AC and Wisdom

[aberent]

Hi I have 2 questions related to my level 18 Fighter (28 point build) first character, (so I am not super rich with all kinds of epic gear).

I am a Kensii Fighter with pathetic AC (35 no shield greatsword). When I am in a raid like the shroud I get hit allot. I was told that unless I am built for AC I should focus on damage reduction rather than AC. But all I can find are items that will damage reduce 5, 3 and 1, how do you defend against a 60HP hit? I want to be less squishy but I don't know how. (btw I already have %100 Fortification)

So I guess my question is should I even try to get my AC to something less pathetic, or just give up and focus on something else.

Also I have a +6 Wisdom helm so that I have better will. At some point I discovered that better will prevents me from dancing whenever I meet a caster. Is this something I should have or should I invest in getting different headgear, maybe something with +5 AC (like a cove hat)?

When suggesting gear keep in mind that the only high level adventure packs I have are:

• Giant
• Shroud
• Sands
• Reign of Madness
• Harbinger of Madness

Also my crafting sucks (20s, working on it) so keep that in mind when making suggestions.

I am grinding though unlocking the 32 point build but I might just give up and buy it if it goes on sale, is it worth it? Will it make a difference if I focus on DEX or CON?

Here is a link to my toons myddo :

http://my.ddo.com/character/thelanis/ogien/

Thanks for your help.

[Angelus_dead]

So I guess my question is should I even try to get my AC to something less pathetic, or just give up and focus on something else.

Basically no, you should not try to do anything to raise your AC. For a particular attack there are only 18 AC numbers which matter; anything above or below that range are exactly as good as being at the ends. So if you can't get your AC to within 19 of what a high-AC person has, then you may as well not try and leave your AC at zero.

For example, a Pit Fiend in a Normal level 19 dungeon has about +45 attack. Any AC equal or less to 45 does exactly nothing, while a little above it helps only slightly. But if you reach 60-65 then you're pretty good; and then going above that is worthless (for that fight).

If you want to have an AC character, it's probably better off to just make a new character with that goal from the start.

Also I have a +6 Wisdom helm so that I have better will. At some point I discovered that better will prevents me from dancing whenever I meet a caster. Is this something I should have or should I invest in getting different headgear, maybe something with +5 AC (like a cove hat)?

Situations where +3 Will save are important will be rare, but you may as well keep it around. Note that a Potion of Owl's Wisdom would provide nearly as much Will, without using a slot. You may as well look for other hats, such as the easy-to-get Minos Legens (not in a pack you have).

Giant • Shroud • Sands • Reign of Madness • Harbinger of Madness

Given that list, I don't suggest you try for AC or new hats. Do pick up some Crystal Cove pirate hats of course, but maybe not for this character (instead keep them if you're planning ahead to make any other chars)

I am grinding though unlocking the 32 point build but I might just give up and buy it if it goes on sale, is it worth it?

Of course that depends on how much you like to spend dollars, but in general it's pretty easy to earn the favor for 32 point and you should just go for that.

Spending money on Adventure Packs would make it easier for you to get favor, and give you lots of other cool stuff, so that's usually the better investment. You can find lists of how much favor is included in every pack.

[aberent]

Basically no, you should not try to do anything to raise your AC. For a particular attack there are only 18 AC numbers which matter; anything above or below that range are exactly as good as being at the ends. So if you can't get your AC to within 19 of what a high-AC person has, then you may as well not try and leave your AC at zero.

....

If you want to have an AC character, it's probably better off to just make a new character with that goal from the start.

....

I guess my biggest concern is I don't want to drain the clerics during a raid (I want to be a valuable member of the party). It sounds like with a build being more focused towards DPS I am just going to get hit and there is not much I can do about it?

Also I don't want to make another character, I just want to make sure this one can participate without being a gimp.

[Angelus_dead]

I guess my biggest concern is I don't want to drain the clerics during a raid (I want to be a valuable member of the party).

The majority of the members of a raid group have no prospect of having meaningful AC, and nobody expects otherwise. In fact, it's generally sorta a problem to have more than 1 or 2 guys with good AC, because it probably means those characters are less useful in other regards.

