Gloves (Ether, Dex 7, Poison Immunity)
Helmet: Minos?
Cloak: Greensteel Cloak: Minor Healing Lore, lesser good block, Deathblock)
Googles: Greensteel Goggles: Wiz6,15hp,6Wis,100sp,+3cha skills,Concordant Opposition)
Weapon: Greensteel Dwarven Axe (Flaming, Good burst, +4 Insight, Radiance II)

AC Breakdown
10 Base
16 Armor (Red Scale)
08 Shield (Light and Dark)
10 Dexterity (2 armor, 2 armor enhance, 3 dwarven AM, 1 past life, 2 stalwart)
10 Dodge (chaos, Feat, chattering, Stance)
02 Alchemical Rituals (Armor and Shield)
04 Insight (Greensteel)
05 Deflection (Shield of faith power)
05 Natural Armor (Barkskin reincarnation feat)
06 Paladin Aura
05 Combat Expertise
02 Misc (Siberys item set)
02 Blocking
<85>
04 Inspire Heroics
<89>
05 Paladin Armor Boost
03 Halfling Companion
01 Haste
02 Recitation
<100>
04 Giant Evasion
<104>

Intimidate
23 Ranks
06 Charisma
05 Feats
03 Exceptional
15 Item
01 Enhancements
<53>
04 GH
02 Recitation
02 Inspire Competence
<61>

Saves are in the low 30s to mid 20s
HP is about 560 or so I believe

[Stealthbr]

**** nvm. What shield are you using for this build?

[sigtrent]

**** nvm. What shield are you using for this build?

I'ts the nightforge shield from Black Anvil Mines. Its just a +5 adamantine large shield. I couldn't find anything especialy nifty shield wise. I slapped the alchemical ritual on it (brand new in the mod 7 dev notes).

[Desteria]

YOu may find the the sheild and armor alcemical rituals may not stack, it will depend weather they are and enhcment to the ITEM or a direct bonus to your AC if they are a direct bonus to yuor AC they are both the same type, and not of the dodge type so will nto stack, however if they modifie the sheild bonus or the armor bonus increasing that bonus then they woudl not stack on the same item, (nto saying you can even have 2 rituals just a thory point), but both the sheild bonus and armor bonus could be increast as you have it listed.

Also yopu could increase your base Natural Armor to +4 standing long tern mataniabel with mutiple pairs of madstone boots, it's even undispelable so functions in beholder auras and the like, woudl fre eup a ring slot as well I only suggest this since you did have the build useing lots of raid gear and once you start getitng to 40+ SR's it;s nto to hard to have paicked up a few pairs of booties.

[sigtrent]

YOu may find the the sheild and armor alcemical rituals may not stack, .

Indeed. I'm thinking they are bonuses to the armor/shield rather than to the AC of the wearer directly. We don't know of course but I think its a pretty safe bet.

Also you could increase your base Natural Armor to +4 standing long tern mataniabel with mutiple pairs of madstone boots, it's even undispelable so functions in beholder auras and the like, woudl fre eup a ring slot as well I only suggest this since you did have the build useing lots of raid gear and once you start getitng to 40+ SR's it;s nto to hard to have paicked up a few pairs of booties.

Thanks. I was going with potions for the natural armor due to space. I was mostly just using seal of earth to cast stoneskin. Items were kind of tight so I'm hoping to find some better picks. But you could throw the clickien and then swap back into the dex boots if you are feeling tricky (kind of like how this build has to drop its chattering ring to throw intimidate (which is considerably more work) I'll add that in, thanks!

[Twerpp]

Neat. Did you forget recitation or is there something that trumps that? If you took a rogue level you could easily have the UMD to wand yourself. You wont hit or kill much with 22 str though I would min the CON since you wont be getting hit anyway, and dwarven/pally toughness is available (when you can afford the AP's).

[sigtrent]

Neat. Did you forget recitation or is there something that trumps that?

Nope, I didn't quite dig into all the non-self buffs. I added it to eek up to a max potential of 90.. whee

If you took a rogue level you could easily have the UMD to wand yourself.

I don't think there are recitation wands... at least there shouldn't be any wands over level 3.

You wont hit or kill much with 22 str though

Accuracy here is actualy pretty decent. He can hit most things without too much trouble so long as he stays buffed. Damage wise he's certainly not a dps monster but he'll average 20 or so a hit on non crits.

I would min the CON since you wont be getting hit anyway, and dwarven/pally toughness is available (when you can afford the AP's).

Toughness is already in the build stats but you probably could lower con for more STR although you have to dump 4 pts (32 hp) for +2 str. I'm not sure it's worth the trade. Another option is to use greensteel to get +2 exceptional dex and use all the level ups for STR. Or you could drop 2 con for 1 str and use a +2 tome there. I wanted to make sure I at least came close to 400HP. While you won't get hit much there are still spells like searing light you have to cope with.

[Twerpp]

still spells like searing light you have to cope with.

lol just use my protection from searing light wand! you get them at the same place as recitation wands

[Tomalon]

I must have missed something in reading your build. how are you getting 14 armor and 8 dex???

[Tomalon]

I must have missed something in reading your build. how are you getting 14 armor and 8 dex???

NM i see it.

