Dusty rose prism ioun stone- +1 insight bonus
jingasa of the fortunate soldier- +1 luck bonus
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Dusty rose prism ioun stone- +1 insight bonus
jingasa of the fortunate soldier- +1 luck bonus
Yup.
Other, obvious, gear:
Either Mithral Full Plate +5 or Celestial Armor +5 (depending on whether you have enough Dex, which is 24+, for the Celestial Armorto be equal or better).
Ring of Protection +5
Amulet of Natural Armor +5
Heavy Shield +5 (Light Shield if you need the hand free occasionally)
Sash of the War Champion (adds one to your Armor's max Dex-mod)
Some Feats:
Dodge
Ironhide
Improved Natural Armor (if you have Natural Armor, say from Ironhide, this allows you to spend as many Feats as you like on AC at a 1 to 1 ratio. Technically a monster Feat, and thus requires GM approval)
The listed stuff, minus Improved Natural Armor, and plus Dex 18, results in 49 AC, on, oh say, a Paladin (though he'd likely want a light shield, dropping it to 48, and Smite evil would likely raise that when it came up).
There are also a bunch of Class Features, but I'm not in the mood to go through 'em all.
On the "guide to the builds", you can find my own "paragon duelist", a build that ends up with ridiculous AC. You can find it here:
http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2qcfs?The-silly-swordlord-or-how-a-squishy-duel ist#1
The AC caps out at 60 (level 20).
Another build of mine uses a combo of "CHA" sources boosts to get to combine to a massive AC:
-Nature's whisper to replace cha with dex
-Smite evil for deflection from cha
-Osyluth guile for dodge from CHA
-In "chronicles of the righteous", there is a celestial boon (arshea) that allows an armor bonus from CHA (actual armor instead of armor)
With a high cha, you can reach well over 70 AC against a single enemy (level 20)
I explain it more here:
http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2qoad?The-high-Oradin-of-Arshea-or-the
There are other ways, but these are the most ridiculous I could create.
Dusty rose prism ioun stone- +1 insight bonus
jingasa of the fortunate soldier- +1 luck bonusYup.
Other, obvious, gear:
Either Mithral Full Plate +5 or Celestial Armor +5 (depending on whether you have enough Dex, which is 24+, for the Celestial Armorto be equal or better).
Ring of Protection +5
Amulet of Natural Armor +5
Heavy Shield +5 (Light Shield if you need the hand free occasionally)
Sash of the War Champion (adds one to your Armor's max Dex-mod)Some Feats:
Dodge
Ironhide
Improved Natural Armor (if you have Natural Armor, say from Ironhide, this allows you to spend as many Feats as you like on AC at a 1 to 1 ratio. Technically a monster Feat, and thus requires GM approval)The listed stuff, minus Improved Natural Armor, and plus Dex 18, results in 49 AC, on, oh say, a Paladin (though he'd likely want a light shield, dropping it to 48, and Smite evil would likely raise that when it came up).
There are also a bunch of Class Features, but I'm not in the mood to go through 'em all.
Sadly the AC bonus from Smite is a Deflection bonus so unless it's better then the Ring of Protection it won't help. Not sure if anything gives a Sarced or Profane AC bonus but those are possiblities for custom magic items.
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Sadly the AC bonus from Smite is a Deflection bonus so unless it's better then the Ring of Protection it won't help. Not sure if anything gives a Sarced or Profane AC bonus but those are possiblities for custom magic items.
Uh...if a 20th level Paladin doesn't have more than 20 Charisma, he's doing something wrong. So it'll still add a bit; +3 AC if he's got a Cha 26, for example. The highest bonus applies.
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It would be helpful to note that a high AC isn't very special unless you have a good offense, since you both can still be hit with a 20 after the party is dead, and can't make enemies attack you unless you have a high offense.
So, I'll add that a potion of Blur will improve AC significantly, since it eliminates the nat20 rule. And that Antagonize is [IMO] the best defense feat in the game.
Uh...if a 20th level Paladin doesn't have more than 20 Charisma, he's doing something wrong. So it'll still add a bit; +3 AC if he's got a Cha 26, for example. The highest bonus applies.
Sadly the AC bonus from Smite is a Deflection bonus so unless it's better then the Ring of Protection it won't help. Not sure if anything gives a Sarced or Profane AC bonus but those are possiblities for custom magic items.
