Exploiter vs. Monk AC

[DmitriRadulov]

Hello, I recently bought Monk and am enjoying it a lot, but I just made an Exploiter just to try it out and it is pretty entertaining so far. I realize that both a Monk and Exploiter can achieve high AC, but I am not sure which build is the best to shoot for the highest AC.

So what yields the highest AC? Exploiter? Pure Monk? Monk/Splash something?

[unbongwah]

Everything else being equal, I believe in the long run a pure monk can have higher AC: they get +1 AC at lvls 2,5,10,15,20 (so +5 total); and can use Grandmaster Wind or Ocean stance for +4 DEX or WIS (+2 AC). Tempest III does provide +4 shield bonus to AC when TWFing, but a monk can use a Shield clickie to replicate the bonus. EDIT: rgrs can also self-buff with Barkskin (+5 AC), but a monk can take a +3 Barkskin pot (if there's no rgr around to do it, of course).

[Luckness]

If you're going all-out for AC while not using a shield, it's worth knowing that the Two Weapon Defense feat doesn't work with handwraps, giving +1 AC potential to those using two weapons (like kamas or khopeshes).

[Kinerd]

Rangers can also recoup 3 AC from Favored Enemy defense, making it pretty much a dead heat.

Also, rangers can get 4 Insight AC on a green steel weapon without compromising their DPS very much. A monk using kamas is severely compromising their DPS. This frees up a DT slot for +3 Dodge, which may or may not matter.

A paladin/monk is another build with a very high AC ceiling, probably the highest with 6 from Aura and 4 from Stance. Paladins also have threat enhancements that make it plausible for them to tank with the DPS reduction inherent to building for AC.

[scottmike0]

Rangers can also recoup 3 AC from Favored Enemy defense, making it pretty much a dead heat.

Also, rangers can get 4 Insight AC on a green steel weapon without compromising their DPS very much. A monk using kamas is severely compromising their DPS. This frees up a DT slot for +3 Dodge, which may or may not matter.

A paladin/monk is another build with a very high AC ceiling, probably the highest with 6 from Aura and 4 from Stance. Paladins also have threat enhancements that make it plausible for them to tank with the DPS reduction inherent to building for AC.

PURe monk i bet. since my monk beats the the dust compared to other rangers the only thing different is speed i hit at compared to a ranger. and also pure monk gives 10/epic which is way awesome and my monk can void strike to so i still say my monk out class's an exploiter build. muahahaha the only reason though is my monk is a tr 1 i dont see a difference though

[DmitriRadulov]

Thanks for the replies everyone, +1 to you all.

[DragonTroy]

Rangers can also recoup 3 AC from Favored Enemy defense, making it pretty much a dead heat.

http://compendium.ddo.com/wiki/Enhan...intao_Monk_III

a monk can gain a +6 ac bonus vs the majority of enemies endgame (outside of epics)

you're right about the insight ac bonus though, that really hurts the monk

[cforce]

http://compendium.ddo.com/wiki/Enhan...intao_Monk_III

a monk can gain a +6 ac bonus vs the majority of enemies endgame (outside of epics)

you're right about the insight ac bonus though, that really hurts the monk

Wait a sec -- that stacks? I thought that, as a deflection bonus, it wouldn't stack with a +5 protection item...

Also, for what it's worth: in addition to pushing +3 Dodge to the hard-to-find ring slot, a Monk going for max DPS will often use the ToD ring slots for unarmed damage, meaning that the +2 exceptional bonuses for WIS/DEX become very difficult to slot.

A monk often needs to make some tough choices between AC and DPS because of slotting, whereas an Exploiter doesn't necessarily need to.

[grodon9999]

A monk often needs to make some tough choices between AC and DPS because of slotting, whereas an Exploiter doesn't necessarily need to.

You have any idea how much DPS you lose slotting for AC on an Exploiter?

I think it's a wash, but TWFing with weapons can get it easier as a monkey might need and epic item or three to get the same. I'm assuming same race and stat districbution.

[scottmike0]

Wait a sec -- that stacks? I thought that, as a deflection bonus, it wouldn't stack with a +5 protection item...

Also, for what it's worth: in addition to pushing +3 Dodge to the hard-to-find ring slot, a Monk going for max DPS will often use the ToD ring slots for unarmed damage, meaning that the +2 exceptional bonuses for WIS/DEX become very difficult to slot.

A monk often needs to make some tough choices between AC and DPS because of slotting, whereas an Exploiter doesn't necessarily need to.

+3 dodge is an excellent choice but while u dont have it get a ring from tod and have it as +2 exc con or +2 exc str. and for the other ring try to find exceptional +1dex and make the +2 as wis

[EpiKagEMO]

i have a ranger monk that specs on wis. makes about 50 AC with all buffs and stuff. Results? Nothing at all :3
i still get hit pretty much everytime on epics. you loose alot of dps too its really not worth it.

[scottmike0]

i have a ranger monk that specs on wis. makes about 50 AC with all buffs and stuff. Results? Nothing at all :3
i still get hit pretty much everytime on epics. you loose alot of dps too its really not worth it.

well, you dont loose any dps if just a ranger monk build that knows how to build well which, i shall choose arcane ranger any day since power attack doesnt affect you at all or even combat expertise. and btw why would your ranger monk spec on wis and not dex or str i mean really why do you want to have either A. low str or B. low dex

anyways combat expertise doesnt affect arcane rangers nor does power attack unless you use swords and stuff but still. I see more damage using a bow any day compared to a regular melee wep.

[Myxalplyx]

anyways combat expertise doesnt affect arcane rangers nor does power attack unless you use swords and stuff but still. I see more damage using a bow any day compared to a regular melee wep.

When? During many-shot of course but afterwards too?

[-Zyxas-]

When? During many-shot of course but afterwards too?

He probably means individual damage numbers, like OH I JUST HIT A 500 IN YOUR FACE. Probably hasn't seen good barbarians (not that I have one, but have seen them hit 100+ before crits etc on the main part of the hit).