Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Nazzareth 11-06-05, 04:26 AM	Broadblade short swords give a +2 dodge bonus to AC if you use combat expertise or fight defensively with it. What happens if you TWF with two broadblade short swords would you gain double the bonus for using combat expertise or fighting defensively? You use both combat expertise and fighting defensively in the same round with one or two broadblade short swords?
Kendrick 11-06-05, 05:09 AM	They couldn't stack, since the two dodge bonuses would be coming from the same source.
Rierevin 11-06-05, 12:56 PM	i would say they do stack as all dodge bonuses stack. if you were using combat expertise AND fighting defensivly i would say you wouldnt get the bonus twice plus (and yes i know it really sucks) they errated broad blades down to a +1 dodge bonus so you cant abuse it like this.
Waterhammer 11-06-05, 01:15 PM	What book is this "broad-blade short sword" in? I'd like to check it out.
MT1 11-06-05, 02:34 PM	It's in the complete adventurer
Kendrick 11-06-05, 02:34 PM	i would say they do stack as all dodge bonuses stack... Except for those dodge bonuses that come from the same source. Even unnamed bonuses from the same source don't stack.
Rulebook 11-06-05, 03:27 PM	no, dodge bonuses ALWAYS stack. its just usually you dont get dodge bonuses from the same source. oh, and it was Errata'ed as well. check it out.
Xanthia 11-06-05, 07:38 PM	Broadblade short swords give a +2 dodge bonus to AC if you use combat expertise or fight defensively with it. What happens if you TWF with two broadblade short swords would you gain double the bonus for using combat expertise or fighting defensively? You use both combat expertise and fighting defensively in the same round with one or two broadblade short swords? I was just thinking about this yesterday when designing a Dervish character. I was looking for a way to avoid scimitars (for one obvious reason), and I was thinking of using two of these special swords because I would get a +4 AC whenever I use Combat Expertise, so I was trying to maximize the benefit. With the +4 Dervish bonus and two Broadblade Short Swords, I could take a -2 to hit penalty and end up with a +10 AC (+2 Combat Expertise, +4 from Dervish, and +2 from each sword). I was going to check to see if they stacked, but I didn't want my idea getting shot down. I knew it sounded too good to be true.....
cwslyclgh 11-06-05, 09:35 PM	no, dodge bonuses ALWAYS stack. its just usually you dont get dodge bonuses from the same source.bonuses and penalties from the same source NEVER stack...see how easy it is to use caps to sound authoritive. from the DMG (page 21) Dodge bonuses do stack with other dodge bonuses. notice the word other there... if they had meant for dodge bonuses to stack with dodge bonuses of the same source they would have said: "ALL dodge bonuses stack."
Rierevin 11-06-05, 10:36 PM	thats just semantics, it could been seen as this +1 dodge bonus stacks with other dodge bonuses like the +1 from your other sword. or you could see it as you did in that other its trying to say that it must not come from the same source (which is silly because you could argue that swords provide a diiferent source because they arent the same object- ok mabey this is stretching it). in the end they just really need to clarify, but i would go with they do stack personally.
Nazzareth 11-06-05, 10:37 PM	So even though the bonuses come from two separate weapons they are the same and don't stack. What about TWF with two warmaces would the AC penalty stack.
cwslyclgh 11-07-05, 01:14 AM	So even though the bonuses come from two separate weapons they are the same and don't stack. the example given in the PHB is the penalties from two seperate uses of the same spell (Ray of Enfeeblement) not stacking. What about TWF with two warmaces would the AC penalty stack. appearently not by the RAW.
Rulebook 11-07-05, 07:12 AM	no, unless it says somewhere that like penalties or bonuses stack (like dodge bonuses) they wouldnt.
WombleHunter 11-07-05, 10:58 AM	Unlike bonuses, penalties do always stack, AFAIK.
Sledged 11-07-05, 11:06 AM	I was just thinking about this yesterday when designing a Dervish character. I was looking for a way to avoid scimitars (for one obvious reason), and I was thinking of using two of these special swords because I would get a +4 AC whenever I use Combat Expertise, so I was trying to maximize the benefit. With the +4 Dervish bonus and two Broadblade Short Swords, I could take a -2 to hit penalty and end up with a +10 AC (+2 Combat Expertise, +4 from Dervish, and +2 from each sword). I was going to check to see if they stacked, but I didn't want my idea getting shot down. I knew it sounded too good to be true.....Even if they did stack, you'd lose the benefit of the attack and damage bonus within dervish dance because it's not a slashing weapon. Also, you don't get the benefit of Elaborate Parry from using Combat Expertise. You only get it from fighting defensively or total defense. If you're looking for an AC boost with defensive fighting, try the two-weapon defense chain of feats. The shield bonuses are doubled when you fight defensively.
Nazzareth 11-07-05, 02:11 PM	A broadblade shortsword is best used with a duelists elaborate parry, check out the ROE feat dancing with shadows for elaborate parry synergy.