Post/Author/DateTime	Post
davidcslocum 05-17-05, 10:21 AM	Looking for a definitive answer from WOTC ;-) Can a character combine these two actions in combat. IE a well armored cleric who likely can't hit an opponent fights defensively for the +2 to AC and uses aid another to attack the opponent with a -4 against an AC of 10 (effectively 14) to distract the opponent for a +2 to the ally in aid another. If the cleric is flanking then effectively giving the ally +4 to hit on the ally's turn.
kjenks 05-17-05, 10:58 AM	Yes, you can combine them. But at high levels, a cleric probably has better things to do with his time.
chocobochicken 05-17-05, 11:18 AM	Actually, I'm not so sure that you can combine these two actions. Aid Another is its own special standard action, not the attack usual attack action or attack action substitutes that fighting defensively usually applies to. Aid Another requires an attack roll, but I'm not sure that covers it entirely. If that were the case, a wizard could fight defensively while casting any spell that required a touch attack. I might ask WotC Customer Service on this one. I'm kind of curious.
tarkin 05-17-05, 11:29 AM	Fighting Defensively just gives a penalty to your to hit, in exchange for granting a positive to your AC. Aid another involves making an attack, so I would let someone do it.
Ranger-99 05-17-05, 11:33 AM	I'm pretty sure you *cannot* combine them, for reasons stated by ChocoboChicken. From the SRD: AID ANOTHER In melee combat, you can help a friend attack or defend by distracting or interfering with an opponent. If you’re in position to make a melee attack on an opponent that is engaging a friend in melee combat, you can attempt to aid your friend as a standard action. You make an attack roll against AC 10. If you succeed, your friend gains either a +2 bonus on his next attack roll against that opponent or a +2 bonus to AC against that opponent’s next attack (your choice), as long as that attack comes before the beginning of your next turn. Multiple characters can aid the same friend, and similar bonuses stack. You can also use this standard action to help a friend in other ways, such as when he is affected by a spell, or to assist another character’s skill check. Note the emphasized text. Aiding another is a standard action. It is not an action that replaces an attack. Fighting Defensively is a standard action or a full-round action. From the SRD: Fighting Defensively as a Standard Action: You can choose to fight defensively when attacking. If you do so, you take a –4 penalty on all attacks in a round to gain a +2 dodge bonus to AC for the same round. Fighting Defensively as a Full-Round Action: You can choose to fight defensively when taking a full attack action. If you do so, you take a –4 penalty on all attacks in a round to gain a +2 dodge bonus to AC for the same round. Since they are both specific actions and not replacements for attacks, you cannot fight defensively and aid another in the same round.
mvincent 05-17-05, 12:20 PM	Since they are both specific actions and not replacements for attacks, you cannot fight defensively and aid another in the same round.You brought up good points, but note that fighting defensively seems to be part of an attack action (rather than an action by itself, as some of the text seemed to imply). The rules say: "You can choose to fight defensively when attacking." and "You can’t combine total defense with fighting defensively or with the benefit of the Combat Expertise feat (since both of those require you to declare an attack or full attack). " Since Aid Another is on the "Special Attacks" table (and involves making an attack in this case), the matter is still subject to interpretation (especially since we do not know the writer's intent). I think it's more a matter for individual DM's to rule on.
chocobochicken 05-17-05, 12:38 PM	Wow, Custserv is pretty fast. Here's the response I received: Thank you for contacting us. Any time you're taking an attack action of any kind, whether that is to attack, disarmk, trip, grapple, or whatever, you can employ the Combat Expertise feat or fighting defensively. The same is true for aiding another (don't forget the penalties), or making a touch attack with a spell. However, you cannot use Combat Expertise with a ranged attack, but you can fight defensively. Good Gaming! Chris L. So according to this, yes, you can combine the two actions.
davidcslocum 05-17-05, 01:09 PM	Here is the response I got from Customer service Response (Trevor K.) 05/17/2005 09:26 AM Hey David. You can combine fighting defensively and aiding another just as you stated in your example. You would take the negative on your attack roll to get the +2 AC, and still only have to hit the AC 10 to aid your ally. Have fun and good gaming! To login to your account, or update your question please click here. Trevor K. Customer Service Representative Wizards of the Coast 1-800-324-6496 (US and Canada) 425-204-8069 (From all other countries) Monday-Friday 7am-6pm PST / 10am-9pm EST