Ac Aa?

[Monolyth]

Hey.

I am rather new to Armor Class. My current life on my main is 20 Monk on a Halfling, self buffed he has a 70 AC, but that's with 38 Dex/Wis. As I'm waiting for 20 shrouds before I TR again I've capped a sorc and a fvs, and figured I'd go with something different, a ranger.

How do you ensure a decent AC on an Arcane Archer? I realise the idea is to stay out of combat and not get damaged, but realistically, that's not going to happen.

My Monk gets an additional 13 AC from his Wisdom stat, how would you make up for that on a pure ranger? All I can think of is taking Combat Expertise for the additional 5, and obviously the Barkskin spell gives +2 more than a pot.

What else is there to AC? I don't understand the Dex bonus on armor? Which armor would be best? How would you lay out your stats as a 32 point build?

Cheers,
Mono.

[Arkadios]

Build a 1 rogue, 1 monk, 18 ranger AA. i'll create one in the planner give me a few.

[bree22]

You can go 18/1/1 like Arkadios said of you can go 11 ranger/9 monk http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=296731. You would have to play with the stats a little to work on your AC but you don't want to be to gimped in the melee department if you go dex/wis. Whats nice about the 11/9 build it is all built on burst damage (well it will be if you go dex/wis). I think it works out to 20 sec many shots with slayers (and hopeful a lit II bow lighting strike) and then 3 TOD every 2 mins.

[Arkadios]

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.9.1
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 Lawful Neutral Human Male
(1 Monk \ 1 Rogue \ 18 Ranger) 
Hit Points: 260
Spell Points: 429 
BAB: 18\18\23\28\28
Fortitude: 15
Reflex: 20
Will: 10

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats         Base Stats         Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)          (Level 20)           (Level 20)
Strength             14                 19                   20
Dexterity            16                 16                   20
Constitution         14                 14                   14
Intelligence         12                 13                   13
Wisdom               14                 14                   14
Charisma              8                  8                    8

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 3
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 7
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills        Base Skills        Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)          (Level 20)          (Level 20)
Balance               7                 26                   26
Bluff                -1                 -1                   -1
Concentration         4                  4                    4
Diplomacy            -1                 -1                   -1
Disable Device        5                 24                   24
Haggle               -1                 -1                   -1
Heal                  2                  2                    2
Hide                  3                  5                    5
Intimidate           -1                 -1                   -1
Jump                  6                 10                   10
Listen                2                  2                    2
Move Silently         7                  9                    9
Open Lock             7                  9                    9
Perform              n/a               n/a                   n/a
Repair                1                  1                    1
Search                5                 24                   24
Spot                  6                 25                   25
Swim                  2                  5                    5
Tumble                7                  9                    9
Use Magic Device      3                 22                   22

Level 1 (Rogue)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Disable Device (+4)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Move Silently (+4)
Skill: Open Lock (+4)
Skill: Search (+4)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Human Bonus) Point Blank Shot
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 2 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead


Level 3 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons


Level 4 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 5 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 6 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Dwarf
Feat: (Selected) Mental Toughness


Level 7 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 8 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 9 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 10 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 11 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Construct


Level 12 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons


Level 13 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 14 (Monk)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Combat Expertise


Level 15 (Ranger)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+2)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons


Level 16 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 17 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider


Level 18 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell


Level 19 (Ranger)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 20 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spot (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Rogue Damage Boost I
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost II
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Acid Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Explosive Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Burst Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Slaying Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Terror Arrows
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Strength I
Enhancement: Human Greater Adaptability Dexterity I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery II
Enhancement: Human Versatility I
Enhancement: Human Versatility II
Enhancement: Human Versatility III
Enhancement: Human Versatility IV
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Attack I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Attack II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage III
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage IV
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Conjure +2 Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Conjure +3 Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Conjure +4 Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Conjure +5 Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion I
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion II
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion III
Enhancement: Ranger Energy of the Wild I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity II
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity III

Playstyle: with the free TWF feats, Power attack and improved crit pierce, the idea is to use Rapiers when not using manyshot or if you need to melee for whatever reason (Every ranger needs to be strong at both)
When using manyshot your burst DPS will be great, if you wish to use ranged more than melee/vice versa that's fine the toons built to do both (As all good rangers should be able to do)

AC:
10 base
9 dex
6 wis
8 armour (Bracers)
5 CE
4 icy dodge
3 chattering dodge
1 alchemical dodge (on icy raimnents)
5 bark
4 insight (Shroud crafted)
5 protection
4 shield (10 minute UMD'd wand)
1 haste (spell/clicky/pot)
5 guild buffs
2 dex/wis yugo pots
= 76 self buffed AC

Enjoy

[Monolyth]

Why take Monk level so late? Would it be a problem if I took it at 5-6?

