I have a questions about the feat:
Ascetic Style (Combat, Style)
You blend arms and martial arts, using weapons with the same ease as unarmed strikes.
Prerequisite(s): Weapon Focus with the chosen melee weapon; base attack bonus +1 or monk level 1st.
Benefit(s): Choose one weapon from the monk fighter weapon group. While using this style and wielding the chosen weapon, you can apply the effects of feats that have Improved Unarmed Strike as a prerequisite, as well as effects that augment an unarmed strike, as if attacks with the weapon were unarmed attacks.
Special: A 5th-level monk or character with the weapon training (monk) class feature can use Ascetic Style with any monk weapon, in addition to the chosen melee weapon.
Style Feats rule: As a swift action, you can enter the stance employed by the fighting style a style feat embodies. Although you cannot use a style feat before combat begins, the style you are in persists until you spend a swift action to switch to a different combat style. You can use a feat that has a style feat as a prerequisite only while in the stance of the associated style.
The wording in Ascetic style states, “you can apply the effects of feats”, which seems different than a character actually using the feat that generates the effect. Ascetic style adopts the effect of a feat though not the limitations or application requirements of a fighting style feat.
Question: Does this wording imply that when using Ascetic Style, the requirement to be in a fighting style in order to use a feat from that style is over written. Allowing for style feat effects to be used without the character having to be in that fighting style to use the feat?
Example: Panther Claw (Combat)
You unleash a rapid series of blows on foes that attempt to attack you when you move.
Prerequisite: Wis 15, Combat Reflexes, Improved Unarmed Strike, Panther Style.
Benefit: While using Panther Style, you can spend a free action, instead of spending a swift action, to make a retaliatory unarmed strike. You can make a number of retaliatory unarmed strikes on your turn equal to your Wisdom modifier.
Or
Jabbing Dancer (Combat)
You’ve learned to bend and shift your body to avoid attacks and reposition yourself advantageously.
Prerequisite(s): Dodge, Improved Unarmed Strike, Jabbing Style, Mobility; base attack bonus +9, brawler level 5th, or monk level 5th.
Benefit: Each time you hit with an unarmed strike while using Jabbing Style, you can move 5 feet without provoking an attack of opportunity as long as you move to a space adjacent to the opponent you hit with the unarmed strike. If you use this feat, you cannot take a 5-foot step during your next turn.
Thank you.