There are 19 levels before level 20, and I did say unless it was better then the Ring of Protection. For Rangers on the other hand have a feat called Favored Defense that adds half of one Favored Enemy Bonus as AC.
The winner of this is going to be a Nature Oracle with a whopping theoretically infinite AC. Without resorting to casting multiple awakenings on oneself and stick with non-infinite stats, a Lunar/Nature/Lore Oracle who max out their CHA and take Celestial Obedience (Arshea) starts with a base AC of around 42, if using smite you'll be at around 58. Should be able to get that well into the 70s.
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Greetings Paizo boards! Some folks here know that I run a blog called Improved Initiative. Today I'm asking for a bit of help. I want to put together a crunch entry on getting the highest armor class possible. It will be divided into armor, feats, magical enhancements, spells, non-armor magic items.
Would folks be kind enough to list out the methods they use for getting the best possible armor class for their characters? Any and all aid is appreciated.
Thank You
Hmm. I know a Monk/Druid can get their AC pretty high... Let's go with a Qinggong/Flowing Monk12/Druid w.Plant Domain8.
Let's say we start with a Dex and Wis of 18 each after Racials. I'd say a Finesse build seems appropriate for this to seem feasible.
That's a starting AC of 18.
Over time, the Monk gets another +3 over time from his Monk AC Bonus.
21
The Monk can use a Ki point at any time to add +4
25
Let's say he poors 4 out of his 5 attribute gains into Dex.
27
Throw in a belt of Incredible Dexterity +6 and Headband of Inspired Wisdom +6
33
Let's say the flowing monk is surrounded by 7+ people.
40
The Qinggong part of him gains the Barkskin sla.
45
He acquires a Monk's Robe, Ring of Protection +5, Hide Armor +5 +Wild, Heavy Wooden Shield +5 +Wild
67
Now let's say the Druid side comes out and Shifts into form(which btw, most of this ac does not exist(maybe 30 tops) outside of a form)... Huge Air Elemental or Tiny Magical Beast. 6 Dex and 4 NA for Elemental. 8 Dex and 3 NA for M Beast. Comes out about the same.
74
I think that about does it.
Now to go over types to make sure they stack:
Monk AC Bonus - Untyped
Ki Point for AC - Untyped
Dex - "Dodge Bonus"(Right?)
Flowing Dodge(Surrounded by Mooks)- Dodge Bonus
Belt and Headband - Increases Dodge and Untyped Monk AC Bonus(Based off of Wisdom)
Barkskin - Natural Armor Bonus
Wildshape - Natural Armor and Dex(Dodge Bonus)
Monk's Robe - Untyped Monk AC Bonus
Ring of Protection - Deflect
Hide Armor - Armor and Armor Bonus
Shield - Shield and Shield Bonus
4 Levels in Qinggong/Flowing Monk seems to really give you a huge AC bonus... but only to those who choose to fight without armor or those who fight with a method of negating armor.
I suppose Haste and an Ioun stone or two can be thrown in there to get it higher.
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This is a quick go off the top of my head using only the PRD. I think I can go higher if I research it.
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Synthesist Summoner 20
Base AC: 10
DEX 35 = (12 (Aquatic Base Form) +8 (Level 20 Eidolon Bonus) +8 (Ability Increase Evolution x4) +6 Enhancement Bonus (Belt of Incredible Dexterity) +5 Inherent Bonus (Tome of Quickness of Action) -4 (Huge Evolution)) +12 DEX Bonus
Aquatic Base Form: +4 (Natural Armor Bonus)
Level 20 Eidolon Armor Bonus (all put into natural armor): +16 Natural Armor (untyped)
Improved Natural Armor Evolution x5: +10 Natural Armor (untyped)
Improved Natural Armor Feat x10, +10 Natural Armor (untyped)
Huge Evolution: +5 Natural Armor (untyped)
Amulet of Natural Armor +: +5 Natural Armor (Enhancement Bonus)
Bracers of Armor +8: +8 Armor Bonus
Heavy Mithral or Darkwood Shield +5: +7 Shield Bonus
Ring of Protection +5: +5 Deflection Bonus
Dusty Rose Prism Ioun Stone: +1 Insight Bonus
Jingasa of the Fortunate Soldier: +1 Luck Bonus
Fate's Favored Trait: +1 Trait Bonus
Haste spell: +1 Dodge Bonus
Huge Evolution: -2 (Size Penalty)
10 +12 +50 +8 +7 +5 +1 +1 +1 -2 = 93
With ally buffs:
Bard Ally using Inspire Heroics: +4 (Dodge Bonus, dodge bonuses stack)
Level 20 Order of the Dragon Honor Guard Cavalier ally using Aid Another: +7 (untyped)
Level 20 adjacent Cavalier granting Shield Wall feat using Tactician: +2 Shield Bonus
Ally using Tactical Acumen spell: +4 Insight (won't stack with Ioun Stone)
Level 20 Good Dwarven Inquisitor Ally (favored class option, slayer class ability, judgment surge feat) using Shared Judgment feat or Lend Judgement spell to share Protection judgement): +8 Sacred
Evil Inquisitor (same as above): +8 Profane
10 +12 +50 +8 +7 +5 +1 +1 +1 -2 +4 +7 +2 + 3 (4-1) +8 +8 = 125
You are forgetting size modifiers to AC and Dex (if you can shrink that far) and adding Defender Weapons onto this, particularly to create an Uber Shield.
