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Message: <blockquote data-quote="ARandomGod" data-source="post: 1778493" data-attributes="member: 17296">I like that viewpoint as well as an interpretation of why total defense wouldn't allow you to be a flanker. In fact, I'd say that's a pretty strong case when stating that RAW says you can't. And, as RAW doesn't actually say anything one way or the other, that's the only way to go with it.On the other hand, that potential interpretation of the rules is already out there, so the other side needs to be looked at.A round is only six seconds, so I don't think that an attacker necessarily will. And, in the same vein (and why I stated that I would request that I know prior to taking total defense if I'll be attacked), if the opponent labeled attacker ignored the opponent labeled defender completely (viewed as not a threat), that defender simply wouldn't be in total defense mode. Quite the opposite, in fact, he'd practically be attacking as if invisible. Or to say, in agreement, if the attacker is going to notice that the defender isn't making any attacks, the defender is just as likely to notice the shift in attack stance that would allow the attacker to be no longer considered flanked. At the very least the total defense person who was no longer flanking the opponent should get a surprise attack next round due to the fact that the "attacker" is ignoring him as if he were not a threat!So it really all depends on what you view flanking as. And what you view fighting defensively as. I view being flanked as having a threatening opponent on either side. I view fighting defensively as fighting an attacker in a manner that will not contain any offense, that won't go for any openings... but it's done because you're feeling threatened in the first place.Thinking of game interpretations where that definition of fighting defensively is not the case leads me to ask if I can hold my staff out all the time and always be fighting defensively against any future potential attack. That should have the added bonus of preventing flatfootedness, as you're constantly in fight mode. Who needs uncanny dodge! I fight defensively against the darkness!!</blockquote>

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