AC/Gear: Corrections, help, suggestions?

[Arsont]

Howdy all. I've been working on an end build I want to eventually TR into, and think I have it more or less figured out. However, I'm a bit stuck on the gear. As such, I'd like a bit of advice. I have an idea of what would work, but I'm sure there may be things I'm forgetting/missing.

Here's the build:
Bushi

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Level 20 Lawful Good Half-Elf Male
(6 Fighter \ 2 Monk \ 12 Ranger) 
Hit Points: 349
Spell Points: 385 
BAB: 19\19\24\29\29
Fortitude: 20
Reflex: 20
Will: 14

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(36 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    27
Dexterity            16                    25
Constitution         14                    18
Intelligence         10                    15
Wisdom               15                    20
Charisma              8                    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
+3 Tome of Intelligence used at level 11

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               5                    25
Bluff                -1                     4
Concentration         6                    26
Diplomacy            -1                     4
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle               -1                     3
Heal                  2                     9
Hide                  3                     9
Intimidate            1                    27
Jump                  7                    15
Listen                2                     7
Move Silently         3                     9
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform              n/a                    n/a
Repair                0                     4
Search                0                     4
Spot                  4                    14
Swim                  3                    10
Tumble                4                    10
Use Magic Device      1                    14

Level 1 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Feat: (Half-Elf Dilettante) Half-Elf Dilettante: Monk
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Barbarian
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Bard
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Cleric
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Favored Soul
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Fighter
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Monk
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Paladin
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Ranger
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Rogue
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Sorcerer
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Wizard
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot


Level 2 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons


Level 3 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Toughness
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons


Level 4 (Ranger)


Level 5 (Ranger)


Level 6 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Past Life: Arcane Prodigy


Level 7 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider


Level 8 (Ranger)


Level 9 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Completionist
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 10 (Fighter)


Level 11 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Weapon Specialization: Slashing Weapons


Level 12 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Past Life: Soldier of the Faith


Level 13 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Khopesh


Level 14 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Power Attack


Level 15 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Combat Expertise


Level 16 (Ranger)


Level 17 (Ranger)


Level 18 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Construct
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons


Level 19 (Ranger)


Level 20 (Ranger)
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Attack Boost II
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Acid Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Explosive Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Burst Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Slaying Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Terror Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity II
Enhancement: Kensei Khopesh Mastery I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Enhancement: Fighter Kensei I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery II
Enhancement: Human Versatility I
Enhancement: Human Versatility II
Enhancement: Human Versatility III
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +2 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +3 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +4 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +5 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer I
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion I
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion II
Enhancement: Ranger Devotion III
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity II
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity III
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Fighter Strength II
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness II

AC Gear:
I have two variations. My favorite version is the first. It has slightly less AC, but is easier on slots.

Version 1:
Head: Epic Helm of Frost (Slot +1 exc cha)
Eyes: +6 cha skills goggles/Lenses of Opportunity
Neck: Shintao Cord
Cloak: Epic Envenomed Cloak (Slot GFL)
Armor: Epic Red Dragonscale (Slot Toughness, +6 dex)
Belt: Min II (+45 hp)
Wrist: Bracelet of Tharaak/Chaosgarde
Gloves: Epic Charged Gauntlets (Slot +1 exc dex)
Ring 1: Kyosho's Ring (+2 exc dex)
Ring 2: Chattering Ring
Boots: Madstone/ToD boots
Trinket: Bloodstone/T3 Bold Trinket
Mainhand: Min II (+4 Insight AC)
Offhand: Min II (+2 exc wis)

Version 2:
Head: Epic Helm of Frost (Slot +1 exc cha)
Eyes: Min II (+45 hp)
Neck: Shintao Cord
Cloak:Epic Envenomed Cloak (Slot +2 good luck)
Armor: Icy Rainment
Belt: Epic Belt of the Mroranon (Slot GFL)
Wrist: Epic Jidz Tet'ka (Slot +6 dex)
Gloves: Epic Charged Gauntlets (Slot +1 exc dex)
Ring 1: Kyosho's Ring (+2 exc dex)
Ring 2: Chattering Ring
Boots: Madstone/ToD boots
Trinket: Bloodstone/
Mainhand: Min II (+4 Insight)
Offhand: Min II (+2 exc wis)

As you can see, the setup is more or less the same; The first version has a bit more flexibility in the bracers (So I can swap in Windhowler for Manyshot), as it doesn't need the Epic Jidz for +8 Armor/+6 dex. Also, the Goggles are free, so I can wear swap in conc opps or +6 cha skills for intim (My +6 cha skills is a lit II; Could make a new conc opps with +6 cha, since my Min II has +45 hp). The second version will get a higher AC, but relies on the EJidz-Tet'ka for +8 armor/+6 dex and is forced to move +45 hp to goggles, so no Windhowler for ranged, no Tharnes, and has to wear Bloodstone for seeker. If I get an epic Mabar cloak made, I could put that in for the +2 dodge and wear epic Scorched Bracers instead of Jidz to get the +8 armor/+6 dex.

