Armor Class (in Dungeons & Dragons)

In Dungeons & Dragons, Armor Class (AC) represents how difficult it is to land a successful attack on a character or creature. Think of it as a measure of their defense—cover, agility, and protection—making it harder for opponents to hit them with weapons or spells. A higher AC means the defender is better at avoiding or deflecting attacks. When someone attacks, they roll a die and add their attack bonus; if the total equals or exceeds the target’s AC, the attack hits, and damage is dealt. AC is essential for determining survivability in combat encounters.