Better AC when flat footed?

[Kerblamikus]

Fully expect this to be shot down but would someone with 9 Dex (-1 to AC) have a better AC when flat footed and denied their dex modifier?
Just wondered what the esteemed members of the boards thought.

[Malachi Silverclaw]

Flat-footed does not deny you your Dex modifier!

It denies you your Dex bonus.

A Dex penalty still applies when flat-footed.

[Kudaku]

d20srd wrote:

A flat-footed character loses his Dexterity bonus to AC and Combat Maneuver Defense (CMD) (if any) and cannot make attacks of opportunity, unless he has the Combat Reflexes feat or Uncanny Dodge class ability.

Bolding done by me to underline the relevant section.

Basically, no. Being flat-footed only loses your bonus, if you have a penalty then you keep it.

It would be interesting to see players come up with a character concept that, for whatever reason, is always flat-footed though :)

Edit: Argh, ninjaed!

[Kerblamikus]

Makes sense thanks for the quick reply guys.
In a similar sense then would someone that gets an ability 1 + WIS times a day retain their one use even with a negative WIS modiier?

[Are]

Some abilities specify "bonus", while others specify "modifier". So, depending on the ability in question, they might and they might not.

[Oladon]

Kerblamikus wrote:

Makes sense thanks for the quick reply guys.

In a similar sense then would someone that gets an ability 1 + WIS times a day retain their one use even with a negative WIS modiier?

Generally, yes. Sean (K. Reynolds, of course) has said that he tries to make sure everyone uses "bonus" and "modifier" correctly, but that if it allows for the possibility of having a negative number of uses of an ability, it should probably be "bonus".

[Kerblamikus]

Gotcha. Thanks for the clear explanations guys. Turns out every day is a school day :)