Honestly, I just feel like putting it forward that far too many people put far too much value on AC. I mean, really... in one campaign I'm in at the moment, I play a front-line, dangerously aggressive storm sorceress who consistently puts herself front and centre and in harm's way, and her 10AC (10 dex, no mage armour) hasn't really caused her any problems yet, by level 10 and about two thirds of the way through the campaign. I work on the basic assumption that attacks will hit, and I play accordingly - occasionally something low-rolls badly enough that I can shield it, which is a bonus, but otherwise it's no big deal. AC is really not the be-all end-all that many people make it out to be.
