Fighting defensively is an action a player takes on his turn to act. The AC bonus lasts until the start of his next turn. Barring house-rules, he doesn't need to declare his plans for his turn until it actual comes about.
When you make an AoO you must continue to Power Attack if you already were for the turn and may start using it if you weren't and want to. Some maneuvers can be used in place of an attack and therefore can be used on AoO, others are standard actions themselves and cannot be. You have to check the individual descriptions of each. AoO resolve just before the action that triggered them, so you cannot trip someone on an AoO for them standing up from being prone.
You may use Power Attack on any attack roll.
1-when a player declares he plans to fight defensively, does the ac bonus start right away at the beginning of that turn or when it is his turn to act?
It starts when he takes the action.
Fighting Defensively as a Standard Action
Fighting Defensively as a Full-Round Action
2-when you make an Aao, can you use feats on it such as power attack or special maneuvers?
Power Attack, yes. If you used PA earlier in the round, it's still on by default (you can't choose to turn it off). If you didn't use it earlier, you can still choose to start using it before your AoO.
Maneuvers: If the maneuver can be made in place of any melee attack (like Trip, but not like Sunder or Grapple) then you can do it as an AoO.
Could you re-trip someone who provokes an Aao by getting back up from a trip?
No. The AoO interrupts the action, so they're still prone when the AoO hits. See This FAQ.
3-Can you use feats such as power attack with whirlwind attack?
Sure, as long as they don't grant you extra attacks.
1) A player may only switch to fighting defensively during his turn, and before he makes an attacks that turn. The effect takes place immediately and lasts till he starts his next turn.
2) Short answer is yes. There are some conditionals though depending on the situation. An AoO for example from someone standing up takes place before they have actually stood, so you could not trip them again because at the time of the AoO they are already prone on the ground. Per RAW I believe if you choose to use power attack on your turn, then got an AoO on a bad guys turn you would actually have no choice but to use power attack on the AoO as well. On the other hand if you did normal attacks on your turn then got an AoO you could choose to add power attack or not during the AoO.
You must choose to use this feat before making an attack roll, and its effects last until your next turn.
3) Yes, there is nothing I'm aware of in the rules that prohibits using either of those feats together (or a lot of other combinations, for example, power attack/combat expertise/whirlwind/bleeding critical).
hi all!
my questions for combat:
1-when a player declares he plans to fight defensively, does the ac bonus start right away at the beginning of that turn or when it is his turn to act?
2-when you make an Aao, can you use feats on it such as power attack or special maneuvers? Could you re-trip someone who provokes an Aao by getting back up from a trip?
3-Can you use feats such as power attack with whirlwind attack?
Thanks!
RW
1. Fighting defensively is declared when the character takes an attack action or full attack action to make attack so it starts on the character's turn and lasts until the beginning of his following turn. Character can't declare fighting defensively out of his turn, unless he has some special ability allowing him to do so. The same applies to Combat Expertise feat.
2. Power attack can be declared at any time you make a melee attack roll - once declared its effects last until the beginning of the character's following turn. Some combat maneuvers can be used as an AoO: disarm and trip from core rules and any other that is "used in place of attack". Bull-rush, grapple, overrun and (probably) sunder can't be used as AoO. Note that you can't trip creature during AoO provoked by standing up. however, as the AoO takes effect before provoking action - i.e. while the target is still prone. So only after the character took his AoO the target stands up.
3. Depends upon specific feat but Power Attack and Combat Expertise can be used during Whirlwind Attack allowing for a very efficient two-handed weapon wielder attacking everyone around as a full-round action.
1- do you provoke Aao when you use fly-by attack? Such as a giant eagle swoops in, hits, then flies upwards to get out of melee reach?
Flyby Attack: "This creature can make an attack before and after it moves while flying.
Prerequisite: Fly speed.
Benefit: When flying, the creature can take a move action and another standard action at any point during the move. The creature cannot take a second move action during a round when it makes a flyby attack.
Normal: Without this feat, the creature takes a standard action either before or after its move."
Unlike Spring Attack, Flyby Attack doesn't say that you don't provoke, so you follow the rules normally and provoke if you leave a threatened square.
2-As a matter of fact, if there is a section that details aerial combat well I'd like to see it 'cause I think I missed it if it's in the books.
Not really. There's the Fly Skill and a few mentions in the combat chapter, glossary, and universal monster rules.