Armor Class (AC) is a vital statistic in Dungeons & Dragons fifth Version (5e), representing your character’s capacity to keep away from being hit by assaults. Calculating AC precisely is important for survival, permitting you to gauge your defensive capabilities and plan your fight methods successfully. Not like earlier editions of D&D, 5e simplifies AC calculation, making it a simple course of you can grasp with ease.
To find out your AC, you might want to think about a number of elements. The bottom AC for many characters is 10, whereas sure races or class options can present further bonuses. Moreover, you add the AC bonus granted by your worn armor. Every armor kind has a particular AC bonus, which is detailed within the Participant’s Handbook. For instance, leather-based armor supplies an AC bonus of +1, whereas plate armor supplies an AC bonus of +8. In case you are wielding a protect, you acquire an extra +2 AC bonus.
Moreover, you could apply Dexterity modifiers to your AC should you meet sure situations. In case you are carrying gentle or medium armor and have a optimistic Dexterity modifier, you possibly can add the modifier to your AC. Nonetheless, in case you are carrying heavy armor, you don’t obtain this bonus. Different elements that may have an effect on your AC embody spells, magic gadgets, and fight maneuvers. Comprehending these modifiers and the way they work together will permit you to optimize your AC and improve your probabilities of survival in fight.
Understanding Armor Class (AC)
Armor Class (AC) is a vital statistic in Dungeons & Dragons fifth Version that represents a personality’s capacity to evade or deflect assaults. It measures how troublesome it’s for an attacker to hit a personality in fight, considering varied elements such because the character’s armor, dexterity, and different defensive skills.
Elements of AC
AC is calculated by combining the next elements:
| Part | Description |
|---|---|
| Base AC | Decided by the character’s class and race. For many participant characters, the bottom AC is 10. |
| Armor | The AC bonus supplied by the character’s worn armor. Several types of armor provide various ranges of safety. |
| Dexterity Modifier | A bonus primarily based on the character’s Dexterity capacity rating. Dexterity represents the character’s agility and reflexes, which may also help them dodge or deflect assaults. |
| Different Modifiers | Numerous different skills, spells, or gadgets that may grant further bonuses or penalties to AC. |
These elements are added collectively to find out the character’s AC. For instance, a personality carrying leather-based armor (+1 AC), with a Dexterity of 14 (+2 modifier), and a +1 AC bonus from a magical protect would have an AC of 14 (10 base + 1 armor + 2 Dex + 1 protect).
The Position of Dexterity in AC
Dexterity performs an important position in figuring out your character’s Armor Class (AC). It represents your character’s agility, reflexes, and steadiness, all of which contribute to their capacity to keep away from or deflect assaults.
The next desk summarizes the results of Dexterity on AC:
| Dexterity Modifier | AC Bonus |
|---|---|
| -5 | +0 |
| -4 | +1 |
| -3 | +2 |
| -2 | +3 |
| -1 | +4 |
| 0 | +5 |
| 1 | +6 |
| 2 | +7 |
| 3 | +8 |
| 4 | +9 |
| 5 | +10 |
As you possibly can see, the upper your Dexterity modifier, the upper your AC bonus might be. Because of this characters with excessive Dexterity are tougher to hit in fight as a result of they’re higher at dodging and parrying assaults.
Nonetheless, it is essential to notice that Dexterity solely contributes to AC if you find yourself carrying gentle or medium armor. In case you are carrying heavy armor, your AC is decided by the armor itself, and Dexterity has no impact.
Calculating AC with Armor and Shields
Armor Class (AC) is a measure of a personality’s capacity to defend in opposition to assaults. It’s calculated by including the character’s Dexterity modifier and any bonuses from armor or different gear.
Armor
The kind of armor a personality wears can considerably have an effect on their AC. Armor is assessed into three classes: gentle, medium, and heavy.
Gentle armor has the lightest weight and supplies the bottom AC bonus. It’s usually worn by characters who prioritize mobility and agility over safety.
Medium armor supplies a average AC bonus and gives a steadiness between safety and mobility. It’s usually worn by characters who want to have the ability to transfer shortly whereas nonetheless having some stage of protection.
Heavy armor supplies the very best AC bonus but additionally restricts a personality’s motion. It’s usually worn by characters who prioritize protection over different attributes.
The AC bonus supplied by armor is decided by its kind and materials. The next desk lists the AC bonuses for various kinds of armor:
| Armor Sort | AC Bonus |
|---|---|
| Gentle armor | +2 |
| Medium armor | +3 |
| Heavy armor | +4 |
Shields
Shields can be used to extend a personality’s AC. When a personality makes use of a protect, they acquire a +2 bonus to AC.
Shields are held in a single hand and can be utilized to dam or deflect assaults. They’re notably efficient in opposition to melee assaults, as they can be utilized to intercept the incoming blow.
The AC bonus supplied by a protect is cumulative with the AC bonus supplied by armor. For instance, a personality carrying medium armor and utilizing a protect would have an AC of 17 (15 from the armor + 2 from the protect).
The Impression of Pure Armor and Unarmored Protection
For creatures like barbarians and monks, a excessive Armor Class (AC) will be achieved with out carrying heavy armor. Pure AC is bestowed upon creatures by their distinctive bodily attributes, akin to robust pores and skin or scales. Calculated as 10 + their Dexterity modifier, this AC worth will be enhanced by the Unarmored Protection characteristic present in varied courses.
Unarmored Protection grants particular courses the power to calculate their AC primarily based on their Knowledge or Dexterity modifier (whichever is increased), along with their 10 base AC. For instance, barbarians acquire this capacity at 1st stage, permitting them to make the most of their excessive Dexterity or Knowledge modifiers to spice up their AC with out the necessity for cumbersome armor.
Including Shields to Pure Armor and Unarmored Protection
Shields provide an extra layer of safety, however their AC bonus can range relying on the kind of protect used. Whereas leather-based shields present an AC bonus of +1, bucklers grant a +2 bonus. By combining pure armor or unarmored protection with a protect, one can considerably improve their general AC with out the necessity for heavy armor.
| Defend Sort | AC Bonus |
|---|---|
| Leather-based Defend | +1 |
| Buckler | +2 |
The Results of Magic Armor
Enchanted armor supplies varied bonuses and results that improve the wearer’s protection and capabilities. Here is an in depth description of the results of various kinds of magic armor:
Armor of Resistance
Armor of this sort grants a bonus to saving throws in opposition to a particular harm kind, akin to acid, fireplace, or poison. The bonus varies primarily based on the armor’s rarity, with unusual armor offering a +2 bonus, uncommon armor offering a +3 bonus, and legendary armor offering a +4 bonus.
Armor of Etherealness
When a personality carrying the sort of armor casts the etherealness spell, they’ll select the armor to journey with them into the Ethereal Aircraft. This enables them to disregard any nonmagical restrictions that may stop the armor from being transported.
Armor of Invulnerability
Armor of invulnerability grants resistance to all harm varieties besides psychic harm. This makes the wearer extremely sturdy in opposition to bodily and magical assaults.
Armor of Velocity
Armor of pace enhances the wearer’s motion pace by 10 toes. This enables them to maneuver extra shortly in fight and keep away from being outmaneuvered by enemies.
Armor of Resistance to Particular Harm Varieties
Sure varieties of magic armor present resistance to particular harm varieties, akin to fireplace resistance or chilly resistance. These armors are extremely efficient in opposition to enemies that deal primarily that kind of harm, decreasing the quantity of hurt taken.
| Armor Sort | Impact |
|---|---|
| Armor of Resistance | +2 bonus to saving throws in opposition to a particular harm kind (unusual), +3 (uncommon), +4 (legendary) |
| Armor of Etherealness | Could be transported into the Ethereal Aircraft when the wearer casts etherealness |
| Armor of Invulnerability | Resistance to all harm varieties besides psychic harm |
| Armor of Velocity | Will increase motion pace by 10 toes |
| Armor of Resistance to Particular Harm Varieties | Resistance to a particular harm kind (e.g., fireplace resistance, chilly resistance) |
Particular Concerns for Monks
Monks acquire a particular bonus to their Armor Class primarily based on their Dexterity and Knowledge modifiers. This bonus is added to their AC calculation as follows:
AC = 10 + Dexterity modifier + Knowledge modifier
This bonus represents the monk’s capacity to dodge and deflect assaults on account of their coaching in martial arts. You will need to observe that this bonus solely applies to unarmored AC calculations. If a monk is carrying armor, they’ll lose the bonus to their AC from their Dexterity and Knowledge modifiers.
The next desk summarizes the AC calculations for monks:
| Unarmored AC | Armored AC |
|---|---|
| 10 + Dexterity modifier + Knowledge modifier | 10 + Dexterity modifier (if carrying gentle armor) or Energy modifier (if carrying medium or heavy armor) |
For example, a monk with a Dexterity modifier of +3 and a Knowledge modifier of +2 would have an unarmored AC of 15 (10 + 3 + 2). If the monk had been to put on gentle armor, their AC would improve to 16 (10 + 3). Nonetheless, in the event that they had been to put on medium or heavy armor, their AC would solely be 14 (10 + 4), as their Dexterity modifier would not apply.
