Full Attack Action and Fight Defensively

[doktorstick]

Howdy.

According to the PHB, if you have multiple attacks, you can decide to take the full attack action after you see the result of your first attack. To fight defensively, you must use the full attack action. Does this imply that if I attack at +6/+1 I can make a normal melee attack at +6 and then decide to fight defensively on my second attack at -3 (+1 BAB -4 fight defensively)?

Thanks.
/ds

 

[The Souljourner]

No. This is one of the many places where the writers of the PHB and supplements have stupidly confused "full attack" with "rull round action". The implication is that you must do this as your only action during the round, and you can't move (other than a 5' step).

Just replace the "full attack action" part of it, and replace it with "full round action" and you'll have it right.

-The Souljourner

 

[Li Shenron]

You "fight defensively" when taking the attack action; this means you can:

1. Make a full attack (for high BAB, 2wF or anything else) defensively

2. Make a single attack (+MEA) defensively

In both cases the bonus to AC and penalty to attacks start at the beginning of your turn and last until your next turn in the following round.

The "attack action" sentence is there to specify you can't say "I fight defensively" and then take two MEA, therefore not really taking the attack penalty.

 

[AuraSeer]

No. This is one of the many places where the writers of the PHB and supplements have stupidly confused "full attack" with "rull round action". The implication is that you must do this as your only action during the round, and you can't move (other than a 5' step).

Just replace the "full attack action" part of it, and replace it with "full round action" and you'll have it right.

This is incorrect. Neither a full attack nor a full-round action is required for fighting defensively.

You may fight defensively when taking a single attack in a round. This is listed under the Attack standard action in the PHB, and on this page.

On the OP: fighting defensively requires that you take a penalty on all attacks in a round. That means that if you want to fight defensively, you must declare that you're doing so before your first attack. If you've already made one attack without the penalty, you cannot then decide to be defensive with the rest of your attacks.

 

[Crothian]

There is a difference between fighting defensively and a full defensive action. Goinf full defensive takes a full round action, fighting defensively has to be part of some type of attack action.

 

[doktorstick]

There is a difference between fighting defensively and a full defensive action. Goinf full defensive takes a full round action, fighting defensively has to be part of some type of attack action.

Actually, PHB pg 127 under Total Defense states that "...defend yourself and move during a round as a standard action." It is not a full round action. Total Defense gives you a +4 AC but you cannot attack. This is a great tactic for getting by someone when you expect to draw an AoO.

PHB pg. 124 under Fighting Defensively (under Attack and Full Attack) states that you can choose to Fight Defensively during an attack or full attack action. Fighting Defensively grants a +2 AC at a -4 penalty to all attacks.

In short, Total Defense is a standard action (you can move) and Fighting Defensively is either an attack or full attack action.

The same apparently applies for Expertise as well. It has to be for all of the attacks you make in the round. You can't "turn it on" during your last iterative attack.

Cheers,
/ds