If you've the money and multiple limbs, it seems Defender bonuses now stack unlimited, too.
==Aelryinth
You are forgetting size modifiers to AC and Dex (if you can shrink that far) and adding Defender Weapons onto this, particularly to create an Uber Shield.
If you've the money and multiple limbs, it seems Defender bonuses now stack unlimited, too.
==Aelryinth
Well, you broke my entry. If I made a half-elf synthesist (biped) and used all of his evolution points (36 including the extra evolution feat and favored class option) on the Limbs: Arms evolution, I could have 38 arms. With a +5 defending weapon in each, I could add 185 AC (27 x 5, I keep the shield) (minus the huge, improved natural AC, and ability increase evolutions, and 5 of the improved natural armor feats) for a total of 290 AC.
125 -20 (ability increase x4, improved natural AC evolution x10, huge evolution (I lose 5 but gain 4 back from dex and size penalty), and improved natural AC feat x5) + 185 = 290.
I'm not sure if that's right. My head hurts.
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Crane Style [maybe wing, if you still like it after the nerf] are both pretty solid ways of increasing AC, as is Combat Expertise as far as feats are concerned. Halflings have Cautious Fighter which is great with Crane Style netting you a +6AC for a -2[-1 with riposte] to attack, for a great defense:offense ratio.
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...Greetings Paizo boards! Some folks here know that I run a blog called Improved Initiative. Today I'm asking for a bit of help. I want to put together a crunch entry on getting the highest armor class possible. It will be divided into armor, feats, magical enhancements, spells, non-armor magic items.
Would folks be kind enough to list out the methods they use for getting the best possible armor class for their characters? Any and all aid is appreciated.
Thank You
Hmm. I know a Monk/Druid can get their AC pretty high... Let's go with a Qinggong/Flowing Monk12/Druid w.Plant Domain8.
Let's say we start with a Dex and Wis of 18 each after Racials. I'd say a Finesse build seems appropriate for this to seem feasible.
That's a starting AC of 18.
Over time, the Monk gets another +3 over time from his Monk AC Bonus.
21
The Monk can use a Ki point at any time to add +4
25
Let's say he poors 4 out of his 5 attribute gains into Dex.
27
Throw in a belt of Incredible Dexterity +6 and Headband of Inspired Wisdom +6
33
Let's say the flowing monk is surrounded by 7+ people.
40
The Qinggong part of him gains the Barkskin sla.
45
He acquires a Monk's Robe, Ring of Protection +5, Hide Armor +5 +Wild, Heavy Wooden Shield +5 +Wild
67
Now let's say the Druid side comes out and Shifts into form(which btw, most of this ac does not exist(maybe 30 tops) outside of a form)... Huge Air Elemental or Tiny Magical Beast. 6 Dex and 4 NA for Elemental. 8 Dex and 3 NA for M Beast. Comes out about the same.
74I think that about does it.
Now to go over types to make sure they stack:
Monk AC Bonus - Untyped
Ki Point for AC - Untyped
Dex - "Dodge Bonus"(Right?)
Flowing Dodge(Surrounded by Mooks)- Dodge Bonus
Belt and Headband - Increases Dodge and Untyped Monk AC Bonus(Based off of Wisdom)
Barkskin - Natural Armor Bonus
Wildshape - Natural Armor and Dex(Dodge Bonus)
Monk's Robe - Untyped Monk AC Bonus
Ring of Protection -
Hahaha. I love this build!! Plus I post it because I never get to use it :(
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You are forgetting size modifiers to AC and Dex (if you can shrink that far) and adding Defender Weapons onto this, particularly to create an Uber Shield.
