Combat Statistics

Defense
In this alternative system, a creature does not have an Armor Class (AC); it instead has a Defense score. Defense is similar to touch AC in the standard Pathfinder Roleplaying Game rules, but it also adds the shield bonus (including any enhancement bonus to the shield).

Ignore references to AC in Chapter 8 of of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook and other supplements, and use the Defense score instead.

Defense = 10 + Shield bonus + Dexterity modifier + other modifiers (see below)

Defense represents how easy or difficult it is to hit a creature. The shield bonus is added because a creature is considered to be actively blocking attacks with its shield (or an off-hand weapon, if the appropriate Feat is possessed) whenever it can, which is whenever it would gain its Dexterity bonus to AC and not be flat-footed. Note that the Shield bonus does not apply on touch attacks that the GM determines would be successful if they made contact with the shield.

Losing Dexterity Bonus to Defense: Situations or effects that would cause you to lose your Dexterity bonus to AC instead cause you to lose your Dexterity bonus to Defense. Also, whenever you lose your Dexterity bonus to Defense, you also lose any shield bonus to Defense, since when you lose your Dexterity bonus to Defense, you also lose the ability to properly respond to attacks with your shield. A shield can still provide a passive Cover Bonus (partial or full) in situations determined by the GM (such as a ranged attack during a surprise round).

Flat-Footed Defense: You do not gain your Dexterity or shield bonus to your Defense if you are flat-footed or lose your Dexterity bonus to Defense; thus, your Flat-Footed Defense is equal to your Defense minus your Dexterity bonus and shield bonus. A shield can still provide a passive Cover Bonus (partial or full) in situations determined by the GM.

Other Modifiers: Many other factors modify your Defense Score.
Circumstance Bonuses - on a case-by-case basis, with the GM being the final arbiter.
Competence Bonus
Deflection Bonus - a deflection bonus acts much like a shield bonus, and thus counts toward your Defense score.
Dodge Bonuses - any situation that denies you your Dexterity bonus also denies you dodge bonuses. (Wearing armor, however, does not limit these bonuses the way it limits a Dexterity bonus). Unlike most sorts of bonuses, dodge bonuses stack with each other.
Insight Bonus
Luck Bonus - both good and bad luck modifiers count.
Morale Bonus
Profane Bonus - only when the source providing it is qualified as providing a bonus to AC under standard rules.
Racial Bonus - only when it is qualified as providing a bonus to AC under standard rules.
Sacred Bonus - only when the source providing it is qualified as providing a bonus to AC under standard rules.
Size Modifier: You receive a bonus or penalty to your Defense based on your size. See Table 8–1.
Trait Bonus - only when it is qualified as providing a bonus to AC under standard rules.

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