1. What is Armor Class in D&D 5e?

Armor Class (AC) represents how difficult it is to land a successful attack on a character or creature. It's a core defensive statistic in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition that determines whether an attack hits or misses.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the base AC formula:

Where:

• 10 — Base AC for all characters
• DEX modifier — Dexterity ability modifier (can be positive or negative)
• Armor bonus — Bonus provided by worn armor or natural armor

Note: Some armor types limit the DEX modifier you can apply, but this calculator assumes you're using the full modifier.

3. Importance of AC Calculation

Details: Accurate AC calculation is crucial for combat encounters. It affects your character's survivability by determining how often enemies can hit you with attacks.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your Dexterity modifier (which can be positive or negative) and the bonus from your armor. The calculator will sum these with the base 10 to determine your total AC.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What if I'm wearing armor that limits DEX bonus?
A: The calculator assumes full DEX modifier. For armor with limits (like medium armor's +2 max), you'll need to manually apply the limit before entering the value.

Q2: How do I find my DEX modifier?
A: Your DEX modifier is (DEX score - 10) divided by 2, rounded down. For example, 14 DEX gives +2 modifier.

Q3: What about shields and other bonuses?
A: Add shield bonuses to your armor bonus before entering. Other bonuses (magic items, spells) should also be included in the armor bonus field.

Q4: What's a good AC value?
A: At level 1, 14-16 is decent, 17-19 is good, and 20+ is excellent. These values increase as you level up.

Q5: Does this work for monsters/NPCs?
A: Yes, the same formula applies to creatures unless they have special rules in their stat block.