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I am having are hard time understanding how proficiency should be added to Armor class when unconscious/asleep/helpless/paralyzed?
It is harder to hit a (12th level, Expert dex 20) unarmoured guy who is laying dying(AC should be 21). Then to hit a fully awake aware guy who is 1st level in plate armour(trained, Dex 14) and holding a shield in the way. (AC should be 20).
proficiency should only be used if aware and able to act.
Unfortunately, doing things that way screws the game in ways that make even less sense, turning everything basically into a death blow once you go unconscious...
It isn't any more odd than 9 levels of naked zero magic going wizard makes you harder to hurt than wearing full plate.
But the math does work better.
Just add +10 to attack a helpless target.
The whole proficiency added is a good idea in principle, but not when you are not aware enough or able to add it.
Increasing your defence with skill make a lot of sense. But then armour should not be adding to your defence, but deflecting or absorbing damage. Armours main function is to absorb blows from weapons preventing injury to the wearer.
I guess a new look at a form or Armour as DR or Hardness would not be a bad idea.
It isn't any more odd than 9 levels of naked zero magic going wizard makes you harder to hurt than wearing full plate.
But the math does work better.
True. I think a high-level Mage would be harder to hit naked than him in full plate and untrained.
But he should substantially harder to damage in the plate.