D&D 5E What rule(s) is 5e missing?

[tetrasodium]

Formalizing the idea of Touch AC was one of 3e's better ideas, given that there's always been situations in the game (in all editions) where either you or a foe is only trying to touch som,enoe in order to impart some effect or other.

If 5e took it out IMO that's a step backward.

I'd add (Su) (M) & (Ex) tags on abilities alongside it. Whatever someone thinks about the way those were used for AoOs it was similarly valuable to have those sort of distinctions at times.

 

[Lanefan]

Just because something injures neutral people doesn't mean it's evil - those neutral people (by alignment) might be decidedly non-neutral (by being a partisan) in the conflict the caster in fighting in. And just because it uses the powers of good deities doesn't mean it can't be used to commit evil.

Even if those people were neutral or ambivalent toward the caster beforehand, they sure as hell won't be after they've been fireballed.

 

[James Gasik]

Hating on neutrality isn't a new thing. For example, look at what snobs Paladins used to be (see attachment):

 

[Lanefan]

It depends.

Did they say they want to create a Touch AC for every single PC and monster

For my part, yes

and have it as a resolution step on every single attack roll?

No. It would replace normal AC only when someone or something is launching a touch attack instead of a normal attack.

The resolution process remains exactly the same. You just have to swap out one AC value for another within said process.

 

[Lanefan]

The conversation was on Damage on a miss. DoaM in 5e would be a secondary check to Touch AC.

Not how I'd do it. For me, DoaM simply isn't on the table, thus I don't have to worry about how to implement it.

I want Touch AC in order to help resolve actual touch attacks, that's all.

 

[Lanefan]

I'd add (Su) (M) & (Ex) tags on abilities alongside it. Whatever someone thinks about the way those were used for AoOs it was similarly valuable to have those sort of distinctions at times.

Meh -to each their own on that one - I never really saw the need to pigeonhole abilities to that extent, but if it works for you then full steam ahead!

 

[Minigiant]

For my part, yes

No. It would replace normal AC only when someone or something is launching a touch attack instead of a normal attack.

The resolution process remains exactly the same. You just have to swap out one AC value for another within said process.

But that was not what the discussion was about though. The discussion was on Damage on a Miss from Attacks.

DoaM is the abstraction of an attack that fails to bypass defenses but is so impactful or spread up that some portion of it still wears down defenses. DoaM is targeting AC, missing but hitting Touch AC.

And simply I would hate to add Touch AC in "current 5e" as it would buff Dexterity and nerf Strength further (via nerfing heavy armor). You'd have to redo all the ability scores before I'd think it was good. That's why my house rule only allows DoaM as Strength damage.

 

[DND_Reborn]

But no one wants to bring Touch AC back.

Yep. Count me in on bringing it back as well.

 

[Minigiant]

Not how I'd do it. For me, DoaM simply isn't on the table, thus I don't have to worry about how to implement it.

I want Touch AC in order to help resolve actual touch attacks, that's all.

Touch AC does not work with 5e's armor system. It would boost light armor too much.

It only "worked" in 3e because light armor only matched heavy armor if you had tons of magic boosts to Dexterity.

Touch AC/Reflex Defense would only work if you add the other 2 defenses.

Who wants Touch AC, Stability AC, and Will AC? It only works with all 3.

 

[tetrasodium]

Touch AC does not work with 5e's armor system. It would boost armor too much.

It only "worked" in 3e because light armor only matched heavy armor if you had tons of magic boosts to Dexterity.

Touch AC/Reflex Defense would only work if you add the other 2 defenses.

Who wants Touch AC, Stability AC, and Will AC? It only works with all 3.

armor did not usually factor into touch ac in 3.x when we had touchac, what are you trying to convey when you say it would boost armor?