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15 Armor Class 5e Calculation

Reviewed by Calculator Editorial Team

Armor Class (AC) is a fundamental defensive statistic in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition that determines how likely your character is to avoid damage from attacks. A base AC of 15 is a common starting point for many characters, but it can be modified by armor, shields, and other factors. This guide explains how to calculate and interpret AC in D&D 5e.

What is Armor Class in D&D 5e?

Armor Class (AC) represents how well your character can avoid damage from attacks. It's calculated using a combination of your character's base AC, armor, shields, Dexterity modifier, and other bonuses. A higher AC means your character is harder to hit and thus more likely to survive in combat.

The basic formula for calculating AC is:

AC = Base AC + Armor Bonus + Shield Bonus + Dexterity Modifier + Other Bonuses

For example, a character with 15 base AC, wearing leather armor (+1), wielding a shield (+2), and having a +2 Dexterity modifier would have an AC of 15 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 19.

How to Calculate Armor Class

Calculating your character's Armor Class involves several steps:

  1. Determine your base AC (usually 10 + Dexterity modifier for unarmored characters)
  2. Add any armor bonuses from the armor you're wearing
  3. Add any shield bonuses if you're using a shield
  4. Add your Dexterity modifier (with possible maximums based on armor type)
  5. Add any other bonuses from magic items, feats, or spells

Some armor types limit how much of your Dexterity modifier you can add to your AC. For example, medium armor allows you to add your full Dexterity modifier, while heavy armor limits you to a maximum of +2.

Base Armor Class Values

Different character classes and armor types have different base AC values:

Character Type Base AC
Unarmored (no armor) 10 + Dexterity modifier
Light armor (e.g., padded, leather) 11 + Dexterity modifier
Medium armor (e.g., hide, chain shirt) 12 + Dexterity modifier
Heavy armor (e.g., ring mail, plate) 14 + Dexterity modifier (max +2)
Monk (unarmored) 10 + Dexterity + Wisdom modifier
Barbarian (unarmored) 10 + Dexterity + Constitution modifier

How Armor Affects Armor Class

Different types of armor provide different bonuses to your AC:

Armor Type AC Bonus Dexterity Modifier Cap Stealth Disadvantage
Padded +1 Full Yes
Leather +1 Full Yes
Studded Leather +2 Full Yes
Hide +2 Full No
Chain Shirt +3 Full No
Scale Mail +4 +2 Yes
Breastplate +4 +2 No
Half Plate +5 +2 Yes
Ring Mail +4 +0 Yes
Chain Mail +6 +0 Yes
Splint +7 +0 Yes
Plate +8 +0 Yes

Shields provide an additional +2 to your AC when used.

Dexterity and Armor Class

Your Dexterity modifier affects your AC in several ways:

  • For unarmored characters, your full Dexterity modifier is added to your base AC
  • For light armor, you add your full Dexterity modifier to your AC
  • For medium armor, you add your full Dexterity modifier to your AC
  • For heavy armor, you can add a maximum of +2 to your AC, regardless of your Dexterity modifier

Some magic items and feats can modify how your Dexterity affects your AC.

Magic Items and Armor Class

Many magic items can affect your Armor Class:

  • Cloaks of Protection (+1 to +3 AC)
  • Mantle of Spell Resistance (+1 to +5 AC)
  • Ring of Protection (+1 to +3 AC)
  • Shield of Missile Attraction (+2 AC, but attracts ranged attacks)
  • Armor of Invulnerability (grants temporary hit points when attacked)

These items can significantly boost your AC, making you an even tougher target in combat.

Example Calculations

Let's look at some example calculations for different characters:

Example 1: Unarmored Fighter

Base AC: 10

Dexterity modifier: +3

Total AC: 10 + 3 = 13

Example 2: Leather Armored Rogue

Base AC: 11 (light armor)

Armor bonus: +1 (leather)

Dexterity modifier: +4

Total AC: 11 + 1 + 4 = 16

Example 3: Chain Mail Barbarian with Shield

Base AC: 14 (heavy armor)

Armor bonus: +6 (chain mail)

Shield bonus: +2

Dexterity modifier: +1 (max +0 for heavy armor)

Total AC: 14 + 6 + 2 + 0 = 22

Example 4: Monk with Magic Item

Base AC: 10 (unarmored)

Dexterity modifier: +3

Wisdom modifier: +2

Cloak of Protection: +2

Total AC: 10 + 3 + 2 + 2 = 17

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum Armor Class in D&D 5e?
The minimum Armor Class in D&D 5e is 10, which is the base AC for unarmored characters. Even with heavy armor and negative modifiers, you cannot have an AC lower than 10.
Can I wear multiple pieces of armor to increase my AC?
No, you can only wear one type of armor at a time. Wearing multiple pieces of armor does not stack the bonuses; you only get the benefit of the armor you're wearing.
Does wearing armor affect my ability to cast spells?
Yes, some types of armor can impose disadvantage on spellcasting checks. Light armor doesn't affect spellcasting, but medium and heavy armor can impose disadvantage on Concentration checks and other spellcasting abilities.
Can I use a shield with heavy armor?
Yes, you can use a shield with heavy armor. The shield provides a +2 bonus to your AC, regardless of the armor type you're wearing.
How does size affect Armor Class?
Size does not directly affect Armor Class in D&D 5e. However, larger creatures may have higher Strength scores, which can indirectly affect their AC through certain abilities or features.