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<blockquote data-quote="Ferghis" data-source="post: 5145390" data-attributes="member: 40483">Nytmare, Draco, thanks for sticking around, but I don't see how your posts address the three issues that arise if you don't allow folks to take these kinds of actions. First, how would you explain that, no matter what the character does, she'll always be able to achieve a higher defense in combat by taking Total Defense than she ever will out of combat. This really highlights the artificial absurdity of not allowing that action to be taken before combat. As I've said above, whatevere it is that earns the character the defense bonus, is probably something the character can do out of combat as well. Remember that there are no restrictions to the total defense bonus. It doesn't say that the bonus applies only against attacks the character is aware of. The player declares the action, and the bonus applies until the end of the character's next turn, without limitations. The second point is a minor one: if you, like the most folks, have ruled that there are actions you can't take out of combat, it seems unfair to then turn around and say that only the DM can decide when combat begins. It's a bit like saying that the DM decides when your character can take that action, which is against the core 4e philosophy. Not a big issue, but a nagging one nonetheless. Third, what would the problem be if players were allowed to take Total Defense and Ready Actions, within reason, outside combat? It seems to me that monsters would get just as much mileage from this option, and the 2 pip difference is insufficient to cause anyserious problems.I'm perfectly able to just say no. What I'd like to do here is figure out why.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Ferghis, post: 5145390, member: 40483"] Nytmare, Draco, thanks for sticking around, but I don't see how your posts address the three issues that arise if you don't allow folks to take these kinds of actions. First, how would you explain that, no matter what the character does, she'll always be able to achieve a higher defense in combat by taking Total Defense than she ever will out of combat. This really highlights the artificial absurdity of not allowing that action to be taken before combat. As I've said above, whatevere it is that earns the character the defense bonus, is probably something the character can do out of combat as well. Remember that there are no restrictions to the total defense bonus. It doesn't say that the bonus applies only against attacks the character is aware of. The player declares the action, and the bonus applies until the end of the character's next turn, without limitations. The second point is a minor one: if you, like the most folks, have ruled that there are actions you can't take out of combat, it seems unfair to then turn around and say that only the DM can decide when combat begins. It's a bit like saying that the DM decides when your character can take that action, which is against the core 4e philosophy. Not a big issue, but a nagging one nonetheless. Third, what would the problem be if players were allowed to take Total Defense and Ready Actions, within reason, outside combat? It seems to me that monsters would get just as much mileage from this option, and the 2 pip difference is insufficient to cause anyserious problems. I'm perfectly able to just say no. What I'd like to do here is figure out why. [/QUOTE]

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