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Popertop
2010-08-02, 05:39 AM
Alright, so I'm gonna roll up a Ranger/DreadCommando/ChampofCorellonLarethian.

Dread Commando decreases ACP by 4 at 5th level,
Champ increases Max Dex bonus by 3 at 9th level,
and I'm going to try convincing my DM to let me use
alternate combat style, Strong-Arm Ranger
2nd: Power attack 6th: Improved Sunder

So, with the abilities the champion gets in heavy armor(move normal movement, +3 to max dex bonus, spring attack in heavy armor), and the reduction of ACP by Dread Commando, plus increasing max dex from Mithral, or Glass Steel materials, I want to wear an armor that has -8 ACP, maybe more since I can probably lower it with additional magication.

The only armors I am aware of that have an ACP higher than -6
are Battle Plate(ACP -7) Mountain Plate(ACP -9) and Heavy Plate(ACP -8)

Does anyone have a higher ACP or ways to recude ACP further?
I want to avoid taking a feat to be proficient with it,
but if the benefits are good enough I might.

faceroll
2010-08-02, 05:43 AM
Mechanus gear has 10 armor, no dex bonus. Not sure on the ACP.

Popertop
2010-08-02, 06:11 AM
Are there any shields (besides tower shields)
that impose a big ACP?
Like, -4 or something like that?
Yeah, mechanus gear, that looks good.
Does it lower your move speed though?
I was wanting to stay at 20ft in case my dm wants to be finicky

faceroll
2010-08-02, 06:57 AM
Are there any shields (besides tower shields)
that impose a big ACP?
Like, -4 or something like that?
Yeah, mechanus gear, that looks good.
Does it lower your move speed though?
I was wanting to stay at 20ft in case my dm wants to be finicky

It's heavy armor, so yeah, it's like full plate. Just get it in mithral.
There's an extreme shield out there somewhere. +3 AC maybe? Check the equipment list from crystalkeep.com.

hamishspence
2010-08-02, 07:03 AM
Doesn't Mechanus Gear lower your movement speed to 15 ft per round, unlike normal Heavy Armour which makes it 20 ft?

faceroll
2010-08-02, 07:06 AM
Doesn't Mechanus Gear lower your movement speed to 15 ft per round, unlike normal Heavy Armour which makes it 20 ft?

Yeah, 15' for medium creatures, 10' for small.

Andion Isurand
2010-08-03, 06:38 AM
Heh, well, you could try this from Anauroch the Empire of Shade

Thaalud Stone Armor: heavy armor; 2,800 gp;
armor bonus +12; max Dex +0; check penalty
–8; AF 40%; 180 lb.

it is made of special stone plates that have been riveted together
so no glassteel or mithral can be applied to this one since its basically stone
thankfully its not considered exotic as far as proficiency goes

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they also have heavy armor specialization feats in Races of Stone

Heavy Armor Optimization and Greater Heavy Armor Optimization reduces the armor check penalty for the armor by a total of 3 and increases the armor bonus gained by a total of +2.

Popertop
2010-08-03, 08:04 AM
wow, that's a good one, thanks.

although I was wanting to be able to improve the dex bonus
at least a little bit. Would you still be able to apply Nimble to
that armor?

Looking at a few of the armors mentioned we can get

Battle Plate(2500)(needs EAP): +9 armor (+11 greater armor op) +8 Max Dex (+1,+2 nimble,+2 mithril,+3 Superior Defense) -0(+5) ACP (+4 Armored Ease,+3 Mithril,+1 masterwork,+1 Nimble,+3 Greater armor optimization,-7 ACP)
If we slap some abilities that give a higher armor check penalty, we can afford an extra 5 points. Total 19 AC

Mechanus Gear(1750gp): +10 armor (+12 greater armor op) +7 Max Dex (+2 nimble, +2 mithril, +3 Superior Defense) -0(+2)ACP (+4 Armored Ease, +3 Mithril, +1 masterwork, +1 nimble, +3 greater armor op, -10) we can afford an extra 2 ACP on mechanus gear. Total 19 AC

Thaalud Stone Armor(2800gp): +12 armor (+14 greater armor op) +5 Max Dex (+2 nimble, +3 Superior Defense) -0(+1)ACP (+4 Armored Ease, +1 masterwork, +1 nimble, +3 greater armor op, -8) Since we can't apply mithril or glass steel properties, we just barely negate the ACP. Total 19 AC

Wow, so there's actually no difference at all for whichever armor I pick, depending on what extra stuff I can add in exchange for making armor check worse.