If you've the money and multiple limbs, it seems Defender bonuses now stack unlimited, too.
==Aelryinth
Well, you broke my entry. If I made a half-elf synthesist (biped) and used all of his evolution points (36 including the extra evolution feat and favored class option) on the Limbs: Arms evolution, I could have 38 arms. With a +5 defending weapon in each, I could add 185 AC (27 x 5, I keep the shield) (minus the huge, improved natural AC, and ability increase evolutions, and 5 of the improved natural armor feats) for a total of 290 AC.
125 -20 (ability increase x4, improved natural AC evolution x10, huge evolution (I lose 5 but gain 4 back from dex and size penalty), and improved natural AC feat x5) + 185 = 290.
I'm not sure if that's right. My head hurts.
Lmfao. That's pretty incredible and expensive! Well done. Though, I think anything beyond 70AC is pretty much overkill.
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If a natural 20 is an automatic hit, then the highest AC you will ever need is 20 higher than your enemy's to hit.
EDIT: Per the FAQ, you actually have to USE a defending weapon to get the bonus.
AC 121; Flat Footed 88; Touch 74; Ranged +23 AC to all previous categories
***Non-Mythic***
My hypothetical character is a dwarf MoMS 1 (Monk) 1/Wizard 1/Synthesist 18.
Serpentine Form: +4 NA, Str 12, Dex 16, Con 13
+14 NA, +7 str/dex, 23 evolution points, 3 ability score increases (+3 dex) from L18
Evolutions: Improved Natural Armor (4 times): +8 NA, Ability Increase (4 times): +8 dex,
Serpentine Form Adjusted: +26 NA, Str 19, Dex 34, Con 13
Race: Dwarf: 20 Wisdom (L4/8/12/16/20: +5 Wisdom) +3 Wisdom (Age) +5 Wish + 6 Headband = 39 Wisdom
Spells made Continuous on Items
Wish - +5 inherent bonus to wisdom
Alter Self: Small = +1 AC for size
Age Resistance, Greater + Venerable Age Category
Barkskin +5 enhancement bonus to natural armor
Dance of a Hundred Cuts: +5 morale bonus to AC
Tactical Acumen +4 insight bonus to cover AC
Interposing Hand +4 cover AC
Bullet Shield +8 deflection bonus to AC from ranged and thrown weapons
Cloak of Winds (-4 to enemy ranged attack, just like a +4 non-specific bonus to AC from ranged attacks)
Aspect of the Stag +2 dodge bonus to AC vs AoO
Blessing of Fervor +2 dodge bonus to AC
Feats
Dodge Feat: +1 dodge bonus to AC
Crane Style + 3 ranks in acrobatics: +3 AC for fighting defensively
Combat Expertise (-4 A, +4 dodge bonus to AC)
Nature Soul --> Animal Ally --> Shield Wall (teamwork for both you and the AC)
AC gets shield proficiency and a buckler strapped to its leg: +1 additional Shield AC to you.
Both familiar and AC aid another to add +2 each to AC.
Magic Item
+5 AC bonus to luck
+5 AC bonus to sacred
Bracers of Armor 8
Headband of Wisdom +6
Ring of Protection +5 deflection
Amulet of Natural Armor +5 enhancement bonus to NA
Monk's Robes (+1 AC)
Heavy Mithral Shield +5 of Arrow Catching, Arrow Deflecting, and Animated/with shield spikes +5 enhancement and Defending and Dueling (+2 shield/+5 enhancement bonus to shield, +1 deflection from ranged at tacks/+5 non-specific, +4 initiative)
For the 38 Defending Weapons...well, you'd just have to get Greater Magic weapon as an SLA, or use a Mass VErsion of it, I guess! Then you'd have 38 +2 Weapons, which is only 304k gold.
Give me a second and I'll dig up my page on progressing AC for the OP.
==Aelryinth
Here's the post. I've used it several times for people who wonder how to progress AC without getting fancy (i.e. this is almost completely via buying magical items).
http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2nrq2&page=4?How-do-you-learn-to-optimizemi nmax-well#162
Combinations of class features, stats, and spells and custom items are above and beyond.
==Aelryinth