Inspired by Savagefool's comment I made a list of AB/AC values for a few select minmaxed builds.Savagefool wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2019 9:35 am I had a thought to do an analysis on ab/ac values with all the common builds and more usefully suggest a way forward with the balance.
There are 6 builds: 3 STR builds and 3 DEX builds. All of the builds are fully minmaxed for AB/AC stats.
Also note that the offensive builds chosen have very high AB values, most PvP builds will have 5-10 less AB than these builds.
However, although most DEX builds will have about 5 less AC than the Rog/Figh/WM, the AC values of the other builds will be similar to non-minmaxed builds.
The Pal/Bard/RDD is not buildable on BSK, it's included purely for comparison to the Pal/Sorc/RDD. Both Pal/RDD's have 14 WIS and so can cast all Paladin spells. The Pal/Bard/RDD can actually gain 1 AB if you drop WIS below 14, but for a proper comparison I wanted both builds to have 14 WIS.
The Wiz/PM/SD is only included to give an idea of maximum AC values. It can theoretically be used as a PvM tank with the correct support, but is not suited for PvP at all.
Both Pal/RDD's are at the +20 dodge cap, so there is no way to improve their AC. The Wiz/PM/SD is 5AC under the dodge cap, so a friendly bard can increase it's AC by 5 points. The other 3 builds are all 10AC under the dodge cap, and so can potentially improve their AC by 10 points (although I think only a Bard/PDK can achieve that).
I didn't include Mage Armor for any of the AC values, so any non-Pal/RDD can gain 1AC with that spell.
All 3 lists use the same builds but with different AB values.
The first is with +0AB weapons and no buffs.
The second is with +20AB weapons (AB buffs are irrelevant).
The third is with +6AB weapons and any self-buffs the build has.
All lists assume +12 to the relevant stats and +6AC gear.
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(+0AB, +6AC)
Figh10/Wiz1/AA29 (Elf) +69 AB / 63 AC
Figh11/WM28/Rog1 (Half Orc) +60 AB / 66 AC
Pal29/Sorc1/RDD10 (Human) +56 AB / 76 AC
Pal28/Bard2/RDD10 (Human) +55 AB / 80 AC
Rog13/Figh8/WM19 (Halfling) +57 AB / 76 AC
Wiz3/PM24/SD13 (Halfling) 95 AC
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(+20AB, +6AC)
Figh10/Wiz1/AA29 (Elf) +89 AB / 63 AC
Figh11/WM28/Rog1 (Half Orc) +80 AB / 66 AC
Pal29/Sorc1/RDD10 (Human) +76 AB / 76 AC
Pal28/Bard2/RDD10 (Human) +75 AB / 80 AC
Rog13/Figh8/WM19 (Halfling) +77 AB / 76 AC
Wiz3/PM24/SD13 (Halfling) 95 AC
Code: Select all
(+6AB, +6AC)
Figh10/Wiz1/AA29 (Elf) +75 AB / 63 AC
Figh11/WM28/Rog1 (Half Orc) +66 AB / 66 AC
Pal29/Sorc1/RDD10 (Human) +70 AB / 76 AC
Pal28/Bard2/RDD10 (Human) +69 AB / 80 AC
Rog13/Figh8/WM19 (Halfling) +63 AB / 76 AC
Wiz3/PM24/SD13 (Halfling) 95 AC
So for a rough overview of AC values: STR melee has around 55-70 AC, DEX melee has around 70-75 AC, STR/DEX melee with Divine Shield has around 70-80 AC.
In comparison, most PvP builds have 65-75 AB when using +20 weapons.
When using +6 weapons and self-buffs only, most PvP builds have around 55-70 AB.
When using Expertise/IExp this gap can get even worse for certain builds (particularly STR builds). On several +5EB servers I've played on there were practically no STR PvP builds since DEX builds almost completely outclassed them. With +20 AB weapons there is a reason to make STR PvP builds since they can actually hit other characters.
Until BSK the highest weapons I had ever seen were +8EB (and that was very rare loot from the hardest boss on the server), but I personally like the way that +20AB weapons change PvP. Your toons will get hit by the higher attacks in the round, but there is enough of a gap for the lower AB attacks to miss. Comparing that to my experience with +5EB PvP where plenty of fights devolved into who can roll more 20's, it makes fights very fast paced.
Overall I'm in favour of keeping +20AB weapons rather than switching to lower enchantments.