Short-term AC Modifiers
Armor Class (AC) can be affected by momentary modifiers that apply to your character solely during the spell, characteristic, or impact that grants them. These modifiers will be optimistic or unfavourable, and so they stack with another AC bonuses or penalties you’ve got.
Focus Spells
Some spells, akin to protect and mage armor, grant a bonus to AC whereas they’re focused on. The AC bonus lasts during the focus spell, or till the spell is damaged.
Magical Gadgets
Sure magical gadgets can present a bonus or penalty to AC, akin to bracers of protection or amulet of pure armor. The AC bonus or penalty from a magical merchandise is usually fixed, however it could range relying on the merchandise.
Options and Skills
Some character options and talents may grant a bonus or penalty to AC. For instance, the Barbarian’s Unarmored Protection characteristic grants a bonus to AC equal to their Structure modifier, and the Monk’s Deflect Missiles capacity grants a bonus to AC in opposition to ranged assaults.
| Modifier | Supply |
|---|---|
| +1 AC | Defend spell |
| +3 AC | Mage armor spell |
| +1 AC | Bracers of protection |
| +2 AC | Barbarian’s Unarmored Protection |
| +2 AC | Monk’s Deflect Missiles capacity |
Calculating AC in Totally different Conditions
Base AC
Base AC is calculated utilizing the armor’s base AC plus any Dexterity modifier. For instance, leather-based armor has a base AC of 11, and a personality with a Dexterity modifier of +2 would have an AC of 13.
Unarmored Protection
Characters with out armor can use their Dexterity and Structure modifiers to calculate AC. The bottom AC for unarmored protection is 10, plus the character’s Dexterity modifier, plus half of their Structure modifier. For instance, a personality with a Dexterity modifier of +2 and a Structure modifier of +3 would have an AC of 12.
Pure Armor
Some creatures have pure armor, which grants a bonus to AC. This bonus is added to the bottom AC of the creature’s armor or unarmored protection.
Shields
Shields present a bonus to AC, usually +2 or +3. This bonus is added to the character’s AC at any time when they’re utilizing a protect.
Magical Armor and Shields
Magical armor and shields can have particular skills or enchantments that additional improve AC. These skills can embody resistance to sure varieties of harm, benefit on AC checks, and even the power to forged spells.
Cowl and Stealth
Cowl and stealth can present situational bonuses to AC. When a personality is in cowl, they acquire a +2 bonus to AC in opposition to assaults that originate from that path. When a personality is sneaking, they acquire a +5 bonus to AC in opposition to assaults that originate from behind them.
Different Elements
There are a number of different elements that may have an effect on AC, such because the character’s dimension or race. For instance, dwarves have a racial bonus to AC in opposition to assaults made with axes.
Situations and Spells
Sure situations and spells can quickly alter a personality’s AC. For instance, the frightened situation provides a personality drawback on AC checks, whereas the bless spell provides a personality a bonus to AC. The precise results of those situations and spells range, so you will need to seek the advice of the particular guidelines for each.
Unarmored Protection
Characters with no armor can use their Dexterity modifier to calculate their AC. This can be a nice choice for characters who wish to be nimble and agile, akin to rogues and monks.
Instance:
A rogue with a Dexterity rating of 16 has an unarmored AC of 13 (10 + 3).
Pure Armor
Some creatures have pure armor, which provides them a bonus to AC. This bonus is usually primarily based on the creature’s dimension and sort.
Instance:
A large spider has a pure armor bonus of 1, so its AC is 12 (10 + 1).
Shields
Shields present a flat bonus to AC. The bonus varies relying on the kind of protect.
Instance:
A medium protect supplies a bonus of +2 to AC, so a personality with a medium protect and a Dexterity modifier of 16 has an AC of 15 (10 + 2 + 3).
Magical Armor
Magical armor can present quite a lot of bonuses to AC, together with resistance to sure varieties of harm.
Instance:
Plate armor +1 supplies a bonus of +1 to AC and resistance to non-magical bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing harm.
