Hello everyone,
I created a new character recently, after some time not playing, and something occured to me regarding the game. Something that doesn't have to do with actual mechanics in the game, but rather the way the game present itself to us players.
Not long ago, an update was implemented that made rolling the dice a more satisfying experience, True, it included a rework of the dice rolling system, but it is mostly visual in the way we players experience it. I welcomed the change gleefully, as it is (imho) a clear improvement for the game. This is the kind of thing I want to discuss in this thread.
I have noticed that Armor Class, an arguably crucial feature of D&D, is all but invisible in BG3, buried as it is in the character sheet (that, to my surprise, isn't something you open that often in the game). It is simply never mentioned.
Now, you obviously don't care a whole lot about your AC if you create, say, a mage or a sorcerer, or even a moon circle druid. But while controling Lae'zael, I noticed that I didn't really feel as though she was tougher. Attacks aimed at her didn't make me feel better for the rest of the party, and overall while playing, I don't really care for AC that much. In fact, in all my play-throughs, I have got to say that I pretty much consider defensive stats as dump stats.
As a d&d player, I know I should care about my defensive stats. But as a BG3 player, I simply don't feel the need for them. I don't try to improve them, which is surprising given in D&D, levels 1 through 3 are when players are at their most vulnerable. And yet, in BG3, the focus is clearly on upgrading your weapons (what with all those +1 weapons in the grove and the blues and greens you find pretty easily).
A youtuber, not long ago, made a video about things to be improved upon in BG3, and included in that list the way shields are displayed. Similarly, I think AC should play a greater role in the game. I think being excited for a particularly shiny but cumbersome armor is good for the game, and players who fantasize about creating a character that gets as close to invulnerable as the game will allow it should have the opportunity to FEEL that they built something powerful and legendary.
And so, I wish that AC was more present in the game. Maybe when an attack misses, the game could display the roll that failed against the AC of the character that the attack just missed, maybe lines of dialogue could be added to the game when certain characters reach a certain AC that mention how well protected (or cowardly) they are. Maybe, instead of the animation being always about dodging an attack that missed, a "cling" noise could be added when a blade hits, but fails to damage an armored character.
In any case, the game feels pretty sweet right now I think, and I can't wait for the release
