There's not a lot of difference between ignoring and refusing to comment on the primary point I've been going on about since I've started this thread...
But you finally id comment on it so I'll forgive and drop the issue. Most importantly and most amazingly, you found my point to be valid and correct after you finally took the time to consider and comment on it. Way to go [MENTION=15882]TaranTheWanderer[/MENTION]
So dodge is useful because it can spread damage out. Dodge is also useful as it can prevent a heck of a lot of damage. So ultimately no matter what the enemy does when you dodge there is a useful outcome! The only remaining thing to discuss is comparing a party member dodging to a party member attacking and how that effects team success. What's your opinion there?
I was neither refusing nor ignoring your points. And it's probably not that amazing that I agreed with you...I wasn't ever disagreeing with you. In any case, I got side-tracked trying to explain my own point(s) and there's been lots and lots of points made in this thread and I didn't comment on most of them so, hopefully, I didn't offend anyone.
It has only just occurred to me, though, that you were the one who started this thread, so maybe I
should have commented on it. Teaches me for not reading the OP more thoroughly...
As far as attacking vs dodging, I'd say it depends on the situation - like most things. If you aren't the kind of person dealing lotsa damage, or are trying to concentrate on a spell and you're being ganged up on, you are probably better off dodging rather than doing piddly damage but getting hit and using up the healer's round casting a healing spell. Ideally, if you need to dodge and if you can get away with also attacking at the same time, do that.
off-hand weapon, Fighter Action Surge, quicken spell, rogue cunning action, concentrate on damaging spells etc...
I'm not sure if that's the answer you were looking for.
On a separate but slightly related note, the dodge action is pretty useful for enemies to use, especially when you have a party who specializes in ganging up on one enemy at a time to systematically take each down. It will only take the first round of combat for an enemy to realize that his opponent is using this tactic and the one they are ganging up on should, logically, take a dodge action while his allies attack from a distance. (assuming the enemy is smart/wily enough to use such tactics) In that situation, I feel, it's probably beneficial to lose your 1 or 2 attacks and just dodge.