current state of this mechanic dumbs down the important aspect of the game.
That's where we disagree - I don't see it as an important aspect. In BG3 or tabletop.
There are no rules for identifying target AC from what I remember. There are few classes that can figure that out (like the battlemaster), but that is pretty much it.
You use trial and error, but depending on your party you may find out the ballpark AC almost immediately.
Sure, when I DM I try to narrate the hits to give the player a general idea, but that goes out the window when the druid conjures 8 boars and they are all rolling for an attack.
