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The phrase "base AC" appears in the D&D 5E basic rules exactly once, in the description of the Mage Armor spell. This says:

The target’s base AC becomes 13 + its Dexterity modifier.

But if we expand the acronym AC, "Base Armor Class" also appears: but again, just once, as far as I can see. This is in the equipment chapter, and armor and shields, and says:

The armor (and shield) you wear determines your base Armor Class

By this, it seems logical to assume that "base Armor Class" is the armor value, possibly plus 2 for a shield. But, in the case of Mage Armor, dexterity is specifically included in the "base AC". Is it intended that dexterity is added on top of that, for a total AC of 13 + dex modifier + dex modifier again?

If you look at the details for light, medium, and heavy armor, each of these specifies individually how Dex is treated (always added to Light, added up to +2 for Medium, and never factored in even if negative for Heavy). That sounds like the influence of Dex, if any, is included in the part of the armor, and therefore in your base Armor Class. But, on the other hand, these descriptions refer to "the base number from your armor type" — so is there a "base number" that's different from your "base AC"?

The question How does barkskin work? exemplifies how this confusion (for those of us used to more complicated AC from previous edition) trickles down: the question asks if something affects "total AC, Base AC or just armor AC". So my question, fundamentally, is: is "base AC" actually a special term in 5E, with a coherent meaning, or is it just some words that get used sometimes in describing armor class sometimes? If it is a definite term, what exactly does it include?

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3 Answers 3

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Your "base AC" is your AC before any modifiers. However, it is not a defined game term at this time as it has little or no use outside of the Mage armor spell.

Such modifiers may include:

  • Class based bonuses like from a Fighting style
  • Magic bonuses from items
  • Temporary bonuses from spells.
  • Other things not included in this list.

So your "Base AC" is either your armor plus your ability (if applicable) plus your shield, or your natural armor plus your Dex or other stats as applicable. Also Mage Armor would set your "base" AC to 13+dex.

Your Base AC includes any applicable stat bonuses. So "base" in the case of Mage Armor is 13 + Dex, there is no additional bonus to that. A shield modifies your Base AC, and increase it by 2.

The armor + shield also includes your Dex for medium and light armors. So your Base AC in the following armor types is as follows:

  • None: 10 + Dex
  • Leather: 11 + Dex
  • Hide: 12 + Dex (max 2)
  • Chain: 16
  • Chain + Shield: 18
  • Mage Armor: 13 + Dex

Various other things set your base AC. But it's based on both your AC and the appropriate stat.

Lastly, there is no intent for there to be a difference between Unarmored Defenses and Mage Armor.

Wax Eagle: Is there a reason why the wording is inconsistent between Mage Armor and Unarmored Defenses? Mage Armor uses "Base AC"

Jeremy Crawford: The difference isn't intentional.

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Your base AC is exactly what your current AC calculation method says. Base AC is not a defined term, but to me it represents the less situation part of your AC. Current/total AC = base AC + temp/situational bonus/penalties (like those given from the shield spell).

You will not be adding your dex mod twice when using Mage Armor.

You only (sometimes) add your DEX to your AC because the calculation method for AC while wearing armor explicitly tells you to.

From Basic Rules pg 9, Under the Armor Class:

Without armor or a shield, your character's AC equals 10+ his or her Dexterity modifier. If your character wears armor, caries a shield, or both, calculate your AC using the rules in chapter 5.

...

Some spells and class features give you a different way to calculate your AC. ...

pg 43 chapter 5 - equipment

Armor Class (AC): Armor protects its wearer from attacks, The armor(and shield) you wear determines your base Armor Class

Each type of armor (light, medium, heavy) then has a section that explains if/how your Dex mod is added.

From the Light Armor section on pg 43:

If you wear light armor, you add your Dexterity modifier to the base number from your armor type to determine your Armor Class.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ You say "Your base AC is exactly what your AC calculation says." So, therefore, "AC", "base AC", and "total AC" are all interchangeable terms? Does an unarmored character have a base AC? \$\endgroup\$
    – mattdm
    Aug 26, 2014 at 19:31
  • \$\begingroup\$ @mattdm I think of 'base AC' as pre situational bonus AC (what you would put on your character sheet). But yes they are interchangeable by the current rules. Unarmored character base AC = 10 + dex mod. \$\endgroup\$
    – Colin D
    Aug 26, 2014 at 20:25
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"Your Base AC", and "Your AC" mean the same thing.

Normally, your Base AC would mean its the AC you have before you add any modifiers such as Dexterity, and that is how the term is used in the equipment section, however that is not what it means in the Mage Armor spell.

Whether you are looking at unarmored defense, which sets your "armor class" to 10 + dex+ con, or the Draconic Resilience which makes your AC equal to 13 + Dex when not wearing armor, or Mage Armor which sets your Base AC to 13+ Dex modifier, it's all doing the same thing.

It's also possible that "Base AC" is a typo in Mage Armor, but we are unlikely to see any errata on that issue unless it's actually causing problems at many game tables, and people legitimately think that Mage Armor is supposed to give you an AC equal to 13 + dex + dex. And even if one tried to argue that, you could always point out that the rules for Armor Class simply say that without armor: (Page 14 of the Player's Handbook)

your character's AC equals 10+ his or her Dexterity modifier.

You will note it does not say their "Base AC"

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