I did a longer test. Two sets of 1400 hits with 178 AC. One set with a 12 AC shield, one set without.
==============================
178 AC, 12 of this AC is from a shield
==============================
DV, Count
1, 603
2, 84
3, 92
4, 43
5, 118
6, 77
7, 83
8, 41
9, 87
10, 100
11, 62
12, 10
Total Damage = 5765
===============
178 AC, No shield
===============
DV, Count
1, 580
2, 78
3, 91
4, 34
5, 92
6, 99
7, 101
8, 56
9, 98
10, 102
11, 50
12, 19
Total Damage = 6034
Even at higher sample sizes, the shield is still performing better. Less damage and more minimum hits. The difference is small, so it looks like the softcap increase from a shield isn't 1 AC = +1 Softcap, at least at lower levels. I probably only got 1 or 2 extra AC.
In my opinion, this indicates that the level * 6 + 25 formula is a worn AC clamp for low levels, not a softcap. The falloff past ~45 AC comes from the softcap. Shields do increase the softcap, but it is not a 1 AC to 1 Softcap increase at level 5. It may increase as you level up.
|