Armor Class

The idea of this system is to simplify the armor system and make it slightly more interesting, both allowing weaker characters to utilize heavy armor in the first place, as well as allowing characters to mitigate all drawbacks of heavy armor with the right combination of attributes. Dextrous characters can now reach higher armor class ranges in the first place, and characters without any armor whatsoever will have significantly lower armor class.

Different armors serve only as visual differentiations for the same three rule-relevant types Light Armor, Medium Armor, and Heavy Armor.

Determine the values for any armor based on this list instead of the armor table:

• No Armor.
  Your armor class equals 8 plus your Dexterity modifier.
• Light Armor.
  Your armor class equals 8 plus twice your Dexterity modifier.
  You have Disadvantage on Stealth checks if your Dexterity is lower than 13.
• Medium Armor.
  Your armor class equals 10 plus your Strength and Dexterity modifiers.
  You have Disadvantage on Stealth checks if your Dexterity is lower than 15.
  Your movement is reduced by 5 feet if your Dexterity is lower than 9.
• Heavy Armor.
  Your armor class equals 10 plus twice your Strength modifier.
  You have Disadvantage on Stealth checks if your Dexterity is lower than 17.
  Your movement is reduced by 5 feet if your Dexterity is lower than 11.

Armors do not have any strength requirement, and Shields function as normal.

If any class or general feature replaces or modifies your armor class, those effects work as described and are not adjusted by this system in any way.