If you take the fighting defensively action, is the AC bonus effective against ranged attacks, or just melee attacks? I'm thinking that it would, but I could also see a case being made that since you're using a melee weapon that it would be no. I've been searching around trying to see if there was a ruling, but I appear to have failed with those searches so far. So, assistance on clarification would be greatly appreciated.
There is no reason you cannot fight defensively when using a ranged attack. Fighting defensively simply means you are willing to reduce you accuracy in order to try and avoid getting hit. You can do this with any weapon not just melee weapons. You can even do it with a spell that requires an attack roll.
The bonus applies directly to your AC so it affects anything targeting your AC.
Nothing in fighting defensively (or the related concepts of Combat Expertise and total defense) indicates that it only works against melee, or only against whatever you're using; they simply grant Dodge Bonuses to your AC.
Dodge Bonuses aren't limited to melee or ranged; they only care about whether you're allowed to use your Dexterity bonus (if any.)
With that in mind, the simple ruling is that the AC bonus is effective against any incoming attacks that target your AC (including touch), unless they would deny a Dexterity bonus. Melee and ranged don't matter. (:
Thank you for the responses. Much appreciated.