I played a game this weekend and nearly fell out of my chair when the party cleric, level 11, was said to have an AC of 36. Is this normal? We use any pathfinder book. Just not sure how this can happen.
+J
Considering the attack bonuses and other abilities of creatures at that level, I'm not seeing a problem.
There's also the clerical buff spells. Shield of Faith would add another +3 AC at that level, and Protection from Evil would add +2 AC against evil creatures.
AC feats as well. Dodge, Shield feats, Could be fighting defensive or using combat expertise. There are races that get access to other AC feats as well.
Yeah 36 at lvl 11 is even the top a full defensive PC can hit perfectly on the up and up.
I played a game this weekend and nearly fell out of my chair when the party cleric, level 11, was said to have an AC of 36. Is this normal? We use any pathfinder book. Just not sure how this can happen.
I made a battle cleric and with a 1 to 4 level dip in Holy Vindicator you can get your AC really high. If you stay only 1 to 4 levels there you only lose one level of spell casting.
At level 11 his Vindicator's Shield would add +6 sacred bonus. 10 + 12(Fullplate+3) + 5(Large Shield +3) + 6(sacred bonus) + 2 (Amulet) +2 (Ring of Protection) + 1(Dex) = 38 AC
This is only having a +3 shield and armor, which is very reasonable. The above gear would cost him 35.5k even if no one had any item creation feats.
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Mmmmm 10+ Mithral Full plate +9 w/ Dex +3, Shield +2, maybe an enhancement of +2 & +2 on each for a total of 28 on armors, +3 Ring of Protection, +2 Amulet of Nat. Armor, gets 33. No idea if this is reasonable wealth wise but assuming he crafts it could be pretty easy and level 11 is quite high.
Dodge, and shield focus would put you at 35 AC.
Jingasa of the fortunate soldier + dusty rose prism ioun stone for 37 AC.
^ What they said.
Some races gain size bonuses. Some races gain natural armor. Some PrCs grant AC bonuses. There's Dodge, there's Improved Natural Armor, there's Shield Focus, there's Combat Expertise, and there are any number of spells and magic items which could affect size and AC. With an investment of item creation feats, this cleric could easily afford a buffed AC of 36 or more.
An AC that high is pretty good, even at 11th level, but it's also nowhere close to insurmountable for level-appropriate monsters and challenges.
Daron Woodson
Abandoned Arts
Yeah, 36 AC at level 11 is not unheard of. It is decently high, but not broken-high. In the game I GM, there is a level 7 cleric who gets his AC to 33. He hits like a wet noodle though.
If you want broken-high AC, just look at the Crane-style monks. It's also possible to make a gnome tower-shield specialist fighter that has 31+ AC unbuffed at level 4 (would take CR 6-7 enemies to be able to hit him without a nat 20 with normal physical attacks).
I made a battle cleric and with a 1 to 4 level dip in Holy Vindicator you can get your AC really high. If you stay only 1 to 4 levels there you only lose one level of spell casting.At level 11 his Vindicator's Shield would add +6 sacred bonus. 10 + 12(Fullplate+3) + 5(Large Shield +3) + 6(sacred bonus) + 2 (Amulet) +2 (Ring of Protection) + 1(Dex) = 38 AC
This is only having a +3 shield and armor, which is very reasonable. The above gear would cost him 35.5k even if no one had any item creation feats.
Ah yes that is it, holy vindicator. I remember him saying he wanted to make sure his AC made it so he would not have to worry about being hit, so he could heal when people needed it.
Just wondering about this,"The shield does not provide this bonus to any other wielder, but the vindicator does not need to be holding the shield for it to retain this power."
Does that mean he can cast it on his shield, not wear his shield and still get the bonus to his AC? Or he does not get the bonus to AC unless he is "using" the shield?
Thanks,
+J
Ah yes that is it, holy vindicator. I remember him saying he wanted to make sure his AC made it so he would not have to worry about being hit, so he could heal when people needed it.
Just wondering about this,"The shield does not provide this bonus to any other wielder, but the vindicator does not need to be holding the shield for it to retain this power."
Does that mean he can cast it on his shield, not wear his shield and still get the bonus to his AC? Or he does not get the bonus to AC unless he is "using" the shield?Thanks,
+J
It means he can drop the shield to use his hand to cast spells and the shield retains the charge. Later he can pick it back up and its still charged with holy power.
The sacred bonus the ability gives is to the shield. So if he isnt weilding it, it doesnt help.
In fairness, he had a feat tax (elemental channel or alignment channel) and lost a level of spellcasting. I think its a fair trade. Also if he made it a Light sheild (what I would do) its one AC less but you can use the hand to hold thing. Like your weapon while you cast spells.
EDIT: Just looked at it again, it does say when worn you get the bonus to your AC. Doesnt say anything about an sacred bonus to your shield. So i believe its RAI to have to be wielding the shield, but wording it kind of vague.