AC / Level?

[Quikster]

Would it be worth it to dump my leveling stats and human enhancement stats into dex in order to get myself high enough for dodge and or CE? Does that count for the purpose of taking the feats?

yes level ups count towards base. though i cant say its a good idea withot knowing the rest of your build. Typically its not a good idea though.

[Zenako]

ONe has to keep in mind that high AC builds are planned from the start. They are hard to fix midstream. That being said, you can build an effective AC with just gear you can gather and feats/enhancements you can take. So based on the limited info so far, you will never be untouchable, but ANY fighter can get worthwhile AC (especially for running on the normal setting with gear.)

Depending on the type of armor you are wearing, your AC bonus from DEX can get capped out anyway, that is why Mithril Full plate (with a higher DEX limit is often used). The DEX limit on MFP is still low enough that even a middling DEX can use it all up. When someone is pushing a DEX based AC build, they will NOT be using Full Plate, but AC Bracers or certain Robes.

Starting a build with a INT that can reach 13 (with either a +1 or +2 tome) is often a key part of that. (11 or 12 to start with), since that permits the CE feat to be taken.

WIS and CHA will often be complete dump stats. Enough Dex to get maximum AC benefit, but little or no more (keeping in mind using +1 or +2 tome and +6 Stat Item), the rest into CON and STR.

If the starting build is not there, it becomes almost impossible to fix. Obviously this is also easier with 32 point builds than with 28 point builds.

One simple thing to look at is performing the Alchemetical Rituals to give your Armor and shield each another AC point. (Those will bind the item to the character so do not do it carelessly). On my Halfling AC fighter, I did that to his +5 MFP and to his +5 Mithril TOWER shield.

Using a Tower Shield over a Large shield gives you another 2 AC, at the loss of some to hit prob, but that is often not an issue. A +5 Tower Shield is 9 AC.

Also you need to keep in mind that many of those ultra high AC numbers you see from time to time depend on many spells and effects, some of fairly short duration. A good way to see where you stand is what is called Beholder AC. I.e. your AC when all spells are stripped away. My level 12 halfling mentioned above hits AC50 or 51 in that situation using CE. Haste, bark, etc can push that a bit higher, as would his Fighter AC boost, so he could top 60 for short spurts.

[Taldaas]

Thank you for all of the information.

Based on everything I think my best bet is likely to find a +2 int tome and drop 1 point of human stat into int to give myself 13 base int. Then i can take combat expertise. The idea of dropping 5 points into dex for only dodge and a +1 bonus definitely seems like overkill to me.

I will spend tonight trying several of the suggestions here. Thanks again!

[Quikster]

Thank you for all of the information.

Based on everything I think my best bet is likely to find a +2 int tome and drop 1 point of human stat into int to give myself 13 base int. Then i can take combat expertise. The idea of dropping 5 points into dex for only dodge and a +1 bonus definitely seems like overkill to me.

I will spend tonight trying several of the suggestions here. Thanks again!

human enhancement wont count. Only level ups, and tomes.

[Taldaas]

Ugh... there's no way to change level up bonuses after you have leveled is there? If not, I will have to wait until 12.

[calvinklien]

--

[Xyfiel]

20+(level*3) self buffed
rough estimate for only getting hit on 20's except certain elite raids/epic

[RoboVanguard]

My advice if you have a hopeless AC build is to switch to a high-DR build with intimidate. If you have a high intimidate, and you have a high DR, just shield block and that'll stop most attacks even if they do hit you. Then you can wear lots of guard items (corrosive salt guard, radiance guard, etc.) and kill stuff while they do 0 damage to you. The problem is that you will need a lot of high end gear to be effective, but it's pretty easy to fix a bad build into an ok build. Provided you plan on going pure fighter, take the stalwart defender prestige enhancements, which gives 6 DR, and take the two shield mastery feats (shield mastery and improved shield mastery) for another 6 blocking DR. With a levik's defender you'll have 40 blocking DR so just run into a corner and hold shift to block and spam intimidate. The rest you can focus into a dps build. If you give us your current build we can probably help you more.

[MrWizard]

I did a few searches and couldn't find anything, so if this already exists can someone point me in the right direction?

Is there a chart or table or something that shows how much AC a tank should have at various levels? I have been building myself as a tank character and thought I was doing well with 36 AC and 170HP at level 9.

