Can you fight defensively using a bow?

[Torias Starym]

Fighting defensively during a full attack action penalizes all attacks with a -4 penalty but grants a +2 dodge bonus to AC.
Can an archer fight defensively using his bow? and if so, do dodge bonuses stack, such as fighting defensively and the dodge feat?
References to core or splat books welcome.

 

[drnuncheon]

Fighting defensively during a full attack action penalizes all attacks with a -4 penalty but grants a +2 dodge bonus to AC.
Can an archer fight defensively using his bow? and if so, do dodge bonuses stack, such as fighting defensively and the dodge feat?
References to core or splat books welcome.

From the SRD:

"A character can choose to fight defensively when taking the attack action. If a character does so, the character takes a -4 penalty on all attacks in a round to gain a +2 dodge bonus to AC for the same round."

This is from the Attack (ranged) section, so you're good to go.

"AC modifiers of the same type do not stack, except:
• Armor bonuses from armor and shields
• Enhancement bonuses from armor and shields
• Dodge bonuses
• Circumstance bonuses"

So, dodge bonuses always stack.

J

 

[Torias Starym]

Thank you!

I appreciate it.

 

[diaglo]

of course, you still give up an AoO.

Edit: i think fighting defensively has something to do with threatening an area.

you don't threaten with a bow.

but they can get an AoO against you if you use a bow in a threatened area.

 

[drnuncheon]

of course, you still give up an AoO.

Edit: i think fighting defensively has something to do with threatening an area.

Er, no.

It's the non-feat version of Expertise - you subtract from your to-hit to get a bonus to your AC.

J

 

[Zhure]

Interesting. Never thought about archers Fighting Defensively. Scanned the PHB and it looks like it only takes a full attack action.

Since archers get a FRA more often than melee fighters and often have a relatively higher modified BAB, then they might be able to capitalize on this maneuver more than meleers. Neat.

Greg

 

[drnuncheon]

Interesting. Never thought about archers Fighting Defensively. Scanned the PHB and it looks like it only takes a full attack action.

Not even that. Check p 124, left column, 2nd heading: Fighting Defensively - the option is under 'Attack' as well as 'Full Attack'.

J

 

[Zhure]

Not even that. Check p 124, left column, 2nd heading: Fighting Defensively - the option is under 'Attack' as well as 'Full Attack'.

J

Hmm, probably so. I was looking at the quote on page 124 under full attack actions:

"Fighting Defensively: You can choose to fight defensively when taking the full attack action. If you do so, you take a –4
penalty on all attacks in a round to gain a +2 dodge bonus to AC for the same round."

Since it's talking about full attack actions, it must just be poorly worded, implying it always takes a full attack action.


Greg

 

[diaglo]

It's the non-feat version of Expertise - you subtract from your to-hit to get a bonus to your AC.

that's why i put it in the edit, i was a little shaky. i know it is part of an attack action. meaning you have to attack in the full round action. but since it is a ranged weapon you don't threaten, hence you don't attack. strange logic i know and that's why i was tentative. i'm not great with rules.