Both decrease the penalty for fighting defensively from -4 to -2 to attack rolls.
Is there any benefit in using both?
I know both do more than just give the lessser penalty (better use of combat expertise for madu, increased dodge bonus when fighting defensively for crane style)but what I want to know is: Does the penalty for fighting defensively stay at -2 when you use both?
I do not think they would stack, as both reduce the penalty to a set number rather than by a number. However, either one would stack with other abilities that reduce the defensive fighting penalty. For example, the Aldori Swordlord's "Steel Net" ability would reduce the penalty with either to 0, as it causes the penalty to "be reduced by 2."
Crane style would work with the aldori steel net.
The madu would not work as the aldori needs to have his other hand free.
I thought it would not stack but wanted to ask to be sure.