Then I was reading a thread a little bit ago and saw someone mention to not even try to tank at level 11 unless you have 300+HP and 50+AC.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

well, a lot depends on what the character is (class and race).

Getting the toughness feat, once, will gain you access to the enhancements of toughness and racial toughness. As you level more of these become available and your hit points will go up accordingly.
False life items start at 5 and go up to 30, the higher the level, the higher the amount.


For AC there are some things that help you...

Armor itself starts at +1 and goes to +5. As you level up you find better armor.
Mithral armor, if you wear heavy armor, will allow more dex bonus to be computed.
if you are a fighter, adding stalwart defender at 6th level will get you some ac benefits
Combat expertise adds 5 when you need it

Potions of barkskin and shield of faith will each give you 3 AC benefit, but you will find 'protection' items going from +1 to +5 as you level and soon you will not need the shield potion.

Dex stat items help as long as your armor and enhancements will allow higher numbers. Fighters and many races get 'armor mastery' enhancements which allow more of a dex bonus with armor being worn.

Dodge feat is good for +1

A tower shield, preferable mithral is good for damage reduction when blocking and better AC than a regular shield. +1 to +5 translates into +5 to +9 actual AC.


Adding alchemical bonuses to your shield and armor will grant you +1 for each, for 2 more.

10 base
1 dodge feat
3 barskin pot
3 shield pot
1 shield alchemical ritual
1 armor alchemical ritual
5 combat expertise
------------------
24 extra ac at any level.

7 for mid range tower shield
10 for midrange armor
4 for mid range dex bonus
1 for mid range stalwart defender enhancement
1 for mid range stalwart stance
------------------------
47 (+3 for blocking) for 47 at a mid range between 6 and 12.

buffs

1 haste
3 pally aura
2 bard song
2 armor class boost fighter
----------------------------
55 easy ac for pure fighter in block mode from 6 to 12 level.



here is an example at 13th level....with very little in the way of uber loot. You can map this backwards for level 11. Meaning you can take a few pluses off the armor and prot items here and there.

369 hit points in stance

AC = 38 to 77+
10 base
5 dex bonus
13 armor (+5 mithral plate)
9 Tower shield (+5 mithral)
5 Protection item
2 chaos bracers
1 dodge
2 stalwart defender
------------------
47 standing, unbuffed with shield
38 standing, unbuffed, two weapon fighting

3 stalwart defender stance
5 combat expertise
3 barkskin potion
--------------------
58 with shield self buffed
49 two weapon fighting self buffed

1 haste
2 ranger barkskin
5 pally aura
4 blocking
4 bard song
3 armor class boost (short duration)
-------------------------
77 shield blocking
64 two weapon blocking

[Humperdink]

Is there a chart or table or something that shows how much AC a tank should have at various levels?

Here's some *general* guidelines on effective AC:

-Level 7 to 10 content 30-35
-Gianthold/Desert 45-50
-Vale/Reaver Refuge 50-60
-Shavarath 65+
-Raid tanking 70-80+

[Myxalplyx]

Here's some *general* guidelines on effective AC:

-Level 7 to 10 content 30-35
-Gianthold/Desert 45-50
-Vale/Reaver Refuge 50-60
-Shavarath 65+
-Raid tanking 70-80+

Thanks to the original poster to this thread and thank you for answering his question spot on. I was going to post this very same question but decided to search this morning and found this. My ac range was only up to lvl 12 though. Didn't know what was considered ok beyond that. This is a good guideline.

I have a ton of builds but am working on two specific ones that have grabbed my attention lately. Lvl 11 Warforged Rogue and Lvl 8 Warforged Bard. Both will be getting CE (Combat Expertise) with their next Feat selection. I use defensive fighting now fairly often to carry group stones to shrines with both toons. The rogue is at about 39ac and the bard at 41 ac (with barkskin pots). This is SOOOOO important when you have a ton of mobs behind you and you get 'harried' with the red or other skull on your upper right hand screen. My ac saved my arse many many times. Good stuff!

Also posting in this thread so I can find it easily later. Will follow your general guideline to a 'T'. Thank you!

MrWizard.....your straightforward advice is a lot of help too. Simple and straight to the point.