Help in building a high Armor Class Character (for PFS)

[Krell44]

As the title suggests, I am wanting to build a high AC character for use in PFS play. In a perfect world they will have decent saves, put out an acceptable amount of damage, and have good movement. The idea is to provoke AoO's from the enemy in an effort to allow the rest of the melee to move into position easily.

I have considered a Paladin, or perhaps an Armored Hulk Barbarian but was wondering if there are other solid options, or perhaps a feat or two that can allow me to use another stat in addition to DEX as a bonus to AC. Seems I heard somewhere that a Paladin can use CHA modifier somehow? Maybe?

There is also the Prestige Class Stalwart Defender which seems a possibility. I am assuming I would eventually be wearing Medium Armor (Mithril) and equipping a shield...more of the sword and board technique. I would prefer to stay away from Heavy Armor to maintain movement, however as I read more about it if I dumped more gold into my armor allotment I could be wearing mithril heavy armor, and try and mitigate my loss of movement through feats or abilities.

[Fruian Thistlefoot]

AC is nice. But layered defenses is really the way to go. This is very helpful when heavy armors just slow you down.

As for good saves just by going half-orc with sacred tattoo your ahead of the game.

I'm a fan of Arcane bloodrager due to Displacement while raging. 50% miss chance is very nice.

Grab Fates favored trait your saves go up by 1 and buy a jingasa of the Fortunate soilder as soon as you can for +2 luck AC and critical negation.

You can do a shield early for the AC till your blur->Displacement kicks in. Then grab a 2 handed weapon and go to town tearing things apart.

[Markov Spiked Chain]

I've been thinking lately about what you can do with the new Medium's Guardian Spirit.

At level 4 with Spirit Focus, you can have +3 AC, +3 Ref and Fort saves, and add 1d6 to a failed save a few times a day. And they get Mirror Image on their list for scrolls or wands, which is great for layered defenseas Fruian mentions.

Nature and Lore Oracles can both add Cha to AC. The paladin archetype can't wear armor, so it's not as compelling.

[Charon's Little Helper]

If you are building for AC/saves/mobility - go dex-based core monk. It's offense is nothing to write home about, but it can be pretty respectable.

Always take qinggong and a second archetype - the second based upon what you want to do.

Heck - at level 4 my PFS dwarf monk has a 27 AC, and vs spells all of his saves are +11 or better.

You could go Panther style to make provoking AOOs better. Though remember - they don't ever HAVE to take the AOO against you - they can save them for squishier targets.

[Markov Spiked Chain]

I've been thinking lately about what you can do with the new Medium's Guardian Spirit.

At level 4 with Spirit Focus, you can have +3 AC, +3 Ref and Fort saves, and add 1d6 to a failed save a few times a day. And they get Mirror Image on their list for scrolls or wands, which is great for layered defense as Fruian mentions.

Nature and Lore Oracles can both add Cha to AC. The paladin archetype can't wear armor, so it's not as compelling.

[Markov Spiked Chain]

If you mostly want it for melee group mobility, I would probably start with Paladin(Holy Tactician) 4, and share out Escape Route as your bonus feat. Str/Cha Paladin 4/Lore Oracle 1/Medium(Guardian) 4 would be quite sturdy, with crazy saves and reasonable attacks.

[galahad2112]

Swashbuckler 1 and Combat Reflexes make a very nice low-cost layered defense. You can look into the Mobility feat (requires 13+ Dex and Dodge feat) to boost AC against AoOs.

You can also go Monk, as was already suggested, to use Dex and Wis for AC (helps with saves, too). Master of Many Styles is a favorite way to get all of those nice style feats that either boost AC or use AoOs rather well. Panther and Snake are nice styles, I'm sure there are plenty of others, too.

[calagnar]

I know this will sound counter intuitive. If you are building for AC stay way from heavy armor. The exception to this is if your playing a fighter. What you need to look for are ways to gain two stats to AC. Normally you are looking for Dex + Wis, or Int. One level of monk gets you Wis mod to AC. Magus Kensai archtype gets Int Mod to AC up to their level. From their it's just stacking bonus, and buffing ability scores.
For damage work in dex to damage unless you plan on going caster. The easiest route to this is Magus. The other route for higher base damage is Unchained rogue for 3 levels, and double slice. Two weapon fighting dose not really have a extra dex cost if your building for AC. Two handed fighting dose as your focus is dex not Str.