Hello there friends. I've been looking into how much AC one man can have at a single moment. I'm looking for the absolute maximum and I know there is a whole world of Magic Items and spells out there that I probably didn't find, so please join me on this quest to find how much Armor Class a single mortal can possibly have. Here are my findings so far:
AC:
Plate +3 21
Shield of Faith 23
Shield +3 28
Cloak of protection 30
Haste (potion or someone else casts) 32
Animated shield 34
Avenger 37
Glorious Defense (Charisma can go up to 30 so this is one reaction) 47
Warding Bond 48
Not everyone says this is allowed but in theory if you were to duel wield +3 greatshields that would be another +5 increase. 53
Edit: Also, In theory, you could have as many paladins as you can fit, all with glorious defense and 30 charisma. So maybe this just got more complicated. I don't even know if there is a way to have more reactions, because that would make things even more broken. This is not grounded in reality whatsoever and is a completely theoretical situation.
Well, if we're assuming ability scores going up to 30, the obvious place to start optimizing is by having at least one level of barbarian for unarmored defense, which with a 30 Dex and Con would be base AC of 30. Add a +3 shield (barbarian unarmored defense allows a shield, monk does not) for 35. All the other buffs you mention are still valid (you can't take forge cleric levels or defense fighting style, since you aren't wearing armor, but you can use bracers of defense).
Antimagic shield will negate most of the buffs you mention, but an AC of 32 in an antimagic field is still quite good. I'd probably toss glorious defense, as it's only a single attack and requires a bunch of paladin levels, in favor of defensive duelist (only +6, but easier to get and lasts until the start of your next turn). That gives plenty of build room for fighter (battle master) levels, allowing you to take evasive footwork.
Mere mortals generally have an average ability score of 10 or 11, adventurers go up to level 20... anything above 20 is beyond normal mortal limits, it is extraordinary. I'd say stick to a maximum of 20 for these types of comparisons since assuming 30 in every attribute just entirely breaks everything, unless there is a class feature like Barbarian's that gives +4 in two attributes (at which point you're a pure Barbarian).
If you somehow did have 20 in every attribute, even with that Barbarian's Unarmoured Defence would yield a base AC of 20 before anything else, this would lose to Plate +3 as such at 21 AC or 22AC with Defense. A level 20 Barbarian with 24 in DEX and CON however would have 24 AC.
And completely forgot about the most simple one. Defense fighting style. 72!
Are you trying to use Unarmored Defence with Defense Fighting Style? you can't do that since the Defense Fighting Style requires wearing armor which you can not do while benefiting from Unarmored Defense
mentioned above but you can't benefit from 2 shields at the same time, even if one is animated.
Also what is Avenger? Do you mean Holy Avenger, the weapon? That doesn't give AC, perhaps you mean Defender? That weapon can give up to +3 AC but loses it's enchantment bonus while you do that.
Mere mortals generally have an average ability score of 10 or 11, adventurers go up to level 20... anything above 20 is beyond normal mortal limits, it is extraordinary. I'd say stick to a maximum of 20 for these types of comparisons since assuming 30 in every attribute just entirely breaks everything, unless there is a class feature like Barbarian's that gives +4 in two attributes (at which point you're a pure Barbarian).
If you somehow did have 20 in every attribute, even with that Barbarian's Unarmoured Defence would yield a base AC of 20 before anything else, this would lose to Plate +3 as such at 21 AC or 22AC with Defense. A level 20 Barbarian with 24 in DEX and CON however would have 24 AC.
And completely forgot about the most simple one. Defense fighting style. 72!
Are you trying to use Unarmored Defence with Defense Fighting Style? you can't do that since the Defense Fighting Style requires wearing armor which you can not do while benefiting from Unarmored Defense
mentioned above but you can't benefit from 2 shields at the same time, even if one is animated.
Also what is Avenger? Do you mean Holy Avenger, the weapon? That doesn't give AC, perhaps you mean Defender? That weapon can give up to +3 AC but loses it's enchantment bonus while you do that.
