All Questions
Tagged with armour-class or armor-class
249 questions
8
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1
answer
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How can a PC improve their AC without armour?
What are all the ways that a PC can improve their AC whilst not wearing armour? I'm counting shields as armour for the purposes if this question.
I'm looking for things like "have at least one ...
- 80.8k
2
votes
1
answer
191
views
How would i go about making a melee character that doesn't wear armor?
I've been brainstorming an idea about a character that doesn't wear any armor at all using only their mobility to avoid getting hit.
I already know about Monk, Bracers of Armor, Mage armor and the ...
- 2,767
1
vote
1
answer
419
views
Does the Sorcerer Draconic Resilience stack with Barbarian Unarmored Defense? [duplicate]
If you have a dexterity of 30 and a wisdom or constitution of 30, with Unarmored Defense for Barbarian your AC while not wearing armor would be 10+your dexterity modifier + your constitution modifier ...
- 159
6
votes
3
answers
327
views
What defensive option would be ideal for martial characters?
I have been hearing players around me saying that "after lv.10, you should move from AC to missing chances and the stuff that won't let people target you (e.g. total concealment or total cover)&...
- 5,514
8
votes
1
answer
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If a monk increases their dexterity or wisdom modifier, does their AC increase as well?
I'm DM-ing an adventure, and my players are about to hit level 4, where the first ability score increase happens. If my monk chooses to increase their dexterity or wisdom, will their AC increase as ...
user81725
7
votes
3
answers
1k
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maximize AC with full plate and tower shield
I know the max AC is without armor.
monk / fist of the forest / sorcerer / cha / con / dex to ac etc./ polymorph and spells. +-114AC
I would like to know of way's to max up AC with full plate.
For a ...
13
votes
1
answer
827
views
Is there a balancing reason why you cannot switch unarmored defense when multiclassing?
I have a monk player that multiclasses into a barbarian.
Since his constitution is higher than his wisdom he wants to use the barbarians unarmored defense feature.
According the PHB page 164
If you ...
- 185
10
votes
2
answers
2k
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How do the prone condition and AC against ranged attacks interact?
So, this is just a clarification about how a character's AC interacts with the Prone condition aside from the Flat-Footed condition. Mostly because being prone gives you the ability to Take Cover and ...
- 2,427
5
votes
2
answers
1k
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Trying to determine if there is a calculation for AC in DND5E that incorporates different material items worn at the same time
In D&D5eE - I want some homebrew rules involving calculating AC and their modifiers when mixing different materials of armor.
If a player has on a plate mail chest piece and studded leather ...
- 169
13
votes
3
answers
976
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Does a Lizardfolk benefit from wearing +1 leather armor?
I just realized a quirk of wording.
Lizardfolk Natural Armor:
You have tough, scaly skin. When you aren't wearing armor, your AC is 13 + your Dexterity modifier. You can use your natural armor to ...
- 8,151
9
votes
4
answers
3k
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What character options (except spells) increase AC as reaction?
Some monsters, (e.g. the Death Knight) have a reaction called Parry which enables them to increase their AC.
Are there any character options that work the same way, i.e. increase AC as a reaction? I ...
- 16.6k
2
votes
2
answers
797
views
What is the lowest possible level that a PC get an AC of 39 without any magic items and with help from only one ally?
What is the lowest level AC a Player Character can have an AC of 39 (so a Tarrasque can't hit them without a critical hit) with help from at most one same-level ally?
No magic items may be used that ...
- 278
4
votes
2
answers
2k
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Multiattack defense vs legendary actions
I have a question about the DnD 5E Ranger Hunter Multiattack Defense feature.
Should you or do you get Multiattack Defense against legendary actions? For example, when you get a bite and two claw ...
21
votes
1
answer
3k
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How much would a +7 AC magic item be worth?
For context: A DM in this multi-DM run D&D 5e campaign I'm in said she would be doing very difficult sessions with very high level loot if we succeed in said sessions. Well, disregarding the fact ...
- 410
8
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5
answers
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What would be the impact if I allowed Barbarian's Unarmored Defense to stack with Lizardfolk's Natural Armor?
I am going to preface this question with the fact that yes, I am well aware they are separate AC calculations that you choose between. I am simply posing a theoretical question that warrants deeper ...
- 487
5
votes
2
answers
2k
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Do bracers of armor stack with magic armor enhancements and special abilities?
I am aware that bracers of armor's armor bonus does not stack with the basics armour bonus, but I wonder:
1- does the armor effect of bracers of armor stack with the enhancement effect of an armor?
(...
- 2,363
-1
votes
1
answer
80
views
Can the Speed magic-weapon-special-ability add +1 AC modifier as Haste spell?
