Expertise/Full Defense

[IceBear]

I suspect that's because it's harder to get high AC through other means (don't know for sure as it's been awhile since I read the book). I know that few people would have magical armor, for instance.

IceBear

 

[Kyramus]

phb page 127
Total defense is a misc action, HOWEVER it also states that it is a standard action.

Striking with a weapon is a standard action as well.

I would judge that if you are using expertise with total defense, it is permissible provided you have a weapon out to use expertise with. If you have a weapon sheathed, expertise won't do you any good.

page 128 shows a list of standard actions. including strike with a weapon.

 

[IceBear]

But the FAQ (for what it's worth) has specifically clarified that it's not meant to stack. It must be an attack or a full attack action, not a misc action.

IceBear

 

[SpikeyFreak]

it means that someone using Expertise would never EVER use the Total Defense option. Why would one take a total defense, a full round action, with no attacks, when he could get a higher AC while fighting defensively and using expertise, and have the option of attacking or moving?

If you don't have expertise, you would use total defense. I have never taken expertise.

Just because there is a better option sometimes doesn't mean that the worse option should be improved. Especially when you have to have feat for the better option.

--Hungry Spikey

 

[IceBear]

Yeah, what Spikey said. Total defense can be used by anyone when they want to improve their AC. If you want to use expertise (which is, I guess, the core rules method of actively parrying) you need to spend a feat - not something that would be attractive to everyone.

IceBear

 

[Ranger REG]

I would, especially since it CAN stack with the Fighting Defensively options. And it is part of the feat tree that includes Superior Expertise (see OA, page 66) that actually remove the +/-5 cap.

 

[melkoriii]

Hmmm I seem to remember this being change officaly to they DO stack. Because of the thing that Gaiden pointed out.

Next question then is can you take a AoO when taking a Total Defense?

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Your memory fails you with that.

And sure, you can make an AoO in total defense: AoO's are no action, but a reaction. You spend your standard action defending, but if someone lets his guard down, you get your AoO (essentially a free attack)