Stalwart and too much dodge AC

[reyyvin]

The text of Stalwart feat says that you

"While using the total defense action, fighting defensively action, or Combat Expertise, you can forgo the dodge bonus to AC you would normally gain to instead gain an equivalent amount of DR, to a maximum of DR 5/—, until the start of your next turn." Emphasis mine

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/general-feats/stalwart

If you're using Total defense (3 ranks acrobatics and crane stance) and combat reflexes with a BAB of +4, that would normally give you a +6 dodge bonus. With the limitation on Stalwart, would that give you:

a) DR 5/-

or

b) DR 5/- and +1 dodge AC

also, can you choose to take a lesser bonus when using feats like Combat Expertise and Power attack (so that way you would only take a -1 hit for +1 AC instead of -2/+2)?

[ErrantPursuit]

Since the language says "...you can forgo the dodge bonus to AC you would normally gain to instead..." I have to suggest that you get the normal bonus or the DR.

[thorin001]

You are getting 2 separate dodge bonuses so you have 3 options:
A. 5/- DR
B. 4/- DR and +2 dodge
C. 2/- DR and +4 dodge

[Darksol the Painbringer]

Stalwart mentions that you forgo the Dodge Bonus to AC granted from Combat Expertise, Fighting Defensively, and/or Total Defense to make it an equivalent amount of DR, exchanging on a 1 for 1 basis, maxing out to a total of DR 5/- (or DR 10/- in the case of Improved Stalwart, though the scaling is still the same).

Fighting Defensively + Acrobatics + Crane Style equates to a +4 Dodge AC. Going Total Defense makes it +7. Using Combat Expertise equates to a +1 Dodge to AC, +1 extra per 4 BAB, equating to a +6 Dodge AC at level 20.

In either case, you aren't getting optimal uses out of your abilities, making the feats seem silly to take, though it's great when you're facing enemies who either have so high to hit that the extra AC won't matter, or enemies who are so weak that even if they hit on a 20, the damage they could deal would be negated by some DR.

Don't get me wrong, I like the concept behind it, but it's just not the ticket for a min-maxing tank. (I don't think there is such a thing as a "tank" in Pathfinder.)

**EDIT**

Also, couple notes: Total Defense makes you unable to take AoO's while it's active, and you cannot scale back Power Attack or Combat Expertise bonuses/penalties. It's all or nothing (which is good, since it helps prevent munchkin players).

[kadance]

thorin001 wrote:

You are getting 2 separate dodge bonuses so you have 3 options:

A. 5/- DR
B. 4/- DR and +2 dodge
C. 2/- DR and +4 dodge

Which is to say, you can trade in the dodge bonus from Fighting defensively/full defense for Damage reduction and keep the dodge bonus from Combat expertise (or vice versa); or exchange the dodge bonuses from both for damage reduction.

As attack bonuses quickly outstrip all but the most dedicated defensive characters' AC, the DR is usually well worth it.