AC per level

[Datt]

Now this isn't really something I am thining about house ruling, just something I have been thinking about.

It has always not really sat well with me that a 20th level character was just as easy to hit without armor or magic items as a 1st level character. You would think that with all that experience they would have learned how to dodge blows just a bit better. So say that you want to do something about that. Would you make it based on the Character Level or have different class levels? I am thinking maybe Character Level that way you don't punish those who take Prestige classes. But then again I think a fighter would be a bit better at dodging blows than say a wizard.

Anyway what do the rest of you think?

 

[Chris_Nightwing]

Well would a soldier fighting all his life be any better at not getting shot without body armor?

Or to put it back in setting, would a rogue *really* be that good at evading spells without any resistance bonuses or other items when the mage is fully kitted out?

I think that a high level fighter has many feats and skills he can use to avoid being hit, even if he has ended up without armor.

 

[Urbannen]

I couldn't agree more, Datt. This topic has been addressed in different threads, but one simple solution I've heard is to give a dodge bonus equal to one-half a character's base attack bonus. Check out Stars Wars and Wheel of Time d20 games for examples of combat systems that use class related AC bonuses.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

It has always not really sat well with me that a 20th level character was just as easy to hit without armor or magic items as a 1st level character. You would think that with all that experience they would have learned how to dodge blows just a bit better.

They have. That's what the increase in hit points represents. Hit points have never really represented simple physical damage. They represent luck, intuition, dodging ability, etc.

 

[the Jester]

A lot of the other d20 systems use a 'defense' bonus that increases with level for just this, but I think hit points are also a way of simulating the dodge and weave sort of thing. The other thing to keep in mind is that there are feats for this sort of thing (Combat Expertise and, from OA, Superior Expertise).

 

[Datt]

Or to put it back in setting, would a rogue *really* be that good at evading spells without any resistance bonuses or other items when the mage is fully kitted out?

Yes he would. A Rogues Reflex saves increases over levels. He could be butt naked and still have a 12+Dex for his Reflex save.

I know high level character can withstand more, but I am talking about just not taking it at all. Maybe it just needs to be more feats. Something along the lines of the Dodge feat, but something that adds to AC period. Not just for one particular person.

 

[Orm]

We use a house rule that, each time you get another attack, you get a +1 to your AC. A 11th level fighter (BAB +11/+6/+1) gets an AC bonus of +2, whereas a 12th level Wizard (BAB +6/+1) gets +1.
It´s not too much, but it´s a nice little extra AC boost.

Orm

 

[KnowTheToe]

I couldn't agree more, Datt. This topic has been addressed in different threads, but one simple solution I've heard is to give a dodge bonus equal to one-half a character's base attack bonus. Check out Stars Wars and Wheel of Time d20 games for examples of combat systems that use class related AC bonuses.

I really like WoT system. Only the fighters defense bonus stacks with the armor bonus. Effective use of the Expertise feat can also greatly aid the fighter. With the massive attack bonuses they can afford to spend some on defense.

 

[Eccles]

I couldn't disagree more.

The two fighters are exactly as easy to hit when they're both asleep (no dex or AC).

The 20th level fighter might have Dodge, Expertise, Mobility, Spring Attack, and even 5 ranks in Tumble (although that last is unlikely). This all makes him very hard to hit indeed.

There's the Hit Point factor raised earlier.

The Fighter may well have increased his Dex bonus by one or two points.

Oh, and to cap it all, the 20th level fighter is far more likely to massacre his opponent than the 1st leveller - so they're even safer!

 

[Chris_Nightwing]

If you are going to give some sort of 'dodge' bonus to characters based on Bab you istantly screw over the Monk - the master of unarmed and unarmored combat. It think that feats are the answer, combat expertise for sure, and with a high enough Bab you can fight defensively (which you would do with no armor!).

A real fighter, who has been armored for 20 levels of experience, maybe has neglected feats he cannot use in said armor (such as spring attack) and such I don't feel he would be any less easy to hit in combat with no armor.

That said, he is indeed good with weapons, so you could introduce a parry skill or feats along the lines of Two Weapon Defense.