I need help understanding druid armor options and costs. My 8th level druid is loosely modeled after Treantmonk's "Spirit of the Beast" template. Our party has one tank, several strikers, and a couple of glass cannons. Consequently my PC acts as a secondary tank (along with his animal companion and summoned animals) to protect the softer targets. We only use the Core Rulebook (no expansions).
How can I best beef up my druid's AC? His 18 Dex with +1 Hide armor and a +1 Amulet of Natural Armor grants a total AC of 20, with a -3 armor check penalty. This AC is starting to feel weaker than it did a few levels ago.
I've been reviewing Dragonhide, Darkwood, Ironwood, Wild Armor, and Wood Shape. Dragonhide armor with the Wild enchantment appears to be a straightforward choice. Another combination that came to mind was full plate armor constructed of Darkwood with both Wild and Ironwood enchantments. At first reading, it seems that would grant the plate armor bonus of +9, an armor check penalty of -4, and a max Dex bonus of +1. Getting that +9 armor bonus in WildShape form would be a huge improvement.
By comparison, his current armor (sans enchantments) nets +8 AC (+4 for hide and +4 for Dex). While the darkwood/ironwood idea nets +10 AC (+9 for plate and +1 for Dex). But he doesn't get to use that AC bonus when Wildshaped. Ironwood applies an extra +1 magic bonus to AC. Initially I thought Darkwood removed the Maxiumum Dex Bonus restriction, but on a second reading it appears that first impression was wrong.
What would you recommend, and how would I cost these out? Thanks.
I'd go with a Wild Dragonhide Breastplate or Full Plate depending on how much time you spend in human form. Remember, while wild shaped, you are not subject to the max dex or armor check penalty of Wild Armor (that's why it costs so much).
Also, why is your Dex so high? Did you roll or have some obscene point buy?
Thanks for that advice. Our party travels to a lot of cities, so he stays in human form much of the time. Regarding the stats, our DM was very generous and allowed our party a non-conventional approach to rolling our ability scores, which resulted in all of our PCs having very favorable numbers.
Thanks for that advice. Our party travels to a lot of cities, so he stays in human form much of the time. Regarding the stats, our DM was very generous and allowed our party a non-conventional approach to rolling our ability scores, which resulted in all of our PCs having very favorable numbers.
Then I'd go for the Breastplate so you don't have to take a feat (or suffer massive penalties) while in human form. It's +9 in Human form, and +10 while shaped.
My druid just got a sweet pay day and I made my +1 Dragonhide Breastplate Wild, got a +2 Ring of Protection, and a Jingasa of the Fortunate Soldier. I use an Amulet of Mighty Striking instead of the Natural Armor--Barkskin is generally better than the amulet anyway and lasts quite a long time.
Not to threadjack, as I am also building a druid. But, for pricing a darkwood spear, is it 300 g + 10 per weight, or just 10 per weight? Thanks!
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Thanks @Caderyn for the correction. Are these stats and costs correct for each of these options?
Wild Dragonhide Breastplate
Human form: +6 AC, +3 Dex Bonus, -4 Armor Check Penalty
Wildshaped: +6 AC, +4 Dex Bonus, 0 Armor Check Penalty
Cost: 16,700 total. Calculated as (200 breastplate + 150 masterwork) x 2 for Dragonhide + 16,000 Wild (+4 bonus cost due to +1 AC & +3 wild).
Wild Dragonhide Full Plate
Human form: +9 AC, +1 Dex Bonus, -6 Armor Check Penalty
Wildshaped: +9 AC, +4 Dex Bonus, 0 Armor Check Penalty
Cost: 19,300 total. The breakdown is 3,300 Dragonhide + 16,000 Wild.
@mplindustries Good point regarding the feat requirement for plate armor. I'm unfamiliar with those other magic items.
@Odraude [url href=http://bit.ly/1691iKx]Darkwood[/url] is masterwork, which means it has +150 gp added to it's cost. A typical spear costs 2 gp and weighs 6 pounds. Darkwood adds "10 gp per pound to the price of a masterwork version of that item." At 6 pounds that's an extra 60 gp. I think it's 212 gp (2 + 150 + 60). If I'm wrong, someone can correct that.
Okay thanks. Although, for weapons, Masterwork cost is 300 gp.
@Odraude Thanks, I didn't see that for weapons. Good call.