Dex Bonus to AC

[BoBoDaClown]

Hi guys,

Just some AC related questions. I am rolling a halfling Fighter (probably with a 2 level pally splash). What is the max dex bonus I can get to AC, assuming mithril FP and mithril Tower Shield?

Also, do I need to take all three armour masteries and all three tower shield mastery enhancements to make full use of my dex?

Should I be aiming for 22 dex? (15 base +1 tome +6 item) I could probably eck it to 24? Although it would be expensive.

Thank you for your help!

Udine

[Aesop]

Mithril Tower Shield Limits your Dex Bonus to AC at 4 (2 base w/ Mithril Modifying up 2)

Mithril Full Plate Limits Your Dex Bonus to Ac to 3 (1base w/Mithril Modifying up 2)

Fighter Tower Shield Mastery Tops out at +3 Making making top end for Dex a +7

Fighter Armor Mastery also Tops out at +3 making top end max out for Dex at +6

So really you are looking at a 22Dex as your Best bet... unless you change your Race to Dwarf and then you can go to 24

Dwarves get Armor mastery of their own which also tops out at +3... but their Shield Mastery affects Blocking DR not Tower Shield Dex


Aesop



so really for this you'd want all three armor Masteries and 2 Tower Shield Masteries


though really for end game if you are gonna do this I'd say start with a 13 Dex get a +2 Dex tome and use 2AP and buy Halfling Dex 1 and a +6 Dex item instead of starting with a 15 Dex

cause for an AC build you'll want Combat Expoertise and that requires Stat POints in Intelligence

[The_Phenx]

14 dex minimum if you plan on twf (requires a +3 dex tome for gtwf).... 16 minimum if you think there is a chance superior will be put back into the game.

Ghin rolls with a 25... waiting on that +3 tome... the reflex save is nice to have.

[Aesop]

14 dex minimum if you plan on twf (requires a +3 dex tome for gtwf).... 16 minimum if you think there is a chance superior will be put back into the game.

Ghin rolls with a 25... waiting on that +3 tome... the reflex save is nice to have.

considering he's plaingin on a Mithril Tower Shield I doubt he's worrying about superior two weapon fighting being implemented... which it should not

Aesop

[BoBoDaClown]

Mithril Tower Shield Limits your Dex Bonus to AC at 4 (2 base w/ Mithril Modifying up 2)

Mithril Full Plate Limits Your Dex Bonus to Ac to 3 (1base w/Mithril Modifying up 2)

Fighter Tower Shield Mastery Tops out at +3 Making making top end for Dex a +7

Fighter Armor Mastery also Tops out at +3 making top end max out for Dex at +6

So really you are looking at a 22Dex as your Best bet... unless you change your Race to Dwarf and then you can go to 24

Dwarves get Armor mastery of their own which also tops out at +3... but their Shield Mastery affects Blocking DR not Tower Shield Dex


Aesop



so really for this you'd want all three armor Masteries and 2 Tower Shield Masteries


though really for end game if you are gonna do this I'd say start with a 13 Dex get a +2 Dex tome and use 2AP and buy Halfling Dex 1 and a +6 Dex item instead of starting with a 15 Dex

cause for an AC build you'll want Combat Expoertise and that requires Stat POints in Intelligence

Thanks for the concise answer Aesop - it is exactly what I was after.

My other question - I am having a little difficulty distributing my stat points.

Currently I am looking at:

Str 14 +2 Tome I have = 16
Dex 15 +1 Tome = 16
Con 14 +2 I think I'll choose at 1750 = 16
Int 13 +1 Tome = 14
Wis 8 fig why need it with FOP and Divine Grace
Cha 13 +1 Tome = 14

*****1 SPARE POINT*****

Now, I need to get this right, because I am a new player, so the above pretty much eats all my resources. But I have a spare ability point which I can only put in Dex, Int, Wis or Cha.

I could take one point out of Int (lose UMD - keep Intim balance jump), and then I would have two spare points, but the only difference that would really make is that I could raise con by one.

In essence, I am not quite sure what my starting stats should be?

Thanks for the help!

Udine

[Aesop]

What is the goal?

You are spread a little thin there honestly.

If you have a +1 Int tome and you aren't really concerned with SKills I'd drop the Int to 12 use the +1 Int tome for 13 to get Combat Expertise

You are splashing 2 Pally for the Saves I'm guessing. Consider going for 3 Pally I know its 1 less feat in the end but... You get Disease and Fear Immunity that doesn't take up an Item slot... and those slots get twitchy in the end. Also your lay on Hands will do a little more but that's secondary really. Also att that level you can take the Paladin Enhancements for Bulwark and Reistance to up your Aura Saves and AC by 1 each.

then drop your Charisma by 1 and use the Paladin Charisma 1 Enhancement to round it out

Then I'd Drop my dex by 2 and maybe use one of the Halfling Dex Enhancements if you need to to round your dex out.

