1. What is Armor Class?

Armor Class (AC) represents how difficult it is to land a successful attack on a character in Dungeons & Dragons. It's derived from the character's agility (DEX modifier) and protective gear (armor bonus).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the basic AC formula:

Where:

• 10 — Base armor class
• DEX modifier — Dexterity ability modifier
• Armor bonus — Protection from worn armor

Explanation: This is the standard formula for unarmored defense or when wearing light/medium armor that allows full DEX bonus.

3. Importance of AC Calculation

Details: AC determines the target number enemies need to roll to hit your character. Higher AC means better protection against attacks.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your character's DEX modifier (which can be positive or negative) and the armor bonus from your equipped armor. The calculator will sum these with the base 10.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What if I'm wearing heavy armor?
A: Heavy armor typically limits DEX bonus. Check your armor's description for maximum DEX bonus allowed.

Q2: Are there other ways to increase AC?
A: Yes, shields (+2), magic items, class features, and spells can all increase AC beyond this basic calculation.

Q3: What's a good AC value?
A: For low levels, 14-16 is decent. High-level characters often have 18-20 or more with magic items.

Q4: Does AC affect all attacks?
A: Yes, but some spells require saving throws instead of attack rolls, bypassing AC.

Q5: How does natural armor work?
A: Some races/monsters have natural armor that replaces the base 10 with a different formula.