Combat expertise and fighting defensively [Archive] - Wizards Community

Combat expertise and fighting defensively [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
curan69
03-13-08, 04:57 PM I know this has been asked before, and I tried to find it in and I Couldnt.

Can you stack Combat expertise and fighting defensively?

I would have though It would be in the FAQ for sure, but I didnt see it. Where is it?
PhaedrusXY
03-13-08, 05:01 PM Yes, you can. This is clarified in the Rules Compendium. It was also in a Sage Advice, Rules of the Game, or something, but the Rules Compendium is alot more "official".
jaelis
03-13-08, 05:03 PM Doesn't the PHB itself already say, in the fighting defensively description of the Combat section?
Silverthumb
03-13-08, 06:25 PM Doesn't the PHB itself already say, in the fighting defensively description of the Combat section?

Also, doesn't the Combat Expertise description say you can only do it when you're fighting defensively?
TheRealOrion
03-13-08, 07:57 PM Yes, that text is in fact in two different places, stated quite clearly. Also, it works out logically by virtue of the kinds of actions they take up. There's no other way they could work. But some things that are perfectly logical are very hard to explain. This is one of those things.

Also, the real problem, is that it's hard to remember which one is Fighting Defensively and which one is Total Defence. That always screws with me, as logical as it out to be.
Kouk
03-13-08, 08:20 PM Also, doesn't the Combat Expertise description say you can only do it when you're fighting defensively?

You can use Combat Expertise by itself, you don't have to use Fighting Defensively.
jaelis
03-13-08, 11:15 PM Also, doesn't the Combat Expertise description say you can only do it when you're fighting defensively?

Actually, the feat itself could lead to to the opposite conclusion. It says under the "normal" entry that a character without the CE feat can fight defensively. It doesn't say that they can be combined. The fighting defensively rules (pg 140) do say they stack though.
Silverthumb
03-14-08, 12:48 AM You can use Combat Expertise by itself, you don't have to use Fighting Defensively.

Its time for my dumb ass to go to bed, I've been doing this all ding-dong day. :embarrass
StevenO
03-14-08, 02:03 PM Yes, they stack for the umpteenth time.

Both provide a Dodge bonus to AC. You also stack the attack penalties.

What you can NOT combine are Combat Expertise and FULL DEFENSE. That is because Full Defense doesn't give you any attacks.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
curan69 03-13-08, 04:57 PM	I know this has been asked before, and I tried to find it in and I Couldnt. Can you stack Combat expertise and fighting defensively? I would have though It would be in the FAQ for sure, but I didnt see it. Where is it?
PhaedrusXY 03-13-08, 05:01 PM	Yes, you can. This is clarified in the Rules Compendium. It was also in a Sage Advice, Rules of the Game, or something, but the Rules Compendium is alot more "official".
jaelis 03-13-08, 05:03 PM	Doesn't the PHB itself already say, in the fighting defensively description of the Combat section?
Silverthumb 03-13-08, 06:25 PM	Doesn't the PHB itself already say, in the fighting defensively description of the Combat section? Also, doesn't the Combat Expertise description say you can only do it when you're fighting defensively?
TheRealOrion 03-13-08, 07:57 PM	Yes, that text is in fact in two different places, stated quite clearly. Also, it works out logically by virtue of the kinds of actions they take up. There's no other way they could work. But some things that are perfectly logical are very hard to explain. This is one of those things. Also, the real problem, is that it's hard to remember which one is Fighting Defensively and which one is Total Defence. That always screws with me, as logical as it out to be.
Kouk 03-13-08, 08:20 PM	Also, doesn't the Combat Expertise description say you can only do it when you're fighting defensively? You can use Combat Expertise by itself, you don't have to use Fighting Defensively.
jaelis 03-13-08, 11:15 PM	Also, doesn't the Combat Expertise description say you can only do it when you're fighting defensively? Actually, the feat itself could lead to to the opposite conclusion. It says under the "normal" entry that a character without the CE feat can fight defensively. It doesn't say that they can be combined. The fighting defensively rules (pg 140) do say they stack though.
Silverthumb 03-14-08, 12:48 AM	You can use Combat Expertise by itself, you don't have to use Fighting Defensively. Its time for my dumb ass to go to bed, I've been doing this all ding-dong day. :embarrass
StevenO 03-14-08, 02:03 PM	Yes, they stack for the umpteenth time. Both provide a Dodge bonus to AC. You also stack the attack penalties. What you can NOT combine are Combat Expertise and FULL DEFENSE. That is because Full Defense doesn't give you any attacks.