Difference between fighting defensively as a standard and full action?

[Big Squig]

As far as I can tell in my printing of the Pathfinder RPG core rulebook, there is no difference between fighting defensively as a standard action and as a full action. Is there something I'm missing?

Thanks

[Ravingdork]

Big Squig wrote:

As far as I can tell in my printing of the Pathfinder RPG core rulebook, there is no difference between fighting defensively as a standard action and as a full action. Is there something I'm missing?

Thanks

There is a difference. If you fight defensively as a standard action you may make one attack (at penalty) and move or perform some similar action. If you fight defensively as a full round action, you can make a full attack (at penalty) and possibly take a free or swift action.

[Big Squig]

So, if you only have one attack, there's no reason to fight defensively as a full action?

[Ravingdork]

Big Squig wrote:

So, if you only have one attack, there's no reason to fight defensively as a full action?

That's right.

[Draga, of the mist]

I was confused by this, too - is there any benefit to fighting defensively as a full round action?

[Crowface]

Draga, of the mist wrote:

I was confused by this, too - is there any benefit to fighting defensively as a full round action?

Benefit to defense? No. The benefit of taking a full attack action while fighting defensively is you get to make a full attack.

[King of Vrock]

Or think of it this way, Fighting Defensively as a Standard is the fighting retreat. Fighting Defensively as a Full Round is Holding the Line.

--Vrock, Paper, Scissors

[Draga, of the mist]

igotid32 wrote:

Benefit to defense? No. The benefit of taking a full attack action while fighting defensively is you get to make a full attack.

Ah, makes sense in hindsight. Thanks.

[Lily Orlovsky]

I was just trying to research this looking for an errata or something. My book shows exactly what the OP says, identical text for fighting defensively as a full round vs a standard action. However if you look under the acrobatics skill it states that if you have 3 or more ranks in acrobatics that you receive a +3 bonus to AC instead of the +2 bonus for fighting defensively, and a +6 bonus instead of a +4 bonus when doing a full defensive action

So which is the typo?

[Thorkull]

Lily Orlovsky wrote:

I was just trying to research this looking for an errata or something. My book shows exactly what the OP says, identical text for fighting defensively as a full round vs a standard action. However if you look under the acrobatics skill it states that if you have 3 or more ranks in acrobatics that you receive a +3 bonus to AC instead of the +2 bonus for fighting defensively, and a +6 bonus instead of a +4 bonus when doing a full defensive action

So which is the typo?

Neither is a typo.

Fighting defensively is a modifier when you still want to attack.

Full Defense is an action in its own right. You do not get any attacks when you take the Full Defense action.

[Lily Orlovsky]

oooooh. I see. Thanks! I must've overlooked the full defense action! :)