Having a high armor class is one way to keep your character safe. With the right magic items, you can stack those bonuses sky high.
Getting a high armor class in D&D takes a little bit of work. It’s not hard to reach the softer ceiling of getting 20ish AC, but to go further beyond that takes some effort. It takes the right blend of protective gear.
Most magical items that provide an armor class bonus can stack with each other. It’s just a question of which ones you spend those precious attunement slots on. Fortunately plain +1/+2/+3 armor and shields don’t cost attunement, so really you just want to find three from this list (or more if you’re an artificer) to get that AC sky high.
Defender
If you are looking for sheer efficiency with those magic item attunement slots, the Defender is probably the single best way to go. It’s a +3 magic weapon that allows you to add some or all of its magical attack and damage bonus to your AC instead. Meaning that as long as you keep attacking (not hitting) you can effectively add +3 to your AC. And if you need to, you can use that for damage instead. Combo this with +3 Armor and a +3 Shield, and that’s a potential +9 to AC you can layer on, not to mention the inherent +2 from using a Shield.
Wand of Orcus
This one’s a little cheat-y. But it’s an Artifact, so that makes sense. Having the Wand of Orcus, first of all, is its own series of problems. However, if you can survive even trying to attune it, you gain a number of powerful benefits, not the least of which is a +3 to your armor class when holding it. Not wielding it, just holding it. Meaning you can do some weapon juggling to layer on an extra + 3 to that AC, though, I dunno that I would count on it.
Staff of Power
A Staff of Power is a potent item for any Sorcerer, Warlock, or Wizard. Especially since, if you’re holding it (and attuned to it) you get a free +2 to your armor class and saving throws, in addition to a +2 to spell attack rolls.
Ring/Cloak of Protection
One thing you may notice is that you quickly run out of hands to hold items in. Unless you’re playing a thri-kreen or something. But even if you are, you can keep that AC going ever higher with a hands-free (sort of) magic item. A Cloak or Ring of Protection will give you an additional +1 to AC and saving throws, making you that much more resilient.
Ioun Stone Dusty Rose Prism
And if you can find one, a Dusty Rose Prism Ioun Stone will orbit your head, gently adding a passive +1 to your armor class at all times. Pick the right combo of items and you can get your AC up past 30, which is no mean feat. And if that’s not silly enough, stack spells on top of that, and you can become nigh-unhittable.
What’s your favorite combo of protective magic items?
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Source: Bell of Lost Souls
