Level Up (A5E) Druid Skinchanger AC 22 with shield +1 when wild shaped at level 8

[Tessarael]

I observed that the Druid Skinchanger archetype with Wisdom modifier to wildshape AC can achieve high armor class when in a form like say a Dire Ape, Myconid, or Vegepygmy that can use a shield. Specifically, at level 8 with Wisdom 20 to +5 Wisdom modifier to AC, and base Druid wildshape AC of 14, add in a Medium Shield +1 for another +3 AC, and that's AC 22.

Is AC 22 reasonable for a Druid Skinchanger at level 8?

For comparison, a Ranger with Dexterity 20 in Padded Leather +2 with Medium Shield +1 will have AC of 12 + 2 + 5 + 3 = AC 22. And a Fighter in Full Plate with Medium Shield +1 will have AC of 18 + 3 = AC 21. So the AC of the Druid Skinchanger seems not too unreasonable, but a rather tanky build.

Thoughts?

 

[Distracted DM]

I'd say the only thing to remember is that donning/doffing a shield takes an action... the druid would have to be carrying (not wearing) the shield, then when the fight starts they'll drop the shield, BA shift, and action strap on the shield. Technically it'd take an item interaction to free the shield from their back to drop it, and another item interaction to pick it up...
If they're doing all this stuff before combat, then it is what it is but during combat, it'd be a bit of an action nightmare. Cuz remember all the stuff druid is carrying when they shapechange disappears into their new form.

A5E numbers get a bit higher than one would otherwise expect with 5e, but there it is- that's not a crazy AC, but it's high.

Side note: I try to avoid giving +1/2/3 items that don't have attunement attached to them, especially in A5E, because it throws 5e's math out of whack. But I have optimizing players.

 

[Tessarael]

Agreed. Yes, the gear needs to be donned outside of combat. The Ranger and Fighter AC examples that I gave are the same as can be achieved in 5E D&D.

 

[Tessarael]

At level 9 Druid with CR 3 forms for a Skinchanger archetype with Wisdom 20 for +5 AC, AC 16 for Ankylosaurus and Stegosaurus gives AC 21 wild shaped; AC 17 for Giant Snapping Turtle gives AC 22 wild shaped, and AC 18 for J'ba Fofi Spider gives AC 23 wild shaped. So that AC 22 with shield in a prehensile beast or plant form is reasonable I guess.

 

[lichmaster]

Thoughts?

Well, level 8 NPC has a proficiency bonus of +3. If we take the standard assumption that characters start with their most important stat at 16 and take ASI at level 4 and 8, we get to a best attribute bonus of +5.
So that alone makes an attack bonus of +8, without any other magical, equipment or situational bonus, requiring a 14 or better to hit vs AC 22, or a 30% chance to hit.
So it's a very tanky build, but not totally out of whack