Super Gnome

[Philip]

All this talking about Titan Fighting and racial dodge bonuses made me wonder about a character I made some time ago, which was designed to be effective against giants and large creatures. Can you determine its AC? (consider it a contest)...

Eadi Arumdal
The Giantbreaker
Male Gnome Scout3/Swashbuckler3/Blade Bravo10

Special Attacks: Flourish, mobile fighting, melee sneak attack +2d6, small but deadly, lethal riposte, skirmish +1d6, insightful strike, spell-like abilities
Special Qualities: Trapfinding, mobile fighting, size advantage, skirmish +1 AC, fast movement, uncanny dodge, battle fortitude +1, trackless step, grace +1, low light vision, gnome abilities
Abilities: Str 12, Dex 16(22), Con 16, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 10
Skills: Balance +16, Bluff +19 (+29 when feinting in combat), Climb +16, Concentration +10, Diplomacy +9, Escape Artist +30, Hide +18, Jump +10, Listen +0, Move Silently +8, Ride +11, Search +18, Sense Motive +7, Spot +18, Tumble +29
Feats: Weapon Focus(rapier), Combat Expertise, Titan Fighting, Mobility, Spring Attack, Giantbane, Weapon Finesse(b), Improved Critical(b), Dodge(b), Combat Reflexes(b), Goad(b, DC 20).
Relevant equipment: loincloth (no armor), rapier, gloves of dexterity +6

Situation: you are fighting a Cloud Giant and have just declared the Cloud Giant as your dodge target, have taken Total Defense and moved 10 ft. directly into the direction of the giant.

Question: what AC does the Giant need to beat to hit you?

 

[IcyCool]

Situation: you are fighting a Cloud Giant and have just declared the Cloud Giant as your dodge target, have taken Total Defense and moved 10 ft. directly into the direction of the giant.

Are you also using Combat expertise? And are you provoking an attack of opportunity from the giant with that movement?

 

[Hypersmurf]

Are you also using Combat expertise?

He can't. Total Defense is a standard action. Combat Expertise requires you to take the attack or full attack action.

He'd get a better AC by Fighting Defensively and using Combat Expertise, but that's not the situation described.

-Hyp.

 

[IcyCool]

He can't. Total Defense is a standard action. Combat Expertise requires you to take the attack or full attack action.

He'd get a better AC by Fighting Defensively and using Combat Expertise, but that's not the situation described.

-Hyp.

Right, forgot.

 

[IcyCool]

10 +6 (Dex) +6 (Total Defense) +1 (size) +1 (dodge bonus from Mobile Fighting) +6 (Size Advantage(Ex)) +4 (mobility) +1 (skirmish) +4 (racial bonus against giants) +4 (Titan Fighting) = 43

Although that last bit is what we are debating in the Titan Fighting thread.

 

[Zandel]

I'm not seeing the +1 for dodge feat in there...

[edit] right titan fighting my bad...

 

[IcyCool]

I'm not seeing the +1 for dodge feat in there...

Because Titan Fighting replaces it. The folks arguing over in the Titan Fighting thread are arguing that RAW (and provided I got all the bonuses right), his AC would be 39. Without Titan Fighting, they would say that RAW (and provided I got all the bonuses right), his AC would be 40.

Edit - Just to do a little CYA, the above should read, "using the interpretation of the folks over in the Titan Fighting thread ..." instead of "they are arguing that RAW his AC would be..." and "they would say". I don't want to be putting words in anyone's mouth.

 

[Philip]

This is what I got:

10 (base AC)
+1 size (small size)
+6 dodge (22 Dex)
+1 dodge (Mobile Fighting ability from Blade Bravo)
+1 dodge (Skirmish ability from Scout)
+6 dodge (+4 total defense, +2 extra from 10 ranks of Tumble)
+6 dodge (Size Advantage ability from Blade Bravo, +2 per size category)
+4 dodge (Titan Fighting feat, replaces +1 dodge bonus from Dodge feat)
+4 dodge (Giantbane feat from Complete warrior, first option)

-- optional:
+4 dodge (Mobility feat, only against AoO drawn by movement)

-- in question (see Titan Fighting thread):
+4 racial dodge (gnome racial ability vs. giants)

AC (normal and touch): 39
AC w mobility: 43
AC w alternate reading of Titan Fighting: 43
AC w both: 47

IcyCool: I think you missed the Giantbane feat. Thanx for the attempt though!

Hypersmurf: The Giantbane feat was why the character was using Total Defense instead of Fighting Defensively and Combat Expertise. And if I am correct Total Defense still allows the lethal riposte from the Blade Bravo PrC. And Total Defense allows other Giantbane tactical feat options.

Still, I think its a pretty high AC, considering the character does not yet wear armor and has minimal equipment. Undoubtedly others could add choice magic items and change some feats to raise the AC even further. But the character was not meant to be an AC monster from outset. When I made it I was just suprised how high all those modifiers added up.

 

[moritheil]

Interesting. The first thought that comes to mind is, "What's his Touch AC?"