Oops you are totally right about all of those. And yeah I mix up avenger and defender a lot. Something about having more shields at a time: The Fire Giant Dreadnought, in the Mordenkainens guide to the multiverse had one extra AC for having dual shields. I think that this rule of one at a time doesn't exist in the 2014 version. So if we were to go back in time, I would at least be able to get an extra 2 Ac between having an extra shield and Animated shield.
Also, yeah the title is a bit misleading. In order to actually obtain this much stats you'd need to be way beyond level 20. There's definitely an easier way to end up with about 45 AC for normal build.
Oops you are totally right about all of those. And yeah I mix up avenger and defender a lot. Something about having more shields at a time: The Fire Giant Dreadnought, in the Mordenkainens guide to the multiverse had one extra AC for having dual shields. I think that this rule of one at a time doesn't exist in the 2014 version. So if we were to go back in time, I would at least be able to get an extra 2 Ac between having an extra shield and Animated shield.
Also, yeah the title is a bit misleading. In order to actually obtain this much stats you'd need to be way beyond level 20. There's definitely an easier way to end up with about 45 AC for normal build.
If you're looking at 2014 then you end out with either Tortle or Warforged but there might be other choices I am not aware of, with Tortle you can retreat into yourself for an additional +4 AC and Warforged I believe just get a straight up +1AC from using armor.
Something about having more shields at a time: The Fire Giant Dreadnought, in the Mordenkainens guide to the multiverse had one extra AC for having dual shields. I think that this rule of one at a time doesn't exist in the 2014 version. So if we were to go back in time, I would at least be able to get an extra 2 Ac between having an extra shield and Animated shield.
Nah the one-at-a-time rule existed back then too. The Fire Giant just had a special trait that allowed it to use two shields, the rules for monsters allows a bit more leeway in doing such stuff than the rules for PC's do.
Something about having more shields at a time: The Fire Giant Dreadnought, in the Mordenkainens guide to the multiverse had one extra AC for having dual shields. I think that this rule of one at a time doesn't exist in the 2014 version. So if we were to go back in time, I would at least be able to get an extra 2 Ac between having an extra shield and Animated shield.
Nah the one-at-a-time rule existed back then too. The Fire Giant just had a special trait that allowed it to use two shields, the rules for monsters allows a bit more leeway in doing such stuff than the rules for PC's do.
I looked at the old players handbook, and I couldn't find it.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Uh, I have Illusory Script. I think I can read that."
Oops you are totally right about all of those. And yeah I mix up avenger and defender a lot. Something about having more shields at a time: The Fire Giant Dreadnought, in the Mordenkainens guide to the multiverse had one extra AC for having dual shields. I think that this rule of one at a time doesn't exist in the 2014 version. So if we were to go back in time, I would at least be able to get an extra 2 Ac between having an extra shield and Animated shield.
Also, yeah the title is a bit misleading. In order to actually obtain this much stats you'd need to be way beyond level 20. There's definitely an easier way to end up with about 45 AC for normal build.
If you're looking at 2014 then you end out with either Tortle or Warforged but there might be other choices I am not aware of, with Tortle you can retreat into yourself for an additional +4 AC and Warforged I believe just get a straight up +1AC from using armor.
76!!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Uh, I have Illusory Script. I think I can read that."
