[3.5] combat expertise items..

[animewatcha]

Are there items of any type ( crappy or stupendous ) that trigger offa combat expertise to add a benefit or something?

[sleepyphoenixx]

Complete Adventurer has the Longstaff and Broadblade Shortsword.
If you use CE for at least two points Longstaff makes you immune to flanking, Broadblade Shortsword adds +2 dodge AC.

[gorfnab]

From: A Short guide to fighting defensively (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=178445)


Equipment:
Bradblade Shortsword (Complete Adventurer, page 117): Adds +1 dodge bonus to AC while fighting defensively or using Combat Expertise with at least -2. It was +2 on release, but it was nerfed in the errata.
Vest of Defense (Magic Item Compendium, page 146): As a swift action, 3/day, +2 on AC while fighting defensively or using Combat Expertise.
Defensive Surge (Magic Item Compendium, page 32): As a swift action, gain a +2 bonus to armor class while fighting defensively or using Combat Expertise for 1 round. Usable 1 + Int modifier times per day. Sadly, it can't be combined with Vest of Defense, since both use your swift action. You should probably have both, for more uses per day. If you ever run out of uses per day, just get a second defensive surge weapon.
Bracers of Blocking (Dragon Magazine 322, page 55): At 7000gp, these work like bracers of armor +2 and add an extra +2 dodge bonus when you fight defensively or use total defense.

[Person_Man]

gorfnab's link is a good one. But from an optimization perspective, Combat Expertise is generally a waste of resources. There are only two solid tricks I know of worth considering.

Allied Defense Feat (Shining South pg 19) grants adjacent allies your bonus from Combat Expertise. Since Dodge bonuses always stack, a group of allies standing in a block together using Combat Expertise + Allied Defense can theoretically get (# of allies * 5) AC. (Though everyone would also be taking -5 to-hit). You can cram even more allies into your space (thus potentially getting a higher AC bonus) and get a bonus to attack rolls with the Swarm Fighting feat (Complete Warrior), but at that point you're really trending into a DM special encounter and not something a party would realistically do.

[gorfnab]

Here is a Combat Expertise/Fighting Defensively build I came up with a while ago.


Human or Strongheart Halfling
1. Cobra Strike (UA) Deceptive Strike (PHBII) Monk - Camendine Monk, Combat Expertise, B: Dodge
2. Cobra Strike (UA) Monk - B: Mobility
3. Swashbuckler - Deadly Defense, B: Weapon Finesse
4. Swashbuckler
5. Swashbuckler
6. Thief Acrobat - Combat Reflexes
7. Thief Acrobat
8. Thief Acrobat
9. Thief Acrobat - Einhander
10. Thief Acrobat
11. Warblade
12. Warblade or Duelist - Ironheart Aura
13. Duelist
14. Duelist
15. Duelist - Robilar's Gambit
16. Duelist
17. Duelist
18. Duelist - Stormgaurd Warrior
19. Duelist
20. Duelist

Levels 10 through 12 can be rearranged depending on your needs. The current setup gives you Improved Evasion and Uncanny Dodge at these levels. However if you don't need Improved Evasion take one less level of Thief Acrobat and move the first level of Warblade to level 10. If you don't need Uncanny Dodge don't take the 2nd level of Warblade and instead go into Duelist a level early. If you don't need either abilities take Warblade at level 10 and enter Duelist at level 11.

If flaws are available pick up EWP: Broadblade Shortsword (pre-errata version if possible) or Versatile Unarmed Strike and Snap Kick (may need to rearrange later feats). If traits are available pick up Cautious.

The Monk and Swashbuckler levels (levels 1 through 5) can be switched around to taste. I personally like Swash 1/ Monk 2/ Swash 2

[Daftendirekt]

If PF is allowed, you'll also want to take a look at the Crane Style line of feats. Also the aldori dueling sword and the accompanying feat for it.