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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Gaiden" data-source="post: 2299651" data-attributes="member: 103">Let's do the math - take my monk/paladin/fighter with his early level defensive feats (dodge, combat expertise).  This means that I have to take the Int 13 point distribution.  So, here goes:Base = 10Dex = +2Wis = +2Dodge = +1Combat Expertise - always max (let's assume 6th+ level since you are talking about +2 items) = +5Total Defense w/5 ranks in Tumble = +6Ring of protection +2 = +2Total = 28If I spend money on bracers of armor equivalent to your two +2 armor items, I'd get ~+3 bracers of armor out of the deal bringing the total up to 31.  Notice this is a 31 touch AC!Now let's compare to hit bonuses.Let's presume 8th level.The knight protector probably has at least a 16 str and we'll assume a +2 stat boosting item so 18 str.  We'll give him weapon focus and a +2 weapon.Base = +8Str = +4W.F. = +1Enhancement = +2We are looking at +15, +10On AoO's (the only type of attack my character can make if he is using Total Defense), he has:Base = +7Combat Expertise = -5Str = +3 (we'll assume a +2 stat boosting item as well)Defensive Strike = +4Deft Opportunist = +4Tripped Opponet = (+4)Expert Tactician = (+2)Enhancement = +2 (again, we'll assume similar items here)Without a tripped or hit opponent, we are looking at +15.  Against a tripped opponent who has already been hit with an AoO, we are looking at +21.Of course, I am the first to acknowledge that these bonuses are completely situational.  Mobility and Spring Attack will trump the usefulness of this character to a large degree.  Moreover, the tactics of this character would require tripping all the time to provoke the AoO for getting up.  Once the opponent is tripped though - and hasn't hit me, the next round, I can drop the bonus from Combat Expertise and go on the full attack dropping my AC by 11 points but granting me a +20, +20, +15 with flurry of blows - which of course would be all kicks so I can retain hold of my reach weapon.  Alternatively I could goad and ready an action to attack if he attempts to move out of his square.  This way either I get either two attacks agains the prone target, or one attack and another trip attempt.</blockquote>

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