[NobleNick]

Originally posted by listeningism: um... i was just reading that you could get a negative double digit armour class (THACO) by dragon's eye.. Im at the Hand, and the best THACO ive got in my party of 6 is -2 or -3....

Roboghost,

I interpreted the first sentence of listeningism's post to mean, "....negative double digit Armor Class (as in the AC referred to in THAC0)...." I'll admit that the sentence is not clear, and could lend itself to interpretation that listeningism is talking about THAC0; especially since he repeats that term in the second sentence. However, the second sentence also gives a contradicting clue: "I'm in the Hand, and the best THAC0 I've got is -2 or -3."

IIRC, some of my party have THAC0s in the low negatives; but I think that is with the Bard singing War Chant, and they are highly seasoned veterans (about 25 DC levels) with access to excellent gear found in HoW and TotLM. For me, THAC0 has lagged the downward progress of AC by roughly 10 points.

Although he might possibly not realize it, listeningism is talking AC, not THAC0. (Or I am really, REALLY missing something, and would like to be let in on the secret of how to legitimately attain natural [or even buffed] THAC0s this low by DE).

listeningism, I think you know; but in case you don't:

AC is your (or your enemy's) Armor Class, which is a composite of your ability to dodge/parry blows and/or feel no effect from a blow because of your armor. +10 is the equivalent of a stark naked bumbling, slow, weak, and uncoordinated adult human. 0 (zero) is the equivalent of a well trained, well armored, nimble, journeyman fighter. An AC of -10 is a magically armored veteran tank. -20 is, for purposes of this game, a well-buffed Demi-god. AC is influenced by your DEX, your armor/apparel, magical items, potions, spells, and songs.

THAC0 (typically pronounced THAY'- KOH or THAK' - OH) is Throw (on a 20-sided dice) needed to Hit Armor Class 0 (zero). So, if your THAC0 is 10 and your enemy has an AC of 0, then you must roll 10 - 0 = 10 (or higher) on a 20-sided dice to hit him: an 11/20 = 55% chance of a hit. If his AC is 5, you must roll 10 - 5 = 5 or higher: a 16/20 = 80% chance of a hit with each attack (a swing or a shot). If his AC is -5, you must roll 10 - (-5) = 15 or higher: a 6/20 = 30% chance of hit with each attack. For THAC0 = 10 and AC = -10, the attacker must roll 10 - (-10) = 20: a 1/20 = 5% chance of a hit with each attack. THAC0 is influenced by your weapon, STR, DEX (depending on weapon type), magical items, potions, spells, and songs.

No matter what you or your enemy's THAC0 or AC, an attack roll of 1 always misses (a "critical miss") and a 20 always hits (a "critical hit"). A critical hit doubles the natural damage, and (IIRC) a critical miss means you lose your next attack.

IF your attack roll is successful (results in a hit) then a separate set of target- and weapon-dependent rules/roll(s) is applied to determine how much damage the hit did.

So, did your question get answered?

--------------------
What's a party,
without a song?
Bards ROCK!
Party On!!


[ 12-16-2003, 05:13 PM: Message edited by: NobleNick ]