AC for Low Dexterity Characters. [Archive] - Wizards Community

AC for Low Dexterity Characters. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
SombreNote
08-17-07, 12:26 AM I have a rule question

What if a character has a dexterity of 8 (-1 dex mod). This would make their normal AC 9 right?

Well what if they are flatfooted? Flatfooted removes the dex bonus, but it does not say if it adds the a negative dex bonus.

With the rules as i have read them, if a character is fighting there AC would be 9, and when they are caught flatfooted it would be 10.

So does flatfootedness take into account dexterity when it is bad? Or does the normal AC just not take into account dexterity when it is bad?
Salla
08-17-07, 12:32 AM I have a rule question

What if a character has a dexterity of 8 (-1 dex mod). This would make their normal AC 9 right?

Well what if they are flatfooted? Flatfooted removes the dex bonus, but it does not say if it adds the a negative dex bonus.

With the rules as i have read them, if a character is fighting there AC would be 9, and when they are caught flatfooted it would be 10.

So does flatfootedness take into account dexterity when it is bad? Or does the normal AC just not take into account dexterity when it is bad?

Flatfooted specifically says you lose your Dex BONUS to AC. Not modifier, bonus. You do not lose a Dex penalty to AC for being flatfooted.

Bonuses are positive, penalties are negative, modifiers are either.
SombreNote
08-17-07, 12:43 AM So if you are naked with an dex of 8:

Your AC = 10
Your FF AC = 10

It can not go below 10 unless you are turned to stone or magically inhibited or something. If you are helpless it does not have a -5?
Salla
08-17-07, 12:47 AM So if you are naked with an dex of 8:

Your AC = 10
Your FF AC = 10

It can not go below 10 unless you are turned to stone or magically inhibited or something. If you are helpless it does not have a -5?

No, your AC in both of those cases is 9. Dex 8=-1 penalty. Penalties always apply to AC, but your bonus may not apply in certain circumstances (such as being flatfooted).
Someone
08-17-07, 02:17 AM A character with a Dex below 10 (flat-footed or not) is worse off than a flat-footed high Dex character. Another way to think of it is instead of starting at the base AC 10, the low Dex character starts at a 9, or 8, or whatever.
SombreNote
08-17-07, 02:28 AM Right, i figured as much, it is just the rules do not really say it. 10 might just as easily been the base that can not go lower.
jaelis
08-17-07, 12:42 PM it is just the rules do not really say it

The rules are actually quite precise. Your AC is

10 + armor bonus + shield bonus + Dexterity modifier + size modifier

so if your Dex mod is negative, then your AC can be below 10.

Your flat-footed AC doesn't include your Dex bonus:

You can’t use your Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) while flat-footed.

But if you have a Dex penalty, it still applies.
SombreNote
08-17-07, 01:48 PM Quote:
"You can’t use your Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) while flat-footed."

But if you have a Dex penalty, it still applies.

That does not say add negative modifier (though i know it means it). It could be clearer.
DeathXI
08-17-07, 02:59 PM It's perfectly clear now. It says you can't use your BONUS, not one word does its ay about a MODIFIER or PENALTY.
Mojo_Rat
08-17-07, 07:20 PM Think of an Ac base of 10 as a Difficulty check in which you /always/ take ten. the Character witht he 8 dex has a ac of 9 for this when flat footed. As several people have said you remove the bonuses not the penalties. It is no different than an Ogre if you look his FF ac includes his penalties.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
SombreNote 08-17-07, 12:26 AM	I have a rule question What if a character has a dexterity of 8 (-1 dex mod). This would make their normal AC 9 right? Well what if they are flatfooted? Flatfooted removes the dex bonus, but it does not say if it adds the a negative dex bonus. With the rules as i have read them, if a character is fighting there AC would be 9, and when they are caught flatfooted it would be 10. So does flatfootedness take into account dexterity when it is bad? Or does the normal AC just not take into account dexterity when it is bad?
Salla 08-17-07, 12:32 AM	I have a rule question What if a character has a dexterity of 8 (-1 dex mod). This would make their normal AC 9 right? Well what if they are flatfooted? Flatfooted removes the dex bonus, but it does not say if it adds the a negative dex bonus. With the rules as i have read them, if a character is fighting there AC would be 9, and when they are caught flatfooted it would be 10. So does flatfootedness take into account dexterity when it is bad? Or does the normal AC just not take into account dexterity when it is bad? Flatfooted specifically says you lose your Dex BONUS to AC. Not modifier, bonus. You do not lose a Dex penalty to AC for being flatfooted. Bonuses are positive, penalties are negative, modifiers are either.
SombreNote 08-17-07, 12:43 AM	So if you are naked with an dex of 8: Your AC = 10 Your FF AC = 10 It can not go below 10 unless you are turned to stone or magically inhibited or something. If you are helpless it does not have a -5?
Salla 08-17-07, 12:47 AM	So if you are naked with an dex of 8: Your AC = 10 Your FF AC = 10 It can not go below 10 unless you are turned to stone or magically inhibited or something. If you are helpless it does not have a -5? No, your AC in both of those cases is 9. Dex 8=-1 penalty. Penalties always apply to AC, but your bonus may not apply in certain circumstances (such as being flatfooted).
Someone 08-17-07, 02:17 AM	A character with a Dex below 10 (flat-footed or not) is worse off than a flat-footed high Dex character. Another way to think of it is instead of starting at the base AC 10, the low Dex character starts at a 9, or 8, or whatever.
SombreNote 08-17-07, 02:28 AM	Right, i figured as much, it is just the rules do not really say it. 10 might just as easily been the base that can not go lower.
jaelis 08-17-07, 12:42 PM	it is just the rules do not really say it The rules are actually quite precise. Your AC is 10 + armor bonus + shield bonus + Dexterity modifier + size modifier so if your Dex mod is negative, then your AC can be below 10. Your flat-footed AC doesn't include your Dex bonus: You can’t use your Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) while flat-footed. But if you have a Dex penalty, it still applies.
SombreNote 08-17-07, 01:48 PM	Quote: "You can’t use your Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) while flat-footed." But if you have a Dex penalty, it still applies. That does not say add negative modifier (though i know it means it). It could be clearer.
DeathXI 08-17-07, 02:59 PM	It's perfectly clear now. It says you can't use your BONUS, not one word does its ay about a MODIFIER or PENALTY.
Mojo_Rat 08-17-07, 07:20 PM	Think of an Ac base of 10 as a Difficulty check in which you /always/ take ten. the Character witht he 8 dex has a ac of 9 for this when flat footed. As several people have said you remove the bonuses not the penalties. It is no different than an Ogre if you look his FF ac includes his penalties.