The Immaculate Defence

And quite possibly get the DM shot by angry players who are unable to use most of their classes abilities.

It has downsides.

1. Its a reaction, this means that if you can anticipate it you can foil their plan yourself.

E.G. Lets say an enemy readies to attack your friend with a ranged attack for when the swordmage takes an action.

You figure this out because he did the same thing last turn and is marked by your aegis of assault. Instead of taking a full defensive action or doing anything else. You charge the enemy.

You now get your charge attack and his readied action goes off. You might even give your friend cover based on where you end up. You don't get to use your full defense, but you've prevented him from getting around your attack. Alternately you can bull rush him behind a pillar or wall, negating his attack. If you had powers that you could trigger on a charge you might be able to use those to move/teleport the enemy next to an ally who can make an OA[or multiple OAs] triggered on the reacting ranged attack.

lets say the guy is instead next to you and readies his action to hit your ally when you take an action. Well, you can bull rush him out of range. Since your attack resolves first, any push action that moves him out of range negates his attack and he loses his readied action[and so takes no offensive actions that turn]. If you've got a damaging push power you're even more set.

Its not ideal or anything, but its legal.
 

log in or register to remove this ad

A lot of that depends on how you define "takes an action". If a character is already in Total Defense, and then uses Total Defense as his first action on his turn, has he done anything visibly that would trigger the opponent's action?

Likewise, if an opponent moves past him and provokes an Opportunity Attack, would that Opportunity Action be distinguishable from a normal attack, or would the readying opponent be obliged to take his readied action, not realising it isn't the character's turn?

Personally, as a DM I'd require triggers for Readied actions to be less vague and metagamey than "takes an action", and would enforce the same rule on myself for Readying monsters. The trigger should be a specific event that the observer can clearly detect.
 

A lot of that depends on how you define "takes an action". If a character is already in Total Defense, and then uses Total Defense as his first action on his turn, has he done anything visibly that would trigger the opponent's action?

Likewise, if an opponent moves past him and provokes an Opportunity Attack, would that Opportunity Action be distinguishable from a normal attack, or would the readying opponent be obliged to take his readied action, not realising it isn't the character's turn?

Personally, as a DM I'd require triggers for Readied actions to be less vague and metagamey than "takes an action", and would enforce the same rule on myself for Readying monsters. The trigger should be a specific event that the observer can clearly detect.

1. Yes, he has.

2. Maybe, he could choose to or choose not to. The enemy might be smart enough to know that the action was an opportunity action and would not restrict him from interrupting him if he saw the trigger
 

I see how the readied action would be a problem. Mind you, I wouldnt blame a dm for doing that to a character like this!
 

Heres one solution: if the monsters ready attacks, I delay. Now the monsters and I are all standing there waiting for something to happen, meanwhile the rest of the party is free to act. Now that has to be a fairly radical style of 'defending'!
 



You might want to consider fitting in fighter multiclass to pick up a damage stance, e.g. Rain of Steel, or as it's been known in our group since my polearm-wielding warforged used it, "helicopter stance". Some of the higher-level ones also have nifty effects added on.

Another choice feat would be Timely Respite. Since you're going to be using total defense, this will make you net you tons of saving throws.
 

I definitely wasn't recommending it, just answering the question. It's a good tactic to use every now and then with smart foes, or to combat cheese. Other than that, it's a loophole that shouldn't be exploited.

Anyone know why they put it in? Is there something broken that happens if you're allowed an immediate action on your own turn?
 

It's even worse, actually, since Total Defense only lasts until the start of your next turn. All your turtling would be for naught, as the monster would just wait for you to 'drop your guard'. So all those pretty +s to AC you get from Defensive weapons and other features would have no effect. You'd effectively waste a standard action for no benefit whatsoever.
However, any DM that does this with any regularity is, if you'll pardon my French, a total dick.

Happily, I am not a total dick. :D

I like to play D&D with the players, not against them, so I'm going to have lots of monstes getting very, very frustrated with this character. It should be fun.

I'm also amazed that no-one has been able to find a rules flaw in this build - my hat is off, and doffed, to crater for coming up with it!
 

Trending content

Remove ads

Top