D&D 5E Definitions, please! What are Bounded Accuracy and RAW?

[dave2008]

Thats a bit deceptive as its not overly difficult to get an AC higher than that.

It is extremely difficult for my players with no magic that buffs AC!

 

[Flamestrike]

Actually, in 5e it should be the opposite, that is the point of bounded accuracy (BA) as implemented in 5e. 5e is built on the idea that it is more fun to hit monsters than miss them. So the chance to hit has moved up from around 50% to 65% in 5e as @6ENow! mentioned. To compensate, things have more hit points.

Which in turn makes the math more predictable.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

To understand bounded accuracy it helps to have knowledge of earlier editions. You could easily have attack bonuses that far exceeded the maximum roll on the D20, and the armor class as well, making both pretty much irrelevant. Bounded accuracy is basically "lets try an reign in the bonuses to keep the dice and AC relevant".

 

[Flamestrike]

It is extremely difficult for my players with no magic that buffs AC!

Warforged Fighter 1, Artificer 1 has an AC of 24 base at 2nd level. Shield comes online at 4th level to get it to 29. Probably has a access to a buff spell like shield of faith for AC 31 by 4th level as well.

It's an outlier but it doesnt require any sort of mega stats to perform.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

What in the name of Fizban's hairy buttocks is bounded accuracy??? I keep seeing the term, but have no idea what it means. A search turned up about 1000 more mentions of it than I cared to wade through, and that's ALL they were: mentions.

Likewise the heck is RAW?


Thanks in advance to all who respond with help!

RAW: Rules are for Arguing and Whining

RAI: Rulings Against Intelligence

Bounded Accuracy: The overly risqué art you might find in the 70s and 80s D&D line art; Silver Princess, for example.

 

[Horwath]

Well, I guess that explains why my fighter can't hit the side of a barn- when he's standing in it... Well, that, and my awful die rolls, lol.

well, that's d20 for you. completely unpredictable.
3d6 if more consistent with same average, but requires some work on base rules to implement it.

 

[Swarmkeeper]

Warforged Fighter 1, Artificer 1 has an AC of 24 base at 2nd level. Shield comes online at 4th level to get it to 29. Probably has a access to a buff spell like shield of faith for AC 31 by 4th level as well.

It's an outlier but it doesnt require any sort of mega stats to perform.

Trying to figure the math on this one out. Fighter (1) could get Plate Armor (AC 18) and Defensive Fighting (+1 to AC) and Warforged get +1 to AC which brings us to AC 20. Artificer (1) gets... what exactly? How are we getting to AC 24 at 2nd level before spell enhancements?

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Trying to figure the math on this one out. Fighter (1) could get Plate Armor (AC 18) and Defensive Fighting +1 to AC and Warforged get +1 to AC bring us to AC 20. Artificer (1) gets... what exactly? How are we getting to AC 24 at 2nd level before spell enhancements?

I Think they must mean Artificer 2 for +1 armor, +1 shield.

You might be able to pick up Shield of Faith somewhere too.

 

[Umbran]

Trying to figure the math on this one out. Fighter (1) could get Plate Armor (AC 18) and Defensive Fighting (+1 to AC) and Warforged get +1 to AC which brings us to AC 20. Artificer (1) gets... what exactly? How are we getting to AC 24 at 2nd level before spell enhancements?

Plate armor (AC 18) Defensive Fighting (+1). Shield (the item, not the spell +2), warforged (+1).
Artificer level 2 Infusion Enhanced Defense on plate and shield, (+1 each).

 

[Swarmkeeper]

I Think they must mean Artificer 2 for +1 armor, +1 shield.

You might be able to pick up Shield of Faith somewhere too.

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks!