Disciple of Dwarven God Clangedin Silverbeard

[trentonjoe]

I have a 13th level character who pretty much fancies himself a "chosen" warrior of the dwarven god of battle Clangedin Silverbeard. The character is a fighter/bard/divine champion who has always been really effective in battle. Basically, I do a lot of damage.

Here is my problem: My Ac is 21 and I am just getting ripped apart. I basically have to get healed EVERY round. The combat rounds are pretty much like I do 20-70 points of damage- I take 30-50 points of damage.

I have +3 chain mail, +3 battle axe which I use 2handed and power attack frequently. The reason I wear the chain mail is because that is what Clangedin is rumored to wear. Remember, I think I am the chosen warrior here. Here is my question:

I have an oppurtunity to get a +5 shield. That would raise my AC 7 points. I know I would lose out on damage, I don't care about that, what I want to know is would that be an "ethos violation"?

I don't know how to word it but I feel like if the avatar doesn't use a shield, neither should I. It worked really well the first 11 or so levels but now it is not working so well.

I know this is poorly worded and kinda silly but anyone in who has an idea I am willing to listen to!

Thanks!

 

[Inconsequenti-AL]

My parties paladin was in a very similar position. And didn't want a shield because it didn't fit with the look that he wanted.

In the end he went for an animated shield. With GM approval, it gets described as a swarming cloud of dust that surrounds and protects him. Fitting with the desert theme he was going for. Perhaps a 'holy aura' as a shield might suit you better?

Could you get some other kind of protective gizmo. A ring or amulet of some kind wouldn't interfere with the look? You could get a buckler and just describe it as part of your armour?


As a side note, have you looked at any spells like displacement. Miss chances may well be more effective than raising your AC. YMMV, but I think a lot of stuff a 13th level party is going to fight will go through AC 28 as easily as AC 21.

As it stands, it sounds like you're using up a lot of party resources to keep yourself on your feet... If this isn't causing the other players a problem you could always just keep playing like that?

 

[Longbow]

Displacement or Greater Invisibility are very good if you can get that (Bard spells, wands/scrolls, party spellcaster helps you out). 5 ranks of Tumble combined with fighting defensivly and using Combat Expertise (and maybe Improved Combat Expertise) can raise your AC but will decrease your damage.

 

[shilsen]

Wand of Shield (if you have a good enough Use Magic Device score). Or get the party wizard/sor to cast it and the cleric and/or druid to dump a Shield of Faith and Barkskin on you. At 13th lvl, they would provide +5 natural armor and +4 deflection between the two of them.

 

[coyote6]

FWIW, Clangeddin doesn't use a shield; he uses a pair of (IIRC) battleaxes.

So, technically, you're already a battleaxe short of the deity, so maybe a shield might not be so bad. Especially if it lets you emulate the god in another way: by surviving battles.

I occasionally play a dwarf that uses a waraxe & a shield; but when he needs damage more than AC, he ditches the shield for the two-handed grip. You could try the same thing.

(BTW, I would not, at any cost, try two battleaxes, unless you can persuade your GM to give you a magic item, feat, or class ability that lets you treat at least one as a light weapon. That -4 to attack rolls hurts!)