5e AC and Attack scaling

[Nunkuruji]

A quick run through the PHB,  HotDQ Supplement, DM Basic Rules 0.1 8/12

Items
Magic Armor +3
Bracers of Defense: +2 to AC while no armor & shield
Shield: +3
Ring of Protection: +1 AC


Enemy AC Ranges
Highest ACs in MM: Practical: 22AC, Tarrasque: 25AC
Highest at low levels: 18 AC, Animated Armor


Various AC options

Barbarian Unarmored Defense (10 + 5 Dex mod + 5 Con mod + 2 Bracers of Defense)
23 AC

Barbarian 20th Unarmored Defense (10 + 5 Dex mod + 7 Con mod + 2 Bracers of Defense), Primal Champion
25 AC

Barbarian 20th Unarmored Defense (10 + 5 Dex mod + 7 Con mod + 2 Shield), Primal Champion
25 AC

Monk Unarmored Defense (10 + 5 Dex Mod + Wis Mod + 2 Bracers of Defense)
22 AC

Studded Leather (12 + 5 dex + 2 shield)
19 AC

Half Plate (15 +3 dex + 2 Shield), Medium Armor Master
20 AC

Full Plate (18 + 2 Shield)
20 AC

Sorcerer (Draconic Resilience) (13 + 5 Dex + 2 Bracers of Defense)
20 AC

Mage Armor (13 + 5 Dex + 2 Bracers of Defense)
20 AC


Bonuses to Stack

Fighter, Ranger, Paladin
Fighting Style: Defense +1

Dual Wielder
+1 AC

Ring of Protection
+1 AC

Enhancement Bonus on Shield
+3

Enhancement Bonus on Armor
+3

Max vanilla PHB/DMG Equipped AC is probably
Barbarian 20th Unarmored Defense (10 + 5 Dex mod + 7 Con mod + 5 Shield(+3) + 1 Ring of Protection), Primal Champion
28 AC



Attack Bonus soft cap

Proficiency +6
Magic Weapon +3
Ability Modifier +5 / Belt of Giant Strength +9
Fighting Style: Archery +2

Melee: +14 (15 - 35)
Archery: +16 (17 - 37)


Temporary Bonuses to AC

Class
Bardic Inspiration: Die: 1d6 - 1d12, reaction
Fighter Maneuver: Evasive Footwork: Superiority Die: 1d8 - 1d12, movement
Ranger Defensive Tactics: Multiattack Defense: +4 against subsequent attacks
Wild Magic Surge 51-52, +2

Feat
Defensive Duelist: +Proficient Bonus to AC, reaction

Combat
Half Cover: +2
3/4 Cover: +5

Spell
Barkskin: Floor of 16 AC, buff
Haste: +2 AC, buff
Shield: +5 AC, reaction
Shield of Faith: +2 AC, buff
Warding Bond: +1 AC, buff



Temporary Bonuses to Attack

Class
Bardic Inspiration: Die: 1d6 - 1d12, reaction
Cleric Channel Divinity: Guided Strike: +10
Cleric Channel Divinity: War God's Blessing: +10
Fighter Maneuver: Precision Attack: Superiority Die: 1d8 - 1d12
Paladin Channel Divity Sacred Weapon: Cha to attack
Ranger Foe Flayer: Wis to attack
Sorcerer: Wild Magic: Bend Luck: +1d4

Feat
Charger: +5

Spells
Alter Self: Natural Weapons: +1
Bless: 1d4, buff
Divine Favor: 1d4, bonus, buff
Elemental Weapon: +1, buff
Magic Weapon: +1-3, bonus, buff

[Gazzien]

I don't have the proper PHB, but in the basic rules there was a line that was (from memory): "If you have multiple ways to calculate your AC, choose one to use."; such a line (if it made it into the PHB) would prevent the Sorcerer / Mage Armor combination, as far as I can tell.

[Nunkuruji]

I don't have the proper PHB, but in the basic rules there was a line that was (from memory): "If you have multiple ways to calculate your AC, choose one to use."; such a line (if it made it into the PHB) would prevent the Sorcerer / Mage Armor combination, as far as I can tell.

Got it, Chapter 1. Part 5. Armor Class

Same exact text in both sources

Thanks

[Gazzien]

I don't have the proper PHB, but in the basic rules there was a line that was (from memory): "If you have multiple ways to calculate your AC, choose one to use."; such a line (if it made it into the PHB) would prevent the Sorcerer / Mage Armor combination, as far as I can tell.

Got it, Chapter 1. Part 5. Armor Class

Same exact text in both sources

Thanks

Of course! Sorry to rain on the AC-parade, though.

[Nunkuruji]

I was really wondering where I could get clarification on that, actually.

I'm curious to see what monster ACs look like

Will dictate the usefulness of, and if/when to acquire Great Weapon Master and/or Charger.

[Arz]

Nuk - Barbarian con mod becomes 7 @ 20.

Add shield & mage armor for impressive results.

[linklord231]

Mage Armor sets your AC to 13+Dex, and Unarmored Defense sets your AC to 10 + Con + Dex.  You'd have to choose between them. 

[Nunkuruji]

Mage Armor sets your AC to 13+Dex, and Unarmored Defense sets your AC to 10 + Con + Dex.  You'd have to choose between them.

Right, I'm just giving a case of what is max achieved using each of these options, understanding most of this doesn't stack. Need to note Dual Wield and Fighting Style would...

[awaken_D_M_golem]

The Wiz 18 special ability lets you spam a 1st and a 2nd.
Shield might be a real obvious choice there, most of the time.
Mage Armor  Dex + Shield Spell spammed (13+5+ 5) = 23 , down 1 reaction every other round (and 1 spammer spell).

2nding Arz on the Barb 20 capstone ability ; Str+Con go to 24 for them alone.

Cover should be an easy condition tag, to mix in to all this (maybe for later).
Especially for things like Caelic's Halfling hiding sniper.