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*Pathfinder & Starfinder
How to deal with high AC PCs
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<blockquote data-quote="Friend of the Dork" data-source="post: 6040922" data-attributes="member: 91954"><p>Hello folks. </p><p></p><p>I'm an experienced DM in D&D, and now also Pathfinder. However, I've noticed that in the latter, it's even easier to boost AC even at the lower levels than before. </p><p></p><p>Armor, especially medium (as well as full-plate) has become better, and Fighters are better at using it increasing their AC. There are also more feats that increases AC. Combined with a handful of magic items it isn't hard to get so high AC that you can't reliably hit yourself. </p><p></p><p>Now the main problem I have with this is balance - it becomes impossible for some enemies to hit on other than natural 20, and to compensate I need to add high-attack monsters just to challenge the high-AC character's a bit. </p><p></p><p>In my case I had to throw in Stone Golems just to challenge an 8th-level fighter. Should that really be necessary?</p><p></p><p>The point isn't just to challenge or nerf such characters - its hard for fighters to get high Will saves, so just a low-mid level spellcaster can ruin the day for such. The problem is I don't want to have spellcasters everywhere in my fairly low-fantasy campaign. </p><p></p><p>I also have a more military human focused campaign than usual, and I have a hard time making grunts/goons to be any sort of threat without auto-leveling them as if it was Oblivion. </p><p></p><p></p><p>So how can a bunch of normal soldiers - War or Fi lvl 1-3 actually be any threat at all to a group where the lowest AC is around 25? (not counting Wizard who is invisible etc.). </p><p></p><p>I expect my group to be able to handle several waves of such low-level enemies, but having them only hit on a natural 20 means I would need close to 100 of them just to be able to challenge one of the PCs - which breaks the suspension of disbelief for me and probably them as well. Not to mention boring as hell to actually play out. </p><p></p><p>Any tips, or suggestions for major gameplay changes?</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Friend of the Dork, post: 6040922, member: 91954"] Hello folks. I'm an experienced DM in D&D, and now also Pathfinder. However, I've noticed that in the latter, it's even easier to boost AC even at the lower levels than before. Armor, especially medium (as well as full-plate) has become better, and Fighters are better at using it increasing their AC. There are also more feats that increases AC. Combined with a handful of magic items it isn't hard to get so high AC that you can't reliably hit yourself. Now the main problem I have with this is balance - it becomes impossible for some enemies to hit on other than natural 20, and to compensate I need to add high-attack monsters just to challenge the high-AC character's a bit. In my case I had to throw in Stone Golems just to challenge an 8th-level fighter. Should that really be necessary? The point isn't just to challenge or nerf such characters - its hard for fighters to get high Will saves, so just a low-mid level spellcaster can ruin the day for such. The problem is I don't want to have spellcasters everywhere in my fairly low-fantasy campaign. I also have a more military human focused campaign than usual, and I have a hard time making grunts/goons to be any sort of threat without auto-leveling them as if it was Oblivion. So how can a bunch of normal soldiers - War or Fi lvl 1-3 actually be any threat at all to a group where the lowest AC is around 25? (not counting Wizard who is invisible etc.). I expect my group to be able to handle several waves of such low-level enemies, but having them only hit on a natural 20 means I would need close to 100 of them just to be able to challenge one of the PCs - which breaks the suspension of disbelief for me and probably them as well. Not to mention boring as hell to actually play out. Any tips, or suggestions for major gameplay changes? [/QUOTE]
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