This is an old build of mine that I had a second look at recently and decided I wanted to share. What I had in mind with this build was to reach AC 100+. The build is geared towards that goal in every way, sacrificing AB and HPs, making it quite hard to play normally. The build has an AC of 101 self buffed in mundane equipment,(counting in the effect of curse song on the opponents).
The Boneguard
Bard 11/ PM 28/ Cleric 1 Theme build, AC – low playability Elf, non good, non lawful
Attributes Str 13 Dex 18 (31) Con 6 Int 13 Wis 8 Cha 16 (19)
Attack AB: 22/17/12 (33/28/23) (Empowered Bull’s, GMW, War Cry, Bard song) [41/36/31] [Curse song, Taunt] Damage: Rapier 1d6 +1(18-20/x2), Buffs +11 (If you take W. finesse instead of Dodge, you get AB 31 (42) [50], making the character a bit easier to play normally).
AC AC in Robes and Towershield, unbuffed: 50 (Base 10, Armor skin 2, Bone skin 16, Tumble 8. Dex bonus 10, Dodge 1, Shield 3) Buffs and active feats: 51 (Epic mage armor 20, Improved expertise 10, Divine shield (with empowered eagle’s ) 8, Empowered cat’s 4, Haste 4, Bard song 2, Mage armor 1, Curse song 2)
Total AC: 101
To achieve this you must roll high cat’s and eagle’s so you get Dex 38 and Cha 26, but you have several attempts. The dodge AC is geared towards it’s capped max (20) with EMA 5, DS 8, Haste 4, Bardsong 2 and MA 1 Since EMA and MA don’t give shield AC, an enchanted tower will add directly to this total of 101.
Other defensive features HP: 195, Bard song adds 8 Epic warding Improved invisibility (50% concealment) Wounding whispers PM immunities Domain powers: War – small DR, Protection – sanctuary (9 rounds)
Other features PM special touch attacks Undead summons: Warrior lord, Alhoon elder, Wraith, Skeleton chieftain Bard spells essential for the build: Cat’s, Eagle’s, Haste, MA Other important bard spells: Bull’s, GMW, Imp. Invisibility, War cry, Wounding whispers _________________ The curve is more powerful than the sword -- BG courtesan
You might be able to get a bit more AC if you drop 4 PM levels for 4 Bard. You would get +3 more AC from Bardsong vs. the +2 from Boneskin.
Also, you could start with a 17 Dex and still hit Dex30, and use those 3 points for Charisma, and then end up with Chr22 for another added point to Divine Shield.
You might be able to get a bit more AC if you drop 4 PM levels for 4 Bard. You would get +3 more AC from Bardsong vs. the +2 from Boneskin.
Also, you could start with a 17 Dex and still hit Dex30, and use those 3 points for Charisma, and then end up with Chr22 for another added point to Divine Shield.
Net AC gained: +4
I think.
I think he's already at the dodge AC cap, so I don't think that will work. _________________ (I enjoy writing parenthetically (a lot)).
*adds*
I think he's already at the dodge AC cap, so I don't think that will work.
That's correct.
I wonder, has anybody found other ways to hit the 100 mark without magical equipment? _________________ The curve is more powerful than the sword -- BG courtesan
Edited By Mick Dagger on 10/25/06 14:47
I think someone did with Bard4/RDD10/PM26.... But probaly not. _________________ I see the fear you have inside, you can run but never hide. I will hunt you down and tear you limb from limb.
I run the Pre-Epic Builders guild. Join and share your experience.
You don't want to be caught flatfooted though.
Quote: Posted 10/26/06 14:55 (GMT) -- Grimnir77
I think someone did with Bard4/RDD10/PM26.... But probaly not.
The RDD bonus to AC (Draconic armor) is +4 The PM bonus to AC (Bone skin) is reduced from 16 to 14 If you drop investing into cha and spend the points taken in Str to qualify for power attack, you can start with dex 20 and build a higher dex based AC. With all the PM lvls you should probably have slots for empowering Cat's grace The bard song will be weaker, and you will lose most of your bard spells. Both builds will have EMA and MA
But I doubt the PM/RDD will be able to self buff to the dodge AC cap. _________________ The curve is more powerful than the sword -- BG courtesan
Edited By Mick Dagger on 10/27/06 09:13
the highest possible AC obtainable from a build is from a Bard (sorc) 3-5 / Monk 6-9 / Pale Master 28, halfling, starting stats 20 dex, wis 16 with all attributes going to wisdom & 6 great wis
not anything special, but that is completely naked!
...now if you throw in some Haste, items to give +12 to dex & wis, you get 101 and this is on your Character sheet, WITHOUT curse song effectively increase AC. Also you still have 10 AC left in the dodge cap to push this up to 111...
furthermore as most of your AC is hard-coded and from Wisdom you only lose 11-21 (depending on dex buff & having haste!) when caught flat-footed.
However this is even more of an AB gimp...you would have to use Zen Archery to even make an attack (29 AB ftw) and you may as well take Dirty Fighting to Maximize the damage you'd deal!
Thanks, that's both informative and interesting! When we use items to reach the caps, it becomes a totally different game. _________________ The curve is more powerful than the sword -- BG courtesan
I accept that it may be unreasonable to assume that you will be able to get items to boost Dex & Wis by +12, however as a level 40 epic character it would not be unreasonable to assume that you would gain access to at least Haste scrolls, potions of Owl's Wisdom & Cat's Grace, this could give a +8 to AC (from the 85),
furthermore it would not be unreasonable to assume that such an epic character would have access to some kind of magical boots that would give a dodge bonus stackable with that of Epic Mage Armor, even if it is too unreasonable to assume you will get an item of greater than +5 to beat 3 other EMA armor types!!!
krsboss, I don't disageree with you. Magical items are available in most gaming environments.
I have made a build that can reach AC 100+ on it's own.
Making a build that has the highest possible AC with items is a very different task. The build will look very different because you don't have to focus that much on how to get the most out of your buffs. The build you mention is in line with that. As I said, I find your post both informative and interesting. _________________ The curve is more powerful than the sword -- BG courtesan
would have access to some kind of magical boots that would give a dodge bonus stackable with that of Epic Mage Armor, even if it is too unreasonable to assume you will get an item of greater than +5 to beat 3 other EMA armor types!!!
krsboss, I don't disageree with you. Magical items are available in most gaming environments.