AC Deflection Penalty

[Ajantis.]

Monks who polymorph using Wildshape, Greater Wildshape, Humanoid Shape, or Shapechange (level 9 spell) now acquire an AC decrease penalty (deflection) equal to their wisdom modifier. This is to both balance the extreme AC on some monk/shifter builds as well as to make it easier to balance shifters altogether since we no longer have to worry about two types of shifters: monks and non-monks.

Can this be explained with a little more detail? I'm a bit confused as to how to plan for this.

[LinuxPup]

Essentially all it means is Monks don't get to use their wisdom AC bonus when polymorphed.

[Celorn]

it's a nice start... but most of the monk/shifters are most likely using DEX for ac so they can get blinding speed.

Also, I've noticed some of the kobold shapes (think maybe just the shifter(17) ones) i've fought since the changes have been a lot tougher to spot then the best shadowdancer builds I've fought in the past... are they getting a huge hide+ms boost?

[Sparky]

They could be getting an unintentional boost now that just about all gear merges, so multiple stealth items would stack instead of just the highest amount.

Thanks for the heads up.

[Fatzo]

whack ! nerf bat strikes again !

*gloats at the hipser shifters*

[Celorn]

thanks devs!! That should even out the 'balance' better, but I have yet to even see a kobold running around since the change.... so I haven't been able to check it out in-game