So I started this build because I wanted to try a few things I haven't seen played and to try my best to optimize them in some way and I'm running into a wall.

To start, I had pretty poor stat rolls for the most part. Str 12 Dex 12 Con 15 Int 9 Wis 10 Cha 18 (Tasha's custom origin wasn't allowed.)

So I chose Githyanki as my race for a few reasons. Strength bump to open the door for a paladin dip (IF necessary). Intelligence bump to remove negative modifier. Built in medium armor proficiency. And I had not seen one played.

(To note this character started at level 2.)

I chose Celestial Warlock because again I hadn't seen one played and I don't mind being a bit of a support character when necessary. I also love the Warlock class in general and the complete twist this puts on the stereotype.

So to try to maximize the level 6 class feature and the built in medium armor proficiency I decided to lean into the melee side A BIT. At level 3 I went pact of the tome. How does this help with melee you ask? Charisma based Shillelagh, paired with green flame blade (which I chose as one of my cantrips in place of eldritch blast - knew I was leaning this route in creation and am bored of eldritch agonizing spam builds). Also picked up fire bolt for the 120 ft. range 1d10 cantrip when necessary since the built in level 6 feature saves me an invocation not having to take agonizing. And I took guidance as my third cantrip cuz it fit the class flavor.

I also picked up book of ancient secrets invocation because if you're going tome-lock you kinda have to right? Plus it helps with the support and limited spell slots to have EVERY RITUAL (eventually).

At 4th level I picked up Aberrant Dragonmark to get the con boost, extra cantrips and level 1 spell to use 1x a day without a spell slot. (Picked up utility cantrips and absorb elements for survivability.) Not to mention the chance for a boon for every level 10 and above.

The character is now level 6 and I'm realizing a hole that I've known about but somehow missed in my head during the pre- build process. While the character is awesome and flavorful and loved by many, having a 15 AC (20 w/ shield spell but eek limited slots) and no shield proficiency is killing what I've built to this point. From what I can see my best option is to multiclass 2 levels into paladin for the shield prof, smite, a few low level slots for shield, and to stick with the flavor.

Tldr; How can I optimally bump my AC up to stick with the melee flavor of my character or should I start leaning towards caster at this point even with the heavy investment already made towards melee?