Combat expertise and power attack

[Shallown]

Actually neither subtracts from your BAB. They are limited by your Bab but otherwise have no effect on BAB. If they did you would start losing multiple attacks and such. If someone had like a true strike up and wanted to do both then it would actually be a viable tactic, I think. They only subtract from your to hit regardless of how you generate that to hit bonus.

Later

 

[dbm]

That's a house rule.

Each feat uses the base BAB of the character. BAB is not "virtually" used by by applying it between feats.

I also think it's an unnecessary house rule; is Expertise and Power Attack a problem in your campaign?

It's not a problem, but then I keep it in check with this interpretation. Bottom line, once you need a 20 to hit there's no disincentive to crank up all your bonuses to damage and AC. My interpretation stops that particular abuse.

Cheers,
Dan

 

[Jeremy]

If you already needed a 20 to hit your foe BEFORE you power attack or expertise, then having +x to damage and +5 to AC is small consolation. Especially in the applicable situation mentioned above of some of the epic creatures.

Likely if their AC is that far out of your reach, then they can probably full power attack and expertise and still hit you on a two.

 

[RigaMortus]

Can I use Combat Expertise and Improved Combat Expertise at the same time? While Fighting Defensively of course...

 

[the Jester]

On a related note, here's a homebrewed epic feat I'm working on- it's still under construction, I'm debating making it a +20 instead of +10.

WALL OF SWORDS STYLE [Epic, Style]

Your mastery of the ‘wall of swords’ style of fighting makes you lethal and virtually invulnerable.

Prerequisites: Str 25+, int 15+, Combat Expertise, Combat Reflexes, Greater Weapon Focus (any two-handed weapon), Improved Combat Expertise, Power Attack, Weapon Focus (any two-handed weapon)

Benefit: Whenever you attack with maximum power attack and maximum combat expertise with a two-handed weapon, you gain a +10 style bonus on your attack roll.

 

[CRGreathouse]

Can I use Combat Expertise and Improved Combat Expertise at the same time? While Fighting Defensively of course...

No. Improved Combat Expertise says, "When using Combat Expertise, ...". It removes the limits on CE; it doesn't function on its own.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

To get back on topic (damn hijackers): Yes, both are usable at once. BUT: the penalties stack.

 

[Thanee]

Actually, you can use both at the same time, otherwise Improved Combat Expertise would have no real effect, as it doesn't do anything on its own.

But CRG already answered the question you actually meant to ask.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Otterscrubber]

Can you use both combat expertise and fighting defensively and get the bonuses from both? That would be useful to use with Power Attack if you need a 20 to hit anyway.

 

[Darklone]

Can you use both combat expertise and fighting defensively and get the bonuses from both? That would be useful to use with Power Attack if you need a 20 to hit anyway.

Sure, it's in the feat and tactic description.