Ok,
I am an idiot. Just read up on Total Defense - I think a few things changed in 3.5.
You can't use Combat Expertise in conjunction with total defense and you can't take AoO's when using Total Defense. As this concept is geared around AoO's before the opponent reaches me, it doesn't work at all.
Hmm, this is going to require some rethinking. If I wanted to use this build, I'd have to total defense to start with and then on the following round use unarmed attacks to trip the foe. With a successful trip I'd get the benefits of defensive strike and prone. When the opponent attempted to move out of the square or stand I'd get the benefits of deft opportunist. At the earliest opportunity, I could attempt to trip again.
However, it seems that I could just attempt to trip initially without using total defense.
Ahhh, I hate making rules errors.
I am an idiot. Just read up on Total Defense - I think a few things changed in 3.5.
You can't use Combat Expertise in conjunction with total defense and you can't take AoO's when using Total Defense. As this concept is geared around AoO's before the opponent reaches me, it doesn't work at all.
Hmm, this is going to require some rethinking. If I wanted to use this build, I'd have to total defense to start with and then on the following round use unarmed attacks to trip the foe. With a successful trip I'd get the benefits of defensive strike and prone. When the opponent attempted to move out of the square or stand I'd get the benefits of deft opportunist. At the earliest opportunity, I could attempt to trip again.
However, it seems that I could just attempt to trip initially without using total defense.
Ahhh, I hate making rules errors.
