Moritheil's AC Rule

[moritheil]

I have a new rule of thumb for determining the optimum AC one can get at a given level: it's generally 5 times that level. Obviously, this breaks down at low levels (below level 5), but otherwise, it should be OK.

This is not the absolute maximum; rather, it's a guideline that says, "if you have more than X amount of AC, you're doing quite well." My reason for posting this is that I know of at least one other player who is generally able to one-up me in the AC optimization department, and I hope to identify others who can break through this ceiling (and otherwise gain a general sense of how many people out there can do it.)

Thoughts? Corrections? None of the characters I built that I based this rule off of require 3rd-party material to work, and each build is legal using only official products.

(This thread was first established on my campaign board; if you are one of my players, that explains why you have deja vu right now.)

 

[ThirdWizard]

It breaks down quite a bit at high levels as well. Level 18 with 90 AC?

For an AC focused PC, I'm thinking something more along the lines of 20+level for a good AC.

 

[moritheil]

It breaks down quite a bit at high levels as well. Level 18 with 90 AC?

For an AC focused PC, I'm thinking something more along the lines of 20+level for a good AC.

I haven't tried level 18. What I have is level 8 with 40 AC, level 10 with 50 AC, and level 12 with 60 AC. I'm unable to get 100 AC at level 20, but it's a simple matter to get 105 AC at level 21.

I guess I should point out that, since I'm posting this thread because I'm positive people can show me how to break through this ceiling . . . I'm not really looking for comments that the existing ceiling is unattainable. That's just a statement of fact - please don't take it the wrong way.

 

[RigaMortus2]

Well if you are focusing on AC over anything else, why shouldn't you have a 100AC at level 20? Chances are, your character won't be able to do much else other than not get hit 95% of the time.

 

[Zimbel16]

I haven't tried level 18. What I have is level 8 with 40 AC, level 10 with 50 AC, and level 12 with 60 AC. I'm unable to get 100 AC at level 20, but it's a simple matter to get 105 AC at level 21.

I guess I should point out that, since I'm posting this thread because I'm positive people can show me how to break through this ceiling . . . I'm not really looking for comments that the existing ceiling is unattainable. That's just a statement of fact - please don't take it the wrong way.

Typically, I've used 20 + LV * 1.5 as a rough approximation for a "good" AC, although I've sometimes hit roughly 20 + LV*2 with PCs that really focus on AC.

 

[moritheil]

Well if you are focusing on AC over anything else, why shouldn't you have a 100AC at level 20? Chances are, your character won't be able to do much else other than not get hit 95% of the time.

I suppose I should amend the statement to, "I can't get 100 AC at 20 with a viable character." All the data points I confirmed are quite capable of beating normal encounters for their level, and generally speaking, of defeating normal player characters at that level. (Pun-Puns, Iaijutsu masters, and Hukling Hurlers need not apply.) The point is not just to get AC up - it is to build a perfectly functioning character who also happens to have a really high AC. I probably shouldn't have to explain this, but that is a classic desired result of build-tweaking - to have a build that is just as good as someone else's in most fields, but also has more saves, more hit points, more spell slots, etc. without giving up anything that is significant in regular gameplay.

This is not an idle exercise in calculation, and neither is its purpose ego-inflation. Notes from other players indicate that the maximum theoretical AC at each level should be above the ceiling I have hit, and I want to know how to get there.

 

[Garrett843]

No offense but what exactly is the purpose of 100 AC at lvl 20. This seems to completely remove the purpose behind the combat oriented creatures in the MM and all of the other MM books. All you have to do is stand in a 5 foot hallway with a wizard behind you a be a standing wall for them. This takes away the fun and excitement from the encounters that you could be in at these lvls.

 

[moritheil]

No offense but what exactly is the purpose of 100 AC at lvl 20. This seems to completely remove the purpose behind the combat oriented creatures in the MM and all of the other MM books. All you have to do is stand in a 5 foot hallway with a wizard behind you a be a standing wall for them. This takes away the fun and excitement from the encounters that you could be in at these lvls.

Why would you run a marathon, when you can drive a car or take a bus?

If you have that approach to life, then I can't explain it to you - explanation will simply have to wait until you have a different set of experiences, as before then, any attempt to explain will not make sense.

As to your second statement, generally when I play, the group cheers when the tank doesn't get hit by the BBEG, and taunts him for that inability - not when the DM says, "Gee, I need to see if that cleaves through you and hits the next person."

If you think it's only fun when every fight is a near-TPK, then the best thing you can possibly do is to remember to take Toughness at every level, close this browser, and never read an optimization thread again, because they will seriously ruin your fun. I'm not being facetious, either - I know there are people out there who love drama. I just don't happen to be one of them.

Whatever floats your boat.

 

[Hawkson]

can you post sample builsd with high acs that you speak of?

 

[Legildur]

can you post sample builsd with high acs that you speak of?

Have a look at this thread for a few ideas:

Ways to get AC boosts