What is Armor Class


Baldur

In Baldur's Gate 3, the higher your Armor Class is, the more difficult you are to hit. Read on to learn more about Armor Class, Armor Proficiency, and how Dexterity affects the total amount of Armor Class.

What is Armor Class

Ability to Block or Dodge Attacks

Baldur

Armor Class (AC) represents a character's ability to block or dodge incoming melee, ranged, and spell attacks.

Armor Class Formula
10 + Dexterity Modifier

Ability Scores Guide

How to Hit or Get Hit

In order for you to hit an enemy with an attack, or an enemy to hit you, the attack roll must meet or exceed the target's AC. Only afterwards will the target take damage.

Equipping Armor

Equipping armor changes a character's base AC value. The type of armor equipped will determine the new base value and if the Dexterity modifier is applied.

Armor Type Armor Class Formula
Light Armor Armor's AC + Dexterity Modifier
Medium Armor Armor's AC + Dexterity Modifier (Caps at +2)
Heavy Armor Armor's AC (no bonus from DEX)
Shields +2 to AC

The heavier the armor, the harder it is for a character to to move, which is why the dexterity modifier bonus decreases for medium and heavy armor.

Light Armor

Characters with high Dexterity will benefit a lot from wearing Light Armor as they gain the full bonus from their Dexterity Modifier.

Medium Armor

Medium armor provides more protection than light armor and allows for some mobility. Medium armor is a great middle of the road choice for characters that want to remain agile but have a bit more defense.

Heavy Armor

Heavy Armor provides the most protection. Characters with low Dexterity can benefit from equipping Heavy Armor since the Dexterity Modifier is not added to the AC of Heavy Armor.

Shields

Shields are unique in that they will always provide a +2 to Armor Class no matter what kind of shield is equipped.

Disadvantage on Stealth Rolls

Some Armor subtypes such as padded light armor and ring mail will impose a disadvantage on stealth checks due to how much noise a character makes when moving when wearing such armor.

Rogues and other stealthy classes should take care to avoid equipping such armors types.

List of All Armour

Armor Proficiency

Baldur

Armor and Shield proficiencies are both determined by a character's class, and wearing the appropriate armor for a certain class provides a bonus to Ability Checks, Saving Throws, and Attack Rolls.

Characters equipped with armor that they are not proficient in will have disadvantage on the associated rolls.

What is Advantage and Disadvantage

Baldur's Gate 3 Related Guides

Baldurs Gate 3 - Beginner Guide Partial

Baldur's Gate 3 Beginner's Guide

All Beginner Guides
Class Tier List DX11 vs Vulkan
Scuffed Rock Location: Hidden Cache Rewards Difficulty Setting Differences
Fall Damage Guide Guardian Explained
Where to Get the Wolf Rune All Companions and Types
All Illithid Parasite Locations Soul Coin Guide
All Infernal Iron Locations Best Adamantine Item
Noblestalk Location What to Do With the Iron Flask
Crafting Guide How to Use the Flower Key
Glossary Guides
Proficiency Bonus Guide Advantage and Disadvantage Guide
Difficulty Class Guide Armor Class Guide
High Ground Guide HP and Hit Dice Guide
Bonus Action Guide Alchemy Guide
FAQ and How-To Guides
What is Concentration? What is the Max Level?
Is BG3 Multiplayer? Is There a Split-Screen Feature?
Should You Enable Karmic Dice? What is Opportunity Attack?
How Many Party Members Can You Have? Should You Sell or Keep the Owlbear Egg?
Do Illithid Powers Have Consequences? What Does Add to Wares Do?
What is Saving Throw? How to Mod BG3
How to Pause the Game Is There a Bag of Holding?
How to Shove How to Go to the Camp
How to Highlight Objects How to Get to the Underdark
How to Solve the Silent Library Puzzle How to Multiclass and Best Class Combos
How to Jump and Increase Jump Distance How to Destroy Destructible Objects
How to Turn Off the Arcane Turrets Death Saving Throws: How to Help Incapacitated Allies
How to Use and Cast Spells How to Sneak: Stealing and Pickpocket Guide
How to Respec Your Character How to Get to Last Light Inn
How to Fix Top Down Camera View How to Use a Torch
How to Get to the Grymforge How to Recruit Hirelings
How to Buy and Sell Items from NPCs How to Get to the Shadow-Cursed Lands
How to Revive Fallen Allies How to Adjust the Camera
How to Get a Sussur Tree Bark How to Use Non-Lethal Attacks
How to Farm Gold Fast How to Get to Moonrise Towers
How to Learn New Spells How to Stack Objects
How to Infiltrate Shattered Sanctum How to Save / Quick Save
How to Find and Dig Up Dirt Mounds Should You Invite Yenna to Your Camp?
Where to Find Dammon How to Get to the Last Light Inn Basement
How to Use the Strange Chunk of Amber How to Get to Thorm Mausoleum
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