AC Breakdown:

Version 1
10 base
12 dex (16 base+5 enhance+2 tome+2 feat+1exc+2 exc+6item=34)
9 wis (15 base+1 enhance+2 tome+2 feat+6 item+2 exc+1 exc=29)
1 monk
8 armor (Redscale robe)
2 dodge (Bracers)
3 profane (Abishai set)
4 insight (Min II khopesh)
5 protect (Min II belt)
1 alchemical (Redscale)
3 dodge (Chattering Ring)
58 standing
5 CE
5 bark
4 shield wand
2 yugo
74 self buffed
5 Airship (+2 wis/dex shrine, dwarf, defender, kobold)
4 bard song
2 recitation
1 Haste
86 raid buffed
2 pally
4 HV III boost
92 situational

Version 2
10 base
12 dex (16 base+5 enhance+2 tome+2 feat+1exc+2 exc+6item=34)
9 wis (15 base+1 enhance+2 tome+2 feat+6 item+2 exc+1 exc=29)
1 monk
8 armor (Epic Jidz)
3 profane (Abishai set)
4 insight (Min II khopesh)
5 protect (Min II goggles)
1 alchemical (Icy)
4 dodge (Icy)
3 dodge (Chattering Ring)
60 standing
5 CE
5 bark
4 shield wand
2 yugo
76 self buffed
5 Airship
4 bard song
2 recitation
1 Haste
88 raid buffed
2 pally
4 HV III boost
94 situational

For both versions, add +3 if I took Stalwart instead of Kensai, for 95/97, respectively. Add another +2 to Version 2 if I ever made an epic Mabar cloak for 99.

I realize there's quite a bit here, and I'm sure I might have missed something or fudged some numbers somewhere. I'd greatly appreciate anyone who takes the time to look this over and give me suggestions/advice/correction.

[Faent]

This looks like a decent gear setup. (I'm utterly baffled by your odd feat selections, so I won't comment on the build itself.) But I have a few questions.

Why the Epic Helm of Frost? What is that bringing to the build besides the Abishai set bonus. Surely you don't need a CHA +8 item? What UMD are you hitting in this setup, and is an extra +2 to CHA really worth blowing that slot? (Nothing other than the set bonus that it gives you is really worthwhile.)

You're in Shinato. Why? You're STR seems to be coming from the Epic Charged Gauntlets. That's a mere +6 (and you have only +1 exceptional STR slotted). Wouldn't the Ravager Set be better here? You could get +9 STR on the Ravager Ring, and the Ravager set bonus rocks. You're not a finesse build, so you shouldn't ever have to-hit troubles. Ravager beats Shintao DPS-wise by a mile if you can land the hits, as you can.

I'd Epic-slot +6 CHA. I'd also swap you into the Ravager set instead of your current Shintao set. That would require further changes. Another fairly obvious change is to use the Epic Scorched Bracers instead of the Epic Jidz.

I'm a bit confused here. In AC mode, I assume you want to maximize your DPS and hate. But your AC gear setup isn't great for maximizing hate or DPS. Have you tried this out, and found yourself to generate enough DPS and hate so that you don't feel the need to boost it more?

Also, your AC differs by a mere +2 in these setups. I'm not seeing the point of crafting all the specific gear you need to in order to generate that difference.

Finally, counting on Bard Songs, Shield Wands, Recitation, Haste and Paladins isn't ideal for an AC tank. In theory, the theoretical AC is nice, but in practice, you'll be losing lots of that while raiding. I'd say that you can count on an 82/84 or 83/85 AC in your current setup, and even that will require both you and your teammates to perform highly. This AC will be great in most raid content. (Without a bard, you're much lower, so for ordinary questing and non-bard raiding it will be less than great, but pretty darn good.) The question is where your DPS is coming from.

I'd like to hear your thoughts on this.

[Rydin_Dirtay]

Have you considered 12 Ranger/7 Fighter/1 Monk? You would get Fighter Haste Boost III that way.

[Arsont]

This looks like a decent gear setup. (I'm utterly baffled by your odd feat selections, so I won't comment on the build itself.) But I have a few questions. I didn't state it in this thread, but the build is an AA, which should account for some of the "odd" feats. If it doesn't, I'll gladly take advice or suggestions on my build.

Why the Epic Helm of Frost? What is that bringing to the build besides the Abishai set bonus. Surely you don't need a CHA +8 item? What UMD are you hitting in this setup, and is an extra +2 to CHA really worth blowing that slot? (Nothing other than the set bonus that it gives you is really worthwhile.) True, I don't really need the +1 exc on the helm. However, the helm itself is integral to keeping my Abishai set; The one place I'm most concerned about AC is ToD, so I'm trying to keep my boot slot free for my AC set up. The UMD isn't really impressive; Only about 30 with GH; Enough that I could use epic Chaosblades (Which I wouldn't be using in ToD anyhow), but not much higher without some other gear swaps.

