Charisma or AC for my Paladin?

[Lamoni]

Hello, I am currently playing a dwarf Paladin that just leveled up to level 10. I have 102 HP's, 23 AC, 17 Charisma. I won't mention my other stats because I don't think they are that relevant. I am wielding a greataxe as a weapon.

My situation is this... we just came out of a dungeon crawl and ended up with about 16,000 gold each. I am torn between spending it in two ways.

First, I know my AC isn't very high for a level 10 character. So I could buy a +2 magic ring (deflection) and a +2 amulet of natural armor. That would raise my AC to 27 which would be decent. It would allow the Cleric to use more offensive spells in combat before resorting to healing.

Second, I have had my eye on a cloak of charisma for a while. a +4 cloak would raise all my saving throws by +2, raise my turn undead checks by +2, raise my healing per day from 30 to 50, help my smiting ability, and help with diplomacy.

I just wanted to get opinions on what you would recommend. I am leaning towards the cloak of charisma, but at the same time I think it would be very nice to stop getting hit with every attack against me. Thanks for any input you have.

 

[iwatt]

I just wanted to get opinions on what you would recommend. I am leaning towards the cloak of charisma, but at the same time I think it would be very nice to stop getting hit with every attack against me. Thanks for any input you have.

Compromise: Amulet of Natural Armor +2 and a Cloak +2. You can get deflection out of spells (Protection from evil, Shield of Faith, Magic circle...). Once you get some more cash, upgrade the cloak to a +4.

Powerwise, I think the cloak +4 is the correct answer, but as a player of a cleric with low AC teammates, I know what it means to spend all your spell slots in healing (not very effective in combat actually except for Heal of course ) and not get a chance to use the rest of your cool selection of spells. That's why I'll stand by my opinion .

 

[Djeta Thernadier]

I have 102 HP's, 23 AC, 17 Charisma.

First, I know my AC isn't very high for a level 10 character. So I could buy a +2 magic ring (deflection) and a +2 amulet of natural armor. That would raise my AC to 27 which would be decent. It would allow the Cleric to use more offensive spells in combat before resorting to healing.

Second, I have had my eye on a cloak of charisma for a while. a +4 cloak would raise all my saving throws by +2, raise my turn undead checks by +2, raise my healing per day from 30 to 50, help my smiting ability, and help with diplomacy.

I would go for the cloak since it does quite a bit. I think it depends on how your combats are though. Do you tend to rush into battle, or hang back and use range weapons and spells? If you tend to rush in , the AC might be better for you.

 

[Creamsteak]

Depending on concept, I'd have to say Pump the AC generally. If your in the front line, that AC is going to mean more. Charismas cool though. Any type of compromise you can think of? AC can be changed a number of ways during combat, mayhaps another method of attack/defense would work out to supplement the lack of AC.

 

[FireLance]

Lamoni, I'm inclined towards iwatt's compromise solution, but what are your character's other protective equipment? If your AC 23 is due to Full Plate +1, Shield +1 and a +1 Dex bonus, you could upgrade to +2 armour and shield, add a +1 amulet of natural armour and still get your +2 cloak of Charisma for a total of +3 to AC.

 

[Psiblade]

For me, it would depend if I was the primary fighter or not. If I am the primary fighter than AC is the way to go. If there is a barbarian or fighter with you, then the cloak of charisma does more.



-Psiblade

 

[Hand of Evil]

I say go talk with your DM about story and plot and see if he has any direction for your character. BUT best bet is Amulet of Natural Armor +2 and a Cloak +2.

 

[BSF]

I tend to base my characters around a wide range of utility instead of combat optimization. In that regard, any magic item that bumps multiple abilities is wonderful. I would have a hard time not going for the cloak. Especially with the bonus to saves! C'mon, that is like having Lightning Reflexes, Great Fortitude, and Iron Will all rolled into one! Paladins are interesting with all the abilities that get bumped by a Charisma increase.

But, if you are _the_ front line fighter, AC is very nice. In that case, I would compromise.

As an aside, I would take a look at Call of Duty (Chainmail Bikini Games - PDF) if you haven't done so before. If you and your DM can agree on what to introduce, you can get armor with special properties to increase your CHA! Nice combo and it still leaves that valuable cloak slot open for other magic items.

 

[Mistwell]

That really depends on whether or not your DM is apt to let you overcome hostile encounters using Diplomacy

http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=62589

 

[tetsujin28]

Do you have access to spellcasters in the party who can make items for you? There's nothing like getting the items for cost, rather than retail.