Overcoming Max Dex Bonus to AC from armor

[Reynard_the_fox]

Right now I'm a level 8 finesse Rogue/Alchemist with a Mithral Shirt +1 (Shadow). I've got 22 Dex normally, which gives me a +6 to AC from dex, the max allowed by a mithral shirt. Unfortunately, that means that if I use Reduce Person or my Mutagen to increase my dex more, I don't get the increased dex bonus to AC.

Is there any way to enchant this armor or somehow otherwise raise the max dex bonus? If not, what armors have higher max Dex to AC besides quilted cloth and padded? (I'd like Celestial Mail, but that's not going to happen for a while.)

Right now my total AC is 10 + 6 (Dex bonus) + 1 (Dodge) + 2 (Ring of Deflection) + 5 (Mithral Shirt +1) = 24. If I use my Mutagen I get +2 Natural Armor, and if I use Reduce Person I get +1 from being small. Without the max dex bonus to AC, those bonuses would be +4 and +2.

I made the unfortunate mistake of having 10 Con whilst being a TWF (and so engaged in full attack melee somewhat frequently), so AC is really important to me. (I've only got 41 HP)

[Jiggy]

Um... Studded Leather might be allowed as mithril, if your GM rolls that way.

You might also consider UMD and a wand of shield.

[Lastoth]

You want celestial chain, it's +6 AC, +8 max dex and is default +3 enchanted, and it also either gives fly or haste, so it's going to be pricey.

[Elinor Knutsdottir]

Get a whole bunch of levels in fighter? Other than that, I don't think so. As a rogue you're not likely to be expected to stand between the monsters and the other party members so I think your best bet is 'not being the guy in front of the monsters'.

[WRoy]

Parade Armor made from mithril is +3 armor, +7 max Dex.

If you ever get to the point where you'll be commonly benefitting from a +9 or greater Dex mod, you can get a haramaki or silken ceremonial armor that has no ceiling on Dex bonus to AC.

[Reynard_the_fox]

Ah yes, I can actually drink an extract of Shield if I want, forgot to mention that. Of course, that brings the total rounds I have to spend buffing precombat...

[Nebelwerfer41]

I don't know of any way to gan get rid of the max Dex modifier. My suggestion would be to spend some cash on a defending weapon or get a permanent natural armor bonus. 24 AC for a 8th level rogue is pretty good.

[Belafon]

Your best bet is probably going to be Mage Armor. You can suck down potions at 50gp for a +4 armor bonus to AC. Once you get to higher levels and have the money, switch to Bracers of Armor. The Haramaki starts out slightly cheaper (since it has a base of +1 AC), but it has a maximum enhancement bonus of +5, for a total of +6. The Bracers can go all the way up to +8.

Again, you'll need to decide when the cost is worth the added AC, but that's your best armor bonus with no limit on Dex bonus.

[StreamOfTheSky]

I'd just use Haramaki. With a +5 for up to +6 AC, that'll run you 25,000 gp plus 150 masterwork and...whatever haramaki costs (very cheap, iirc). Bracers of Armor +7 will net a +1 AC over that and cost 49,000 gp (nearly double the price!), and +8 bracers are 64,000 gp for +2 AC over the haramaki.

Those prices will NEVER be worth it. Just stick with the haramaki.

[bfobar]

also, you could get a haramaki enchanted with things like fortification, shadow, and slick, which may be more beneficial to your character than a few more expensive AC points. If a haramaki isn't allowed, even padded armor can enchant up to +6AC and +8 dex bonus, and allows you to add other magic abilities.

[loaba]

Jiggy wrote:

Um... Studded Leather might be allowed as mithril, if your GM rolls that way.

Heh - I tried to sell the concept of Mithral-studded Leather armor to a GM once. lol

/ - he said no.
// - weight difference between leather armor and the studded variety is only 5 lbs. I suppose you could say that Mithral-studded armor weighs 17.5 lbs and gets an extra point of Dex bonus for the trouble. I'd still make it cost 1000 gp.

[Jiggy]

loaba wrote:

Jiggy wrote:

Um... Studded Leather might be allowed as mithril, if your GM rolls that way.

Heh - I tried to sell the concept of Mithral-studded Leather armor to a GM once. lol

/ - he said no.

Then have your druid wear studded leather. ;)

[loaba]

Jiggy wrote:

loaba wrote:

Jiggy wrote:

Um... Studded Leather might be allowed as mithril, if your GM rolls that way.

Heh - I tried to sell the concept of Mithral-studded Leather armor to a GM once. lol

/ - he said no.

Then have your druid wear studded leather. ;)

Scythes feature metal blades. :P

[Gauss]

The restriction is not against metal weapons but against metal armor. An attempt at making druids feel more 'natural' I guess. - Gauss

[Sylvanite]

I second the Mage Armor idea. Buy a pearl of power and have the party caster toss Mage Armor on you. Should probably last all day.

Also, TWF rogues usually have to spend some time moving into position, which can leave you with either making one attack as a standard or using that standard to buff. I'd buff (and probably draw less aggro since I didn't just punk someone), then move up, then unleash the full attack w/flanking of doom. Hopefully you put them down before your AC is even an issue or they have a chance to turn on you.

[voska66]

Grab 3 levels of fighter and get War Sash, that increases you max dex by 2 with two levels of armor training. Of course that means more multiclassing when you already are dealing with two classes.

Or get celestial armor when you can afford it, it's +8.

[Artanthos]

If you have a decent Intelligence, consider adding a few levels of Duelist and/or Kensai. Sidestep the whole max Dex issue until you can afford Celestrial.