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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Keenath" data-source="post: 4723795" data-attributes="member: 59792">Don't compare plate to hide, compare hide to chainmail.  Once you're in the heavy armors, each step up is just a feat for +1 AC, no matter what level you're at.+6 Spiritmail is AC +18; +6 Elderhide totals +11.  With a modest +2 dex bonus (started out at +1, and got two automatic upgrades at 11 and 21) and his Agility, that adds up to AC +16.A feat for +2 AC isn't awful (it starts out at +1 in Heroic and increases to +2 in Paragon), but the speed hit is going to be something a barbarian really notices.  And if you start with 14 dex (not hard), you're only lagging by 1 point behind wearing speed-sapping metal.Armor just isn't worth your feats.  Take Armor Specialization if you really want to boost your AC; then you'll actually be reducing your check penalties as well.  Take Defensive Mobility (since you know you'll be charging a lot, probably past other enemies).  But you're a striker!  Boost your damage output, not your defenses.  You can deal disgusting amounts of damage, and that's what you should be focusing on!If you're a striker who's trying to get Defender-class AC... You're doing it wrong.</blockquote>