Armor Class vs other defenses

[gmiller7138]

I'm having a small issue with trying to figure out the difference between the two. I understand reflex determines how well you can dodge attacks, but doesn't armor class do that as well? It seems to me that AC combines reflex and fortitude to create an additional defense statistic. Is there flavor to make this work, or is it just one of those abstract things? I'd appreciate if anyone could shed some light on this.

 

[Thanee]

Well in most cases AC works against weapons, while Fortitude and Reflex work against spells and similar effects.

When an attack targets Reflex, it must only hit you, your armor, or anything else you are wearing; while an attack against AC must actually hit your physical body, that is protected by your armor.

When it comes to Reflex, only your ability to dodge (or block with a shield) the attack is relevant, while when it comes to AC, you do not need to dodge, but instead can also hide within a suit of platemail, which the attacker must penetrate in order to harm you.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Rith the Wanderer]

Thanee did a good job explaining it. I would also add that if your character is purely dodging (not wearing any armor that grants a bonus) Reflex is going to equal AC. Anything that adds a bonus to AC is going to be some sort of armor or armor surrogate (like magic creating a field of some sort that blocks damage). Reflex=Dodging and blocking AC=Dodging, blocking, and a layer of stuff in the way.

 

[Regicide]

When it comes to Reflex, only your ability to dodge (or block with a shield) the attack is relevant, while when it comes to AC, you do not need to dodge, but instead can also hide within a suit of platemail, which the attacker must penetrate in order to harm you.

It isn't exactly dodge since INT can also be used for reflex. A 500 pound blob of fat that needs a crane to get out of bed but who is smart will have a good reflex. It's pretty abstract.

 

[Dalzig]

It isn't exactly dodge since INT can also be used for reflex. A 500 pound blob of fat that needs a crane to get out of bed but who is smart will have a good reflex. It's pretty abstract.

That 500 pound blob is unlikely to exist in a D&D-like world, much less be considered an adventurer.

 

[Pickles JG]

Thanee did a good job explaining it. I would also add that if your character is purely dodging (not wearing any armor that grants a bonus) Reflex is going to equal AC. Anything that adds a bonus to AC is going to be some sort of armor or armor surrogate (like magic creating a field of some sort that blocks damage). Reflex=Dodging and blocking AC=Dodging, blocking, and a layer of stuff in the way.

It's even more abstract than that as Reflex can exceed AC eg an 11th level rogue with +1 leather & Lightning Reflexes will be one point up in Reflex.

 

[ValhallaGH]

It isn't exactly dodge since INT can also be used for reflex. A 500 pound blob of fat that needs a crane to get out of bed but who is smart will have a good reflex. It's pretty abstract.

You can use your Int for your AC, instead of your Dex.

 

[Walknot]

It isn't exactly dodge since INT can also be used for reflex. A 500 pound blob of fat that needs a crane to get out of bed but who is smart will have a good reflex. It's pretty abstract.

For instance, the 500 pound blob could be too large for workable armor, and nearly immobile. Then AC would be very poor, maybe <10 ! Could be even carted around, or move slowly as in Jabba the Hut. But could have a great Fort save, and a strong Will.

If that blob also had a high Reflex save, due to a high Intelligence and some feat, then what would that mean? Well, that's a puzzler. Probably you would have to resort to "magic" to rationalize the contradiction. That, or you could draw a distinction between AC/dex which requires speed and quickness for evading your enemie's strike, and Refl/int which is a matter of clarity of mind and precision of movement?

 

[Walknot]

Clarity and precision

It isn't exactly dodge since INT can also be used for reflex. A 500 pound blob of fat that needs a crane to get out of bed but who is smart will have a good reflex. It's pretty abstract.

For instance, the 500 pound blob could be too large for workable armor, and nearly immobile. Then AC would be very poor, maybe <10 ! Could be even carted around, or move slowly as in Jabba the Hut. But could have a great Fort save, and a strong Will.

If that blob also had a high Reflex save, due to a high Intelligence and some feat, then what would that mean? Well, that's a puzzler. Probably you would have to resort to "magic" to rationalize the contradiction. That, or you could draw a distinction between AC/dex which requires speed and quickness for evading your enemie's strike, and Refl/int which is a matter of clarity of mind and precision of movement?

 

[James McMurray]

For instance, the 500 pound blob could be too large for workable armor, and nearly immobile. Then AC would be very poor, maybe <10 ! Could be even carted around, or move slowly as in Jabba the Hut. But could have a great Fort save, and a strong Will.

If that blob also had a high Reflex save, due to a high Intelligence and some feat, then what would that mean? Well, that's a puzzler. Probably you would have to resort to "magic" to rationalize the contradiction. That, or you could draw a distinction between AC/dex which requires speed and quickness for evading your enemie's strike, and Refl/int which is a matter of clarity of mind and precision of movement?

Ahem

You can use your Int for your AC, instead of your Dex.