D&D (2024) Armor as THP?

[Micah Sweet]

One of my biggest pet peves about D&D is rolling to hit and then rolling for damage. So what if Armor was just a form of THP?

All attacks always hit.
THP first, Armor Points Second, HP third
Armor points are (AC-10)* your level, regained after a long rest.
(Dis)advantage means rerolling damage twice.
Any AC boost (shield spell) is now damage reduction.

What's the in-fiction difference between THP and Armor Points?

Why is it impossible to miss?

 

[mellored]

What's the in-fiction difference between THP and Armor Points?

They stack.
I guess I could say 'increase max HP' instead of armor points.

Why is it impossible to miss?

Have you ever actually missed when you swung a sword at something?
No. It's been blocked or dodged, but that's effort of the targets part.

But mostly it's just extra rolling that slows the game down.

 

[Micah Sweet]

They stack.
I guess I could say 'increase max HP' instead of armor points.

Have you ever actually missed when you swung a sword at something?
No. It's been blocked or dodged, but that's effort of the targets part.

But mostly it's just extra rolling that slows the game down.

I have certainly failed to hit a moving target. Have you not? Do you use different rules for melee and ranged attacks in this regard?

 

[Azzy]

Your armor heals as you sleep?

Or refreshes each combat.

 

[mellored]

I have certainly failed to hit a moving target. Have you not?

Moving tales effort. It drains your stamina (HP).

It's not like PCs can be "hit" by a sword multiple times. HP isn't how many chunks of flesh can be carved off of you.

Do you use different rules for melee and ranged attacks in this regard?

No.

This is to simplify, not complicate.

 

[Clint_L]

I don't care for the idea myself - it it ain't broke, and all that - but why not try it and see if you like it better? I do think it will add a lot of unforeseen complications that you will have to balance.

 

[Deset Gled]

Or refreshes each combat.

I understand the concept as a mechanic. I just struggle with an understanding how that could be explained as anything other than a game mechanic.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Moving tales effort. It drains your stamina (HP).

It's not like PCs can be "hit" by a sword multiple times. HP isn't how many chunks of flesh can be carved off of you.

No.

This is to simplify, not complicate.

Ah, no wonder I'm uncomfortable with it.

 

[Stalker0]

So the main question is, is your goal to mimic existing dnd combat feel but without any attack rolls, or are you trying to create a notably different feel?

For example, unless the armor is restoring after every combat, the attrition factor is going to be MUCH FASTER than standard dnd. Players likely won't be able to do more than 1 or 2 combats in many cases. Again if that's your jam go for it, but its very different from the core dnd assumption of 6-8 combats.

The main issue you have with the current concept is scaling. trying to keep it relatively consistent. I think your idea of taking the base AC - some number * level is a good starting point, my guess is there will be a few areas that will be rough and will need some smoothing out (5th level is a good place to look, its actually the most transformative in dnd in terms of PC combat capabilities. The gap between 4th level characters and 5th is probably the biggest in the game).