Ultimate AC Fighter Build?

[Scratched_back]

Hi everyone, first of all, thanks for reading.

I'm in a search for the best possible build for a fighter to attain high AC. Below are what my character already has (stats, feats etc.) and I'd appreciate any input or ideally, a path to follow. Sources allowed are practically all WotC published books, but nothing specifically non-realms; it's a Forgotten Realms campaign.

Race: Human
Class: Fighter/2
Feats: Weapon focus (Longsword), Shield specialisation, Shield Ward, Improved Shield bash.
HP: 17 (rolled a 1 on my lvl2 HD , I now have a glass jaw)

STR: 18
DEX: 14
CON: 16
INT: 7
WIS: 10
CHA: 14

Now I know the INT is a big problem because it makes Expertise practically unattainable, but the DM may let me swap things around a little to get my hands on that. Anyway, I needed the CHA 14 for roleplay reasons.

Also, if possible, I'd like to somehow fit in Weapon Specialisation (Longsword), Agile Shield Fighter and even focus and specialisation for a large shield... I know... I ask a lot...

I hope somebody out there can point me in the right direction!

Much appreciated, folks.

 

[Iku Rex]

If the DM allowed it I'd drop the longsword altogether. Wield the shield two-handed. That way you won't have to invest feats in two different weapons. With a bashing shield, or even a bashing spiked shield according to the FAQ, you can get respectable damage. Magic of Faerun has a "heavy weapon" sidebar that could increase the damage yet another size category and makes the shield an exotic weapon. One level of exotic weapon master, uncanny blow, and you'll be dealing some very impressive damage with that shield.

Replacing the lonsgword with a bastard sword or dwarven waraxe is also an option, since agile shield fighter gives you a clean -2 penalty no matter the size of the primary weapon.

Another change I'd consider is to be a dwarf. (Probably difficult to explain away if you've already started playing. ) It fits the armor-clad tough guy theme, and they have a couple of useful racial substitution levels and racial feats.

Moving on to less radical suggestions:

The Elusive Attack fighter alternate class feature from PHBII improves AC, but I'd hate to give up the extra attacks.

Feats:
Exotic Armor Proficiency (Races of Stone): Battle plate is hideously heavy, but if you're high enough level you can make it mithral to reduce the weight. +1 AC compared to full plate.
Heavy Armor Optimization and Greater HAO (Races of Stone): Both get you +1 AC and less ACP.
Armor Specialization (PHB): It's not the same as HAO and also worth having eventually.
Bestial Hide abberant feat (Lords of Madness): +1 natural armor for very two abberant feats you have.

Psionic Feats:
Deflective Armor (Races of Stone): Armor bonus to touch AC.
Focused Shield (Races of Stone): +1 AC from shield

(The Wild Talent feat [EPH] lets you pick psionic feats. [Edit: The Warped Mind feat from Lords of Madness also does the trick.] I think you may have too low Wis to be a good Psychic Warrior, but a couple of levels may still be worth it. The Wis also keeps you from picking the Speed of Thought feat.)

Prestige classes: You best bet for extra AC is probably one that grants natural armor increases, like dragon disciple.

Equipment: The possibly most important aspect of a high-AC character is magic equipment.

Basics: Enhancement bonuses to armor and shield, Ring of Protection, Amulet of Natural Armor, Dusty Rose Ioun Stone.

The nimbleness armor enhancement (Magic of Faerun) lets you add more dex to AC in a restrictive armor. Some grafts provide increased natural armor but I don't remember the specifics.

 

[Kularian]

If you wanted to be cheap as well, though it's expensive (hmm...contradictory...), whatever weapon you use, or the shield if you use it, use the defending enhancement. It allows you to essentially 'trade' any enhancement bonuses on your weapon to turn it into AC that stacks with all other forms of AC. On a sword/board combo, that's an additional +10 AC, though it does cost a pretty penny. Something to aspire to, though. Also, if your DM allows it, which might take some quick talking, if you put spikes on your armor, and enhance them with the defending property, you can garner another +5 permanent AC.