Other than that, looks great. Thanks.

[Arkadios]

Why take Monk level so late? Would it be a problem if I took it at 5-6?

Other than that, looks great. Thanks.

That's just when i think having wis bonus, is better than mith breastplate, however any time after level 3 is actually fine.

[Darkrok]

The nice thing too on the 11 ranger/9 monk is that you'll add in shadow fade to the mix as well. That gives you AC as well as superior pre-ac mitigation (especially with a smoke greensteel item/enough UMD to use displacement scrolls).

[grodon9999]

Build a 1 rogue, 1 monk, 18 ranger AA. i'll create one in the planner give me a few.

I LR'd my elf into this in her last life before TRing into a tempest. It works very well. Just do what you can for the AA ToD set to make up for the loss of the capstone.

[unbongwah]

I don't understand the Dex bonus on armor?

Max DEX bonus (MDB) caps how much DEX bonus is applied to your AC. E.g., if you have DEX 18 (+4 bonus) and wore mithril full plate (3 MDB), you would only get +3 to AC from DEX. There are class & racial abilities to boost MDB; and epic armor can be slotted with Greater Nimbleness for +2 MDB. Robes & outfits have no MDB cap.

The problem with staying pure is you can't get the monk WIS AC bonus unless you go HE w/monk dilly. But let's start with a build concept: an elf AA wearing Duelist Leathers.

10 base
11 DEX 32 (base 18 + 2 elf enh + 3 rgr enh + 2 tome + 7 item)
8 epic T3 Duelist Leather (MDB 12)
4 Dodge (Duelist Leather)
3 Dodge (Chattering Ring)
2 Dodge (Thaarak Bracer)
1 Dodge (Nimble trinket)
5 Protection (does anything besides L&D have Superior Stability?)
5 Barkskin (Natural)
5 guild ship buffs
1 Haste potion
4 Shield clickie
59 base self-buffed TWF / archery AC
4 epic T3 Swashbuckler
4 Insight (Swashbuckler)
1 Exceptional DEX (Swashbuckler)
1 alchemical (weapon)
1 alchemical (shield)
5 Combat Expertise
75 self-buffed S&B AC
2 Recitation
5 paladin aura
4 Inspire Heroics
86 party-buffed S&B AC

We're not talking tank-worthy AC, but in late-gamecontent where AC is still relevant, it's maybe kinda-sorta useful-ish.

So now let's see if there's a build to go with it:

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.9.1
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 True Neutral Elf Female
(20 Ranger) 
Hit Points: 282
Spell Points: 385 
BAB: 20\20\25\30\30
Fortitude: 15
Reflex: 19
Will: 6

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             15                    22
Dexterity            18                    25
Constitution         14                    16
Intelligence         12                    14
Wisdom                8                    10
Charisma              8                    10

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 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot


Level 2 (Ranger)


Level 3 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons


Level 4 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 5 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Giant


Level 6 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Mental Toughness


Level 7 (Ranger)


Level 8 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 9 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons


Level 10 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider


Level 11 (Ranger)


Level 12 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 13 (Ranger)


Level 14 (Ranger)


Level 15 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Elemental
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 16 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 17 (Ranger)


Level 18 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Combat Expertise


Level 19 (Ranger)


Level 20 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Construct
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Acid Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Explosive Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Burst Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Slaying Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Terror Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Master of Archery
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity II
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Attack I
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Attack II
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Damage I
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Damage II
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Attack I
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Attack II
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Damage I
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Damage II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Attack I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Attack II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage III
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage IV
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Defense I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Defense II
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Conjure +2 Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Conjure +3 Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Conjure +4 Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Conjure +5 Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity II
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity III

Doesn't give up too much DPS, but no IC Slash (gave up for CE) and starting STR 15 does gimp it a little.

All that said, I'm not sold on this being a good idea; this is mostly theory-crafting on my part.