Is there a reason to not makr fight defefensivley when you are not attacking that round? or the AC doesn't trigger if you don't attack? What about full defense? is there a reason to not full defense each time you can't perform other action that round? or does ending turn with enough movement for full defense does it automatically?
ummmm, i think that as per rules, it works like: total defense standard action, does not stack with fight defensively. Cant use combat expertise, as that requires attack/full attack to kick in. +4 dodge bonus to AC fight defensively i'm pretty sure only kicks in as part of a standard action attack, or full attack. -4 penalty on attacks, +2 dodge bonus to AC So, Total Defense = standard action Fight Defensively = standard or full round versions of attacking. Whether or not you use them really depends on whether you can fit everything else into the round: if you're using either option, you'll be at least using a standard action, leaving you with only a move-equivalent action, or if you fight defensively for a full round attack, no other actions. combat rules could help to clarify further: http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/actionsInCombat.htm#totalDefense edit: oh, and combat expertise + fight defensively DO stack, ref: PHB p140, under fighting defensively.
