+3 Defender - Usage

[Space Coyote]

As a free action, the wielder chooses how to allocate the weapon’s enhancement bonus at the start of his turn before using the weapon , and the effect to AC lasts until his next turn.

Doesnt this imply that the weapon must be "used" to get the benefit, not just "held"?

 

[Infiniti2000]

Not necessarily. You can allocate the bonus before using it, but how close to using it do you need to be? If a figher draws the weapon (quickdraw, so free action), allocates it to defense and then double moves to an opponent, does the bonus not kick in until after he attacks next round? I don't think anyone would rule that way. Instead, it's merely sufficient that he wield the weapon.

 

[shilsen]

Not necessarily. You can allocate the bonus before using it, but how close to using it do you need to be? If a figher draws the weapon (quickdraw, so free action), allocates it to defense and then double moves to an opponent, does the bonus not kick in until after he attacks next round? I don't think anyone would rule that way. Instead, it's merely sufficient that he wield the weapon.

I would rule that way. The way I see it, you need to be using the weapon, you need to use the attack or full attack action.

For what it's worth the FAQ (the 3.0 one, but I believe the ability description hasn't changed) agrees with me:

Using a weapon of defending works just like the Expertise feat. (You have to use an attack or full attack action.) You can’t use the weapon like a shield; if you hold the weapon in your off hand and claim an Armor Class bonus for it, you take all the
penalties for fighting with two weapons, even if you don’t actually attack with the weapon.

 

[blargney the second]

So for a PC with Improved Shield Bash, a Heavy Spiked Shield +1, Defending +1 nets +4 to AC? It's a little expensive, but provides some interesting options! Greater Magic Weapon goes nicely with that Defending too...

-blarg

 

[Pinotage]

So for a PC with Improved Shield Bash, a Heavy Spiked Shield +1, Defending +1 nets +4 to AC? It's a little expensive, but provides some interesting options! Greater Magic Weapon goes nicely with that Defending too...

-blarg

Good point. Putting the Defending on the spikes of a bashing shield is not a bad idea.

Pinotage

 

[Infiniti2000]

Good point. Putting the Defending on the spikes of a bashing shield is not a bad idea.

Pinotage

In that example when considering just the net bonus to AC, it is a bad idea. It costs +6,000 gp to increase the +1 spiked shield with +1 spikes to a +1 spiked shield with +1 defending spikes. It would cost only +3,000 gp to make it a +2 spiked shield with +1 spikes. That's why defending is really a suboptimal choice in most cases. Enhancing weaponry is twice as expensive as armor/shields. The benefit of the defending bonus is the type of bonus, which will apply in different situations that armor/shields, and if you really must have the highest AC possible, then it will stack with maximum armor/shield enhancements.

 

[Vraister]

Its a good idea to put defending on an adamant weapon as this weapon has a natural enchancement bonus.

 

[Scion]

Its a good idea to put defending on an adamant weapon as this weapon has a natural enchancement bonus.

not in 3.5

Even if it was true however you would just get back into the arguement about 'does the reduction in enhancement reduce all enhancement bonuses? even those from master work and other areas?'

 

[Pinotage]

In that example when considering just the net bonus to AC, it is a bad idea. It costs +6,000 gp to increase the +1 spiked shield with +1 spikes to a +1 spiked shield with +1 defending spikes. It would cost only +3,000 gp to make it a +2 spiked shield with +1 spikes. That's why defending is really a suboptimal choice in most cases. Enhancing weaponry is twice as expensive as armor/shields. The benefit of the defending bonus is the type of bonus, which will apply in different situations that armor/shields, and if you really must have the highest AC possible, then it will stack with maximum armor/shield enhancements.

Yes, that's true. Then again, if you're talking a +4 Bashing Shield, then the 6000 gp cost is less than the 11000 gp to raise the shield higher. A +5 Bashing Shield with +1 Spikes costs (yes, I know, it's a spiked bashing shield rather than a bashing shield with spikes, but this simplifies the description!) roughly 38000 gp. However, for roughly the same price you can get a +4 Bashing Shield with +2 Defending Spikes, netting one extra AC for 5000 gp. It could be worth it at higher levels, even if it is only a way of getting extra AC from the spikes. Then again, you'll suffer poor offhand bashes that way.

Pinotage

 

[Scion]

I'd rather just go with parrying and ignore the rest

Parrying: A parrying weapon perceives an instant into the future, and of its own accord resists melee and ranged attacks aimed at the wielder, granting a +1 insight bonus to the wielder’s Armor Class. The weapon is so adept at parrying that it even affects incoming powers, granting the wielder a +1 insight bonus on saving throws. The bonuses are granted whenever the wielder holds the weapon, even if flat-footed.
Faint clairsentience; ML 5th; Craft Psionic Arms and Armor, defensive precognition; Price +8,000 gp.