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Normally, it is impossible to make AoO while taking the total defense action.
However, crane riposte states: "Whenever you use Crane Wing to deflect an opponent’s attack, you can make an attack of opportunity against that opponent after the attack is deflected."
Does this overrule the limitation?
Yes it does. Specific rules always take precedence over general rules.
I'd agree, but I'd be prepared for the DM to say no.
You may have to flex the old debate muscles.
Maybe I misunderstood the question. Are you asking can you bypass the limit on number of AoO's per round?
edit:If you are trying to bypass the total defensive rule then I stick to my previous answer.
edit:If you are trying to bypass the total defensive rule then I stick to my previous answer.
Yes this is what I meant. Thanks for your answer.
I'd agree, but I'd be prepared for the DM to say no.
You may have to flex the old debate muscles.
But crane wing only works while in those stances so otherwise this feat does nothing. You would be prepared for a DM to say "No that feat you took doesnt do anything."? Man, you have some rough DMs there.
But crane wing only works while in those stances so otherwise this feat does nothing. You would be prepared for a DM to say "No that feat you took doesnt do anything."? Man, you have some rough DMs there.I'd agree, but I'd be prepared for the DM to say no.
You may have to flex the old debate muscles.
Note that total defense != fighting defensively. You can make AoOs while fighting defensively and will usually be fighting defensively while using crane style.
My question referred specifically to the total defense option.
I would say no, since technically you would be taking no penalty for attacking while in full defense as opposed to a -1 for defensive action, and I don't think that was intended.
Just to be clear I think the OP was saying they get the AoO when they deflect an attack, not just because they are in the Crane Stance.
Just to be clear I think the OP was saying they get the AoO when they deflect an attack, not just because they are in the Crane Stance.I was unclear in my response, I apologize. You get no penalty to the AoO if you could indeed take one.
I don't think the AoO at full (rather than -1 for defensively) is a problem given that you've traded all your actions for it.
You only traded a standard action. That's hardly all your actions. Perversely, this means a caster can use a quickened ray at no penalty as opposed to the -4 for fighting defensively, but that is another subject.
You get the AoO, specific trumps general. It's also the only attack or AoO you're going to be making that round. I would never use this on a round I could fight defensively (ie, only on rounds I can't make a melee attack), ever. Even then, I'd probably rather ready an attack action to fight defensively and attack if someone comes within reach, since they obviously would have to close to melee for Crane Wing/Riposte to apply at all. Just seems far more efficient.
In my experience, Total Defense is a rare occurrence. So this is a pretty fringe scenario.
On the occasions I've used TD it was a case of being 1 hit shy of dropped and a withdraw action wasn't feasible. Holding out for one more round while still controlling my square was the best choice.
I could see it as a valid choice for a monk playing human wall with a ki point spent for the +4 to AC. This would produce a very high (touch) AC for a monk. Nice if an onslaught of Ray spells were incoming.
I'd allow the AoO under the "specific trumps general" clause.
As stated before I'd be willing to take a "no way" from another DM. This is a pretty significant exception rules wise. It's an exception to an option that a great many players may not even be aware of. It's also not worth an in game argument. Even if you could execute a stun or paralyze on the AoO the single attack is otherwise a reduced effectiveness strike (at 3/4 BAB). It could be game changing but not optimally, especially since you are in TD for a reason that likely prohibits some Jet Li badassery on the next round anyway.
I'm waiting on a ruling from my GM on this matter. My current Master of Many Styles Monk is something of an evasion tank: use a combination of total defense, Crane Wing, and Snake Style to not be hit and rely on my heavier-hitting allies to drop the enemies. I'm hoping he rules that Crane Riposte can be used in total defense, since I'd like to have an offensive option while still maintaining my maximum level of defense.
My personal opinion is that the text of crane riposte causes the deflected attack to provoke an AoO. However, while in Total Defense, you can not take an AoO regardless of provoking. In this regard, I don't think Crane Riposte trumps the text of Total Defense.