A third (or later) life.

[Therigar]

Another thread gave out a challenge to come up with a high AC build for a 36 point TR. It set some parameters that don't fit my notion of a build but did generate this reply from me.

What I suggest is that you go for a half-elf rogue 1/monk 15/paladin 3 with the rogue dilettante.

Now, I liked the AC results so much that I've thrown out my previous plans for Therigar and am instead planning a variation on the suggestion.

What I'm looking at is a half-elf monk 15/paladin 3/fighter 2 with the rogue dilettante. This lets me acquire 2 additional feats and it improves BAB. Because I'm not concerned about rogue trap skills or no-fail UMD it reduces the pressure on skill points. Because I'm not looking at using scimitars as my primary weapon it lets me choose handwraps instead and that allows me to select Weapon Finesse to solve the to hit issue. The 3d6 rogue dilettante SA gives 10+ damage per hit (when SA applies) which is equivalent to a 20 point increase in STR.

While it still doesn't represent a top-of-the-line DPS machine it does offer some interesting possibilities that I rather like.

A quick review of the AC breakdown:

10 base AC
08 26 modified DEX
09 28 modified WIS
04 monk centered bonus (L15)
02 paladin aura (L3 w enhancement)
08 armored bracer
01 dodge feat
05 combat expertise (requires minimum 13 INT)
04 insight bonus
05 deflection (does not stack with cleric shield of faith, maybe on Ring of the Buccaneer)
04 Icy Raiment (dodge bonus)
02 Mabar cloak (dodge bonus)
01 armor ritual (dodge bonus, stacks with dodge feat)
03 chattering ring (dodge bonus)
05 natural armor (birthday celebration hat, does not stack with barkskin)
01 two weapon defense
--
72 beholder proof AC

01 +2 ship DEX buff
01 +2 ship WIS buff
01 increase DEX thru +2 exceptional DEX item
01 increase WIS thru +2 exceptional WIS item
03 full paladin aura
04 bard song
04 shield spell (UMD)
01 haste
02 natural armor (stacking AC buffs from ship)
02 recitation spell (UMD)
--
20 situational AC some of which is beholder proof

This lets me hit 92 AC with the right group mix and gear. What is more, I could actually have a higher AC since I don't need to put as much into STR. This could add 2 more points if exceptional bonuses for DEX and WIS were +3 rather than +2 or if DEX and WIS items were +7 instead of +6.

Trickiest part is crafting to get insight bonus along with exceptional bonuses. Probably means 92 is the top number as this and slotting becomes an issue. You'll note that wind stance will also increase DEX and affects both AC and attack speed.

I'm thinking this is something I'll really enjoy.

[Therigar]

A quick addendum as I'm exploring this idea more fully. Recitation has a UMD of ~32 and shield is ~38 for L10 wands. That means casual investment in UMD probably is looking for trouble trying to get these to pop.

I'm going to have to relook the 2 fighter decision. Feats are not an issue as it is Dodge, TWF, ITWF, GTWF, TW defense, Toughness, Stunning Fist and have fun with the rest. A 23 base investment with +6 CHA skills item and +3 UMD item gets to 32. Adding a CHA stat item gets another 3 points. That's 35.

I heard a rumor that the UMD item from Crystal Cove stacked with the necklace from Delera's because they were different types of UMD bonuses (even tho they are both +3). Anyone know if that is true?

Regardless, a planar gird or heroism potion gets another +2 as would a skills boost from a L1 rogue or human versatility enhancement.

Could be that 15 monk/4 paladin/1 rogue is better and the added feats could be used to qualify a mediocre AA with Zen Archery to keep Ki from degenerating.

Another idea that struck me was to ditch the rogue dilettante in favor of wizard. I'd lose the SA but gain the ability to use recitation and shield items w/o needing UMD at all. This is a better option if soloing frequently or if called upon to tank and lets me keep the 15/3/2 split or go for a 15/4/1 with fighter as the final class instead of rogue (which still lets me take a mediocre AA PrE for added versitality).

I'm really liking this notion.

[Cardtrick]

I heard a rumor that the UMD item from Crystal Cove stacked with the necklace from Delera's because they were different types of UMD bonuses (even tho they are both +3). Anyone know if that is true?

It is true for the tier 3 version of the epic (ML 20) spyglass. Part of the upgrade from tier 2 to tier 3 is changing the UMD from a competence to an enhancement bonus, which will stack with the +3 competence from the Cartouche.

Regardless, a planar gird or heroism potion gets another +2 as would a skills boost from a L1 rogue or human versatility enhancement.

Gird will give you + 4, actually. It gives Greater Heroism, not just heroism.

[Nospheratus]

The full paladin aura from a DoS gives +6 to AC, not +5.

[Therigar]

Well, thanks for the insight to potential paladin AC boost as well as the information on stacking UMD.

After playing with the character planner it became clear that a mediocre AA PrE wasn't a very good idea. I also have adjusted my thinking a bit (see original post) about TW defense as I'm pretty sure it does not work with handwraps.

