Aeon Guard CR 3 AC

[LMondoux]

Hello!

I was wondering if there was an error for the CR 3's Aeon Guard KAC. It's round 6 points higher than what is recommended for a CR 3 enemy.

[SirShua]

Yes both AC's are much higher than recommended for a cr 3 creature. It also has slightly higher HP. The book mentions the arrays are only guidelines but that's a big difference.

[Hithesius]

The Aeon Guard's AC is substantially higher than given by the Combatant array, but is equal to the armor provided by an AG Trooper Battle Dress plus the Aeon Guard's dex modifier, +1 for KAC. The latter is explained by the the Armored Advantage Gear Boost, which is unlisted. Ignoring the armor's maximum dexterity bonus may be an error, or it may be an unlisted special ability, or simply an unmentioned benefit of not actually being a PC. Or perhaps simple fiddling with the numbers to make them slightly more intimidating.

[gustavo iglesias]

I'm OK with the soldiers of a mighty empire that wipes the floor with Pact Worlds being better than average soldiers

[The Drunken Dragon]

My only concern is that NPCs aren’t supposed to be built using specific information such as their specific armor type as a PC would be. And while yes, the book does specify that NPC creation is optional, it does also specify that this optionality shouldn’t violate balance. At the moment, the AC of the Aeon Guard is equivalent to a CR 7 creature, and that wide of a difference feels more like an error than a voluntary deviation or flavor perk.

[Magyar5]

If you are the GM, it's an easy fix. Lower it to a range accessible by your lol 3 party.

If you are not the GM, don't engage them unless you have a way to lower their AC like with harrying fire or making them flat footed. Or you could charm them, act really impressed with their armor and ask to try it on.

Then kill them while unarmored.