The number of defenses was actually a house rule in the game we played with it. It can be done either way (i.e. you get your level of combative defenses or you get as many defenses as you're attacked), but it might make combative a little too good. I'll listen to everyone's opinion on it, though.<br/><br/>The other way of handling combative level 3 is to leave it open to taking, but you won't be allowed to take on an opponent with level 1 combative 1-on-1 because it wouldn't be much of a fight (unless the person with level 1 wants to lose badly :) ). 2 people with level 1 combative could take on someone with level 3 though. I actually think this is a better solution. Makes for fun threesomes, too. Plus it would lend itself better to characters being in more of supportive roles versus being tanks.