Expertise in combat expertise?

[CrimsonWineGlass]

I am working on a majorly defensive character currently and I'm planning on having most of his feats aiming towared combat expertise and similar. I am wondering if you guys could help me find some feats that center around combat expertise and other defensive feats. Could you also list the books? Thanks.

 

[IcyCool]

Feats:
Combat Expertise (PHB)
Dodge (PHB)
Mobility (PHB)
Elusive Target (CW Style feat)
Improved Combat Expertise (CW)

Other bonuses:
Fighting Defensively (can be paired with Combat Expertise) +2 AC, +3 AC if you have five or more ranks in Tumble.
Total Defense (cannot be paired with Combat Expertise).

 

[Legildur]

There's also Shield Specialisation (PHBII) and some subsequent feats that allow you to add shield bonus to touch AC and other combat related opposed checks).

Depending on size, Titan Fighting (Races of Stone) would suit gnome or dwarf.

 

[Stalker0]

Power Attack, what I like to call the swinging for the fences technique.

If you are using combat expertise for a lot, you are probably only going to hit on a 20, if not close to a 20. So go ahead and use full power attack along with it. Then if you roll a 20 and hit, you still do a ton of damage.

 

[Dread Polack]

If you don't mind giving up a little damage, you can use a staff and take Quick Staff from the Complete Warrior. Basically, it gives you an extra +2 AC when using Combat Expertise with your staff. You can also take Two-Weapon Fighting and Two-Weapon Defense (and the Improved and Greater versions if you wanna go crazy-go-nuts). I'm actually working on a fighter staff-expert build with these feats, waiting to see if it's a good build or not. The downside of Quick Staff is it's heavy prerequisites (Combat Expertise, Dodge, Mobility, Weapon Focus: Staff, IIRC).

Dread Polack

 

[Pinotage]

There's also Shield Specialisation (PHBII) and some subsequent feats that allow you to add shield bonus to touch AC and other combat related opposed checks).

That'd be Shield Ward. One of my new favourity feats for fighters.

Pinotage

 

[starwed]

While not AC boosting feats, Sidestep Charge and Close Quarter Fighting are good defensive feats.

 

[Bad Paper]

Power Attack, what I like to call the swinging for the fences technique.

If you are using combat expertise for a lot, you are probably only going to hit on a 20, if not close to a 20. So go ahead and use full power attack along with it. Then if you roll a 20 and hit, you still do a ton of damage.

Not "full power attack," but "full power attack minus five."

 

[Whimsical]

By the book, no. But something that most DMs are quick to house rule to: yes.

 

[Patlin]

Not "full power attack," but "full power attack minus five."

The limits to power attack and combat expertise, while similarly worded, do not combine. A 20th level fighter with power attack, combat expertise and improved combat expertise could use 20 points of power attack and 10 points of combat expertise for +40 damage with a two handed weapon and +10 AC with a -30 attack penalty.