Highest AC possible

[Khristos]

Mithral ads 2 to the max Dex bonus.

I believe the Nimble enchantment ads another 2. I think Nimble is in Magic of Faerun.

you can get up to a +25 insight bonus to AC (moment of prescience)

 

[Crimson_Manticore]

Maybe, but let's leave out Expertise

Okay, so my eyes have been opened a little in regards to AC possibilities. I noticed, however, that a big chunk of these high AC scores are due to Expertise –like affects. In general, a melee character (which is the only type of character that really needs a high AC) isn’t going to do so well with a –15 or –20 to his attack rolls. If we could, I’d like to see how high AC could go without taking penalties to attack rolls.

Oh, and thanks for all the responses!

 

[Philip]

Okay, so my eyes have been opened a little in regards to AC possibilities. I noticed, however, that a big chunk of these high AC scores are due to Expertise –like affects. In general, a melee character (which is the only type of character that really needs a high AC) isn’t going to do so well with a –15 or –20 to his attack rolls. If we could, I’d like to see how high AC could go without taking penalties to attack rolls.

Oh, and thanks for all the responses!

Consider the Quickstaff feat (from Complete Warrior), you get a +3 bonus on AC for each -1 penalty you take on your attack rolls. You can still get a decent Expertise-like bonus without losing too much on your attack roll.

 

[jabberwocky]

monk1/wilder 24

gr. metamorphosed to Solar (going with 25HD rather than 50HD cap, otherwise: infernal, adult prismatic dragon, great wyrm gold, or whatever floats your boat)
natural armor +21, -1 size penalty, base dex 20
powers manifested: manifester level 31 w/wild surge
inertial armor +19 armor
force screen +11 shield
defensive precognition +11 insight
thicken skin +11 enhancement
mental barrier +10 deflection
attributes
wis base 18 +6 enhance+5 inherent+1level=30 +10
dex base 20 +6enhance+4inherent= 30 + 10
feats
haste +1
dodge +1
psionic dodge +1

Total AC: 115

this is leaving out combat expertise, and all items except stat booster.
I don't have my BoED in front of me, or this would be improved with the Vow of Poverty. a lot of these powers have short durations as well, but can be manifested immediately/swiftly if you need them.

 

[Falling Icicle]

Magic Vestment will provide an enhancement bonus to a shield or suit of armor, which won't stack with a/ your Shield spell, or b/ your Bracers of Armor...

False.

Bracers of armor provide an armor bonus, not an enhancement armor bonus. The Shield spell provides a cover bonus to AC, not an enhancement or armor bonus. So they all do stack.

 

[Krafen]

False.

Bracers of armor provide an armor bonus, not an enhancement armor bonus. The Shield spell provides a cover bonus to AC, not an enhancement or armor bonus. So they all do stack.

Bracers of Armor provide an armor bonus to AC. If you use actual armor it provides an armor bonus to AC. You can increase the armor bonus of the armor with a magical enhancement bonus, but the armor is still providing an armor bonus to AC.

In 3.5e shield provides a +4 shield bonus to AC.

 

[Hypersmurf]

You can increase the armor bonus of the armor with a magical enhancement bonus, but the armor is still providing an armor bonus to AC.

Right. Enhancement bonuses don't affect your AC. They affect the Armor bonus of a shield or suit of armor.

-Hyp.

 

[Falling Icicle]

Bracers of Armor provide an armor bonus to AC. If you use actual armor it provides an armor bonus to AC. You can increase the armor bonus of the armor with a magical enhancement bonus, but the armor is still providing an armor bonus to AC.

That's what I said. The bracers provide an armor bonus to AC, so they don't stack with worn armor. But if you have something that gives an enchancement bonus to AC, it will stack with the bracers.

In 3.5e shield provides a +4 shield bonus to AC.

True.

 

[Saeviomagy]

That's what I said. The bracers provide an armor bonus to AC, so they don't stack with worn armor. But if you have something that gives an enchancement bonus to AC, it will stack with the bracers.

Lets try this again - you don't seem to be understanding.

Vestment provides an enhancement bonus to an already existing armour bonus.

In the case of clothing, this existing armour bonus is +0. Once enhanced, your clothing gives an armour bonus equal to the spell. This armour bonus does not stack with the bracers.

Interestingly though, if the bracers were in the form of clothing, and the magic vestment spell cast upon it, the two would stack.

 

[Hypersmurf]

But if you have something that gives an enchancement bonus to AC, it will stack with the bracers.

That sounds right.

But good luck finding anything that provides an enhancement bonus to AC

-Hyp.