1) True Polymorph into the Queen of Thieves from Dungeons of Drakkenheim: Base AC = 20,
2) Equipment (non-attunement): +3 Studded Leather (+5), Implant the Emerald tooth from Teeth of Dahlver-Nar (+2), Potion of Haste (+2), be targetted by the Horn of Valor (+1), ride a Flying Chariot (+1), Banner of the Krieg Rune area (+1), Rod of Alertness Aura (+1)
3) Equipment (attunement): Staff of Defense (+1), Badge of the Watch (+2), Defender (+3)
4) Spells: Warding Bond (+1), Ceremony - Wedding (+2), Shield of Faith (+2), Shield (+5), Blade Barrier (3/4 cover = +5), Tasha's Other Worldly Guise (+2 - requires you to be a wizard/sorcerer and cast this before being true polymorphed)
1) True Polymorph into the Queen of Thieves from Dungeons of Drakkenheim: Base AC = 20,
2) Equipment (non-attunement): +3 Studded Leather (+5), Implant the Emerald tooth from Teeth of Dahlver-Nar (+2), Potion of Haste (+2), be targetted by the Horn of Valor (+1), ride a Flying Chariot (+1), Banner of the Krieg Rune area (+1), Rod of Alertness Aura (+1)
3) Equipment (attunement): Staff of Defense (+1), Badge of the Watch (+2), Defender (+3)
4) Spells: Warding Bond (+1), Ceremony - Wedding (+2), Shield of Faith (+2), Shield (+5), Blade Barrier (3/4 cover = +5), Tasha's Other Worldly Guise (+2 - requires you to be a wizard/sorcerer and cast this before being true polymorphed)
Total: 56
Studded Leather is an armor formula and not a +2/3/4/5
1) True Polymorph into the Queen of Thieves from Dungeons of Drakkenheim: Base AC = 20,
2) Equipment (non-attunement): +3 Studded Leather (+5), Implant the Emerald tooth from Teeth of Dahlver-Nar (+2), Potion of Haste (+2), be targetted by the Horn of Valor (+1), ride a Flying Chariot (+1), Banner of the Krieg Rune area (+1), Rod of Alertness Aura (+1)
3) Equipment (attunement): Staff of Defense (+1), Badge of the Watch (+2), Defender (+3)
4) Spells: Warding Bond (+1), Ceremony - Wedding (+2), Shield of Faith (+2), Shield (+5), Blade Barrier (3/4 cover = +5), Tasha's Other Worldly Guise (+2 - requires you to be a wizard/sorcerer and cast this before being true polymorphed)
Total: 56
Studded Leather is an armor formula and not a +2/3/4/5
I know, Queen of Thieves adds both her DEX and INT modifiers (+5 each) when unarmoured or when wearing light armour. Studded leather is Light armour so gives her 12+3 (magic bonus) +5 +5 AC.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Hello there friends. I've been looking into how much AC one man can have at a single moment. I'm looking for the absolute maximum and I know there is a whole world of Magic Items and spells out there that I probably didn't find, so please join me on this quest to find how much Armor Class a single mortal can possibly have.
Here are my findings so far:
AC:
Plate +3 21
Shield of Faith 23
Shield +3 28
Cloak of protection 30
Haste (potion or someone else casts) 32
Animated shield 34
Avenger 37
Glorious Defense (Charisma can go up to 30 so this is one reaction) 47
Warding Bond 48
Not everyone says this is allowed but in theory if you were to duel wield +3 greatshields that would be another +5 increase. 53
Edit: Also, In theory, you could have as many paladins as you can fit, all with glorious defense and 30 charisma. So maybe this just got more complicated. I don't even know if there is a way to have more reactions, because that would make things even more broken. This is not grounded in reality whatsoever and is a completely theoretical situation.
"Uh, I have Illusory Script. I think I can read that."
And that's when you get hit with Weird.
Ah but alas, There is an Antimagic Field.
"Uh, I have Illusory Script. I think I can read that."
Well, if we're assuming ability scores going up to 30, the obvious place to start optimizing is by having at least one level of barbarian for unarmored defense, which with a 30 Dex and Con would be base AC of 30. Add a +3 shield (barbarian unarmored defense allows a shield, monk does not) for 35. All the other buffs you mention are still valid (you can't take forge cleric levels or defense fighting style, since you aren't wearing armor, but you can use bracers of defense).
Antimagic shield will negate most of the buffs you mention, but an AC of 32 in an antimagic field is still quite good. I'd probably toss glorious defense, as it's only a single attack and requires a bunch of paladin levels, in favor of defensive duelist (only +6, but easier to get and lasts until the start of your next turn). That gives plenty of build room for fighter (battle master) levels, allowing you to take evasive footwork.
Wow, so with a base of 35 including +3 sheild. And forget Antimagic field, this is just about pure AC not actually about taking damage or not.
+6 (Shield of faith, Cloak of Protection, Haste) 41
+5 (Animated Shield and Avenger) 46
+10 (glorious defense) 56
Warding bond 57
Bracers of Defense 59
Evasive Footwork at most +12 71!
