if you take a level in fighter for your starting level you can get chain armor with proficiency and get any weapon with proficiency for a total of 18 AC and any weapon you desire while still being able to cast 9th level spells

Mountain Dwarf with Tasha's, or any +2/+1 dex/int stuff.

You can start with AC 13. Mage Armour. AC 16. Shield Spell +5 for a round = AC 21. Fire your spells from behind 3/4 cover = AC 21 or AC 26 with Shield Spell.

Level 2 take bladesinger. Bladesong +3 AC

That's AC 16, AC 19 with Mage Armour, + 5 (24) 3/4 cover, +5 Shield Spell (AC 29).

Then there's spells like Haste (+2 AC) or Mirror Image (chance to auto-miss you), Blur (dis on all attacks against you), and more spells.

Taking that dip in fighter for weapons you don't need or armour you don't need, will also take away 20th level goodies like Spell Mastery, 2 free spells and an extra 7th level spell slot.

I genuinely see no point in the fighter dip. What you get is too useless (you can do better without) and what you pay is too valuable. Not even remotely worth it, in my opinion.

Or instead  of hating low AC it could be seen as a challenge. My sorcerer is either looking for cover or is constantly protected by her teammates. Part of the fun in battle is keeping her safe.

And for context, she has an AC of 11,  no Mage Armor and only recently acquired Shield through a magic item.

High AC is great and all, but low AC and d6 hit dice can also make combat more challenging and exciting. Just have to do more than "I attack that target, end turn".

Hobgoblin is a great race. You start with light armor proficiency, which saves at least one spell choice usually reserved for Mage Armor. Then at level 4 you get Moderately Armored feat, nailing proficiency in medium armor and shields, which ensures max 19 AC.

The problem with Mountain Dwarf (and Githyanki), is that you get only medium armor proficiency, but no shield, which gives you max 17 AC. Assuming DEX 16, with Mage Armor, we are talking about 16 AC. Just one point less than Mountain Dwarf, so in the end of the day, if you are willing to make DEX your second stat, you are basically just saving some spell slots from Mage Armor — which I think it’s a good choice for Sorcerers who have few spells to select, but certainly not a must have for Wizards.

Or just start Artificer 1 and then go Wizard rest of the way.  You lose the level 20 Wizard capstone and WIS saves but in exchange you get more more starting hp, cantrips, more prepared spells, CON saves, medium armor and shield proficiencies.

For a one level dip with a Wizard, the Artificer is hard to beat.

With any multiclass you not only lose the higher levels of the main class, but you slow down your entire progression. 1 level in fighter (or artificer, or whatever), means you're going to get your ASIS 1 level later, your next level spells one level later, your multi attack one level later, etc...

A multiclass, especially if you do it before reaching level 5, has to be very good to be really worth it.

To get armor and proficiency with martial weapons, it's really a bad idea. Your character is going to be worse than if you didn't multiclass. Besides that you have other ways to achieve that (for example with your race).

Quote from royalsupsi >>

if you take a level in fighter for your starting level you can get chain armor with proficiency and get any weapon with proficiency for a total of 18 AC and any weapon you desire while still being able to cast 9th level spells

You've described the typical case of a "" WotC drove me to multiclass my char because the Wizard class seems so much un-balanced "". But, I see you didn't take a smart investigation about how DEXTERITY works with the AC.

Wizards may seem pretty un-balanced, but if WotC don't gonna help this class a bit more, then the possible options are : or multiclassing it or raise ASAP the DEX with feats or with equipment.

Quote from royalsupsi >>

if you take a level in fighter for your starting level you can get chain armor with proficiency and get any weapon with proficiency for a total of 18 AC and any weapon you desire while still being able to cast 9th level spells

You need a 13 strength to wear chainmail and you need warcaster to use a shield effectively as a wizard.

That is an option though.  I think a single classed Dwarf with 14 dex and scale to start and halfplate eventually is a better option.

