Are There Any Feats That Increase AC in 5e?
In Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition, Armor Class (AC) plays a crucial role in determining how well a character can absorb damage. While armor can provide a significant boost, there are also several feats that can increase AC and make your character even harder to hit. In this article, we’ll dive into the world of AC-boosting feats and provide you with a comprehensive list of options.
Introduction
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s establish why AC is important. Armor Class is the opponent’s chance to hit in combat. A character with a high AC will be harder to hit, and vice versa. To increase AC, players have several options, including: wearing better armor, using shields, and taking specific feats. In this article, we’ll focus on the latter.
Fighting Styles and Feats
In 5th edition, there are two fighting styles that directly boost AC: Dueling and Deflecting. Here are the details:
• Dueling: With Duelling, you add a bonus to your AC based on your proficiency in Armor Class. This is done by adding your proficiency to your AC, rather than your armor’s enhancement.
• Deflecting: Deflecting feat allows you to gain +2 to Armor Class when you use an action to deflect the path of a ranged or throw attack.
Additional Options
While Duelling and Deflecting are valuable options, there are additional feats that can indirectly affect AC. Here are some examples:
• Guardian: This feat lets you gain +1 to Armor Class whenever you’re within 10 feet of a ally in combat.
• Iron Defense: This feat improves your AC by adding the higher of your constitution modifier or your wisdom modifier to your Armor Class.
• Resolute: This feat adds your Constitution modifier as a bonus to Armor Class.
Example Calculation
To illustrate the AC-boosting effect, let’s consider a straightforward example:
- Assume an 18th-level warrior with a Constitution modifier of +3 and Wisdom modifier of +2.
For Duelling, you calculate the bonus as follows:
- Armor Class = base AC + proficiency + expertise
- Base AC (e.g., for the warrior’s armor)
- Proficiency (1): +2 (level of expertise)
- Expertise (1): +5 (from Duelling style)
- Total: +7
In another scenario, using Deflecting:
- Bonus +2 (from Deflecting)
- Bonus can be used once per hour
In the presence of an ally, you calculate the bonus using the Guardian feat:
- Guardian bonus +2 (from Guardian feat), within 10ft of an ally; +1 (additional guardian bonus)
- Additional boost: +2/+3
Tables for Easy Reference
For an easy reference, we present the following tables to keep track of the different scenarios:
| Feat | Bonus to AC | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Dueling | Add proficiency (1-10) | |
| Deflect | +2 per combat action | Combat |
| Guard | +2/-1 within 10 feet | Within 10ft of ally |
Conclusion
To maximize your character’s defense against attacks, it’s crucial to consider the right mix of armor, feats, and fighting styles. Our analysis of the most beneficial feats that increase AC is a comprehensive guide for warriors, paladins, and other combat characters alike. Whether you prefer close combat or ranged engagements, there’s a suitable feast for every playstyle in 5th edition’s vast library of character build options.
Take Home Message
When developing a character, don’t be afraid to experiment with multiple feats to find the ones that work best for you. Keep in mind these examples are just illustrations: each character build demands unique consideration.
Would you like to increase the effectiveness of your duellist? Do you desire a shield to provide defensive support? Or are there other ways you wish to boost your AC? Reach out and share your perspectives in the comments section.
Sources
- PHB, p.128 (Armor Class and Targeting)
- Fighter & Paladin, p.41 (Dueling Fighting Style)
- PHB, p.164 (Ability Scores and Modifiers)