1. What is AC in D&D 5e?

Armor Class (AC) represents how difficult it is to land a successful attack against a character or creature in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. It's derived from the base value of 10 plus Dexterity modifier plus any armor or shield bonuses.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the basic AC formula:

Where:

• 10 — Base armor class for all creatures
• Dexterity Modifier — Bonus or penalty from Dexterity ability score
• Armor Bonus — Protection value from worn armor or shield

Explanation: This is the most basic AC calculation. Some classes, spells, or magic items may modify this further.

3. Importance of AC Calculation

Details: AC determines whether attacks hit in combat. Higher AC makes characters harder to hit, while lower AC makes them more vulnerable.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your Dexterity modifier (which can be positive or negative) and your total armor bonus from all sources (armor + shield + other bonuses).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What if I'm wearing no armor?
A: Your AC would simply be 10 + Dexterity modifier. Some classes like Monk or Barbarian have alternative calculations.

Q2: What are typical AC values?
A: Unarmored characters usually have 10-15 AC. Heavily armored characters can reach 18-20 AC or higher with magic items.

Q3: Do all armors use full Dexterity modifier?
A: No, heavy armor limits or eliminates Dexterity bonuses to AC. Check your armor type's description.

Q4: What about natural armor?
A: Creatures with natural armor use different calculations, typically specified in their stat blocks.

Q5: Can AC be reduced below 10?
A: Yes, if your Dexterity modifier is negative and you have no armor bonuses, your AC could be below 10.