Then I'd dump all those points into strength

it looks like you havea 32 point build going so I'm guessing you either aren't new or you have a good guild that helped ya out a bit getting in there .... that assumption and the tome you are listting I'd go with base stats of

16 +2 Tome = 18 +4 Levels +3 Enhancements +6 Item = 31 (32 with +3 Tome)
13 +1 Tome = 14 +2 Dex Enhancments +6 Item = 22 Max MFP Dex Bonus (remove the Dex Enhancements with a +3 Tome)
13 (+1 Item at low levels or +1 Tome if you can Find +6 Item = 20 Con (22 with a +3 Tome)
12 +1 Tome = 13(enough for Combat Expertise) (dun really matter that much for a fighter)
8
12 +1 Tome +1 Pally Cha = 14 (+3 Tome and Cha 6 Item for 22 Cha or a net +6 to all Saves)



that's what I'd do anyway

[BoBoDaClown]

What is the goal?

You are spread a little thin there honestly.

If you have a +1 Int tome and you aren't really concerned with SKills I'd drop the Int to 12 use the +1 Int tome for 13 to get Combat Expertise

You are splashing 2 Pally for the Saves I'm guessing. Consider going for 3 Pally I know its 1 less feat in the end but... You get Disease and Fear Immunity that doesn't take up an Item slot... and those slots get twitchy in the end. Also your lay on Hands will do a little more but that's secondary really. Also att that level you can take the Paladin Enhancements for Bulwark and Reistance to up your Aura Saves and AC by 1 each.

then drop your Charisma by 1 and use the Paladin Charisma 1 Enhancement to round it out

Then I'd Drop my dex by 2 and maybe use one of the Halfling Dex Enhancements if you need to to round your dex out.

Then I'd dump all those points into strength

it looks like you havea 32 point build going so I'm guessing you either aren't new or you have a good guild that helped ya out a bit getting in there .... that assumption and the tome you are listting I'd go with base stats of

16 +2 Tome = 18 +4 Levels +3 Enhancements +6 Item = 31 (32 with +3 Tome)
13 +1 Tome = 14 +2 Dex Enhancments +6 Item = 22 Max MFP Dex Bonus (remove the Dex Enhancements with a +3 Tome)
13 (+1 Item at low levels or +1 Tome if you can Find +6 Item = 20 Con (22 with a +3 Tome)
12 +1 Tome = 13(enough for Combat Expertise) (dun really matter that much for a fighter)
8
12 +1 Tome +1 Pally Cha = 14 (+3 Tome and Cha 6 Item for 22 Cha or a net +6 to all Saves)



that's what I'd do anyway

Those stats look awesome! I couldn't quite figure out how to maximise my stats.

I am pretty new - the girlfriend and I have been playing for probably seven or eight months to get where we are. We are a little shy of 1750, but should ding it in the next 3 or 4 days - thus the planning. We are not even capped yet! (about three ranks off)

The goal is to have a 'delusional halfling', an 'intimidate halfling'. I realise that I will get a -4 smack to intimidate, but I am ging to try to mitigate that somewhat with bullheaded, skill focus Intimidate, high cha, and 4 ranks of intimidate enhancements. This means I need feats, so I'll check if I can afford the 3rd Pally lvl. I am not too fussed about elite endgame, for we are fairly casual players and it will take another 6 months to get there. The character does need to be effective because I enjoying running quests on elite (not talking about running Shroud over and over again for ingredients).

I want high AC/Saves/Intimidate (also will have a little Shield DR), decent sword and board dps (gonna grab khopesh), and trip (cos I think its fun, but I may swap out later for something more important). Obviously hp are important. I am also going to grab cleave and probably great cleave, because I like button mashing, but like trip, they are feats that are less important.

Unfortunately, by spreading myself as thin as I have (valid criticism), there is no room for the heal dragonmarks. I don't even like multi-classing, but unfortunately a small amount of realism has clouded my thinking.

I know Dwarves are the way to go, which is basically why I want a halfling (I am contrary like that). I pretty much have the build sorted, but couldn't wrangle the ability points.

Thanks for the awesome advice! I might be able to make a prtotype on a character planner now

Cheers

Udine

[BoBoDaClown]

This is where I have got him, note I might very well put in another pally level and removed either, improved trip/great cleave/improved shield mastery. I might also remove those feats at any time and insert some more saves or even try to wrangle halfling heals. My stats didn't come out quite the same, but are certainly where I would like them.