Here is the build as I'm thinking about it at this present moment:

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.7.3 (Pre-Release)
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Therigar Life Three
Level 20 Lawful Good Half-Elf Male
(2 Fighter \ 3 Paladin \ 15 Monk) 
Hit Points: 337
Spell Points: 0 
BAB: 16\16\21\26
Fortitude: 22
Reflex: 20
Will: 19

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(36 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength              9                    12
Dexterity            16                    24
Constitution         16                    18
Intelligence         12                    14
Wisdom               16                    22
Charisma              9                    12

Tomes Used
+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

Level 1 (Paladin)
Skill: Concentration (+4)
Skill: Heal (+4)
Skill: Intimidate (+4)
Feat: (Half-Elf Dilettante) Half-Elf Dilettante: Rogue
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Fighter
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Monk
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Feat: (Automatic) Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Aura of Good
Feat: (Automatic) Defensive Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Half-Elven Keen Senses
Feat: (Automatic) Half-Elven Mixed Heritage
Feat: (Automatic) Half-Elven Social Graces (ALL)
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
Feat: (Automatic) Smite Evil
Feat: (Automatic) Sneak
Feat: (Automatic) Sunder
Feat: (Automatic) Trip
Enhancement: Improved Intimidate I
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness I


Level 2 (Paladin)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Feat: (Automatic) Divine Grace
Feat: (Automatic) Lay on Hands
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma I


Level 3 (Paladin)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Finesse
Feat: (Automatic) Aura of Courage
Feat: (Automatic) Divine Health
Feat: (Automatic) Fear Immunity
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Paladin Bulwark of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I


Level 4 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning Weapons
Feat: (Automatic) Tower Shield Proficiency
Enhancement: Paladin Focus of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Resistance of Good I
Enhancement: Improved Concentration I
Enhancement: Improved Jump I


Level 5 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Disciple of Breezes
Feat: (Automatic) Disciple of Candles
Feat: (Automatic) Disciple of Pebbles
Feat: (Automatic) Disciple of Puddles
Feat: (Automatic) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Kama
Feat: (Automatic) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Shuriken
Feat: (Automatic) Finishing Moves
Feat: (Automatic) Flurry of Blows
Feat: (Automatic) Unarmed Strike
Enhancement: Improved Tumble I


Level 6 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Dodge
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Stunning Fist
Feat: (Automatic) Evasion
Feat: (Automatic) Meditation
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery II
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II


Level 7 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Inevitable Dominion: Fists of Darkness
Feat: (Automatic) Fast Movement
Feat: (Automatic) Finishing Moves: Path of Harmonious Balance (ALL)
Feat: (Automatic) Finishing Moves: Path of Inevitable Dominion (ALL)
Feat: (Automatic) Still Mind
Enhancement: Monk Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom I


Level 8 (Monk)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Feat: (Automatic) Ki Strike: Magic
Feat: (Automatic) Slow Fall
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity II
Enhancement: Improved Jump II


Level 9 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) AC Bonus
Feat: (Automatic) Ki Strike: Damage
Feat: (Automatic) Purity of Body
Enhancement: Static Charge
Enhancement: Porous Soul


Level 10 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Deflect Arrows
Enhancement: Winter's Touch
Enhancement: Improved Tumble II


Level 11 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Feat: (Automatic) Wholeness of Body
Enhancement: All-Consuming Flame
Enhancement: Adept of Wind


Level 12 (Monk)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Jump (+3)
Feat: (Selected) Diehard
Enhancement: Monk Ninja Spy I
Enhancement: Improved Concentration II


Level 13 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+2)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Feat: (Automatic) Improved Evasion
Enhancement: Touch of Death


Level 14 (Monk)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Jump (+3)
Feat: (Automatic) Curse of the Void
Feat: (Automatic) Ki Strike: Lawful
Feat: (Automatic) Moment of Clarity
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise II


Level 15 (Fighter)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom II


Level 16 (Monk)
Ability Raise: DEX
Skill: Balance (+3)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Feat: (Automatic) Diamond Body


Level 17 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Skill: Jump (+2)
Feat: (Automatic) Abundant Step
Enhancement: Monk Ninja Spy II
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom III


Level 18 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+3)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Intimidate (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Combat Expertise
Feat: (Automatic) Diamond Soul
Enhancement: Monk Improved Recovery II


Level 19 (Monk)
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise III


Level 20 (Monk)
Ability Raise: WIS
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Intimidate (+2)
Feat: (Automatic) Quivering Palm
Enhancement: Master of Thunder
Enhancement: Improved Concentration III
Enhancement: Improved Concentration IV

Add +6 stat items to DEX, WIS and CON.

I'll probably stick with the class progression as the early levels do not have weapon finesse to help with combat so using armor and maybe relying a lot on shooting could be the order of the day.

Fortunately the first few levels go by quickly and I'll be able to solo most stuff if I have problems getting into groups with such a low STR.

[Ttip]

I will run with you any time you wish...I have alts to match with you all the way up, since you will out level my lowbies quickly and my level 13 on Orien should be able to keep up with you once you reach that level...lol..if not this life at least for the 4th or fifth...