To be nice to the Clerics, make sure you have high hp, good healing amp, and (always) 100% Fortification. Keep a tower shield with you so that once in a while when something goes wrong, you can pull it out and block in place until the others recover.

It sounds like with a build being more focused towards DPS I am just going to get hit and there is not much I can do about it?

Well, you can step away from powerful monsters, or use Trip/Stun on them so they're not hitting you. But yeah, your AC is not going to be a protection (except in situations that are easy anyhow)

[RenigadeWolf]

on most melees, HP, and your Heal Amp, ARE your AC. make sure to grab some of both.

[Enoach]

Those 5 DRs do stack up so don't write them off.

Now, Sands has
the Bramble-Caster gloves which are 10 DR/Pierce so will help against Piercing Damage
The Ring Seal of Earth - 3 Stone Skin Clickies for 10 DR - Limited until its used up

Vale
Stone Skin Clickies can also be created with just Tier II Greensteel.

If its elemental damage like fire and ice, you could craft Greensteel energy absorbsion Items and/or utilize Fireshield Clickies or Scrolls (UMD).

==========================================

However, Healing Amplification will also help out here, not only for the Healer, but also on getting more out of the occational potion you will need to down.

Also, a way to midigate Damage is to not be the first to take aggro or to position yourself in a flanking position.

Also use Trip and if you have them Stuns and SAP to reduce the number of enemies around you.

[Kinerd]

Against bosses, have healing amp. Against trash, play smart. VoilÃ*! You are not a drain on the healer. Are you as easy to heal as the 400% healing amp monk with 80 AC and Improved Evasion? Of course not. Do you think that monk is doing even 70% of a khopesh Kensei DPS? Of course not.

Another handy thing to have is a (reasonably) good Reflex save. You are in luck! You can get an item with +10 Reflex save (does not stack with Resistance items, but you don't have one so no problem) through the Madness packs, and (double bonus) the Fleshshaper's Brigandine has 10% heal amp on it. Your Reflex is listed at 9, +10 from the item, +4 from GH, +3 for being Kensei and you're at 26, which is good for taking half damage on many Arraetrikos fireballs.

[Indoran]

Against bosses, have healing amp. Against trash, play smart. VoilÃ*! You are not a drain on the healer. Are you as easy to heal as the 400% healing amp monk with 80 AC and Improved Evasion? Of course not. Do you think that monk is doing even 70% of a khopesh Kensei DPS? Of course not.

Another handy thing to have is a (reasonably) good Reflex save. You are in luck! You can get an item with +10 Reflex save (does not stack with Resistance items, but you don't have one so no problem) through the Madness packs, and (double bonus) the Fleshshaper's Brigandine has 10% heal amp on it. Your Reflex is listed at 9, +10 from the item, +4 from GH, +3 for being Kensei and you're at 26, which is good for taking half damage on many Arraetrikos fireballs.

I use the fleshshapper docent on my wf but I went with delirium for free displacements... also saves a lot of healing.

Pay attention to heal amp (even if WF) and to how many hp you have... if you have around 400 on a capped fgihter respecc a bit the enhancements, get gear and you should easily get to around 600.

Any fighter / barb should be above 550 on cap. to avoid being a drain on heals.

I have played healers, fighters, paladins, wizzies, exploiter... IMO the worst sp drains are squishies... 1 death = rez sp + buff sp + heal sp wasted.

Your AC unless you are an AC build are your chest muscles... so get a lot of hps and heal amp.

[aberent]

Thanks for your replies,

I never considered heal amp and reflex that is good to know. So does it make sense to trade in my +6 wisdom item for a +6 Dex item instead gaining even more reflex?

[Kinerd]

Yes, absolutely, no question about it whatsoever.

[Emili]

Thanks for your replies,

I never considered heal amp and reflex that is good to know. So does it make sense to trade in my +6 wisdom item for a +6 Dex item instead gaining even more reflex?

Reflex is far more important than will.

[aberent]

Thanks for your help.