Zudine the Delusional Halfling

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 2.96
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 16 Lawful Good Halfling Female
(14 Fighter \ 2 Paladin) 
Hit Points: 280
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 16\16\21\26\26
Fortitude: 18
Reflex: 11
Will: 14

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 16)
Strength             16                    24
Dexterity            14                    16
Constitution         12                    14
Intelligence         12                    13
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma             12                    14

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 1
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 1
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 1
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 1
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 1

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 16)
Balance               4                    12.5
Bluff                 1                     2
Concentration         2                     2
Diplomacy             1                     2
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle                1                     2
Heal                 -1                    -1
Hide                  2                     5
Intimidate            5                    30
Jump                  8                    25
Listen               -1                     1
Move Silently         2                     5
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair                1                     1
Search                1                     1
Spot                 -1                    -1
Swim                  4                     7
Tumble                n/a                   3.5
Use Magic Device      n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Khopesh
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Feat: (Automatic) Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Defensive Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Halfling Agility
Feat: (Automatic) Halfling Bravery
Feat: (Automatic) Halfling Keen Ears
Feat: (Automatic) Halfling Luck
Feat: (Automatic) Halfling Size Bonus
Feat: (Automatic) Heavy Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Heroic Durability
Feat: (Automatic) Light Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency (ALL)
Feat: (Automatic) Medium Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Shield Proficiency (General)
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency (ALL)
Feat: (Automatic) Sneak
Feat: (Automatic) Sunder
Feat: (Automatic) Tower Shield Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Trip


Level 2 (Paladin)
Feat: (Automatic) Aura of Good
Feat: (Automatic) Smite Evil


Level 3 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Bullheaded
Feat: (Automatic) Divine Grace
Feat: (Automatic) Lay on Hands


Level 4 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Combat Expertise


Level 5 (Fighter)


Level 6 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Force of Personality
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Trip


Level 7 (Fighter)


Level 8 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 9 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Skill Focus: Intimidate


Level 10 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Power Attack


Level 11 (Fighter)


Level 12 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Cleave
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Shield Mastery


Level 13 (Fighter)


Level 14 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Great Cleave


Level 15 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Dodge


Level 16 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Shield Mastery
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Mastery I
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Mastery II
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Mastery III
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Trip) I
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Trip) II
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Trip) III
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Trip) IV
Enhancement: Fighter Tower Shield Mastery I
Enhancement: Fighter Tower Shield Mastery II
Enhancement: Halfling Dexterity I
Enhancement: Halfling Luck I (Will)
Enhancement: Halfling Luck II (Will)
Enhancement: Halfling Luck III (Will)
Enhancement: Fighter Intimidate I
Enhancement: Fighter Intimidate II
Enhancement: Fighter Intimidate III
Enhancement: Fighter Intimidate IV
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness III
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness IV

[Hadrian]

You should be getting 3 skill points per level with 12 int, right?

You'll want to invest as much as you can in balance. Balance checks determine how quickly you stand up after being knocked down, and full plate with a tower shield gives a large penalty to balance.

You might also want to lay out your AC, to-hit and saves so you can see what the totals are. This just makes sure there are no big problems that you'll run into late in the build.

For example, with combat expertise and a tower shield, you're looking at -7 to hit. I'd suggest that you want to be at least in the high 20's total to-hit in order to be able to hit consistently at level 16, and that is pushing it.

I do not know what sort of gear you have, but I'd guess something like this for AC.

10 Base
13 +5 MFP
+9 MTS
+6 Dex mod
+5 CE
+5 Protection item
+2 Chaosgarde
+1 Halfling size
+1 Paladin aura
________________
52

+5 Ranger Barkskin
+1 Haste
________________
58

[BoBoDaClown]

You should be getting 3 skill points per level with 12 int, right?

You'll want to invest as much as you can in balance. Balance checks determine how quickly you stand up after being knocked down, and full plate with a tower shield gives a large penalty to balance.

You might also want to lay out your AC, to-hit and saves so you can see what the totals are. This just makes sure there are no big problems that you'll run into late in the build.

For example, with combat expertise and a tower shield, you're looking at -7 to hit. I'd suggest that you want to be at least in the high 20's total to-hit in order to be able to hit consistently at level 16, and that is pushing it.

I do not know what sort of gear you have, but I'd guess something like this for AC.

10 Base
13 +5 MFP
+9 MTS
+6 Dex mod
+5 CE
+5 Protection item
+2 Chaosgarde
+1 Halfling size
+1 Paladin aura
________________
52

+5 Ranger Barkskin
+1 Haste
________________
58

Balance is pretty much maxed - remember it is a cross class skill.

I have done what I can for AC and saves my starting off with good charisma/pally splashes/dex/con/FOP/Bullheaded. You are right though, if they aren't up to it I will have to grab some extra feats.

To have an effective AC build you need to have CE and tower shield so I can't wrangle may around the -7 to hit. Remember though, I probably won't be using power attack, which is just there to open up the cleave and great cleave line (I guess I will use power attack on easier content). So compared to other players I will be at a similar number. Halflings also get a +1 bonus to hit, so by having 16 starting str I actually am similar to having 18 starting str. I wish I could start with 18 but it just gets a litle expensive.

You are right though, as the character pans out I may have to remove some feats and introduce some 'to-hit' feats.

Thanks for your advice!

Udine