I don't really see how this is a "problem" for the Wizard? With a decent Dexterity score (easy, since the other ability score you really need is Intelligence) plus mage armor you've got a perfectly competitive AC since it's only required to block some of the attacks headed your way since shield will easily block most of the rest.

Investing too many resources into trying to get a high AC is only going to hurt your progress as a Wizard, so it won't really save you spell slots in the long run, and really being a Wizard means being a bit fragile, but having an enormous toolbox of ways to not be hit anyway; if you're worried about taking damage throw down a rope trick, pop out to fire off a spell, then return to the comfort of your own private little drinks lounge in the air, or any number of fun shenanigans.

I'm currently running a Wizard through Strixhaven with AC 13 and precisely zero defensive spells (no mage armor or shield at all) and it's never been an issue, because he has so many ways to wreak havoc without being in any real danger himself, such as casting a touch spell through his familiar, using cover (the easiest way to boost any character's AC), and as Order of Scribes will get a full on spellcasting turret later on (Awakened Book).

Quote from Haravikk >>

I don't really see how this is a "problem" for the Wizard? With a decent Dexterity score (easy, since the other ability score you really need is Intelligence) plus mage armor you've got a perfectly competitive AC since it's only required to block some of the attacks headed your way since shield will easily block most of the rest.

Investing too many resources into trying to get a high AC is only going to hurt your progress as a Wizard, so it won't really save you spell slots in the long run, and really being a Wizard means being a bit fragile, but having an enormous toolbox of ways to not be hit anyway; if you're worried about taking damage throw down a rope trick, pop out to fire off a spell, then return to the comfort of your own private little drinks lounge in the air, or any number of fun shenanigans.

I'm currently running a Wizard through Strixhaven with AC 13 and precisely zero defensive spells (no mage armor or shield at all) and it's never been an issue, because he has so many ways to wreak havoc without being in any real danger himself, such as casting a touch spell through his familiar, using cover (the easiest way to boost any character's AC), and as Order of Scribes will get a full on spellcasting turret later on (Awakened Book).

True. A Wizard has a bag of tricks big enough to need something as mundane as armor.

Right now I'm playing a Divination Wizard, with the Luck feat, the halfling racial trait Luck, and Silvery Barbs. He is a true "twisted fate" wizard, who can get rid of almost anything.

And yes, my AC is 12. But I don't care. I can change the result of your dice, make you reroll, reroll my rolls, etc... And you're going to hit me once, because then I'll disappear with Misty Step. That is not to say that I am safe from all dangers, but the truth is that I have made few death saves. Twice, that I remember, in about 20 sessions that the campaign has been running.

A wizard with 16 DEX and mage armor has a 16 in AC without any chain mail. That's easier that taking a level in fighter any day.

By the way, if you're a wizard, your STR score is 10 at best. That means you'll lose some of your movement if you don chain mail (or plate) armor. You're probably best off taking some medium armor - half plate if you want to pump that AC, breastplate if you don't want to lose stealth, or scale mail if you don't have a lot of gold lying around to get some fancy armor for your wizard.

In the end of the day, Cleric or Hexblade are the best dip for medium armor prof.

Quote from Ir0ns0ul >>

In the end of the day, Cleric or Hexblade are the best dip for medium armor prof.

 True. Since you're playing a wizard, armor proficiency is really the only thing you'll get out of either dip. 

Here's an idea: dip into paladin for medium and heavy armor, as well as a couple extra little features (5 points of healing magic per day and 1 or 2 uses of Divine Sense) That's better than the second wind or spells you'll never use.

Quote from Panda_wat >>

Quote from Ir0ns0ul >>

In the end of the day, Cleric or Hexblade are the best dip for medium armor prof.

 True. Since you're playing a wizard, armor proficiency is really the only thing you'll get out of either dip. 

