The term 'Armor Class' needs to go

[thedungeondelver]

....

 

[Masquerade]

My only real complaint about what I've seen for 4E so far* is that it seems they will keep the term 'Armor Class.' My sincere hope is that it follows SWSE and becomes 'Defense.'

Yes!

It is a minor nit-pick, but I have seen this terminology confuse and mislead many D&D newcomers.

One would think that the term "Armor Class" refers to whether your armor is light, medium, or heavy, and, for many characters, the bulk of your AC is not related to armor at all. d20 Modern got it right with Defense.

 

[Simplicity]

I'd like a three-defense system. Armor Class/Reflex Class/Will Class. Saves are gone.
An attack is of one of the three types. Piercing weapons (like daggers, bows) are against the Reflex class. Bludgeoning weapons are against Armor. Slashing weapons can be against either (attacker chooses with each attack).

Poison would be against Armor Class. So it would have to be thought more of as "Did it scratch my skin" than "Can my body just shrug off rattlesnake venom because I'm so buff?"

 

[The Souljourner]

I'd like a three-defense system. Armor Class/Reflex Class/Will Class. Saves are gone.
An attack is of one of the three types. Piercing weapons (like daggers, bows) are against the Reflex class. Bludgeoning weapons are against Armor. Slashing weapons can be against either (attacker chooses with each attack).

Poison would be against Armor Class. So it would have to be thought more of as "Did it scratch my skin" than "Can my body just shrug off rattlesnake venom because I'm so buff?"

Honestly, there's no way that can work. That's not changing armor class, it's removing fort saves. What about a medusa's gaze? What about gaseous poisons? What about diseases?

And yes, some people can shrug off poisons and diseases that kill other people... there needs to be a function for that.

And please, for god's sake, no having different armor classes by type of damage a weapon does. Good lord, haven't we already learned our lesson about that?

-Nate

 

[PeterGirvan]

There's a historical connection and resonance of the phrase 'Armor Class' for D&D---I imagine that anyone who has ever played D&D can remember two things if nothing else: hit points and armor class.

It would be an unfortunate decision to change the terms---change the meanings and game mechanics behind them, fine--but the terms, no.

 

[JVisgaitis]

No way. I know I've been on a "slay the sacred cows tirade" since the whole 4e thing was brought to light, but I can't possibly see replacing the term. I agree it isn't the most eloquently put, but it needs to stay.

 

[mmadsen]

I would happily drop AC and hit points. There are plenty of other ways to kill things and take their stuff.

 

[I'm A Banana]

I would happily drop AC and hit points. There are plenty of other ways to kill things and take their stuff.

Roofies, for one.

 

[variant]

Armor Class into Damage Reduction. Done.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Keep AC, even if it is just a name and the mechanic changes. You still have continuity to D&D that way.