[HELP!] Low AC, High Damage group

[BSF]

I need to agree with some of the assertions here. You have those kinds of weapons and you can't afford better mundane armor?

A dwarf is a 20' speed anyway, you are still slower than most critters out there. Take the speed hit with the heavier armor!

The elf exp penalties must be rough! Unless you are house-ruled so they are not in affect.

If this has been player/character driven to get to those nice weapons by sacrificing chances to pick up armor, I would introduce my players to the wonders of Sunder. Some of that weaponry is a bit more powerful than you _should_ have. Especially in a low-magic game.

If this is the treasure handed out by the DM, and the characters have no chance to swap out weapons for armor (or anything else), then the DM needs to readjust for the low defense/high offense situation. OR, the DM can lighten up and let you swap out some arms for armor.

The thing that is odd is that this group looks like it tries to be outdoorsy, but there isn't a single listing for a ranged weapon! I would exploit that like a RB DM. I would have critters hit you from afar and then move back. Sure, your entangle might slow that down, but it isn't all that unlikely that the first attack would include a ranged spell. Keep your spot skills maxed and look out for ambushes.

Seriously though, this looks a lot like a situation where the players focus on offense more than defense. There are many ways that the characters can bump up AC without resorting to magic items. See the above posts.

 

[Ezrael]

I need to agree with some of the assertions here. You have those kinds of weapons and you can't afford better mundane armor?

A dwarf is a 20' speed anyway, you are still slower than most critters out there. Take the speed hit with the heavier armor!

Actually, according to the 3.5 phb, page 14, Dwarf base land speed is 20 feet. However, dwarves can move at this speed even when wearing medium or heavy armor or when carrying a medium or heavy load (unlike other creatures, whose speed is reduced in such situations), so there's absolutely no reason for a dwarf not to wear the heaviest armor he can, with the exception of a high-Dex dwarf.

I agree with everything else said in the post above this one.

 

[frankthedm]

Actually, according to the 3.5 phb, page 14, Dwarf base land speed is 20 feet. However, dwarves can move at this speed even when wearing medium or heavy armor or when carrying a medium or heavy load (unlike other creatures, whose speed is reduced in such situations), so there's absolutely no reason for a dwarf not to wear the heaviest armor he can, with the exception of a high-Dex dwarf.

I agree with everything else said in the post above this one.

i have a hunch this is a 3.0 game, not everyone 'upgrades'. The one drop of ranger elf taking the xp penaly to get into the prc is good evidence. There is a FR ranger druid god that lets her ranger druids use most ranger weapons IIR.

 

[Darkness]

The elf exp penalties must be rough! Unless you are house-ruled so they are not in affect.

It could also be a wood elf.
In fact, for the character's sake I hope it is.


edit - that goes for both of the elves, come to think of it...

 

[Norfleet]

Nothing wrong with low AC, high damage. I can wing it with AC, but a lack of damage means that anything you do lacks bite. It's all about the firepower: Your enemies will respect you as long as you can hurt them" All the AC in the world doesn't do jack if you can't hurt anyone.

Personally, I think your loadout is quite satisfactory here. Being that the characters are nicely armed to the teeth, but lacking in armor, I'd advise against traditional head-on attrition match. Lack of rogueishness may be a problem, however: Your group seems lacking in characters that can properly exploit surprise and terror tactics: That's the beauty of a rogue: It functions well in any environment, whether you're armed to teeth with shiny weapons, have many defensive magic items, or are forced to take out your opponents with only the Vulcan Neck Pinch.