I would disagree with this.  Clerics get subclass features at 1st level (potentially including heavy armor) without losing any spell slots as well as some good 1st level spells and cantrips

I would not go to Warlock for the armor.  Warlocks don't get you medium armor unless you go hexblade and Hexblade is not one of thee better dips for a wizard  IMO.  Warlocks do give you Armor of Agathys though which is an awesome spell on a wizard along with 2 pact slots that can be used for spamming shield and cantrips.  What is particularly effective is taking booming blade and a utility cantrip as a Warlock since your spell casting ability does not matter, then freeing up more wizard cantrips for offense.  It also gets you multiple subclass abilities on a 1-level dip.

Quote from ECMO3 >>

Warlocks do give you Armor of Agathys though which is an awesome spell on a wizard along with 2 pact slots that can be used for spamming shield and cantrips.

I agree with your assessment, but just as a quick point of clarification; Warlocks only get a single pact slot at 1st-level (or a single level dip), you get your 2nd slot at 2nd-level, plus Eldritch Invocations, which is why it's rarely worth doing only a single level dip, and then you've got a Pact Boon at 3rd that will suit most builds (Pact of the Tome gives you more cantrips than Wizards normally get etc.).

That's the main problem of Warlock dips; once you turn to the dark side it's hard to stop yourself going to at least 3rd level. 😂

battle axe as starting equipment w/ proficincy

Quote from ECMO3 >>

Quote from Panda_wat >>

Quote from Ir0ns0ul >>

In the end of the day, Cleric or Hexblade are the best dip for medium armor prof.

 True. Since you're playing a wizard, armor proficiency is really the only thing you'll get out of either dip. 

 

I would disagree with this.  Clerics get subclass features at 1st level (potentially including heavy armor) without losing any spell slots as well as some good 1st level spells and cantrips

I would not go to Warlock for the armor.  Warlocks don't get you medium armor unless you go hexblade and Hexblade is not one of thee better dips for a wizard  IMO.  Warlocks do give you Armor of Agathys though which is an awesome spell on a wizard along with 2 pact slots that can be used for spamming shield and cantrips.  What is particularly effective is taking booming blade and a utility cantrip as a Warlock since your spell casting ability does not matter, then freeing up more wizard cantrips for offense.  It also gets you multiple subclass abilities on a 1-level dip.

 
1. Cleric
2. Hexblade
3. Artificer

This is my personal opinion. 

My wizard simply wears an elven chain.

Quote from Haravikk >>

Quote from ECMO3 >>

Warlocks do give you Armor of Agathys though which is an awesome spell on a wizard along with 2 pact slots that can be used for spamming shield and cantrips.

I agree with your assessment, but just as a quick point of clarification; Warlocks only get a single pact slot at 1st-level (or a single level dip), you get your 2nd slot at 2nd-level, plus Eldritch Invocations, which is why it's rarely worth doing only a single level dip, and then you've got a Pact Boon at 3rd that will suit most builds (Pact of the Tome gives you more cantrips than Wizards normally get etc.).

That's the main problem of Warlock dips; once you turn to the dark side it's hard to stop yourself going to at least 3rd level. 😂

 At least with Artificer, you can stop at only two levels:

• 1st level: light armor, medium armor, shield, con proficiency, 2 cantrips, and 3-4 spells (depending on starting int), magic tinkering for quick spell-like items
• 2nd level: 1 more first level spell, infusions (get Enhanced Arcane Focus which will work for both Wizard and Artificer casting, Homunculus Servant as a flying metal gundam for your familiar, and two others to round them out)

Since there are so many Wizard spells on the Artificer list, you can off-load quite a few spells you would have picked up as a Wizard freeing you up to get more diverse spells. Also, as your Int increases, you'll get two spells every ASI (1 Wizard and 1 Artificer).

Not like I've even done anything like this :)

With the bladesinger subclass you can have a fairly high AC during your bladesong even without multiclassing or taking feats.

In addition to that, you can still be a tortle.

For a tortle who maxes Intelligence, that would be 22 AC plus any bonus you may have from spells or magic items.