D&D 5E Would having an AC Save (similar to DEX Save) be a good or terrible idea?

[kagayaku]

But what happens if a player blocks or braces for an attack?

The dodge action already gives Advantage on Dex Saves (and disadvantage on Attacks Rolls against the dodger), I guess you'd just have it give Advantage on AC Saves as well.

I've decided there are too many fiddly rules for me to use this though - I've ordered 2 sets of D20s with all my players' dice colours so I can quickly roll Attacks (even with dis/advantage) against all of them instead.

 

[MechaPilot]

I don't have a problem with the idea of an AC save. In a way, it's just a 4e convention in reverse (making a static defense into an extra save, instead of converting the three saves into static defenses), and I felt the 4 defenses of 4e worked just fine.

It's also akin to the 3e variant rule of rolling your AC, which reminds me greatly of the years I spent playing Palladium games where the defender rolled to dodge or parry attacks.

 

[kagayaku]

Thanks, MechaPilot. I've not played anything before 5e, but that sounds about right. Unfortunately with Attack rolls and Saves being so heavily intertwined with the rules I don't think I'll use AC Saves. It's too complicated xD

I have got a d20 per player now, all colour coded and everything, so I can roll the kinds of mass attacks I was going to use AC saves for quickly anyway.

 

[mellored]

I like having the player roll dice.
I like attackers always roll second best (4e style).
I like defenders always roll third best.
And I like splitting attacks/saves least.

So... it's a step up.

I'm also ok with armor being a bit more helpful compared to dex.