Introduction

Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) is a fantasy role-playing game where players create characters and embark on adventures in imaginary worlds. One of the most essential aspects of the game is character’s Armor Class (AC). AC determines how difficult it is for an opponent to hit your character in battle, essentially acting as their defensive score. Calculating your character’s AC in D&D can be a little confusing at first, but with practice, you’ll quickly grasp the concept. In this article, we will guide you through the process of calculating AC in D&D.

Step 1: Start with Base Armor Class

The first step to determining your character’s AC is to start with their base Armor Class. For most characters, the base Armor Class is equal to 10. However, if your character is wearing armor or carrying a shield, you will find the base AC listed on the armor or shield description.

Step 2: Add Dexterity Modifier

After determining the base Armor Class, you need to add the character’s Dexterity modifier. The Dexterity modifier represents how agile and quick a character is in battle and can help them avoid attacks more efficiently.

To calculate your Dexterity modifier:

1. Find your character’s Dexterity score on their character sheet.

2. Subtract 10 from the Dexterity score.

3. Divide the result by 2 (rounding down).

4. The result is your Dexterity modifier.

For Example, if your character has a Dexterity score of 14:

(14 – 10) / 2 = 4 / 2 = 2

The Dexterity Modifier would be +2.

Add this modifier to your base Armor Class.

Step 3: Account for Armor/Shield Restrictions

It is essential to pay attention to any restrictions that armor or shields may impose on your Dexterity modifier—some types of armor limit how much of your Dexterity modifier you can apply to your Armor Class. This limit is called the Armor’s Maximum Dexterity Bonus. If this limit is present, adjust the Dexterity modifier accordingly.

Step 4: Add Magic Items and Other Bonuses

Many items, spells, or class features can provide bonuses to a character’s AC. For example, a character may receive a bonus from a magic item like the Amulet of Protection or benefit from a temporary buff provided by a spell or class ability (such as Mage Armor or the Shield spell). Consult the descriptions of these bonuses and add them accordingly to your character’s AC.

Calculating Total AC

Once you’ve considered all of these factors, simply add them up to get the total Armor Class for your character:

Total AC = Base Armor Class + Adjusted Dexterity Modifier + Magic Items/Other Bonuses

Now that you have your character’s total AC, you’re ready to face enemies in battle with confidence! Knowing your AC will help inform your decisions during combat encounters and ensure you can effectively navigate the world of D&D. Happy adventuring!