Can the Speed magic-weapon-special-ability add +1 AC modifier as a Haste spell does? Here the description:
When making a full-attack action, the wielder of a speed weapon may make one extra attack ...
- 882
8
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Does the AC bonus from artificer infusions affect the Shield Master feat?
The Shield Master feat contains this:
If you aren't incapacitated, you can add your shield's AC bonus to any Dexterity saving throw you make against a spell or other harmful effect that targets only ...
- 2,310
11
votes
1
answer
2k
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What bonuses are expected to be applied to armor class?
I found this list of bonus types:
"Ability", "Armor", "Circumstance",
"Insight", "Luck", "Morale", "Natural Armor", "Profane&...
- 113
1
vote
1
answer
297
views
What is the armor class of a being in Gaseous form? [duplicate]
I was playing DnD 5e earlier today and one of my party members cast gaseous form upon itself and then got into a fight. While we know that the party member is currently protected from most forms of ...
- 119
4
votes
1
answer
3k
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Natural Armor vs Mage Armor, which takes precedence?
I'm already aware of the interaction between Mage Armor and features that grant an alternative AC calculation such as a Monk or Barbarian's Unarmored Defense, or simply wearing Armor. However I haven'...
- 2,921
3
votes
2
answers
561
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How can I maximise my social skills without sacrificing armour class as a Monk/Ranger (Fey Wanderer)?
I have a level 10 character (Monk/Ranger Fey Wanderer) in mind that I would want to make head of time, ready for a future game (should the opportunity arise).
The Fey Wanderer at level 3 gets '...
- 13.7k
9
votes
2
answers
2k
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Is there a way to add my Strength modifier to my Armor Class?
It's an age old question -- how can I make it as hard as possible for enemies to hit me, so I can slaughter them without even the slightest jostling of my coif? Typically, for those wanting to proceed ...
- 329
8
votes
3
answers
779
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Do Bracers of Defense stack with a shield?
In AD&D (1e or 2e) would Bracers of Defense stack with a shield?
The relevant text from the AD&D DMG (p. 139) is:
Their magic bestows an effective armor class equal to actually wearing armor ...
- 6,843
8
votes
2
answers
2k
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If a level 7 Beast Master Ranger equips their Primal Companion with chainmail barding what is the new AC?
If a level 7 Beast Master Ranger were to give their Beast of the Land Primal Companion barding armor, what is the new Armor Class? For example let's use chainmail barding. It seems that the new AC ...
- 91
6
votes
2
answers
3k
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Do bonuses to AC stack?
The Warforged get +1 to AC from their Integrated Protection feature.
The forge domain cleric can use the feature Blessing of the Forge to enchant their armor for another +1 to AC.
The Soul of the ...
- 1,413
5
votes
2
answers
1k
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Is this unarmored defense option balanced
One of the conceits of a campaign I am running is that in some areas classes like the fighter or paladin would not rely on heavy armor.
Is the following option balanced?
Unarmored Warrior
...
- 1,761
3
votes
2
answers
4k
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As a Fairy Rune Knight, what are my options for being strength based and still having a good armor class?
The Fairy race, first printed in the adventure Supplement Wild Beyond the Witchlight, is a flying race that has the following restriction on the use of its flying speed:
Because of your wings, you ...
- 1,921
6
votes
1
answer
817
views
My player character is wearing 2 types of armor, how do I decide which calculation is the one to use?
I've read the other questions about stacking AC which I know can't be done according to the rules, but then the rules also say that you can wear chain shirt under leather, so it contradicts itself ...
- 99
6
votes
2
answers
319
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I want to know how my 5e homebrew compares to RAW, but don't really know where to begin [closed]
Alright, strap in because I've got an overly complex homebrew that I want to see how it compares to RAW. The problem is that I don't really know where to start this comparison or how to make it easier ...
- 167
9
votes
1
answer
4k
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In the first "Eye of the Beholder" game, does lower AC mean the target is harder to hit?
I am not sure whether character adjustment in the first Eye of the Beholder game works accurately. I see that AC depends only on DEX:
DEX
AC (Human Male)
3
14
4
13
5
12
6
11
7–14
10
15
9
16
8
...
- 201
2
votes
2
answers
2k
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Best option after attuning to Shield of Missile Attraction
Let's say the party tank has picked up, and attuned to, a Shield of Missile Attraction, which states the following:
While holding this shield, you have resistance to damage from ranged
weapon attacks....
- 2,042
9
votes
5
answers
3k
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Is this homebrew magic item that lets you add your Wisdom modifier to your AC (while attuned) balanced as a rare magic item?
I recently had an idea for a new item in 5e. This item is a cloak that lets you add your Wisdom modifier to your AC (requires attunement). I was thinking of making it a rare magic item, and I was ...
