Nah it's the same as it's always been. AC = Armor bonus + Dex bonus + Misc Bullshit, where the Dex bonus is limited by how heavy the armor is. 5e also has saving throws for other defenses.
3e/3.5e had touch and flatfooted ACs, which were just that but missing the armor bonus or dex bonus, for situations where you just needed to hit a target at all or where they couldn't actively get out of the way but might still be protected by their armor.
5e got rid of those (I think?) in favor of just having AC always be the same against everything and in all circumstances.
3e/3.5e had touch and flatfooted ACs, which were just that but missing the armor bonus or dex bonus, for situations where you just needed to hit a target at all or where they couldn't actively get out of the way but might still be protected by their armor.
5e got rid of those (I think?) in favor of just having AC always be the same against everything and in all circumstances.
Ah, that's true. I always forget they exist because they've never been relevant to me as a player.