Kitasi,

I've looked through many of your posts and I think I know where your
problem is. Your AC is too low. Are you still wearing that studded
leather armor? You were wearing that last week so I would assume that is
what you did your tests with.

You mentioned that the (Ogre?) Shaman you fought had an AC only 7 lower
than you. You should be way higher than him. First every piece of armor
you put on should give you more AC than the Ogre due to your higher AGI.
And you were using an AC15 shield while the Ogre was using a 2hander.
Unless this shaman was twinked up, you should have a 50-70 AC advantage.

You should be in full banded at the bare minimum. 2-3 AC points per piece
really makes a huge difference. Note there is a hidden multipler based on
your Agility. So that 2-3 points can turn into 3-5 points per piece. You
could easily boost your AC by 50 by switching to full banded.

Also get a few pieces of Bronze. You should be looking for small Bronze
and there should be plenty of that. Get a few pieces depending on what
your STR can bear. Bronze is heavy, but the AC is well worth it.

You said your STR was 87, 17 above the baseline. You should have put more
of your starting 25 into STR, but we can't change that now. To carry the
Bronze, you need to get some +STR items. Buy some +3 STR rings. You can
get a Purity Belt (+2 STR) for under 5pp. You also may want to consider
the Cracked Darkwood Shield (+9STR). There are many more items to choose
from. Once you pass the Bronze Era and start getting better, lighter armor
(Ruby for example), you can start switching out the +STR items for better
stuff.

Other hints would include don't use backpacks. They are 3 lbs each. Use
large sacks or something lighter. Destroy heavy rusty weapons and other
heavy loot. Sell often. If your group is medding, quickly Selo over to
the neaest vendor and unload.

You will be very suprised at the amount of damage reduction a higher AC
will produce. Try equiping yourself as a normal bard of your level and
then duel the shaman. You will win easily.

Wayne