Does Expertise Stack with Fighting Defensively?

[dead_radish]

Indeed.

In fact, in the faq, it even mentions that many people think it doesn't stack, because of that section, but that's not the case. So you're not the only one that felt that way (I had this discussion 2 sessions ago with another player in fact. )

 

[Metalsmith]

FAQ, pages 16 and 17.

You can combine Expertise and Fighting Defensively, but not Total Defense.

Thats the part that doesn't make any sense.

Either they should stack with both defensive options or not at all.

A 5th level fighter with expertise is somehow harder to hit when he Fights Defensively with Expertise 7 points of AC Bonus, Than if he uses Total Defense; 4 point Bonus to AC.

Heck the Fighting Defensivly guy even gets a shot at hitting!

Metalsmith

 

[bensei]

You can combine Expertise and Fighting Defensively, but not Total Defense.
Thats the part that doesn't make any sense.

It does make sense. To use the Expertise feat, you have to perform a melee attack (you cannot even use it when range attacking). This is possible to do when fighting defensively, but not when performing the total defence.

The question is: Does it make sense that Expertise can only be used when performing some melee attack?