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Author: jesterzdragon
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2 Comments
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Quick and dirty breakdown to help better understand how the elusive Armor Class works, and what works with what.
Armor class is your characters ability to avoid being hit in combat via various means.
First everyone starts with a base Armor Class of 10 modified by size (dodge) and Dexterity.
Dexterity is how quick and agile your character is. The higher your dexterity in even numbers then the harder you are to hit and thus more armor class. Note that armor and shields limit your Dexterity bonus, so you might not be able to apply your whole Dexterity bonus to your AC. When wearing armor and/or a shield the Max Dexterity listed on the equipment when inspecting it, is the highest bonus that is applied to your Armor Class via your Dexterity(if it is that high to begin with) The lowest Max Dexterity applies.
Armor and Shield bonuses stack with other bonuses; you can have one of each. The spell mage armor and shield also give these bonuses. Some armor has a bonus that says Armor +4 like black widow bracers. Armor does not stack with other armor, and shields do not stack with other shields. Even the shield spell does not stack with shield, and mage armor does not stack with wearing armor. The Highest Bonus applies, for example a +1 Heavy steel shield is 3 bonus to AC, but the shield spell is 4 bonus to AC. So the shield spell would apply be the highest bonus and thus it would apply.
Next, you get into magical bonus realm such as dodge, which comes in many forms. Dodge the feat, various enhancements such as fighters dodge, uncanny dodge, Chaosguardes bracers and the spell Haste. Dodge stacks with other dodge bonuses, so you could always use more dodge.
Then you have Deflection, which is like a magical barrier that is seen on a few items in the game such as Spectacular Optics and Cloak of Shadows. Only the highest bonus of these will take effect, and they do not stack with other deflection. Sometimes called protection as well due to spells like Protection from evil is also considered deflection. True Neutral’s can use stability armors and shields, which is also deflection and does not stack with other deflection bonuses.
Natural Armor is your skin being extra tough and stacks with other forms of Armor class but not itself. The Natural Armor amulet, hammer from the dragon and the spell Barksin are all forms of natural armor.
Morale is another bonus. Morale is a paladin’s aura up to a +5 extra AC at lvl 10 to yourself and those close to you, or the Halflings companion. In practice they appear to stack, but I don't know many halflings that use this.
So you can have Dexterity + Armor + Shield + Dodge, + Deflection + Morale + Natural
In DDO enhancements stack with items, but with items, only the highest bonus applies.
Hope this helps when selecting gear to wear and strive to obtain.
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