In the realm of Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition (5e), every adventurer’s survival and success hinge on various factors, one of the most crucial being their Armor Class (AC). AC represents a character’s ability to avoid or mitigate damage from incoming attacks, and determining it accurately is essential for both players and Dungeon Masters alike. Fortunately, the process of calculating AC in 5e is relatively straightforward, involving a combination of factors such as armor, dexterity, and magical enhancements.
The foundation of AC lies in the type of armor a character wears. Different armor types provide varying degrees of protection, ranging from the light and nimble studded leather to the heavy and cumbersome plate mail. Each armor type has a base AC value indicated on its description, representing the inherent protection it offers. Furthermore, each character has a Dexterity modifier that influences their AC. Dexterity, a measure of agility and reflexes, plays a significant role in calculating AC. Depending on the Dexterity modifier, characters can gain additional AC bonuses, enhancing their ability to dodge or deflect attacks.
Proficiency Bonus
Your proficiency bonus varies depending on your character’s level. Here’s a table showing the progression:
| Character Level | Proficiency Bonus |
|---|---|
| 1-4 | +2 |
| 5-8 | +3 |
| 9-12 | +4 |
| 13-16 | +5 |
| 17-20 | +6 |
For example, if you’re a 5th-level character, your proficiency bonus would be +3. You would add this bonus to any skill checks you make that use the proficiency you’re proficient in.
There are two exceptions to this rule. First, if you’re proficient in a skill that you have expertise in, you add double your proficiency bonus to the check. Second, if you’re proficient in a saving throw, you add half your proficiency bonus to the roll (rounding down).
Shields
Shields are a great way to increase your Armor Class. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and each one has its own unique benefits.
Types of Shields
There are three main types of shields in 5e:
- Light shields are the smallest and most common type of shield. They provide a +2 bonus to AC and have no disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws.
- Medium shields are larger and more protective than light shields. They provide a +3 bonus to AC but have disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws.
- Heavy shields are the largest and most protective type of shield. They provide a +4 bonus to AC but have disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws and Strength checks.
Choosing a Shield
When choosing a shield, there are a few things to consider:
- Your Armor Class: The higher your Armor Class, the more difficult it will be for enemies to hit you. A shield can help you increase your Armor Class, making you a more difficult target.
- Your Dexterity: Your Dexterity modifier affects your Dexterity saving throws. If you have a low Dexterity modifier, you may want to consider using a light shield or a medium shield with the War Caster feat.
- Your Strength: Your Strength modifier affects your Strength checks. If you have a low Strength modifier, you may want to consider using a light shield or a medium shield with the mobile feat.
Shield Table
The following table summarizes the different types of shields and their benefits:
| Shield Type | AC Bonus | Disadvantage on Dexterity Saving Throws | Disadvantage on Strength Checks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Shield | +2 | No | No |
| Medium Shield | +3 | Yes | No |
| Heavy Shield | +4 | Yes | Yes |
Natural Armor
Certain creatures, such as dragons and golems, have natural armor that provides them with protection from physical attacks. The base Armor Class (AC) of a creature with natural armor is determined by its natural armor bonus. This bonus is typically based on the creature’s size and type, and it can range from +1 to +10.
For example, a medium-sized dragon has a natural armor bonus of +3, giving it a base AC of 13 (10 + 3). A large-sized golem has a natural armor bonus of +5, giving it a base AC of 15 (10 + 5).
Natural armor can be improved by wearing armor or using magical effects that increase AC. However, natural armor does not stack with other forms of armor. For example, if a dragon with a natural armor bonus of +3 wears chain mail (which provides an AC bonus of +6), the dragon’s AC would still be 13 (10 + 3), not 19 (10 + 3 + 6).
Some creatures have special abilities that allow them to ignore or reduce the effects of natural armor. For example, a creature with the Piercing Strike ability can ignore the natural armor bonus of any creature it attacks.
| Creature Size | Natural Armor Bonus |
|---|---|
| Tiny | +1 |
| Small | +2 |
| Medium | +3 |
| Large | +5 |
| Huge | +8 |
| Gargantuan | +10 |
How To Determine Armor Class 5e
Armor Class (AC) is a measure of how difficult it is for a creature to be hit by an attack. It is calculated by adding together the creature’s base AC, any armor bonuses, any shield bonuses, and any other bonuses or penalties that apply.
A creature’s base AC is 10. This can be modified by the creature’s Dexterity modifier, as shown in the following table.
| Dexterity Modifier | AC Bonus |
|—|—|
| -5 | -3 |
| -4 | -2 |
| -3 | -1 |
| -2 | 0 |
| -1 | +1 |
| 0 | +2 |
| 1 | +3 |
| 2 | +4 |
| 3 | +5 |
| 4 | +6 |
| 5 | +7 |
In addition to their base AC, creatures can also gain AC bonuses from armor. The type of armor a creature is wearing determines the AC bonus it provides. The following table shows the AC bonuses for different types of armor.
| Armor Type | AC Bonus |
|—|—|
| Padded | +1 |
| Leather | +2 |
| Studded leather | +3 |
| Chain shirt | +4 |
| Chain mail | +6 |
| Plate mail | +8 |
Creatures can also gain AC bonuses from shields. The type of shield a creature is using determines the AC bonus it provides. The following table shows the AC bonuses for different types of shields.
| Shield Type | AC Bonus |
|—|—|
| Buckler | +1 |
| Shield | +2 |
| Tower shield | +3 |
In addition to armor and shield bonuses, creatures can also gain AC bonuses from other sources, such as magical items or class features. For example, the monk class feature Unarmored Defense allows monks to calculate their AC using their Dexterity and Wisdom modifiers instead of wearing armor. The barbarian class feature Unarmored Defense allows barbarians to calculate their AC using their Strength and Constitution modifiers instead of wearing armor.
People Also Ask About How To Determine Armor Class 5e
What is a good AC for 5e?
A good AC for 5e is anything that is 14 or higher. This will give you a good chance of avoiding being hit by attacks, even from powerful monsters.
How can I increase my AC?
There are a number of ways to increase your AC, including wearing better armor, using a shield, and taking advantage of class features or magical items that provide AC bonuses.
What is the maximum AC in 5e?
The maximum AC in 5e is 30. This can be achieved by wearing plate mail (+8 AC), using a shield (+3 AC), and taking advantage of class features or magical items that provide AC bonuses (up to a maximum of +10 AC).
