Armor

Armor is a number one concern for the hero entering the dungeon. It is the only thing between you and instadeath by sheer melee.

At the outside, there are 7 slots for armor: Helm, Cloak, Body Armor, Shirt, Shield, Gloves/Gauntlets, and Boots. Excepting elven armor and a wizard's cornuthaum, armor may only be enchanted up to +5; elven equipment and cornuthaums may be enchanted to +7. Thus, by using armor alone, the maximum protection is -44, or 54 points of protection. In practice, it is often somewhat below this, as characters give up a better AC for other protections and advantages. For example, a +5 shield of reflection will give 7 AC and reflection, but SDSM will give 14 and reflection, and allow two-weaponing. Likewise, high boots and iron shoes will give 2 AC, but speed boots will give 1 and "very fast" speed. The typical combination of armor in an ascension kit is Helm of Telepathy/Brilliance or Elven Leather Helm. Cloak of Magic Resistance or Displacement; Oilskin Cloak in Sack. CoD is if and only if you already have magic resistance. Either Gray or Silver Dragon scale mail. Either shirt; no great difference. Shield of Reflection, possibly, if you don't wish to two-weapon. Gauntlets of Power for combat; Gloves of Dexterity for spellcaster. Boots of Speed or Jumping; Water-walking in bag.