Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Slider33 09-06-05, 06:39 PM	I have a question regarding defensive maneuvers and whether or not they stack. If I have dodge, and combat expertise, plus if I do some other things in combat, do they stack with each other? Dodge gives +1 to AC against a chosen target Combat Expertise allows me to take up to 5, not exceeding my BAB to add that to my dodge bonus, (w/ attack penalty) Combat expertise says (SRD): Normal: A character without the Combat Expertise feat can fight defensively while using the attack or full attack action to take a –4 penalty on attack rolls and gain a +2 dodge bonus to Armor Class. Does this mean you can't use combat expertise and defensive fighting together? Does that also mean that you can't use combat expertise and going on total defensive? (total defense +4 dodge AC) According to the article "Does it Stack?" part 4, by Skip Williams: Dodge Bonuses: A dodge bonus affects your Armor Class. All dodge bonuses stack. Most bonus types have names so that you can tell which one you can stack. A dodge bonus is named so that you can tell when you get it and when you don't. For example, you can't use dodge bonuses when you're flat-footed or anytime you're denied a Dexterity bonus. I don't know anywhere where it says you cannot use them together, so they should stack, correct? So, for example, if I wanted to, I could do this: Choose enemy to apply dodge bonus to +1 AC Combat Expertise (for example let's just go with max) +5 AC -5 attack Total Defense (can't attack) + 4 AC for a total of +10 to AC This is perfectly legit is it not?
Super_Demolition_Christ 09-06-05, 06:49 PM	I know you cant combine combat expertise with total defense Combat Expertise is a feat that represents your ability to fight defensively. You forgo accuracy to make sure you remain safe. Total defense means that rather than attacking normally, your are completely focusing on dodging blows or at least making enemy weapons bounce of armor and shields rather than striking you directly. Combat expertise is like a better way of fighting defensively (the fighting defensively action is for those who want to fight carefully but arent experts at it). and you cant fight defensivly if you arent fighting I dont know if fighting defensively and combat expertise would stack (though that would be a 5-9 attack penalty vs a 3-7 defense so I guess it might be possible)
StevenO 09-06-05, 08:44 PM	Combat Expertise and Fighting Defensively DO stack. Total Defense however does NOT stack with CE. In most cases a character is best off using CE if possible. If that isn't enough Fighting Defensively as well will help more than taking Total Defense. If you have additional defensive feat (like two-weapon defense) its important to note that using Combat Expertise does not qualify as Fighting Defensively with respect to many defensive feats. For the OP. The +1 AC from Dodge stacks with most everything. After that the character can get either [up to +5 (CE, -5 attack) + 2/3 (Fight defensively/with tumble 5, -4 attack) AC = +7/8 dodge AC with -9 attack] OR [+4/6 AC Total Defense/tumble5 with NO attacks]. Choose wisely.
ClementWillowbreaker 09-06-05, 11:29 PM	As for CE not counting as fighting defensively, WotC is experimenting with that now. Races of the Wild had several effects that gave you AC when you found defensively, used total defense (nothing new so far...) and when you use CE for at least -2 to hit. Little things like this are tried out in supplements, but if it catches on, expect it to be core in some Sage article or v4.0. As for me, I've already house-ruled the -2 CE clause into TWD and related feats. And everything up there is right. Total Defense=no attack, which means you can't take a penalty on it.
Slider33 09-07-05, 12:38 AM	Thanks so much for the replies! That definitely answers my questions :)