[LeLoric]

you cant buy recitation wands but I have looted lots of them

[Slayer918]

Your AC calcs are off unless I'm missing something, I'm only seeing 69 on your normal AC line

11/5, 12/4, 13/3 etc fighter/paladin split
10 base
15 armor (new ritual enhanced dragonscale plate)
10 shield (new ritual +5 mith tower shield)
7 dex (DAM III, FAM III)
2 Self Aura
5 CE
5 Prot
3 barkskin potion
1 haste potion
4 insight
6 dodge
68 AC

11/5, 12/4, 13/3 etc paladin/fighter split
10 base
15 armor (new ritual enhanced dragonscale plate)
10 shield (new ritual +5 mith tower shield)
5 dex (daggertooth belt, DAM II, or FAM I, DAM III)
4 self aura
5 CE
5 Prot
3 barkskin
1 haste
4 insight
6 dodge
68 AC

8/8, 9/7, 7/9 etc paladin/fighter split
10 base
15 armor
10 shield
6 dex
3 self aura
5 CE
5 Prot
3 barkskin
1 haste
4 insight
6 dodge
68 AC

Now Lets compare:
15/1 (P/F) 69 AC for 26 Dex, 12 APs
12/4 (F/P) 68 AC for 24 Dex, 37 APs
*12/4 (P/F) 68 AC for 20 Dex, 14/22 APs (The split I run)
8/8 (P/F) 68 AC for 22 Dex, 21 APs
* This build as a halfling can also hit 68 AC for 20 Dex, 8 APs

Personally I dont find the 1 AC to be worth needing 6 points of Dex but thats just my opinion.

I think a monk or a 12 ranger/3 paladin/1 monk may soon have the highest theoretical AC possible... though the new ritual does not effect them as they dont use armor or shield (though maybe it can be added to robes?)

[KatanAztar]

NOTE: no new ritual bonuses's are included in any of the calcs below becuase I'm not certain if there are restrictions on their use.

Yea, I think Slyer is right about your ac calcs.

I think a more efficient build twist would be 12 pally/4 fighter. 16 starting str will result in an end-game str of 28 with +1 tome.

You could start with less dex and end near-equivelant AC. Those points taken out of dex could be thrown into str. Extra fighter feats can land ya kopesh prof, fighter weapon spec, and more.

How would this give you equivelant ac you wonder?

Character creation screen of 12 dex, then add +2 tome for an end-game 20 dex. Wear White dragonplate armor and Grab fighter/dwarf armor mastery 1 & Fighter tower mastery 1 to max armor and tower sheild dex bonuses to your 20 dex. This actually frees up belt slot (no daggertooth belt), frees up build points that would otherwise go into dex, and frees up action points.

End AC would be 66 Dry aka undispellable ac. Haste and other buffs except for madstone not included. (im including greensteel weapon with +4 insight)

This is lot like a build posted awhile back by someon named Dexxxan (or something like that i think)

[Soul-Shaker]

Hehe more of a max ac build instead of useable build. Ranger, Rogue, or clr splashed with monk makes the highest max outsided buffed ac though.

halfling 15 pala/1monk
20 dex + 4 lvl + 2 enh + 3 tome + 6 item + 3 shroud = 38 (+14 mod)
18 wis +3 tome +6 item +1 shroud= 28 (+9 mod)

feats min dodge, mob, ce

Note I doubt alchemical bonus is on armor and shield seperately since notes clearly state +1 alchemical bonus to AC)

2 shroud weapons dex +3 and wis+1/+4 insight

self buff
+10 base
+1 halfling
+14 dex
+9 wis
+7 dragon robe (+1 alchemical)
+4 shield spell
+1 twf Defense
+6 dodge (dodge, chatter, chaosgarde)
+5 ce
+5 aura
+3 nat
+5 Prot item
+4 insight weapon
+1 haste
----------------
+75 AC self buff

+5 boost
+4 mobility (tumbling)
+1 mad rage
----------------
+85 max self buff

+4 ih
+1 real bark
+2 recitation
----------------
92 max ac all mobs

[sigtrent]

Your AC calcs are off unless I'm missing something, I'm only seeing 69 on your normal AC line

Quite right! Lots of numbers to add I should use a calculator at this point. Every time I try to add the last one in my head I come up with a different number. :P

Personally I dont find the 1 AC to be worth needing 6 points of Dex but thats just my opinion.

Thanks for the breakdowns on those. I do like the 12/4 halfling option, that might actualy be a really stellar build all around. But for my challenge I'm not sure it can come out on top overall since its shy on AC, probably saves, HP, and a tiny bit on casting?. But likely a somewhat stronger combatant due to the 2 extra feats and halfling attack bonus.

I think a monk or a 12 ranger/3 paladin/1 monk may soon have the highest theoretical AC possible... though the new ritual does not effect them as they dont use armor or shield (though maybe it can be added to robes?)

Hmmm, worht a look. I wonder when/if we can hit 100 with a build.

[sigtrent]

Note I doubt alchemical bonus is on armor and shield seperately since notes clearly state +1 alchemical bonus to AC)

True but if you look at armor/shield descriptions they say +5 enhancement bonus to AC. The thing is that it is a bonus to the armors AC value not the wearers AC.

[Twerpp]

you cant buy recitation wands but I have looted lots of them

Thx I knew I had seen them in AH and considered using them. Duration would be a little sucky though due to low wand levels and no extend. Still it looks good on paper!

[sigtrent]

Thx I knew I had seen them in AH and considered using them. Duration would be a little sucky though due to low wand levels and no extend. Still it looks good on paper!

And that is indeed what this build is about. I don't think I'd actualy build this, but I wanted to do the exercise and make the point. It looks like a monk build might be able to dethrone this. HP could be a sticking point for them though.

[Twerpp]

Plus they are 3/4 BAB...peee-yeeew!

[Tallyn]

I don't think there are recitation wands... at least there shouldn't be any wands over level 3.

Wands can be level 4 and below... you should have remembered that Stoneskin can be on a wand