does kirin style give passive bonuses?

[Xavier319]

Alright, i'm a little confused. Kirin style and the other feats in the chain seem to give passive bonuses, like +2 insight bonuses to identify monsters, and taking ten on knowledge checks.

Benefit: Whenever you make a Knowledge check to identify a creature, even when using Kirin Style, you can take 10 even if stress and distractions would normally prevent you from doing so. While using Kirin Style against a creature you have identified using that feat, if the creature ends its turn within your threatened area, you can spend a use of your attacks of opportunity that round to move up to 5 feet times your Intelligence modifier (minimum 1). You must end your move in a square threatened by the creature. This move does not provoke attacks of opportunity.

Now, it seems to give you a passive bonus that works ALL the time, and then a bonus that works when you are in kirin style, is that correct? or do you have to be in kirin style to get ANY of the benefits?

[blahpers]

Yes, you have it right.

[Kazaan]

On reading the entries, I conclude that only the 2 bonus to identify and the "take 10 even with distractions" apply any time (using the style or not) while all other bonuses only apply while you're using the style. Keep in mind, however, that it takes a swift action to enter the style, and a swift action to ID the target so that's 2 full rounds before you start getting significant defensive bonuses; and a third round before you can start using Kirin Strike. If you take Multistyle Mastery, you can reduce this to 2 rounds by outright starting combat in the style as a free action. That, however, requires burning a slot on a second style feat which will probably be only marginally useful unless you're also MoMS.