- 177
15
votes
2
answers
4k
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Is it true that Reckless Attack renders AC boosts less effective?
I saw someone arguing recently that
A) Barbarians should always RA.
and
B) Assuming A) is true ... then it's a waste of time for a Barbarian to try to boost their AC.
I assume that the case for B) is ...
- 2,378
9
votes
2
answers
3k
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How does the Armor of Agathys spell interact with characters in heavier armor?
New DM here. I have a player running an Oath of Conquest paladin. He makes a pretty convincing argument that as he increases his armor class, he becomes harder to hit, and Armor of Agathys triggers ...
- 209
5
votes
1
answer
2k
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Are there any ways for a martial class to reduce an enemy's armor class?
I recently had a player express interest in playing a martial character (d&d 5e) who could somehow reduce an enemy's AC. My understanding is that the flavor they were going for is based on things ...
- 671
6
votes
1
answer
4k
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Can you stack AC bonuses with an Artificer's Infusions?
Can you stack AC bonuses with an Artificer's Infusions?
I get that you can't use the same Infusion on multiple items. However... does the Enhance Defense Infusion and Repulsion Shield Infusion stack ...
- 11.2k
6
votes
3
answers
2k
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Does magical armor enhancement bonus increase the armor’s maximum dexterity?
Do magical armor enhancement bonuses increase the maximum DEX mod allowed for an armor?
If so, awesome! If not, are there other ways to optimize AC through a DEX driven character?
- 8,856
19
votes
5
answers
3k
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Spread out AC or consolidate?
Imagine a Party with 4 characters. Each one has different AC:
14 AC/48 HP (squishy caster)
15 AC/50 HP
16 AC/50 HP
17 AC/54 HP (the tank)
The Party picks up a Ring of Protection +1. Who "should&...
- 1,837
3
votes
0
answers
88
views
How to calculate constitution based armor class for a Loxodon barbarian in 5e? [duplicate]
Loxodons have natural armor that is calculated using "12+con_mod"
Barbarians have unarmored defence calculated using "10+dex_mod+con_mod"
One of my players wants to be a Loxodon ...
- 309
5
votes
1
answer
543
views
Apply force armor from mage armor/inertial armor/etc. against touch attacks?
I want to cast a spell or manifest a power that provides a +4-or-greater bonus to AC that lasts hours/level or longer, and have it apply to touch attacks.
The mage armor, luminous armor, and greater ...
- 361k
18
votes
5
answers
4k
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How can I reliably increase our giant ape's AC to 16 (or better)?
A tactical problem to solve based on last night's session
Tactical Situation
Wizard polymorphs warlock (8th level) into a Giant Ape. (Did T-Rex last time, looking for variety and higher INT (7 vs 2); ...
- 144k
28
votes
9
answers
7k
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Can you lower your AC on purpose?
For roleplaying reasons I would like to make a NPC appear weaker than it actually is. When the players first fight it, it should seem to have a very low AC and miss many attacks.
Is this possible in ...
- 1,559
10
votes
1
answer
1k
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Summon spells and AC
The summon spells introduced in Tasha's Cauldron of Everything include an armor class calculation, but it's unclear from the description if the AC should include the dexterity modifier or not.
For ...
- 103
7
votes
1
answer
592
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Are there any rules or guidelines that demonstrate how many hit points an increase in AC is worth?
I am trying to determine if I should increase the base hit points, or the starting AC for my monsters to make them a bit more challenging for my players due to the size of the party (7-8 players).
Is ...
- 6,506
5
votes
1
answer
499
views
Does wearing magic items with armor affect AC negatively?
If I’m wearing a set of full plate armor and I replace the gauntlets with gauntlets of ogre strength do I lose the AC provided by the full plate as I’m no longer wearing a full set of full plate ...
- 171
3
votes
1
answer
595
views
What is the chance of being hit?
As a companion to this question, what is the expected chance of being hit by an average monster of your level?
- 3,705
25
votes
1
answer
2k
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Is Armor Class a difficulty class (DC)?
Frightened talks only about DCs:
[...] You take a status penalty equal to this value to all your checks and DCs [...]
Compare it to Clumsy:
[...] You take a status penalty equal to the condition ...
- 65.9k
6
votes
2
answers
1k
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Does losing Dex to AC also apply to CMD?
Relevant rules:
CMD:
...Any penalties to a creature's AC also apply to its CMD. A flat-footed creature does not add its Dexterity bonus to its CMD...
blind:
...The creature cannot see. It takes a –...
- 63
6
votes
3
answers
5k
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Natural 20 vs higher AC
If a character or creature has an AC that with all bonuses requires a 20 to hit does that mean that every hit is a crit? Or alternately the creatures AC is so high that with all bonuses no hit would ...
- 85