Different Methods to Enhance AC
There are a selection of different methods to enhance your AC, together with:
Optimizing AC for Totally different Characters
The easiest way to optimize your AC relies on your character’s class, race, and playstyle. Listed here are a number of suggestions for optimizing AC for various characters:
| Character Class | AC Optimization Suggestions |
|---|---|
| Barbarian | Put on heavy armor and use a protect |
| Bard | Use medium armor and deal with Dexterity |
| Cleric | Put on heavy armor in case you have proficiency, in any other case put on medium armor |
| Druid | Use pure armor and deal with Dexterity |
| Fighter | Put on heavy armor and use a protect |
| Monk | Use unarmored protection and deal with Dexterity |
| Paladin | Put on heavy armor and use a protect |
| Ranger | Put on medium armor and deal with Dexterity |
| Rogue | Use unarmored protection and deal with Dexterity |
| Sorcerer | Use mage armor and deal with Dexterity |
| Warlock | Use mage armor and deal with Dexterity |
| Wizard | Use mage armor and deal with Dexterity |
Fundamental Armor Class Calculation
Armor Class (AC) represents a personality’s capacity to keep away from being hit by assaults. It’s calculated as follows:
AC = 10 + Base Armor Class + Dexterity Modifier + Defend Bonus
- Base Armor Class: That is the bottom AC supplied by the armor a personality is carrying.
- Dexterity Modifier: That is the modifier to a personality’s Dexterity capacity rating, which will be optimistic or unfavourable.
- Defend Bonus: This can be a bonus to AC supplied by a protect.
Frequent Errors in AC Calculation
1. Miscounting Armor Proficiency
Some armor varieties require proficiency to put on. If a personality just isn’t proficient within the armor they’re carrying, they obtain a penalty to their AC.
2. Overlooking Pure Armor
Some races, akin to Dragonborn and Tortles, have pure armor that gives a bonus to their AC. This bonus is utilized earlier than another modifiers.
3. Ignoring Cowl Modifiers
Cowl can present a bonus to AC. Half cowl supplies a +2 bonus, and three-quarters cowl supplies a +5 bonus.
4. Misapplying Defend AC
A protect solely supplies its AC bonus when it’s getting used to dam an assault. If a personality is carrying a protect however not utilizing it, it doesn’t present any AC bonus.
5. Utilizing the Fallacious Dexterity Modifier
The Dexterity modifier utilized in AC calculation is the modifier primarily based on the character’s present Dexterity rating, not their base Dexterity rating.
6. Stacking AC Bonuses
Some bonuses to AC can’t be stacked. For instance, the AC bonus from the Defend spell doesn’t stack with the AC bonus from a protect.
7. Making use of Magical AC Bonuses Incorrectly
Magical AC bonuses, such because the bonus from the Bracers of Protection, are utilized in spite of everything different modifiers.
8. Forgetting Circumstance Bonuses
Circumstance bonuses, such because the bonus from the Bless spell, are utilized as momentary bonuses to AC.
9. Misinterpreting Dodge Motion
The Dodge motion supplies a bonus to AC, however it solely applies to assaults that may be seen.
10. Mixing Up AC and Saving Throws
AC is used to defend in opposition to assaults, whereas saving throws are used to defend in opposition to spells and different skills. You will need to do not forget that AC doesn’t apply to saving throws.
How To Calculate Armor Class 5e
Armor Class (AC) is a measure of how troublesome it’s to hit a personality in D&D 5e. It’s calculated by including collectively the character’s base AC, any armor bonuses, any protect bonuses, and another bonuses or penalties that apply. The bottom AC for many characters is 10, however this may be modified by race, class, feats, and different elements.
Armor bonuses are usually listed on the armor’s stat block. The most typical kind of armor is gentle armor, which supplies a bonus of +2 to AC. Medium armor supplies a bonus of +3 to AC, and heavy armor supplies a bonus of +4 to AC.
Defend bonuses are usually listed on the protect’s stat block. The most typical kind of protect is a picket protect, which supplies a bonus of +2 to AC. A metal protect supplies a bonus of +3 to AC, and a tower protect supplies a bonus of +4 to AC.
Different bonuses or penalties to AC can come from quite a lot of sources, akin to feats, spells, or magic gadgets. For instance, the Defensive Duelist feat grants a bonus to AC when wielding a finesse weapon, and the Defend spell grants a short lived bonus to AC.
Calculating AC
To calculate your AC, merely add collectively your base AC, any armor bonuses, any protect bonuses, and another bonuses or penalties that apply. For instance, a personality with a base AC of 10, carrying leather-based armor (+2) and a picket protect (+2), would have an AC of 14.
Individuals Additionally Ask About How To Calculate Armor Class 5e
What’s the base AC for a personality?
The bottom AC for many characters is 10, however this may be modified by race, class, feats, and different elements.
What are the various kinds of armor in 5e?
The various kinds of armor in 5e are gentle armor, medium armor, and heavy armor.
What are the various kinds of shields in 5e?
The various kinds of shields in 5e are picket shields, metal shields, and tower shields.
What are another elements that may have an effect on AC?
Different elements that may have an effect on AC embody feats, spells, and magic gadgets.