Now, as I said, those things are kinda cheap, so...you might not get away with 'em, but they still work wonders for gaining extra AC. In terms of feats and such, Iku pretty much has you covered, so you should have pretty much all you need to know.

 

[Iku Rex]

If you wanted to be cheap as well, though it's expensive (hmm...contradictory...), whatever weapon you use, or the shield if you use it, use the defending enhancement. It allows you to essentially 'trade' any enhancement bonuses on your weapon to turn it into AC that stacks with all other forms of AC. On a sword/board combo, that's an additional +10 AC, though it does cost a pretty penny.

IMO the defending property just isn't worth it. You lose both attack bonus and damage (compared to the more-or-less balanced AB for AC with Expertise) and you have to pay for the privilege. :\

Also, if your DM allows it, which might take some quick talking, if you put spikes on your armor, and enhance them with the defending property, you can garner another +5 permanent AC.

(IIRC the FAQ ruling is that you have to "attack" with the weapon to benefit from the defending property. So that's not very practical. But like you said - the DM may allow it.)

 

[Kularian]

IMO the defending property just isn't worth it. You lose both attack bonus and damage (compared to the more-or-less balanced AB for AC with Expertise) and you have to pay for the privilege.

I mainly use it on a spiked shield, as it's built to defend for me, anyway. But if you're willing to have a high AC at any cost, it's a definite way to go, IMO. Besides, you don't always have to use it, which is what makes it versatile. Saved my arse a few times in a campaign. It's become almost integral to my builds, hehe.

I've not read the FAQ, so I can't argue about that ruling, but it does make sense. So that's up in the air, but still possible.

But, to each his own,

 

[Scratched_back]

IMO the defending property just isn't worth it. You lose both attack bonus and damage (compared to the more-or-less balanced AB for AC with Expertise) and you have to pay for the privilege. :\

(IIRC the FAQ ruling is that you have to "attack" with the weapon to benefit from the defending property. So that's not very practical. But like you said - the DM may allow it.)

So if I had a +5 Spiked Shield of defending, I could shield bash with that, converting the +5 to AC, then swing away merrily with my sword arm at no penalty?

That seems... advantageous...

Would that mean that essentially I was reaping 12 AC from it? I.e. +5 from the basic shield enchantment, +5 from the defending quality (because I am attacking with it) and +2 for it being a shield in the first place?

 

[Kularian]

So if I had a +5 Spiked Shield of defending, I could shield bash with that, converting the +5 to AC, then swing away merrily with my sword arm at no penalty?

That seems... advantageous...

Would that mean that essentially I was reaping 12 AC from it? I.e. +5 from the basic shield enchantment, +5 from the defending quality (because I am attacking with it) and +2 for it being a shield in the first place?

Well, you'd take the -2 to hit from Agile Shield Fighter, but other than that...yeah

 

[rowport]

...Wield the shield two-handed. That way you won't have to invest feats in two different weapons. With a bashing shield, or even a bashing spiked shield according to the FAQ, you can get respectable damage. Magic of Faerun has a "heavy weapon" sidebar that could increase the damage yet another size category and makes the shield an exotic weapon. One level of exotic weapon master, uncanny blow, and you'll be dealing some very impressive damage with that shield.

Mechanically, all this would work very well.

Unfortunately, you would have to put up with the other players at the table calling you Eric the Cavalier (from the AD&D cartoon).

 

[Demoquin]

I think the shield would only give you +7 AC as the defending quality doesnt add more ac it takes away whatever enchantment is on the item. So a +5 shield with defending would eat up the enchantment and add it to the defending bonus. So, i dont think you get the +5 and the +5, if you get what i am saying

 

[Iku Rex]

I think the shield would only give you +7 AC as the defending quality doesnt add more ac it takes away whatever enchantment is on the item. So a +5 shield with defending would eat up the enchantment and add it to the defending bonus. So, i dont think you get the +5 and the +5, if you get what i am saying

We're talking about a shield with a weapon enhancement bonus. (Bonus to attack and damage.) It is separate from and in addition to the shield enhancement bonus.

You only transfer the weapon enhancement bonus with the defending property.