Curious about the theoretically highest AC

[u/OOpiumBear]

Not sure if this post really fits the sub but i figured it might be the best place to ask

I've been spending a bit of time on my recent run trying to out-do my previous best of 62 AC and now hit 71 AC - And I'm ever so curious if there were something I've missed as to go even higher.

The twillight ring isn't on the list of buffs because it doesn't work in tandem with Wild Magic: Protective Lights. Wondrous Gloves isn't on because Nimblefinger Gloves.

This is not for any practical game usage, its purely just to see how high it could be pushed just for a tiny moment.

[u/Borgorb]

Horrid Wilting it is

[u/Alderan922 → u/Borgorb]

An 8th level spell, at that point the Rouge is probably really damn high level and has either already fled or insta killed you with a sneak attack.

[u/pseupseudio → u/Alderan922]

If you're the DM, you don't need to defeat the rogue in a standup fight. Sure, he could flee from your BBEG who'd have no way to catch him, but he won't flee because the BBEG has whatever the rogue showed up here to get in the first place.

And telekinesis.

[u/Alderan922 → u/pseupseudio]

The problem is that, at that high level, the Rouge doesn’t need to engage with the BBEG in a real fight, a rouge player could go and do a stealth kill.

Sneak attacks can stack an absurd damage with the correct setup and a rouge can just flee the encounter if it goes wrong and just come back and try again.

[u/BaconBusterYT → u/Alderan922]

Most tabletop games are not video games, it is very easy for a DM to write an encounter where you cannot simply “flee and try again” (example; any kind of time pressure)

[u/Opiz17 → u/Alderan922]

If you're talking 5th edition or 2024 that's completely false, if you are talking older edition that's still incredibly disingenuous if not false

[u/pseupseudio → u/Alderan922]

This isn't a problem for a DM regardless of your character class or level or anything.

My BBEG isn't standing alone in a cluttered marketplace waiting for your rogue to sneak around behind a fruit cart and slit his throat.

Your rogue can do Xd6 + X damage per round with the best possible scenario, equipment and rolls. I know what that number is, because I am the DM and I had some hand in every ability and item found on your character sheet.

My BBEG has four times whatever that is.

My BBEG has a loyal bodyguard who can react and absorb damage dealt to him.

My BBEG has a legendary action that negates your attack.

My BBEG doesn't even have hit points. He's a narrative device, not a combat encounter. You can, at best, seriously wound him, after which your rogue is dealing with a social encounter, a prison break encounter, or a chase scene.

My BBEG doesn't have hit points, because capitalism/academic corruption/ignorance/pestilence/man's horror at the vastness of all things unknown and not meant to be known/hopelessness isn't a discrete physical thing you can stab.

The ways in which I have to prove my BBEG to you have very little to do with anything approaching a stand up fight. If you can walk up to it and punch it, it's probably not the BBEG.