How many foes, in epic levels, and all having over 10 mental scores, would EVER provoke AoO in 5'ft of a epic fighter :P. None methinks so it is moot point for having combat reflex if it is not reguirment into something or having reach weapon which allows do AoO in it's full reach. If whips allowed do AoO in 3.0, would you allow as DM that Lasher is able to get AoO in it's full whip's reach? I recall there is such feature (was it Mastery of Whip or the Wounding Whip ability which specificelly mentioned Lasher can do that). Anycase I hope I get some use for Smite Good (plainly said face good aligned foes).