Whats a reasonable AC at 10th level?

[Plane Sailing]

At 10th level we find that there is very little difference between having an AC of 10 and an AC of 26 (case in point last week - the fighter switched on full expertise and fighting defensively which raised his AC to 26 and the creature rolled a 2 and hit with its mighty +27 bonus.

Unless you fear power attack from a creature, in most cases in our adventures it seems that creatures of appropriate CR range can hit almost any AC equally easily. Some tanks started to forego their armour to get the extra bit of speed since they found their armour was making precious little difference!

 

[nittanytbone]

A guideline I once saw is something like this:

5 + Level = Poor
10 + Level = Mediocre
15 + Level = Fair
20 + Level = Good
25 + Level = Superb

 

[Bagpuss]

At 10th level we find that there is very little difference between having an AC of 10 and an AC of 26 (case in point last week - the fighter switched on full expertise and fighting defensively which raised his AC to 26 and the creature rolled a 2 and hit with its mighty +27 bonus.

I think the issue is his normal AC is really low for a fighter if it only goes to 26 with full expertise and fighting defensively.

10 + 8 (full plate) + 1 (Dex) +5 (combat expertise) +2 (fighting defensive) = 26

He's 10th level and has no magical bonus to AC, then he's only got himself to blame if he get's hit.

I'm working on a 6th level Knight

10 + 10 (+2 full plate) +1 (Dex) + 6 (+2 Heavy Shield, and Shield Spec, Knight ability) = 27

With the Combat Expertise and Fighting Defensively that 36....

I'd expect to pick up a Ring of Protection +2 and Amulet of Natural Armour +2 by 10th level for a minimum of +4 more to that AC. Probably get more bonuses from elsewhere as well, so minimum AC 31 without trying, AC 40 when fighting defensive and with combat expertise.

That same (+27 attack) critterwould need a 13 to hit. A CR 11 Black Dragon would need a 16. CR 11 Cloud giant would need an 18 to hit.

 

[Plane Sailing]

I think the issue is his normal AC is really low for a fighter if it only goes to 26 with full expertise and fighting defensively.

10 + 8 (full plate) + 1 (Dex) +5 (combat expertise) +2 (fighting defensive) = 26

He's 10th level and has no magical bonus to AC, then he's only got himself to blame if he get's hit.

He is a barbarian/fighter (so no heavy armour) and is in the midst of the worlds largest dungeon, so you don't have any ability to choose what magic items you can get, you're limited to what you find!

Furthermore, just Core rules + PHB in play so no fancy bonuses from other classes or prestige classes or feats. Shouldn't be a problem (in theory) because we're fighting MM1 monsters, after all.

Cheers

 

[Stalker0]

I think the AC is good, but not overpowered. Its the advantage of a shield!! You have good AC and low offense. Your a meat shield. Seems your right where you should be.

 

[mvincent]

A good AC to strive for is 20 + your level. This will indeed cause most of your opponents to miss you, so it's understandable that your DM is annoyed by it. Just tell him you're ready for higher CR opponents.

 

[Cheiromancer]

A good AC to strive for is 20 + your level. This will indeed cause most of your opponents to miss you, so it's understandable that your DM is annoyed by it. Just tell him you're ready for higher CR opponents.

Don't annoy your DM! Make him think that your monsters are scaring you just a little more than they do. That way he has fun and you have fun. And you don't get your characters killed.

 

[The Grackle]

Wow. I just started playing a new character at ECL8, and I thought getting an AC of 28 was freakin' awesome.

But here he's just pretty good.

 

[seans23]

5 + Level = Poor
10 + Level = Mediocre
15 + Level = Fair
20 + Level = Good
25 + Level = Superb

NICE! My 16th level cleric is PERFECTLY FAIR!
(pre-buffing, that is)

So's my 2nd level bard! PERFECTLY FAIR! 250 xp ago, I was slightly better than fair, though. *sigh*

 

[nittanytbone]

Wow. I just started playing a new character at ECL8, and I thought getting an AC of 28 was freakin' awesome.

But here he's just pretty good.

Its not that hard to get a superb AC...

Level 6 cleric:

Full Plate +1 (either bought or using Magic Vestment): +9 Armor
Light Shield +1: +2 Shield
12 Dex: +1 dex
Shield of Faith: +3 Deflection
Barkskin (potion or druid friend): +2 natural

That's AC 27 right there, for a character that isn't even terribly focused on defense, with only 1-2 rounds of buffing. Not too shabby. Throw in Divine Shield (CHA to AC) or some higher powered buffs or combat expertise or fighting defensively and you're in even better shape.

This is an example of the "20+level" guideline for a solid AC.