Understand Armor Class (AC) in Pathfinder: Kingmaker. Learn about Touch AC, Flat-Footed AC, and how size, conditions, and modifiers affect your defense.
Alright, let's break down Armor Class (AC) in Pathfinder: Kingmaker. Think of it as your character's overall 'toughness' against attacks. When someone tries to hit you, whether with a sword, an arrow, or a spell, their Attack Roll needs to meet or beat your AC to land a hit. It's pretty straightforward, but there are a few key types of AC you'll need to know about to really survive.
First up is Touch Armor Class. This is important because some attacks, especially spells, don't need to physically 'hit' your armor or shield – they just need to 'touch' you. Things like your armor's bulk or your shield don't help here. Your Touch AC is calculated as: 10 + Size Modifier + Dexterity Modifier + Other Bonuses. So, a higher Dexterity can really help you dodge those pesky touch attacks.
Then there's Flat-Footed Armor Class. This comes into play at the very start of combat. If you roll lower on Initiative than an enemy, you'll be considered Flat-Footed for the first round. This means you lose your Dexterity bonus to AC, can't make Attacks of Opportunity, and are more vulnerable to Sneak Attacks. Your Flat-Footed AC is: 10 + Size Modifier + Armor Bonus + Shield Bonus + Other Bonuses. Notice how Dexterity is missing here – that's why rolling high on Initiative is crucial!
Armor Class Modifiers
Several factors can change your AC, and understanding these is key to building a strong character.
| Situation | Base | Size | Armor | Shield | Dexterity | Natural | Dodge | Deflection | Other |
| Normal AC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Touch AC | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Flat-Footed AC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
As you can see, your normal AC benefits from almost everything, while Touch AC ignores armor and natural armor, and Flat-Footed AC ditches your Dexterity bonus.
Size Matters
A creature's size has a significant impact on its AC. Smaller creatures get a bonus, while larger ones get a penalty. This is why a tiny creature can be surprisingly hard to hit, and a colossal dragon is easier to land a blow on (relatively speaking!).
| Creature Size | Modifier to Attack and Armor Class |
| Fine | +8 |
| Diminutive | +4 |
| Tiny | +2 |
| Small | +1 |
| Medium** | 0 |
| Large | -1 |
| Huge | -2 |
| Gargantuan | -4 |
| Colossal | -8 |
Just a quick note: Small creatures include Dwarves, Gnomes, and Halflings. Medium creatures include Elves, Half-Elves, Half-Orcs, and Humans.
Conditions Can Hurt Your AC
Certain conditions can also reduce your AC, making you an easier target. It's vital to avoid these if you can!
| Defender’s Condition | Armor Class Modifier |
| Cowering | -2* |
| Blinded | -2* |
| Flat-Footed | 0* |
| Helpless | -4* |
| Prone | -4 |
| Stunned | -2* |
Keep an eye on these conditions; being Cowering or Helpless can be a death sentence in combat!
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