Calculate your character's Armor Class based on their armor, shield, Dexterity modifier, and other bonuses.
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Understanding Armor Class (AC) in RPGs
Armor Class (AC) is a fundamental statistic in many tabletop role-playing games (RPGs), most famously in Dungeons & Dragons. It represents a character's overall ability to avoid being hit by an attack. A higher AC makes a character more difficult to hit, thus increasing their survivability in combat.
How Armor Class is Calculated
The calculation of Armor Class typically follows a base formula that is then modified by various factors. While specific rules can vary between game systems, a common structure involves:
Base AC: This is the AC value a character has without any armor or significant modifiers. For unarmored characters, this is often 10.
Armor Bonus: This is the AC provided by worn armor (e.g., leather armor, plate mail). Heavy armors generally provide higher AC but may restrict movement or impose penalties.
Dexterity Modifier: A character's Dexterity score influences how well they can dodge or weave out of the way of attacks. Typically, a higher Dexterity score grants a positive modifier, while a lower score may grant a negative modifier or no bonus at all, depending on the armor type's limitations.
Shield Bonus: If a character is wielding a shield, it typically grants a flat bonus to their AC.
Other Bonuses: Various magical items, spells, feats, class features, or environmental factors can provide additional, cumulative bonuses to AC.
The Formula
The general formula for calculating Armor Class can be expressed as:
Total AC = Base AC + Dexterity Modifier + Armor Bonus + Shield Bonus + Other AC Bonuses
It's crucial to note that some armor types may have a maximum Dexterity bonus that can be applied. For instance, heavy armors might not benefit from a Dexterity modifier at all, while light armors allow the full modifier. This calculator assumes the Dexterity modifier is applicable, but players should always consult their specific game's rules for such limitations.
Why Use an AC Calculator?
As characters level up, acquire new gear, and gain spells, their AC can change frequently. Manually calculating AC every time can be prone to errors. An AC calculator ensures accuracy and saves time, allowing players and Game Masters to focus on the game. It's particularly useful for:
Players wanting to optimize their character's defenses.
Game Masters quickly determining NPC or monster AC.
Trying out different gear combinations to see their impact on AC.
function calculateArmorClass() {
var baseArmorValue = parseFloat(document.getElementById("baseArmorValue").value);
var dexterityModifier = parseFloat(document.getElementById("dexterityModifier").value);
var armorBonus = parseFloat(document.getElementById("armorBonus").value);
var shieldValue = parseFloat(document.getElementById("shieldValue").value);
var otherBonuses = parseFloat(document.getElementById("otherBonuses").value);
var totalAC = 0;
// Validate inputs and perform calculation
if (!isNaN(baseArmorValue) && !isNaN(dexterityModifier) && !isNaN(armorBonus) && !isNaN(shieldValue) && !isNaN(otherBonuses)) {
totalAC = baseArmorValue + dexterityModifier + armorBonus + shieldValue + otherBonuses;
document.getElementById("resultValue").textContent = totalAC;
} else {
document.getElementById("resultValue").textContent = "Invalid Input";
}
}