You're in Shinato. Why? You're STR seems to be coming from the Epic Charged Gauntlets. That's a mere +6 (and you have only +1 exceptional STR slotted). Wouldn't the Ravager Set be better here? You could get +9 STR on the Ravager Ring, and the Ravager set bonus rocks. You're not a finesse build, so you shouldn't ever have to-hit troubles. Ravager beats Shintao DPS-wise by a mile if you can land the hits, as you can. I hadn't thought about fitting in Ravager, thanks for that. I could fit it in easily by swapping to DT outfit with dodge in Sov rune, moving Min II to goggles, slotting Toughness in the cloak and +6 dex on the helm. That frees up the tier I and II runes on DT for Incite if I wanted; I'd lose 2 AC (From 8 armor to 6), but I could make that up with Favored Defense if I wanted. Then I could wear the Ravager set with +exc str for another bit of added dps.

I'd Epic-slot +6 CHA. I'd also swap you into the Ravager set instead of your current Shintao set. That would require further changes. Another fairly obvious change is to use the Epic Scorched Bracers instead of the Epic Jidz. As long as I have the epic helm I have no reason to slot +6 cha anywhere; Helm gives me more than anything else I could put here, including eMroranon. Only the second set uses epic Jidz or Scorched, and I believe the first set is superior as far as flexibility and ease of gearing goes (I have pretty much all the gear for the first version, minus a few scrolls; even better if I end up using the DT I mentioned above). Either way, swapping to either of those bracers would make me more reliant on that slot, and that's one of the slots I'm attempting to keep open (Boots is the other).

I'm a bit confused here. In AC mode, I assume you want to maximize your DPS and hate. But your AC gear setup isn't great for maximizing hate or DPS. Have you tried this out, and found yourself to generate enough DPS and hate so that you don't feel the need to boost it more? With what I mentioned above, combining with what I already have, I think my hate would be fine (Stalwart+DT Incite 10% and 20%. The changes to Intim would also benefit this sort of build, I feel). Dps would of course be lower due to using CE over PA for AC, but this is specifically my AC tank setup. For epics I disregard AC and attempt to maximize dps (Shintao+Ravager, eClaw, PA, etc).

Also, your AC differs by a mere +2 in these setups. I'm not seeing the point of crafting all the specific gear you need to in order to generate that difference. Aye, I'm much more fond of the first set up myself; It's roughly the same AC, with considerably less work (Based on what I already have). However, I'm attempting to find my theoretical max with this build, so the second set was there to quell my OCD.

Finally, counting on Bard Songs, Shield Wands, Recitation, Haste and Paladins isn't ideal for an AC tank. In theory, the theoretical AC is nice, but in practice, you'll be losing lots of that while raiding. I'd say that you can count on an 82/84 or 83/85 AC in your current setup, and even that will require both you and your teammates to perform highly. This AC will be great in most raid content. (Without a bard, you're much lower, so for ordinary questing and non-bard raiding it will be less than great, but pretty darn good.) The question is where your DPS is coming from. The AC I listed is based on what I know I will have (Minus the 2 pally aura) considering the people I would most likely be running with in this setup; If I'm a dedicated AC tank, I know I can count o certain people to keep me buffed for AC. Being able to UMD 10th and self cast +5 bark are pretty useful as well (Could UMD Recitation wands, but it's more of a hassle when trying to hold aggro). As you noted, I will, on average, only be running mid 80's; However, this is perfectly fine. Only place I would really need the 90+ AC is if I were to attempt to AC tank elite Horoth (IIRC you need a 94 for hit only on 20 against elite Horoth). I also believe I'd have sufficent dps/hate while in this setup, as I noted above.

I'd like to hear your thoughts on this.

Comments in red.

I noticed I didn't mention it before in this thread, so I'll say it here. This build is intended to be my end goal build, combining my three favorite aspects of playing: attack versatility (Provided with Arcane Archer), high AC and strong self sufficiency (Reasonable blue-bar healing, self cast resists). For the most part, this build will be running around with Kensai I instead of Stalwart, but I like having the option of a high AC tank in case it's ever needed (My guild usually has a high hp build tank Horoth and an AC tank on Sully, but I'd like to be able to fill whatever role is needed).

As you may have noted, my end goal is to be able to safely tank Horoth, and eventually the eChrono Devastator.

I realize I may have gone rambling a few places, but I feel it was necessary to help clarify some of your questions. Again, if there is something I missed, or you have more questions on, I'm more than happy to do what I can to clarify.

Have you considered 12 Ranger/7 Fighter/1 Monk? You would get Fighter Haste Boost III that way.

I have, but I'm not sure what feat I'd cut out if I dropped the second monk level. As it is, I wish I could fit in Completionist, Weapon Specialization:Ranged and Quickdraw at the least. However, I cannot while still fitting in my AA feats, so I had to compromise somewhere. If I knew I would be running with another ranger would could give me +5 bark, I'd also consider dropping 12th level ranger for another level of fighter (Haste III) or another level of monk (Fist of Light+Jidz for handwrap usage).