Lower AC is necessary. In turn-based rpg misses aren't funny for most people. It's frustrating when you miss every attack for several turns in a row, but if you lowered AC you have to increase HP or fight will be to easy.
Make compelling animations. I love the superiority dice jump-n-smash animation add some other great animations like sword against sword, clanking against a shield, smashing against a breast plate, rolling away from the attack. Done well, missing can become just as engaging as hitting. Or, alternatively, the wizard might have something to do
Love this sword fight -- miss, miss, sword clank, dodge, miss, hit:
