D&D 5E Dex to AC when unconscious?

[brehobit]

Am I correct that dex still counts toward AC even when bound, unconscious, etc?

Sees a bit daft, but sticks with the "only one AC" thing that 5e seems to like.

 

[The Crimson Binome]

Yes. The fact that you gain advantage on the attack roll is meant to simulate the idea that you should lose Dex to AC, without having to recalculate anything.

 

[Paraxis]

Yes. The fact that you gain advantage on the attack roll is meant to simulate the idea that you should lose Dex to AC, without having to recalculate anything.

This, AC is AC.

Unconscious, bound, paralysed, stunned or other conditions that might reduce mobility don't take away from AC just give the enemy advantage on the roll.

It is a way to streamline things and keep the game moving and fun instead of worrying about a bunch of minor bonuses and penalties.

 

[Celtavian]

And if you're unconscious any hit is an automatic crit if they are within 5 feet of target. They automatically fail strength and dexterity saves.

 

[KarinsDad]

Yes. The fact that you gain advantage on the attack roll is meant to simulate the idea that you should lose Dex to AC, without having to recalculate anything.

Which is still daft since the high dex unconscious PC still has a higher AC than the low dex unconscious PC in the same armor.

I get the whole "simplify the rules" bit, but this is more or less throwing the baby out with the bath water.

 

[Celtavian]

Which is still daft since the high dex unconscious PC still has a higher AC than the low dex unconscious PC in the same armor.

I get the whole "simplify the rules" bit, but this is more or less throwing the baby out with the bath water.

Depends on the armor. The way they do armor, it hardly matters. Arcane casters generally can't wear heavier armor and have low dex. When they go down, they still have maybe a 14 or 15 AC. Advantage and autocrit is going to waste them as happened to me tonight. I imagine the really odd combo is the highly dexterous rogue in leather being harder to hit than a full plate wearing paladin. That is definitely goofy, though it hardly matters when you're unconscious. You're going to die either way. Maybe that is why they didn't bother to complicate things given how little it matters.

 

[KarinsDad]

Depends on the armor. The way they do armor, it's hardly matters. Arcane casters generally can't wear heavier armor and have low dex. When they go down, they still have maybe a 14 or 15 AC. Advantage and autocrat is going to waste them as happened to me tonight. I imagine the really odd combo is the highly dexterous rogue in leather being harder to hit than a full plate wearing paladin. That is definitely goofy, though it hardly matters when you're unconscious. You're going to die either way. Maybe that is why they didn't bother to complicate things given how little it matters.

Perhaps, but my group (DM included) has done their fair share of rolling two numbers 5 or less when they have advantage. The unconscious rogue in leather should still be easier to hit than the unconscious guy in plate. But, not important and frequent enough to add a house rule though.

 

[miniaturehoarder]

Don't describe folks as utterly unmoving, even when Slept, paralyzed or dying. Just describe it as a sleeper trying to turn away from someone bothering them; someone struggling against unseen bindings or an ER patient trashing about. This lets players understand 'No, you don't just get to slit their throat. Take your attack and let the next person take their action'.

 

[Chocolategravy]

I get the whole "simplify the rules" bit, but this is more or less throwing the baby out with the bath water.

Very much this, it is absurd, but at least very easy to fix. Less so are things like rogues running faster after initiative is rolled or the mess that the advantage mechanic is.

 

[jodyjohnson]

Which is still daft since the high dex unconscious PC still has a higher AC than the low dex unconscious PC in the same armor.

I get the whole "simplify the rules" bit, but this is more or less throwing the baby out with the bath water.

Time to go out and get that baby and bring it back in. Might as well bring back Touch AC while we're at it.

The simple framework of 5e can withstand the complication of bringing back a few old rules.