And completely forgot about the most simple one. Defense fighting style. 72!
WOW! Bro is not a mere mortal anymore, not even wearing clothes!
"Uh, I have Illusory Script. I think I can read that."
Mere mortals generally have an average ability score of 10 or 11, adventurers go up to level 20... anything above 20 is beyond normal mortal limits, it is extraordinary. I'd say stick to a maximum of 20 for these types of comparisons since assuming 30 in every attribute just entirely breaks everything, unless there is a class feature like Barbarian's that gives +4 in two attributes (at which point you're a pure Barbarian).
If you somehow did have 20 in every attribute, even with that Barbarian's Unarmoured Defence would yield a base AC of 20 before anything else, this would lose to Plate +3 as such at 21 AC or 22AC with Defense. A level 20 Barbarian with 24 in DEX and CON however would have 24 AC.
You can only benefit from 1 shield at a time, you can't have a +3 Shield and an animated Shield together: https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/phb-2024/equipment#OneataTime
Cloak of Protection is only +1 AC not +2 AC: https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/4607-cloak-of-protection
Are you trying to use Unarmored Defence with Defense Fighting Style? you can't do that since the Defense Fighting Style requires wearing armor which you can not do while benefiting from Unarmored Defense
Bracers of Defense does not permit using a shield either.
mentioned above but you can't benefit from 2 shields at the same time, even if one is animated.
Also what is Avenger? Do you mean Holy Avenger, the weapon? That doesn't give AC, perhaps you mean Defender? That weapon can give up to +3 AC but loses it's enchantment bonus while you do that.
Oops you are totally right about all of those. And yeah I mix up avenger and defender a lot. Something about having more shields at a time: The Fire Giant Dreadnought, in the Mordenkainens guide to the multiverse had one extra AC for having dual shields. I think that this rule of one at a time doesn't exist in the 2014 version. So if we were to go back in time, I would at least be able to get an extra 2 Ac between having an extra shield and Animated shield.
Also, yeah the title is a bit misleading. In order to actually obtain this much stats you'd need to be way beyond level 20. There's definitely an easier way to end up with about 45 AC for normal build.
"Uh, I have Illusory Script. I think I can read that."
If you're looking at 2014 then you end out with either Tortle or Warforged but there might be other choices I am not aware of, with Tortle you can retreat into yourself for an additional +4 AC and Warforged I believe just get a straight up +1AC from using armor.
Nah the one-at-a-time rule existed back then too. The Fire Giant just had a special trait that allowed it to use two shields, the rules for monsters allows a bit more leeway in doing such stuff than the rules for PC's do.
I looked at the old players handbook, and I couldn't find it.
"Uh, I have Illusory Script. I think I can read that."
76!!
"Uh, I have Illusory Script. I think I can read that."
If you attune to an artifact that increases 1 AC that's 77! The number with the most amount of syllables in between 1-100
"Uh, I have Illusory Script. I think I can read that."
This works for any level 20 character:
1) True Polymorph into the Queen of Thieves from Dungeons of Drakkenheim: Base AC = 20,
2) Equipment (non-attunement): +3 Studded Leather (+5), Implant the Emerald tooth from Teeth of Dahlver-Nar (+2), Potion of Haste (+2), be targetted by the Horn of Valor (+1), ride a Flying Chariot (+1), Banner of the Krieg Rune area (+1), Rod of Alertness Aura (+1)
3) Equipment (attunement): Staff of Defense (+1), Badge of the Watch (+2), Defender (+3)
4) Spells: Warding Bond (+1), Ceremony - Wedding (+2), Shield of Faith (+2), Shield (+5), Blade Barrier (3/4 cover = +5), Tasha's Other Worldly Guise (+2 - requires you to be a wizard/sorcerer and cast this before being true polymorphed)
Total: 56
Studded Leather is an armor formula and not a +2/3/4/5
I know, Queen of Thieves adds both her DEX and INT modifiers (+5 each) when unarmoured or when wearing light armour. Studded leather is Light armour so gives her 12+3 (magic bonus) +5 +5 AC.