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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Xorne" data-source="post: 4349325" data-attributes="member: 61194">I only looked at base AC, because they should both have the same enhancement and item bonuses from their equipment, and be adding the same level bonus. However, there was an aspect I wasn't considering: Say I take that rogue with 18 starting DEX (and putting +8 to DEX is not a detriment to the rogue) then Hide Armor + Hide Specialization (+1 AC, no penalty), and add in Two Weapon Defense, and you have 23 Base AC, while the guy in Plate + Heavy Shield + Specialization in either plate or shield tops out at 21 Base AC. BUT I did forget that the advanced plate is much better than the advanced hide armor, which easily puts the plate + heavy shield in the lead on AC. AND I forgot another aspect--the shield's enhancement bonus! If the rogue has two +6 Katars of Stabbiness, and the paladin has a +6 Shield of Can'tTouchThis... the rogue is getting +1 AC for TWD, and the paladin is getting +8 AC for his shield. Carrying a shield gives an extra enhancement bonus to AC. IN CONCLUSION I still think it feels wonky that armor and shield bonuses stack, but armor and shield feats do not. Especially considering that Armor Specialization + Lightning Reflexes now makes Shield Specialization pointless.</blockquote>