D&D 4E Combat Expertise, 4E style

[Starfox]

I liked Combat expertise in principle, though I hated almost every detail in how it worked in 3.x. I like that there is a defensive option players can take, and have been thinking how it could be transplanted into 4.0.

• For various reasons I don't want it to be an attack penalty like Power Attack, like it was in 3.x. I think giving an attack penalty would make it very boring - few things make you feel as pathetic as constant misses.
• I want it to give a significant drop in damage, especially burst damage.
• I don't want it to penalize your OAs. This is a feat geared at defenders; I don't want to reduce their stickiness.
• I never liked the Int prerequisite from 3.x and it doesn't make sese in 4E. I can't see any clear attribute prerequisite for 4E. I suppose Dexterity makes sense and links this to blades, which also kind of makes sense. But so far, I didn't give it any attribute prerequisite.

With these design principles, I ended up with this feat. It feels a bit overpowered as it is. Comments? The easiest power fix is to only make it give a bonus to AC, not to defenses. Perhaps to AC and Reflex defense?

Combat Expertise
Benefit: At the beginning of a round, you can choose to take on the weakened condition until the end of your turn. Doing this gives you a +2 bonus to AC and all defenses until the beginning of your next turn.

 

[Szatany]

Combat Expertise
Benefit: At the beginning of a round, you can choose to take on the weakened condition until the end of your turn. Doing this gives you a +2 bonus to AC and all defenses until the beginning of your next turn.

Should begin with your turn, not round. Also, AC is a defense so:

Combat Expertise
Benefit: At the beginning of your turn, you can choose to take on the weakened condition until the end of your turn. Doing this gives you a +2 bonus to defenses until the beginning of your next turn.

 

[Paul Strack]

I'd specify an action requirement, either a Free Action or maybe a Minor Action. Otherwise, technically unconscious characters can use the feat.

Also, I agree that is should only be for AC and Reflex, not Will and Fortitude.

 

[Szatany]

I'd specify an action requirement, either a Free Action or maybe a Minor Action. Otherwise, technically unconscious characters can use the feat.

Also, I agree that is should only be for AC and Reflex, not Will and Fortitude.

I'm starting to think it would work better as a stance power.

 

[Starfox]

This version can be used at any time as an active defense, and the weakened condition lasts until the end of the next turn. I like to give people the option to defend as they see the dragon claw approach.


Combat Expertise
Benefit: As a free action you can choose to take on the weakened condition until the end of your turn. Doing this gives you a +2 bonus to Armor Class and Reflex defense until the beginning of your next turn.