AC stands for Armor Class. It is a fundamental concept in tabletop role-playing games, particularly in Dungeons and Dragons 5e.
For player characters, non-player characters, and even inanimate objects like doors, AC represents the level of protection and how difficult it is to do damage to them. So in Dungeons and Dragons the higher the AC number, the more difficult it is to successfully hit a target with an attack.
In Dungeons and Dragons 5e, a character’s base AC is determined by their unarmored defense, which is calculated as 10 plus their Dexterity modifier. This means that a character with a higher Dexterity score is naturally more agile and harder to hit. It’s important to note that there are various ways to increase a character’s AC, such as wearing armor, using shields, equipping defensive rings or amulets, and even utilizing certain magical spells or items.
Why is AC important?
Armor has always been an essential aspect of fantasy adventures, allowing heroes to protect themselves from formidable foes. Whether it’s the clanking plate armor of a noble knight, the supple leather armor of a stealthy rogue, or even magical robes that offer ethereal protection to wizards and sorcerers, the choice of armor used by each character to improve their AC also provides a sense of uniqueness and add depth to their story.
And as the campaign moves forward and characters gain more experience, they can unlock new abilities or feats that further enhance their AC. This progression allows players to continue to develop and customize their characters as they become even more resilient in combat.
So, next time you embark on an epic quest or engage in a thrilling battle, remember the importance of AC. It not only represents your character’s ability to avoid injury in combat but also adds an exciting layer of customization to the game.
Now, go forth, adventurer, and may your AC serve as an ever-solid bulwark against the dangers that await!
How to increase your AC in 5e
- Wear armor with the high armor bonus you can – Using the heaviest armor you are proficient in is usually a good idea.
- Magic items that improve AC – Some of the more well known items that boost AC are the Ring of Protection, Bracers of Defense, Cloak of Resistance, and Amulet of Natural Armor.
- Feats that improve AC – A few favorites include Defensive Duelist, Dragon Hide, Dual Wielder, Heavily Armored, Lightly Armored, Moderately Armored.
- Use a shield – Using a shield gives a +2 to AC
- Increase your Dexterity modifier – When it is time to level up sometimes you can increase an Ability Score. Adding to your Dexterity score will help your AC.
- Cast spells that increase AC – Spells like Shield, Barkskin, Mage Armor
- Character and class abilities – Tortles, for example, have starting AC of 17. If your fighter is a Battle Master you can you maneuvers such as Evasive Footwork to temporarily boost your AC.
- Take cover – Having your character hide behind things will boost your AC. Half Cover grants a +2 bonus, Three-Quarter Cover grants a +5 bonus, and Total Cover means you can’t be targeted by most attacks.
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