Need more D&D? See our guide on when you get feats in 5E.Please Note: With update 14, Armor Class and a few other related mechanics have undergone significant changes. That way, they have two chances to whiff! It’s important to get your AC to a good point, but consider using abilities that also give enemies Disadvantage on attack. That means, even at level 20, enemies have a pretty high chance of hitting. Most of the time, without class features, AC doesn’t get too much higher than 22-25. Make sure you take note of them, and where they can be applied!Īnd that’s it. Other than the ways listed above, there’s a ton of class features that can give bonuses to AC. It’s not common, but keep it in mind, especially if you’re a ranged character! Conclusions Behind cover that protects nearly all of you (3/4ths cover), you get a +5. If you’re behind cover that protects ½ of your body, you gain +2 AC. CoverĪ little-known method of getting AC. And Barkskin sets your AC to 16 (but prevents using shields!). Guardian of Faith, Haste, and Warding Bond can give a smaller, but long-lasting boost to AC. That sets their base at 13, just like Natural Armor (and better than Studded Leather!)Ī few spells can boost your AC temporarily, too.

Mage Armor is the most common way for spellcasters to get a decent boost to AC. Similar to Barbarians, most characters with Natural Armor can use shields and still benefit. The Lizardfolk, for example, has Natural Armor of 13 + Dexterity. Monks can’t wear any armor if they want to benefit from other class abilities, so you’re stuck with adding Wisdom.Ī select few races also can benefit from unarmored defense.

Unarmored Defense may or may not allow the character to use Shields.Įarly on, you may want to consider wearing Medium armor for Barbarians, since their Dexterity is low anyways and their Constitution might not beat Half-Plate’s +5. The Barbarian and Monk can add an additional statistic to their AC if they’re not wearing armor (Constitution for Barb, Wisdom for Monk). Some classes and races have alternate ways to change your base AC. Enchantment bonuses can give between +1 to +3 to your AC. If you’re proficient with shield, and using a 1 handed weapon, there’s no downside to wielding a shield as well.Īrmor and Shields can gain numerical bonuses to AC (though it’s rare on shields!). This stacks with armor class from weapons. In addition, if you equip a shield in a hand that doesn’t have a weapon, you gain another +2 to AC.

They are strictly worse than Studded Leather and Breastplates/Half Plates, respectively.

If you can, try to not use Hide Armor or Ring Mail. Medium Armor (up to +2 from Dexterity Modifier)

Armour class 5e