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Message: <blockquote data-quote="JohnSnow" data-source="post: 3948412" data-attributes="member: 32164">True, but the +5 armor directly offsets the +5 weapon.For optimum playability, I'd say there should be about a five point discrepancy between AC and Attack Bonus. Assuming equal ability scores, one character's dex bonus to defense/AC offsets his opponent's attack bonus from strength, or dex, or whatever.By giving a 5 point advantage to AC from good armor (chain, let's say), you implement the 5 point discrepancy we want for optimal play.If all else is equal, a character hits if he rolls a 15. By scaling a defense bonus with BAB, you keep that same number for success against characters of equal level. Your +2 sword serves to negate your opponent's +2 armor.The 4e classes probably provide a level 1 "kicker" to BAB and Defenses, like +1, +2, or +3. And those almost certainly vary from class to class. So a rogue and ranger might get maximum use out of lighter armor, whereas a fighter and paladin probably benefit more from armor.Conversely, it might be that AC and Reflex Defense don't get the same kicker. So a character might get his Ref Defense kicker from his class but his AC kicker comes entirely from his armor.I don't know all the available design space, but it's considerable. However, as long as each character ends up with his defense getting about 5-6 points ahead of the common attack bonus for his level and staying there, the sweet spot is preserved. All the other stuff is measure and countermeasure, and they can be kept relatively well balanced. It also leaves a fair amount of variability in the numbers. Even lacking a +3 sword, a character only has "less of a chance" to hit his opponent.</blockquote>

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